In this episode I talk to the founder of marketplacedistri.com, a European company that helps brands reach their potential without investing in infrastructure, Stef Van Boekel. He works in the European market in countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and soon they will be in Sweden and Poland. We discuss the advantages of working in the European market place and what Stef does to focus on his market in these various countries. We talk about what this market nee...
Sep 15, 2020•25 min
Today I talk to John Ghiorso, host of the podcast called E-Commerce Deep Dive and founder and CEO of Orca Pacific. John started his agency in 2008 and has been able to see a lot of changes and see the whole business evolve over time and therefore has a lot of experience with Amazon. We talk a bit about rules that Amazon sets and that ultimately they make the calls, so we have to abide by their rules or deal with suspensions. John explains the differences between larger brands and smaller brands ...
Sep 08, 2020•25 min
In this episode we talk to Matt Wiklund, co-founder and COO of Ad Advance. We talk about how Ad Advance combats other companies coming in on your product page and leaching potential customers from your products by showing and only promoting the same brands for a specific product in order to increase their own sales. We discuss separating your different ad campaigns to test different strategies and see what works best. We talk about substitute products versus complement products, where substitute...
Sep 01, 2020•27 min
Today I talk about some of the ideas that can really get the creative juices flowing and about some of the things that I’m implementing and never thought I would have done. There are certain times in business when we say “Wow, I should have been doing this a long time ago.” That’s something you want to be saying often. In past episodes, I go over many things that will help you in your business and one of the words I use is scale, which is something you should be focusing on often. I discuss the ...
Aug 26, 2020•19 min
Today I interview Joseph La Selva from Perpetua, an optimization and enablement tool for Amazon advertising. Perpetua tries to combine the power of human intelligence and always-on optimization to drive the best performance in advertisement campaigns. Joseph tells us a bit about how it works, starting with a goals based software, which first will identify some strategic parameters, outline a few constraints, and then allowing the ad engine of the software you’re using to work toward maximizing y...
Aug 18, 2020•30 min
Today I start off by discussing how important it is to educate yourself and that the purpose of this podcast is to help you learn and be prepared for your own business. I discuss what’s going on right now in our economy. Amazon fulfillment centers are overflowing and products are getting restrictions on what we can send in to Amazon. I talk about how much the centers have grown this year versus how much they have grown in the past. I talk over what you should be doing right now to react to this ...
Aug 11, 2020•17 min
Sometimes requesting for a refund can get you a lot of money. This is one of the things Scott has learned as he has been an Amazon seller. Amazonlit made their first million in 2015, which was all retail arbitrage. Trademark infringement has become a bigger issue over time. Now they pay more attention to this problem and they have drastically reduced those claims. 9 times out of 10, people you talk to over the phone will not be a jerk. If a certain brand complains, you can get them on the phone ...
Aug 04, 2020•27 min
You make money on the buying side. Scott has been profitable from the start. From day one, they have been making purchases that are more valuable on the streets than from where they bought it. Scott went to China and spent a lot of time with a Chinese supplier. This built a strong relationship and made them eager to do business with one another. Don’t give people an out, or an opportunity to say no by posing the wrong questions. Think about what they care about. If you can solve your suppliers’ ...
Jul 28, 2020•20 min
In today’s episode, we hype up our upcoming episodes and invite the listeners to stay tuned. We talk about how scaling and growing your business is made easier on Amazon. We talk about how we’ve scaled our own business. Scott announces a tour of BuyBoxer’s warehouses, facilities, and distributions teams in Logan, Utah and Indianapolis at the end of August (reach out to Scott at [email protected] , or find him on instagram). We’ll explain ways we cut our shipping costs, as well as explain...
Jul 21, 2020•18 min
Today, Scott breaks the fourth wall and is completely transparent as he talks about his podcast. He tells us his reasons for starting the podcast, which includes greater visibility for his company and its investments. He shares how he realized its potential as a valuable marketing tool after he saw the attention he got from a Reddit post he made. He explains the value and insights he tries to share, and what his strategy is with his show, trying to cover topics and disclose secrets that will be ...
