amazon seller podcast Archives

6 Insights into Selling on Amazon in 2022

As the world recovers from the global pandemic, eCommerce businesses are adjusting yet again to the modern landscape. We’ve seen some interesting Amazon selling trends in 2021, as merchants find new ways to stay ahead of their competition and leverage Amazon’s expanding offerings.

Now, as we near the end of 2021, let’s take a look at some key tips for selling on amazon to keep in mind for 2022.

Inspect Sample Goods Before Switching Manufacturers

Poor product reviews break listings. 89% of buyers read product reviews as part of their customer journey; you can’t afford to lose consumer trust by accumulating bad reviews. If your products have a bad reputation, you will have trouble selling them to just break even.

So, be sure to order and inspect samples from manufacturers beforehand. If you’ve been using a supplier for a while, don’t drop the ball by compromising your vetting process; it takes one wrong delivery to ultimately tank your customer reviews. Another thing to learn for selling on Amazon in 2022.

Take Advantage of Amazon’s Expanding Branding Features

Amazon’s Brand Registry gives sellers more control over their products and brand representation. The program is easy to join, and here are a few reasons why you might want to consider it (other than the fact that it’s free):

Increase product sales and conversions

While you may not notice an immediate change in your bottom line, Amazon’s Brand Registry actively works to remove fraudulent listings and delist third parties that are fraudulently using your brand’s name.

Reducing fraud is vital to building trust in your brand and driving conversions. Otherwise, if buyers unknowingly purchase a knockoff, it may reflect poorly on your brand’s image. You can use the registry to report any perceived violations and have infringements removed.

Take back control over your product’s information

Sharing accurate, valuable product information is vital to building customer loyalty. It’s essential to avoid misleading prospects and help them understand precisely how your product can benefit them.

Unfortunately, third-party sellers may not honor your core values and alter your descriptions, spreading misinformation. You can’t avoid third-party sellers either, because they make up for more than 50% of Amazon sales.

Fortunately, Amazon’s Brand Registry gives sellers more control over how products are described in the listing. After submitting your product and company information, Amazon will regulate any third-party attempts to alter them, preserving the key information.

Beyond these measures, the Brand Register protects brands against more complex fraudulent efforts as well. For example, some third parties may use your company logo or information to sell their own knock-off products. Amazon’s Brand Registry combats these malicious activities by:

Removing listings that use your company logo or trademark on products that aren’t yours.
Images need to be removed with trademarked information/items that don’t represent your company.
Removing fraudulent listings that use your brand’s information.

Learn and implement this for 2022.

Access the Sponsored Brands Feature

The Brand Registry unlocks your access to Amazon’s Sponsored Brands Feature, which is an ad format that lets businesses promote up to three products. It also allows you to include your company logo and brand name, which is great for raising brand awareness if you’re selling on Amazon.

A big draw for using the Sponsored Brands feature is that your ad will appear at the top of search results, even above “Sponsored Products.”

Stay on Top of Amazon’s Evolving SEO Algorithms

Paying attention to Amazon SEO is vital to increasing your listing’s visibility and ensuring prospects can easily find you. In a nutshell, Amazon SEO’s purpose is to help consumers buy, so the algorithm works to meet this goal.

When a consumer searches on Amazon, the algorithm quickly determines which product listing has the highest likelihood of fulfilling the searcher’s needs. In other words, Amazon’s SEO algorithm needs to figure out which listing has the highest ‘purchase likelihood’.

Similar to Google on-page SEO practices, there are technical steps you can use to improve your product ranking, including the use of keywords, images, and optimized titles and descriptions. But, to beat out the rigorous competition and rank at the top of Amazon search results, you need to convince the algorithm that consumers are ready to buy your product.

That’s where the A10 (formerly known as A9) algorithm comes in. Amazon’s algorithm undergoes continuous updates, with the ranking factors adjusting slightly every six months or so. Thus, staying current with the evolving algorithm is important to keep your product listing at the top. Keep this up for things to learn for 2022.

Amazon’s A10 algorithm, in general, prioritizes two core criteria for ranking:

The number of customer reviews
Your sales rank, which includes details like how many customers are searching for your product and buying it

It’s important not to get bogged down by the algorithm’s technicalities. Sure, it’s updated regularly, but its core working and objective remains the same: to help customers buy what they need. This intention means sellers should focus on optimizing their offerings for customers.

