The Smartest Amazon Seller - podcast cover

The Smartest Amazon Seller

Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling product online, and in the podcast he shares his knowledge with you to help you become a better Amazon seller.
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Episodes

Episode 245: Stocking Out is Good for Your Business

In this episode, Scott dives into the art of inventory management, drawing lessons from early encounters with hits like Elf on the Shelf, Halloween products, and Barbie dolls. He explores the fine line between stocking out and overstocking and discusses why stocking out can sometimes be good. Plus, Scott tackles upcoming 2024 FBA fees and shares strategies for thriving in today's ever-evolving market. Tune in for expert tips on mastering inventory and maximizing profitability. Episode Notes: 00:...

Feb 20, 202411 min

Episode 244: The Rise and Fall of Aggregators with Michal Oron of Fortunet

Scott Needham interviews Michal B. Oron, the CEO and Co-Founder of Fortunet.net, the first investment bank focused on e-commerce businesses. They discuss the rise and fall of aggregators in the Amazon marketplace, the diversification of acquirers, and the importance of benchmarking for Amazon sellers. They also explore key metrics such as ACOS (Average Cost of Sale), repeat customer rate, market share, and the Inventory Performance Index (IPI). Michal shares insights into how these metrics impac...

Feb 13, 202427 min

Episode 243: The Power of Lifetime Warranties on Amazon with Michael Kaufman

In this episode, Scott interviews Michael Kaufman, an expert in e-commerce and Amazon selling, about the importance and impact of offering a lifetime warranty as a strategy to build brand identity and customer loyalty. They discuss how this approach can differentiate a brand in a competitive market, foster trust with customers, and contribute to long-term success on Amazon. Additionally, they share tips and advice for sellers interested in implementing a similar warranty strategy in their busine...

Feb 06, 202421 min

Episode 242: Future-Proof Product Launch Formula with Dylan Lam of Omirank

Scott Needham interviews Dylan Lam of Omirank about building a long-term product that turns into a brand. They discuss the evolution of product launches and the concept of treating Amazon as a channel rather than a business model. Dylan shares his future-proof product launch formula, which involves triple validation through Amazon research, dropshipping research, and Kickstarter. They delve into the preparation and launch stages of Kickstarter, as well as the importance of generating traffic and...

Jan 30, 202426 min

Episode 241: A Deep Dive into Amazon Influencer Tools and Trends with Liz Saunders

In this episode, Scott Needham interviews Liz Saunders, the founder of Fluencer Fruit, a tool for Amazon influencers. Liz shares her background as an Amazon seller and her journey to building Fluencer Fruit. She discusses the need for tools in the Amazon Influencer Program and the challenges of marketing the tool. Liz emphasizes the importance of video in Amazon listings and how it can increase sales and reduce returns. She also discusses Amazon's response to video trends and the future of the A...

Jan 23, 202420 min

Episode 240: Get New Reviews for Your Amazon Products for Free!

Scott Needham interviews Tom, the Co-Founder of Lonesome Labs, about its HighFive tool. It is a free tool that helps Amazon sellers request reviews for their products in a compliant way. HighFive connects with a seller's Amazon account and allows them to choose when Amazon sends the review request email to customers. Tom explains the importance of reviews for sellers and how HighFive can help them get more recent reviews, which can improve their product rankings. He also discusses the future pla...

Jan 16, 202413 min

Episode 239: How To Understand the World of Amazon Vendor Central With Will Haire

In this episode, Scott is with Will Haire, CEO & Founder at BellaVix. They explore the intricacies of Amazon Vendor Central, including topics such as net PPM, vendor profit calculations, co-op fees, challenges, and benefits of being a vendor. Learn about liquidation impact, reduced purchase orders, advertising strategies, vendor finances, and the future of Vendor Central. The conversation delves into maximizing profitability, chargeback recovery, and the unique experiences vendors face, part...

Jan 09, 202423 min

Episode 238 - Expert Insights on Advertising, Data Analysis, and Business Growth with Youval Peltier and Andrew Tookey

In this episode of The Smartest Amazon Seller Podcast, host Scott Needham interviews Youval and Andrew, two experienced professionals with backgrounds in Amazon selling and brand management. They discuss various topics related to selling on Amazon, focusing on advertising, data analysis, and overall business growth. Plus, insights and experiences - highlighting the importance of a healthy Amazon business, measuring incrementality, and utilizing data to optimize ad campaigns. Learn the features a...