Jul 14, 2020•18 min
In today’s episode, we talk with Ken Kubec from Thrasio ( https://www.thras.io/) , a fast-growing acquirer of Amazon FBA businesses. He explains the growth and development of Thrasio, as well as its structure and operation. We talk about the advantages of acquiring businesses as opposed to starting them. We discuss the red flags when doing due diligence with suppliers. We explain how Thrasio will turn away brands employing black hat tactics such as review manipulation. We talk about hero skews a...
Jul 07, 2020•33 min
Today, we discuss Intellectual Property in the context of increasing the value of your Amazon business . We talk about copyright protection, design patents, and utility patents, clarifying that while copyright technically exists immediately after creation, it is worth the effort to officially attach intellectual property to your products to make them defendable. We talk about how this applies to the increase of sales in puzzles we’ve seen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also dis...
Jun 30, 2020•17 min
Today’s episode covers all things Amazon DSP (demand-side platform) with George Meressa from Clear Ads, an AdWords agency that helps businesses attract new customers and increase sales. We discuss what Amazon DSP is, how it is different from Sponsored Products, and the advantageous data and re-marketing features it provides for creating custom audiences. We talk about how you can start using Amazon DSP through 3rd party agencies like Clear Ads. We speak about some of the bugs that Amazon is work...
Jun 23, 2020•25 min
In today’s episode, we talk with Benjamin Faw, co-founder of BestReviews, a very successful product review company. We talk about how review sites work and the process of getting into Amazon’s Onsite Associates program to bring outside editorial into an Amazon search result. We discuss how this program can increase search volume and sales on a successful product, as well as help take the value of your brand to the next level. We give pointers on how to place your product on a review site, as wel...
Jun 16, 2020•26 min
Today, we talk with Paul Rafelson, founder of the Online Merchants Guild, a trade association that gives online merchants a voice. We talk about the achievements of this group, including their instrumental role in the launching of the AB-147 bill and fighting for marketplace facilitator’s laws in 39 states. We talk about Amazon’s “scapegoat” approach to price gouging enforcement. We talk about OMG’s unique and valuable services to the seller community, as well as the affordable and important res...
Jun 09, 2020•44 min
In today’s episode, we talk with Larry Lubarsky, AKA “Watch Me Amazon,” who has launched the influential Wholesale Academy program. We start by discussing how the coronavirus has affected Amazon sellers. We talk about best practices with pricing and how to work with account health reps to prevent suspension. We talk about best tactics with negotiating discounts with vendors. We then discuss the benefits and opportunities overseas with Amazon in Europe, as well as the best way to start selling in...
Jun 02, 2020•49 min
Today we talk with Bradley Sun From Helium 10, a software provider, about launching products on Amazon. We discuss how the Coronavirus has affected launching products, pointing out that to launch a product, you need to be looking at historical data of its past performance. We talk about Helium 10’s Project X on Youtube, as well as how Helium 10 is supporting categories whose sales are significantly down due to the effects of the pandemic. We talk about the unique tools of Helium 10 in helping yo...
May 26, 2020•29 min
In today’s episode, we talk with Jeremy and Andy from Veriship, a UPS and FedEx audit company that bought Scott’s company, Valence. We discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has affected shipping. We explain what kinds of audits Veriship performs and why their services are of value for your Amazon business. We discuss the One Rate Program and Seller-Fulfilled Prime. We end with a discussion about how shipping is a major part of your company’s brand, and offer the listeners to this podcast a specia...
May 19, 2020•28 min
Today, we talk all things seller performance with Lesley Hensell, co-founder and co-owner of Riverbend Consulting ( http://riverbendconsulting.com/) . We discuss account suspensions and how to react if this happens to you. We give insights into some of Amazon’s procedures and processes with price gouging and suspensions. We talk about the many measures Riverbend takes to help sellers in a variety of situations. We discuss suspensions of single ASIN’s, and also give important advice for writing a...
May 12, 2020•33 min
Today Scott talks about what he’s doing with his business to take advantage of and reduce the risk surrounding the changes that have taken place in Amazon due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about the categories that are doing well right now, such as crafts, puzzles, musical instruments, and home gym products. We also discuss how Amazon and BuyBoxer are adapting to the pandemic, and talk about small business loans such as the disaster grant and disaster relief loan, as well as the Payroll Prot...