True to Amazon’s MO, you’ll notice that the two core criteria behind the A10 algorithm are geared towards customers. The algorithm reflects Amazon’s commitment to delivering the best customer experience. By sharing this commitment i.e., keeping customers happy and meeting market needs, you can drive your search ranking up.

Have Both a Vendor and Seller Account

Many growing businesses struggle to decide between having a vendor or a seller account, because each offers unique pros and cons. But what if you could combine the best of both worlds? Turns out you can—Amazon doesn’t restrict sellers from having both accounts.

By having both a vendor and seller account, you can complement sales efforts and mitigate restrictions. For example, seller accounts usually get fewer sales because they lack the “sold by Amazon” endorsement, so having an additional vendor account can increase your bottom line.

Retailers can also leverage the advanced analytics and flexibility of a seller account to help launch new products. Generally, Amazon is hesitant to promote new vendor products because they lack performance information. So, you can do the initial heavy-lifting and sales testing from your seller account and eventually use the analytics to encourage Amazon to endorse the item from your vendor account.

Invest in Good Customer Service Mechanisms

Amazon’s commitment to customer service and delivering the best customer experience is a critical driving factor behind the eCommerce giant’s success. Amazon sellers can take a page out of the Megacorp’s book and improve sales by committing to good customer service.

Ecommerce gives merchants access to a full suite of data, analytics, and meaningful insights to tailor marketing efforts and optimize the customer experience. However, without the right systems in place, your support team won’t be able to leverage the data to your brand’s benefit.

Thus, it’s important to invest in good customer service software solutions. For example, you might want to consider using email automation to deliver automated updates, like shipping notifications or order verification.

Additionally, it’s vital to invest in tools to centralize information to maintain customer satisfaction. If customers receive unsatisfactory answers or varying responses across channels, they become frustrated and confused, reducing your FCR (First Contact Resolution) rates. With a centralized knowledge base, you can resolve customer support requests faster and more accurately. Learn this for 2022.

Executive Summary

The core best practices for selling on Amazon don’t change. Whether you look at 2010 or 2021, successful sellers prioritize customer-first experiences, strive to deliver value, take feedback seriously, and leverage tools to optimize their operations.

As we break into 2022, it’s important to remember that these objectives won’t change, but the means to achieve them might. For example, SEO algorithms are continuously evolving, and new technological developments help businesses optimize their operations in new ways. Therefore, staying up to date with these advancements and trends is vital to keep your brand relevant and successful.

To sum things up to learn for selling on Amazon in 2022, don’t forget to:

Weigh your options out with Seller and Vendor accounts, and see if it’s beneficial to use both.
Invest in centralized knowledge and automation to deliver better customer service.
Leverage Amazon’s robust branding features.
Keep up with the latest Amazon SEO updates.
Inspect your products as they arrive.

And don’t forget to put your customers first!

—-

Jake Rheude is the Director of Marketing for Red Stag Fulfillment, an e-commerce fulfillment warehouse that was born out of e-commerce. He has years of experience in e-commerce and business development. In his free time, Jake enjoys reading about business and sharing his own experience with others.

Thank you, Jake for the guest blog post! Be on the lookout for more great content!

Amazon Seller Podcast: Conquering Amazon PPC with Sumner Hobart

We spoke with expert Amazon seller Sumner Hobart to discuss Amazon PPC best practices for beginners and pros.

When stepping back to notice big picture Amazon trends, the continued emergence of Amazon Advertising stands out. It is one of the biggest takeaways from the past few years.

While Amazon Advertising has skyrocketed, it still may be in its early stages. Analysts speculate Amazon Advertising may be a $600 billion business within the next 2-3 years. It is safe to say Amazon PPC is here to stay.

Conquering Amazon PPC is shifting from an elective skill to a prerequisite for success as a seller. In the not-so-distant future of selling on Amazon, the arms race for dominating a market will likely be through advertising.

Because PPC is transitioning from the elective stage, it’s still a facet of selling that gives many sellers headaches. But fear not, and try to view this as an opportunity, not a roadblock. By gaining PPC knowledge and experience now, you can distance yourself from the competition for short-term gains and long-term dominance.

To help, we chatted with Sumner Hobart, an Amazon PPC maestro who has utilized PPC to power his business and change his life through FBA. Tune in as we pick his brain to break down Amazon PPC tips and tricks on your way to advertising like a pro!