Jan 03, 202431 min

Episode 237 - Understanding What Amazon Wants and Making Unit Economics Work with Robb Green

Unit economics assesses the profitability and sustainability of a business at the individual product or service level. By analyzing the costs and revenues associated with each unit sold, a company can determine whether its core offering is financially viable. Rob, an entrepreneur at I'm The One Podcast, emphasizes the importance of product selection and unit economics in determining the success of a brand. He also discusses the changing landscape of selling on Amazon - highlighting the need for ...

Dec 27, 202324 min

Episode 236 - Accounting for Amazon Sellers with Ryan Hurley

Tax Compliance, Business Performance Analysis, Budgeting and Planning, Estimated Sales Velocity, and Risk Management are just some of the reasons why Accounting is crucial for any Amazon seller. Ryan Hurley, the founder and lead developer of SellAnalytics, a software that helps Amazon sellers manage their accounting and inventory, teaches us the importance of accurate accounting, the limitations of existing tools such as A2X and QuickBooks, and how Sell Analytics offers a comprehensive solution ...

Dec 18, 202321 min

Episode 235 - Delegation and Hiring Virtual Employees for Amazon Wholesale

In this episode, host Scott Needham welcomes Corey Ganim, an expert in Amazon wholesale, to discuss the power of delegation and hiring virtual employees. Corey shares his experience of leveraging overseas talents to delegate tasks that don't move the needle in his business. He emphasizes the importance of hiring employees who are willing to challenge and provide valuable input, rather than just being yes-men. From managing Seller Central to handling administrative work, Corey provides practical ...

Dec 11, 202320 min

Episode 234 - How To Get Leverage on Amazon Vendor Negotiations with Martin Heubel

Amazon Vendor Negotiations are critical for vendors aiming to establish a successful and mutually beneficial relationship with the platform. A well-negotiated agreement can contribute to increased sales, improved visibility, and a stronger position within the competitive Amazon marketplace. Join Scott and Martin Heubel as they discuss various aspects of Amazon's Vendor Central and how brands can navigate the platform. Touching on topics such as the approach to Prime Day and other shopping holida...

Dec 05, 202330 min

Episode 233 - The New Seller Fulfilled Prime Is Back and Open for Business

Seller Fulfilled Prime is crucial for sellers looking to optimize their fulfillment operations, reduce costs, and enhance their competitiveness in the Amazon marketplace. It provides a strategic alternative to FBA, offering greater control, flexibility, and the ability to meet the high expectations of Amazon Prime customers. Whether you're a seasoned seller or just starting, this episode featuring Manish Chowdhary, Founder & CEO at Cahoot -the World's first P2P Fulfillment Network for Brands...

Nov 28, 202325 min

Episode 232 - How To Build an Amazon Brand That Avoids the Chinese Sellers

Chinese Amazon sellers are growing and getting better at listings - adopting AI to make better photos, videos, and A+ content. How can you, a U.S. brand, differentiate your business from this kind of saturation? Listen and learn from Andy Isom, a YouTuber, a Podcaster, and a Business Coach, as he teaches how to build an Amazon brand that distinguishes itself from Chinese sellers. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Andy Isom Introduction 03:15 - Selling on Amazon with Andy Isom 05:30 - Transparency to Audien...

Nov 21, 202330 min

Episode 231 - How a One-Man Machine Is the Best Growth Strategy for Amazon With Aaron Moore

Need a full-service, one-stop-shop for your Amazon business? Store Creation, Inventory, Listing Optimization, CPC Advertising, and more, Aaron Moore, your remote director of Amazon, will deliver results. Learn the advantages of choosing a solo-operated agency over larger teams, plus other strategies that will take your Amazon business to the next level. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Aaron Moore Introduction 03:10 - Advantages of single operator agency 05:30 - Aaron’s Multiple Skillset Sources “Get in t...