May 05, 2020•16 min
Today we interview one of our most tenured employees at Buyboxer, Michelle Kartchner, Director of Client Services. She works with suppliers and distributors, and explains the ins and outs of that process. We discuss the importance of building trust with shipping companies on Amazon. We talk about what makes a brand successful on Amazon, including channel control, investing in advertising, and having winning skews. We emphasize the importance of getting first reviews right, careful pricing, and a...
Apr 21, 2020•27 min
Today we interview Todd Snively and Chris Keef, two Amazon Wholesale professionals. We discuss how the current global pandemic has affected E-commerce on Amazon, and warn against trying to capitalize on products that are currently under the microscope. We share that FBM is now a wide-open opportunity, and advise that sellers look out for products that are further down on the bestseller rank but are rising in demand. We discuss how the wholesale model can involve much less risk than private label...
Apr 14, 2020•37 min
Today’s episode is about a tool that can be a game changer for wholesalers and resellers. We interview Tom Myers from the Wholesale Inspector, an online tool which helps the seller find the best opportunities from among hundreds of UPC’s. We talk about the features and data points of wholesaleinspector.com and how they were developed, as well as new features that are about to debut. We also give pro tips on how to use Wholesale Inspector, including double checking the numbers of bundle packs. We...
Apr 07, 2020•21 min
Today we talk with Jed Rawson, a grocery expert on Amazon. We talk about the changes that have happened in Amazon since the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about Amazon Lending withholding money, the spike in demand for food items, and repeat purchase rate and organic review rate as essential analysis numbers for grocery businesses on Amazon. We also talk about CPC in online grocery, and the important, trending terms in the marketplace such as keto and gluten-free. We talk about changes in CPC, data ...
Mar 31, 2020•43 min
In today’s episode, we interview Derek James, an 8 figure private label seller on Amazon and Amazon coach who has made $200 million with all new ASIN’s. We begin by discussing launch strategies for private label products and brand licensing, including the importance of budgeting and category research. We talk about getting returns on your investments both at Derek’s scale and smaller scales. We also talk strategy for lighting deals and other deals. We then talk about removing stress from managin...
Mar 24, 2020•40 min
Today we talk with Will Christensen, Co-Founder of DataAutomation. He explains Zapier, an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) that automates repetitive tasks without coding or relying on developers to build the integration. We talk about the unique services that DataAutomation provides using Zapier, including helping you understand how to use the platform to push ahead as well as building applications on Zapier. We make the special offer to listeners that if they email Will at will@dataaut...
Mar 17, 2020•40 min
Today we interview John Eagan, and Rose Del Rio from Flat World Global Solutions. We talk about the effects of the coronavirus on shipping freight internationally. We talk about the current status of freight and shipping, as well as how it’s affecting the market. We then give valuable expert advice for international shipping, covering topics such as customs and duties. One of these tips is to never let manufacturers take control of the shipment, and we explain the reasons why. We break down term...
Mar 10, 2020•40 min
In today’s episode, we invite the listener to dive into Scott’s new content on compliance, found on buyboxer.com/healthyaccount. The topic of this episode is scaling your business for efficiency to get more value for the time you put into it. We talk about how to best spend your time when scaling your business, including continuously educating your employees and improving technology. We read a review from someone who took simple yet effective techniques from our podcast and applied them to get a...
Mar 05, 2020•20 min
Today, we talk with Chase Leavitt, CEO of Upstreet Brands, and cousin of Scott Needham. We discuss the roles and benefits of sourcing agents, who help you negotiate with suppliers and factories. These benefits include simplifying correspondence between you and your supplier, building stronger business relationships, and finding you the right new manufacturers based on your needs. They also help you hold your suppliers accountable for the quality of the product, which is critical for its successf...
Mar 03, 2020•31 min
Today’s episode is focused on Seller Fulfilled Prime and the Prime that you can do out of your own warehouse. We explain the Seller Fulfilled Prime program, including their trial period, as well as their higher requirements. We explain why we built an FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) into our warehouse to increase revenue, and why other businesses would be wise to do the same. We also emphasize the value of a new program called Seller Fulfilled Prime Regional. We talk about the higher requirements to...
Feb 25, 2020•16 min