HIGHLIGHTS

Get to know Sumner and his story of how selling on Amazon helped transform his life. (0:00)

Selling via FBA has changed so many lives, helping them live out their dreams through entrepreneurship. We say hello to Sumner and get to know his story from his experience before selling on Amazon, how he got into it, and how he turned it into a rewarding career and lifestyle.

When should sellers start running PPC campaigns? (5:22)

One common refrain we’ve heard from sellers considering making the leap into PPC is that they don’t think the time is right. We chat with Sumner to hear about his path in PPC and how sellers can know if they’re ready or not to introduce their product to ads.

What goals should sellers new to PPC be considering to determine success? (14:30)

Not all campaigns are created with the same goals in mind. Sumner explains the primary objectives behind PPC campaigns, and discusses what steps you take to accomplish these goals through ad campaigns.

Sumner shines a light on which campaigns outside of the norm should sellers examine in PPC and how to put them into place. (26:34)

After explaining some of the basic PPC campaigns, we dive a little deeper with Sumner on more niche campaigns. While the basics are tried and true, sellers can find more success and learn more about their performance by getting a little more creative ith their campaign structures.

Does driving external traffic play a role with PPC? If so, how can a seller integrate it into their strategy? (44:37)

Over recent months, the emphasis on driving external traffic has been further incentivized by Amazon. In terms of overall strategy, the ability to drive traffic from outside of Amazon continues to rise as well. Building a following on social media, growing an email list of potential customers, or driving traffic through ads from Google, Facebook, TikTok, or other spaces outside of Amazon can be extremely valuable.

Sumner breaks down how driving external traffic and PPC can go hand-in-hand to strategically grow and scale your Amazon business to new heights.

A huge thanks to Sumner for chatting with us and sharing his expertise. You can stay in touch for more helpful FBA gems by connecting with him on LinkedIn, or pick up tricks of the trade through his selling courses.

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Follow The Data Podcast: Finding Success in E-Commerce with Ashley Armstrong

How does one pave their way into the world of e-commerce? We spoke with Ashley Armstrong to find out.

Since the beginning of 2020, the popularity of e-commerce has skyrocketed. Finding Success in E-Commerce can be as easy as one, two, three.

After years of steady growth, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online businesses to new heights. With increasing interest from media to shine a spotlight on the industry, even more people have recognized the limitless potential that comes with selling on Amazon.

But not everyone is jumping right in, even after conducting the research. Why?

Undoubtedly, fear of failure is a leading reason and one that’s entirely fair. But how do we overcome that fear, and what steps should be taken to mitigate risks?

We dialed up Ashley Armstrong, an e-commerce rockstar with 10+ years of experience in online businesses, to discuss these issues.

Loyal listeners of the Follow The Data podcast may recognize Ashley, as this isn’t her first time on the show. Last time, we honed on the topic of how to grow businesses through virtual assistants. This time, we focus the conversation on more big-picture ideas.

Tune in for an in-depth discussion on overcoming fear, the importance of building a support system, and how she’s taking on a leadership role to bring together women in e-commerce.

HIGHLIGHTS

Get to know Ashley Armstrong and what she’s been up to since we last spoke. (0:00)

With more than a decade in e-commerce in a variety of roles, Ashley’s one of the best resources in the Amazon selling space. We check in on what she’s been up to over the pandemic, with so many changes in e-commerce in such a short span. Finding Success in E-Commerce can be done.

As more people recognize the tremendous opportunity that comes with selling online, what’s the number one reason people don’t make the leap into e-commerce? (6:39)

With so many green lights for the industry, why aren’t more people taking the leap into e-commerce? Fear. Fear of failure or the doubts that come with learning something new can create the devil on your shoulder, telling you all the reasons not to do something big.

Amazon sellers come from all types of backgrounds, with each one providing valuable lessons to guide them to success. How did Ashley’s background in athletics work to her advantage? (8:49)

One of the beauties of e-commerce is that it’s open to people that from diverse backgrounds. And people are able to use their life experiences as resources that fuel them to success. With a background in sports, Ashley explains the crossover of the athlete’s mindset and how it applies to e-commerce.

We’ve talked about how fear can be your worst enemy when it comes to starting an online business. From the perspective of a potential entrepreneur, how do we overcome that fear? (20:09)

Unfortunately, you can’t separate the determination for success from the fear of failure regarding e-commerce. Cam and Ashley break down how to cope with fear and certain opportunities to consider before taking that step forward.