Nov 14, 202336 min

Episode 230 - Aged Inventory Is Working Against Your Amazon Business

Aged inventory can be a silent, but substantial, hindrance to the growth and profitability of your Amazon business. Non-moving products, especially in Q4, can lead to long-term storage fees. In this short but information-packed episode, Scott reveals the challenges posed by aged inventory and offers effective strategies to address this issue and optimize your Amazon business. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Amazon FBA Fees and Stale Inventory 02:10 - Monthly Storage Fee 02:45 - Long-term Storage Fee 03:4...

Nov 08, 202311 min

Episode 229 - When Does Maximizing Amazon Profits Start To Hurt You With Jason Henan

When selling on Amazon, maximizing your profits is crucial for the success of your e-commerce business. But what happens when it starts to backfire and hurt your bottom line? We got Jason Hanan, co-founder of AZsellerkit, to give us the fine details of what could potentially destroy your whole Amazon listing and the steps to take to aggressively reverse the effects. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Jason Hanan Introduction 04:25 - How to Optimize Variation Listing 07:40 - Pulling Out a Variation That Hurt...

Oct 31, 202330 min

Episode 228 - Turn Amazon Seller Support From a Frustration to a Solved Problem With Seller Candy

While Amazon Seller Support plays a vital role in assisting sellers, some may find it annoying or frustrating due to various reasons. When support is broken, It disrupts the user experience and also hurts the end consumers. Learn the weirdest pain point of selling on Amazon and how Seller Candy solved the problem of Amazon Seller Support with the Seller Candy Founder Josh Cavendish and the Smartest Amazon Seller Scott Needham. Episode Notes: 00:15 - John Cavendish Introduction 01:55 - Amazon Sel...

Oct 24, 202317 min

Episode 227 - Top Amazon Seller Pattern. Strength and Weakness Analysis With Jason Landro of Nectar

From Amazon selling to running a premier e-commerce services agency that helps brands grow on Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify, Nectar Co-founder Jason Landro sparked a controversial topic about Pattern , the largest reseller of products on Amazon. In this episode, learn why Jason thinks pure wholesalers/resellers will go extinct as well as the strengths and weaknesses of Pattern’s business model. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Jason Landro Introduction 01:00 - Jason’s Background 01:40 - Pattern’s Business ...

Oct 17, 202328 min

Episode 226 - How To Succeed in Competitive Categories With Tim Angel

Here's another strong brand with exceptional execution that has achieved an impressive milestone. ZUGU, the brainchild of CEO Tim Angel, has generated more than $1 million in monthly revenue. Tim's journey with his company began in 2010 when he recognized the frustration of dealing with iPad cases that couldn't provide a stable and functional solution. At just 25 years old, he embarked on a mission to create the world's best and most innovative case, emphasizing the perfect balance between funct...

Oct 10, 202322 min

Episode 225 - Cashflow Forecasting Is Key With Viably

Cash flow forecasting is a critical financial management tool that provides insights into the timing and amount of cash inflows and outflows. It aids in financial planning, risk management, and overall financial health, making it an indispensable practice for businesses. Having access to capital and enough inventory is critical to keep your Amazon business growing. And with so much money coming in and out, Oz Merchant of Viably tells us all the reasons why cash flow is the lifeblood of the busin...

Oct 03, 202324 min

Episode 224 - How ChatGPT Can Help With Amazon PPC With Ritu Java

Content and Idea Generation, Programming Assistance, Legalities and Business, and even Entertainment, ChatGPT's versatility allows for numerous other applications limited only by imagination and creativity. Amazon sellers can also utilize this powerful tool to assist with various aspects of Amazon Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising by providing information, tips, and guidance. Rita Java from PPC Ninja takes AI utilization to the next level and discusses how her team successfully harnesses the AI to...

Sep 26, 202329 min

Episode 223 - How To Win Amazon Profits With Better Pricing

Here’s another episode that’ll surely make you a better Amazon seller. Scott reshares his AMZ United speech about pricing where you can pick up some awesome tools and strategies to potentially increase your net margins. The highly-successful Amazon Seller conference is specifically focused on wholesaling but Scott’s talk has more to it than just that. Sit back and relax as you ride a free pass to Scott’s valuable pricing insights.