How can you turn your losses into lessons that fuel long-term e-commerce success? (32:57)

While we can work with fear and take strategic steps to mitigate risk, failure is not something that can be eliminated entirely. In fact, some of the more prominent names in e-commerce have experienced failure at some point. Ashley tells us about a time she took a loss and used it to her advantage.

Why has Ashley pivoted to running a seller community for women? (39:04)

Throughout our discussion, we’ve mentioned how important it can be to have a support system. Whether it’s about product research, strategy, or personal support to take care of our mental and emotional health, it’s crucial to be around people who have your back.

Online, it can be very much a lone wolf mentality. Additionally, finding female representation in the Amazon selling space can cause someone to feel like even more of an outcast. As the Amazon seller community grows larger, Ashley’s looking to fill the gap for representation from women in e-commerce. Finding Success in E-Commerce is great.

With her extensive background and great knowledge, we look forward to seeing that community grow.

While we typically talk more nuts and bolts of Amazon, such as product research or PPC, understanding the barriers that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from achieving their dreams and how to overcome fear and doubt is an essential conversation worth having.

As always, a huge thanks to Ashley for taking the time to share her vast knowledge with us. You can stay in touch with her on her website or by joining her network for women in e-commerce.

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Amazon Marketplace with Ecom Dave: Following the Data

Are you getting started in the Amazon Marketplace or thinking about launching your own online business? We spoke with Ecom Dave to discuss how to kickstart an Amazon business in 2021 and how to avoid common mistakes that get in the way.

Over the past 18 months or so, the Amazon marketplace has made plenty of waves. Whether it’s been about record-setting numbers, expansion into new countries, or competitors such as Shopify or Walmart looking to duplicate its success, there’s plenty of buzz on the topic. Here are some tips to getting started on amazon.

To anyone who likes making money (and who doesn’t?), this may seem like your signal to get in on the action. There’s plenty of opportunity on Amazon and the industry is still growing rapidly.

But before jumping in headfirst, there are plenty of considerations to make.

As with most things that go through massively evolving growth, things change quickly. As recently as 5 or 10 years ago, just starting an Amazon business may have been enough to fast track your success.

With a more mature marketplace, new sellers must enter more strategically than in the past.

That’s why we spoke with Ecom Dave, a superstar seller and seller mentor in the Amazon community. He takes us through his journey as a seller, how Amazon has evolved over the years, and how sellers can build their business the right way.

Tune in to the whole conversation for a free-flowing conversation packed with plenty of helpful Amazon Marketplace tidbits!

HIGHLIGHTS

Get to know Ecom Dave and his experience with e-commerce. (0:00)

If you aren’t familiar with Ecom Dave, take a second to learn his fascinating journey from bartending and failing at his first attempt at selling on Amazon to launch a successful online business and becoming one of the biggest names in the Amazon seller community.

What mistakes are the new wave of Amazon sellers making? (9:31)

When learning a new skill, knowing what not to do can be as critical as knowing what to do. Steering clear of common missteps can make the difference between a dud and a stud, with thousands of dollars at stake. Dave walks us through his process and thinking while assisting new sellers and where many are going wrong.

How getting started on amazon impacted Dave’s lifestyle? (13:25)

Let’s be real. Most of us don’t work because we love the work. We work to afford the best lifestyle we want.

One of the main allures of selling on Amazon is the ability to be your own boss, build your business, and live the life you’ve always wanted. That’s certainly the case for Dave, who walks us through his daily routine compared to before he began selling on Amazon.

Dave walks us through what aspects he believes have personally contributed to his Amazon business? (22:10)

A seller’s mentality at approaching their business plays a tremendous factor in the outcome of the business. When running your own business, your business’s success or failure and overall imprint becomes inescapably related to person running it.

The Amazon seller community is quite diverse in terms of mentality and approach, so while there certainly is no “one-size-fits-all” mentality, each person’s strengths or weaknesses can make an impact on their business. Getting started on amazon can have a large impact. Dave explains how his personality and experiences played a role in his ultimate success.

Before we say goodbye, Dave offers some final advice for Amazon sellers who are kicking off their FBA careers. (27:00)

If we were to dive into all the aspects that go into selling, the Follow The Data podcast would be longer than an episode of the Joe Rogan show. So before the conclusion of this conversation, we asked Dave what other tips or topics he’d like to cover that hadn’t been covered already.

A huge thanks to Dave for taking the time to share his valuable expertise. For more tips and tricks to starting and succeeding on Amazon, check out his website! You can also connect with Dave on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

As always, drop your email below to receive the latest Amazon seller news and updates!

Follow The Data: From Part-Time Amazon Seller to Running an E-Commerce Agency

Fernando Campos talks through lessons learned developing a wildly-successful Amazon agency, and how Amazon sellers can adopt the same strategies in 2021+ to grow their own e-commerce businesses.

In our latest conversation on how to effectively grow and scale online businesses in 2021, Follow the Data host Cam Yoder chats with Fernando Campos, co-founder of MarketplaceOps, an agency that helps e-commerce brands maximize their potential.

Fernando is a true Amazon success story, and has progressed from a part-time Amazon seller to starting an agency that helps e-commerce brands accelerate their growth through proven seller practices.

Fernando’s sophisticated understanding of the processes that go into building a brand based on his years of experience is extraordinary. With a background in tech and specializations in operations, product development, and finance, he is certainly a thought leader in brand growth.

Tune in for expert advice, advanced seller strategies, and areas of emphasis to get an edge on your competition!

HIGHLIGHTS

Get to know Fernando, who’s evolved from a part-time seller to helping run a successful eCommerce agency. (0:18)

Welcome back, Fernando! We had Fernando on the podcast way back in 2018, and much has changed in three years. Since then, he’s found even greater success in e-commerce as the industry continues to revolve. Find out Fernando’s history and why he’s an authority on elevating eCommerce businesses on a massive scale.

After building successful Amazon brands of his own, why make the leap to starting an agency? (2:13)

Likely, we’ve all heard the adage, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” So why make the switch from running your own business to helping manage and promote others? Fernando walks us through his experience and why he decided to start an agency for online companies.

Knowing what Fernando knows now, what advice would Fernando give himself before starting his agency? (12:28)

Hindsight is 20/20, but unfortunately, we have to gain experience before gaining the insights. In e-commerce, few are willing to share details about their success and failures. Luckily, Fernando lets us in on some lessons he’s learned since he was a beginner in e-commerce.

The importance of generating traffic from outside of Amazon has fluctuated over previous years. How and who should focus on external traffic? (18:05)

There are many conflicting thoughts regarding the importance of driving external traffic in the Amazon seller community. As selling on Amazon continues to be more nuanced, sellers should be aware of this hot topic from trusted minds. Hear Fernando’s tips and advice not just on how to create external traffic, but who should be emphasizing this practice.

Based on current trends and habits, what do the next few years of e-commerce look like? (27:31)

If the last year has proven anything, it’s shown how difficult predicting the future can be. However, those with a finger on the pulse regarding the past and present of e-commerce have a distinct advantage on what lies ahead.

Of course, we are grateful for Fernando hopping on the show and sharing his expertise. We hope his tips, tricks, and strategies help you take the next step to scale your Amazon business. You can get in touch with him through email at fernando@marketplaceops.com. Be sure to check out MarketplaceOps to learn more about their management and strategy offerings.

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Follow The Data: How To Grow Your Amazon Business by Growing Your Team

Ashley Kinkead has incredible experience hiring a virtual (AND in-person) team to scale her Amazon business and eCommerce operations.

Loyal Follow The Data listeners may have noticed growth and scaling are a steady topic in 2021. While “solopreneurs” are undoubtedly a major part of the Amazon seller community, hiring others to help run your business is necessary for large-scale growth.

Often times, the entrepreneurial mindset comes with a penchant for independence. For beginner sellers with a brand or two on Amazon, this can be a perfect opportunity to harness that competitive drive for success to execute your visions.

However, the bandwidth required for mass scaling is just too large for one person to sustainably handle. Luckily, sellers can grow their team to assist with the growth of their business. But the process of building a team for your Amazon business is one most sellers aren’t quite familiar with.

Ashley and Cameron dive deep into the world of hiring to scale in this episode of Follow The Data.

HIGHLIGHTS:

When turning your solo business into a team, who’s the first person you should bring on?

So you want to grow your team? Where do you even start? As aspects of Amazon become more sophisticated, elements that go into running an online business become more specialized. Ashley walks us through her recommendations for laying the foundation for building your team and reveals her first hire.