Sep 20, 202325 min

Episode 222 - AMZ United Pushes Forward What’s Possible With Amazon FBA

Scott shares his experience and expresses gratitude to the 700 attendees of the highly successful AMZ United, an Amazon Seller conference that just went live on August. Hear his 6 weeks worth of insights packed into this quick but informative podcast. Episode Notes: 00:35 - The AMZ United Experience 05:30 - Brand Control, Consumer Trends, And Managing Content 07:15 - Amazon Accelerate 09:15 - Amazon Seller Issuing Stock Options 10:15 - What I Invest in an Amazon Seller and Why 12:45 - Latest Upd...

Sep 12, 202315 min

Episode 221 - What Amazon Sellers Should Know About the Influencer Program

What if you can leverage Amazon’s existing traffic and profit from it? Check out the Amazon Influencer Program - a perfect side-hustle and a more approachable way to start your digital marketing journey. We have Corbin White, the owner of ZoCo Marketing, answering interesting digital marketing questions such as the potential earnings, video types, number of followers, and all the challenges one may encounter in the Amazon Influencer Program. Episode Notes: 00:20 - Corbin White Introduction 01:45...

Sep 05, 202324 min

Episode 220 - Insights on Research Validation and Data Driven Approach with Isabela Ritz

The Amazon research process holds significant importance due to its direct influence on successful business strategies, informed decision-making, and optimal resource allocation within the Amazon marketplace. With a wealth of expertise under the banner of Ritz Momentum, Isabela Ritz shares her guaranteed strategies in building high-profit Amazon products that beat the competition as well as her top 5 go-to tools for market research and product launch. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Isabela Ritz Introduc...

Aug 29, 202329 min

Episode 219 - Reduce the Impact of Returns on Your Amazon Business With Onsite Support

Shipping costs, wasted time, dealing with customer service, and other fees are just some of the pain points of Amazon Returns. Here’s where Onsite Support comes in. It’s a solution, co-designed with Amazon, that will help alleviate returns. We have Joe Abitbol to tell us how Amazon Sellers can improve their bottomline, reduce negative reviews, acquire loyal customers, and generate repeat business. Episode Notes: 00:50 - Joe Abitbol Introduction 01:45 - Joe’s First Taste Into E-commerce 02:45 - A...

Aug 22, 202323 min

Episode 218 - Coworking Warehouse Space on the Fly With LoLoft

Brendan Howell, CEO of Loloft Inc., sits down with Scott and shares how to elevate your Amazon business by getting instant access to flexible workspace and storage options tailored to your needs. With a shared kitchen space, conference rooms, warehouse managers, phone booths, and lockable warehouses, Loloft provides modern warehouse solutions to small and growth-stage companies. Episode notes: 00:35 - Brendan Howell and Loloft Introduction 01:50 - Brendan’s Backstory 04:20 - Scott’s Experience i...

Aug 15, 202321 min

Episode 217 - Winning Easy and Big in Amazon Spain and Italy With Jordi Cascant

Started in an unlikely way through an Amazon Campus Challenge, explore the journey of Jordi Cascant as he elevated his Amazon business to new heights following his victorious achievement. Now a 7-Figure Amazon FBA Seller, Jordi shares with Scott his secrets to dominating the Spain Marketplace. Episode Notes: 00:25 - Jordi Cascant Introduction 01:10 - Amazon Campus Challenge 02:20 - Jordi’s Secret to Winning 03:05 - Taking the Amazon Business to the Next Level 03:35 - Amazon Communities in Spain ...

Aug 08, 202315 min

Episode 216 – In the Trenches of Partnering With Brands for Exclusives With Isaiah Fritz

Learn how taking risks got Isaiah Fritz, CEO and Founder of Online Selling Partner, his first brand exclusives and how these partnerships impact the market. Join Scott and Isaiah as they cover brand partnership, diminishing brand risks, the next 10 years on Amazon, advertising strategies, and plans backed with case studies and proven data. Also discover how Online Selling Partner assesses brands using SmartScout’s Data, helping it become the best Amazon growth machine in the world. Episode Notes...

Aug 01, 202337 min
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