When you should consider first hiring for your Amazon / eCommerce business?

While we often speak in generalities that cover most of the Amazon seller community, no two businesses operate the same.

Find out how to properly scale your team as you grow.

Doing too much too soon, or doing too little too late can doom your attempt at growth. The relationship between scaling your team and scaling your company can be a complex one. Ashley provides her insight based on her years of e-commerce experience.

What can you do to help your employees AND your business grow together – how to properly support and pour into your employees?

Leading a team is about more than just growing profits, it’s also about helping your team grow. In addition to the monetary compensation, a part of the value for employees is personal and professional development. As an employer, investing in your team members can be a mutually beneficial opportunity for your business and the individual success of your team.

With much of 2021 ahead of us, what strategy tips and advice does Ashley have for the remainder of 2021?

After a hectic 2020, the opportunity for success selling on Amazon has never been greater. Along the way, pick up helpful tips and tricks to accelerate your online business in the year ahead.

Need to get started before considering growing your team? Enroll in our FREE course to guide you through becoming an Amazon seller.

A huge thanks to Ashley for taking the time to share her experiences and expertise with us on the show. Be sure to check out Ashley’s Amazon-based Facebook group (among other connections) here.

How many members are on your team? What’s been your experience with bringing others into your online business? Drop a comment and be sure to let us know!

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Follow The Data: Creating A Distinctive Brand Identity With Emma Schermer Tamir

On this episode of Follow The Data, host Cam Yoder chats with Emma Schermer Tamir to discuss how to create a distinctive Amazon brand identity.

In 2021, branding is key for building and expanding your Amazon business.

Emma Schermer Tamir, owner and marketing expert of Marketing by Emma, is sharing her expertise on product branding and listing optimization in this episode of Follow The Data.

Branding is VITAL to the current and future success of any Amazon product. Emma’s here to give advice on principles to elevate the experience customers get from a product’s branding, and how a listing plays a direct role in that experience.

It’s crucial to remember that your brand is more than your logo and packaging. Everything you do creates your brand identity, whether it’s

Tune into this week’s episode to learn tips and tricks for maximizing your brand and optimizing your copywriting.

HIGHLIGHTS

What are the major areas of focus for copywriting and Amazon listing changes in 2021? (3:19)

As Amazon continues to evolve, sellers should be aware of the changing landscape. Periodically, it’s worth re-examining your listing’s copy to ensure you’re following Amazon style guidelines, utilizing proper tactics, and avoiding breaking any of the guidelines.

What does a good, well-established brand identity look like? (13:35)

We’re certainly aware that much of the discussion regarding branding can seem vague or generalized, making it difficult to learn the specifics. Before we dive deeper into the topic of branding, Emma provides her expert opinions on what goes into developing a strong brand identity.

Why is branding so important on Amazon? What’s the outcome of a strong brand? (21:51)

Within the Amazon marketplace, space for communicating your branding is limited and also given to all of your competitors. So what makes it so important? In short, the same reason it’s demanding is the same reason why it’s invaluable. Emma breaks down the benefits of owning a strong, unique brand identity.

Before saying goodbye, Emma provides a few final thoughts and helpful advice to remember while building your Amazon brand identity. (36:19)

Emma leaves us with a few gems of advice that should always be on your mind when considering your branding. As she mentions, your brand identity is happening whether you’re consciously crafting your brand or not. Creating your brand identity with a thoughtful, intentional strategy can pay off to help you stand out from the crowd.

A special thanks to Emma for sharing her expertise on building your Amazon brand identity. But her knowledge isn’t the only value you can gain from her.

In addition to all of the incredible information Emma gives in this episode, she provides listeners of Follow The Data with a FREE listing analysis. Head here to get your listing analyzed and checked over from one of the top minds in the Amazon game: https://marketingbyemma.com/freeanalysis.

Lastly, drop your email below to receive the latest tips, tricks, and news about selling on Amazon!

Follow the Data Podcast: Maximizing Brand Potential With Dr. James Richardson

With a unique perspective, growth specialist Dr. James Richardson chats with us to discuss a four-part approach for driving exponential growth.

On this episode of Follow the Data, host Cam Yoder chats with Dr. James Richardson, an absolute master of growth about growing your business.

As the Owner of Premium Growth Solutions, he’s helped more than 75 CPG brands with strategic planning and growth, including Coca-Cola Venturing and Emerging Brands, The Hershey Company, General Mills, Kraft Foods, Frito-Lay, Mother Kombucha, and many more.

He’s a master of his craft, with a LOT of knowledge to offer. We’re talking principles of scale here, and while the context is given around that of a CPG brand, the principles James outlines are applicable specifically to any eCommerce company seeking growth.

This episode is a MUST-LISTEN for anyone with an interest in building a successful online business or maximizing their brand potential.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Who is Dr. James Richardson? (0:00)

Dr. James Richardson’s atypical journey into marketing from cultural anthropology is certainly a unique one. His distinctive background helps provide a peerless perspective on business. Before divulging into his four-step process for scaling your business, get familiar with his background.

Is Amazon An Optimal Starting Place for Your Business? (15:56)

With an extensive background helping a diverse set of businesses spanning many marketplaces, Dr. James Richardson breaks down the pros and cons of starting your business on Amazon.

The Importance of Design for Online Businesses for Growth (22:52)

In a prior generation of selling on Amazon, the bar for your product design and packaging was incredibly low. But in 2021, design and packaging should be strategically considered before going live.

Finding The Next Trend & Why Many Innovators Innovate on Accident (40:55)

With so many looking for the next “sexy” product market, many find it purely by accident. Citing Siggi’s Icelandic yogurt, Dr. James explains how these trends often happen by catching on with unintended niche groups.

Thanks to Dr. James for sharing his acute tips for growing your business. For even more of his expertise, check out his new book, Ramping Your Brand: How to Ride The Killer CPG Growth Curve.

Why Listening Is One of The Most Important Things A Business Can Do (60:48)

Too many business owners, especially ones in niche categories ignore feedback from the average Joe. Dr. James Richardson explains why receiving feedback from mainstream customers early in the process can pay off exponentially. To effectively scale, taking objective feedback from customers is key.

A special thanks to Dr. James for sharing his many insights with us! For even more of his astute expertise, check out his book, Ramping Your Brand: How To Ride The Killer CPG Growth Curve. You can also keep up with Dr. James at Premium Growth Solutions or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Lastly, drop your email below to receive the latest tips, tricks, and news about selling on Amazon!

What It’s Like Starting an Amazon Business in 2020 & 2021 With Kae Peterson

Is it too late to start an Amazon business in 2021? Not at all! We spoke with Kae Peterson, an Amazon seller who launched her brand in the past year.

On Follow The Data, we aim to cover the hottest topics for Amazon sellers. In this episode, we tackle the most common question we receive from those interested in starting their own online business: Is it too late to get in the game?

The short answer: absolutely NOT.

In this episode, host Cam Yoder chats with Kae Peterson, who knows firsthand that starting an Amazon business remains an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Kae’s background and experience in the volatile entertainment industry pushed her to search for more consistent, reliable income sources.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and appetite for learning, Kae charted her own path into Amazon and eCommerce. After successfully launching her first product in the past year, she’s looking to expand her business and online presence in the new year.

Be sure to check out the video below to learn how Kae made her leap into the Amazon marketplace, her recommended best practices for starting from scratch, and some inspirational gems to get your mind right!

HIGHLIGHTS:

INTRO (0:06)

Get to know Kae! Although a newbie on Amazon, she’s no rookie in entrepreneurship. Dating back to 2013, she’s ran a brick-and-mortar store and experienced success with music and modeling. So what led her to selling on Amazon?

It’s one thing to consider the prospect of selling on Amazon, it’s another to go through the stages before selling your first product. Kae walks us through the evolutions of her learning experience. (5:26)

Even with Kae’s unique background, her learning experience is a fairly common one. Once you’ve decided to start your online business, it’s all about finding a process that works for you. Finding experts you can learn from and accurate, reliable tools to discover and validate clever product ideas makes all the difference.

Additionally, Kae includes one crucial mistake that taught her a vital lesson with the product-finding process.

The cost of starting up an Amazon business can be a major deterrent. But Kae didn’t let the start-up costs slow her down, funding her own business in a creative way. (9:56)

Faced with the issue of not having the funds to confidently start her Amazon business, Kae took matters into her own hands. While programs such as Amazon Lending exist, the prospect of taking out a loan can be scary. So Kae started her own business as a way to fund her bigger vision, becoming a perfect example of how you can grind your way to make your dreams reachable.

Possessing a big picture strategy and learning from past experience are crucial for growth. What’s in Kae’s roadmap for finding products in 2021? (14:15)

There’s no greater teacher than experience. With her first Amazon product experience down, Kae offers insight on the elements of a product idea that gained emphasis for future products.

You’ve started selling on Amazon, but what happens next? Kae outlines her goals for in regard expanding her brand after launching. (22:15)

Every seller jumps into Amazon with goals and a purpose that is driven from within. Those components can determine your path beyond your first product launch.

With so much emphasis on making sure your first product is a home run, it can be easy to feel lost once the product is launched. Listen as Kae breaks down her long-term goals and what’s in-store for her brand for the year ahead.

Certainly, 2020 presented a unique experience for Amazon sellers. What issues are on the radar for sellers in the new year? (27:34)

After the past year, we could all use a dose of optimism. 2020 showed that challenges, both foreseeable and unforeseeable, will continue to persist and the successful will take them as they come and persevere.

A special thanks to Kae Peterson for hopping on the show and sharing her experience starting an Amazon business to this point. Make sure to give her a follow in the links provided below to follow her on her Amazon journey!

Connect with Kae:
Instagram @Iamwankaego & @GetThatCoinSisCEO

🎧 Head here to stay plugged into the podcast: https://virallaun.ch/FTD

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And as always, be sure to drop your email in the box below to receive the latest on Amazon!

Follow the Data Podcast: How Sellers Can Reclaim FBA Fees With SellerLocker Founder Joseph Abitol

Are YOU missing out on thousands of dollars because of hidden Amazon inventory and fulfillment fees?

Happy new year! On this installment of Follow The Data, host Cam Yoder chats with Joseph Abitol, founder of Seller Locker on how you can start 2021 on the right foot by saving your business from hidden yet costly Amazon FBA fees!

While most FBA sellers just accept Amazon-related fees as the cost of business and focus solely on driving sales, Joseph Abitol explains this is a mistake that could be costing your business a hefty amount of cash.

Well, a penny saved is a penny earned. But how exactly do you earn this money?

Cam and Joseph dive headfirst into how to identify the areas where you might be losing money. Additionally, Joseph provides a quick three-step process to remedy those losses!

HIGHLIGHTS

Need proof of SellerLocker’s methods? Joseph shares his screen and showcases how one seller recovered over $400,000 in fees! (6:04)

In this space, unfortunately it’s common that “gurus” will use inflated or false numbers to showcase their alleged expertise. But this isn’t that. If there were any doubt about sketchy math, Joseph provides the proof that others won’t show.

The three-step process Joseph recommends that all sellers can do, with or without SellerLocker (8:36)

SellerLocker originated as a tool for the elite sellers on Amazon, but has developed methods that every seller can use to be reimbursed for lost money. Depending on the size of your business, this is an explosive, groundbreaking method to help improve your bottom line.

When you sell on Amazon, it’s easy to trust the system in place. But given the massive amounts of lost money, should sellers be skeptical? (11:30)

Cam asks the hard-hitting question. If this money has been missing, how can sellers trust the system in place? It’s less devious than you think, and Joseph breaks down why the reimbursed money and how Amazon already reimburses sellers for some of these fees you may not be aware of.

Step #2: Follow Up On Your Claims (14:08)

In step one, Joseph shows you how to open a claim. And too many sellers stop there. Following up on your claim is the only way to get your money back, and SellerLocker has methods to automate this process so you can save money automatically.

Step #3: Managing Your Documents (19:21)

Always keep your receipts! This isn’t just a helpful tip for shoppers, it’s also one for Amazon sellers. When reporting these issues, Amazon asks for proof through documentation, just as a store will ask for a receipt to issue a return. SellerLocker showcases what documents you’ll need, and how to create a system to organize your documents.

Closing advice from Joseph on getting into ecommerce in 2021 (30:24)

Is 2021 too late to get into the ecommerce game? Nope! Even Joseph’s dad is looking to get into the selling space to take advantage of the massive amounts of money sellers are making. With the right tools and strategy, you could be one of them.

A special thanks to Joseph for hopping on the pod and sharing these invaluable insights! SellerLocker is a great software tool that automates this money-saving process for you that we highly recommend checking out!

Up to $2M Annual Sellers click here to sign up: https://2m.sellerlocker.com/?fp_ref=v…
2M+ Sellers click here to sign up: https://sellerlocker.com/enterprise?f…

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