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In this high-impact episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan is joined by Dorian Gorski for a no-fluff exploration of how AI is shifting the Amazon ecosystem. The conversation orbits around a powerful new tool called "Manus" — an AI-driven platform built to go beyond surface-level product research and tap into rich demographic insights, customer motivations, and actionable listing data.
Amazon thought leader Danny McMillan joins us to dive into the latest on AI, Cosmo & Rufus, Amazon patents, seller conferences, and what's happening in the agency space! Importance of adapting event formats to meet evolving participant expectations. By sharing our experiences, we uncover the power of creating engaging, impactful environments that foster meaningful learning and networking opportunities. Lastly, we touch on the evolving trends within the agency business, the impact of AI and automation on e-commerce, and the critical role of understanding customer objections for conversion optimization. As agencies navigate the challenges of a competitive landscape, differentiation and genuine value become key to success. Meanwhile, the rapid advancements in AI technologies are reshaping industries, underscoring the necessity for sellers and companies to stay informed and adaptable. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the e-commerce landscape, event management strategies, and future trends, making it a must-listen for anyone keen on staying ahead in the industry. Join us as we engage in a fascinating discussion with e-commerce thought leader, Danny McMillan. Danny shares his extensive knowledge on Amazon patents, AI developments, and the art of hosting successful e-commerce events. Let's explore the unique challenges of organizing such events across different regions, particularly the logistical hurdles of drawing attendees from various countries. Danny also provides an insightful look into how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped event planning, highlighting the need for flexibility and adaptability in the face of ever-changing safety regulations. Their conversation also explores the dynamic landscape of industry conferences and how they are being revolutionized by thought leaders like Kevin King. They discuss innovative event formats, such as the Market Masters event, which focuses on personalized, expert-driven sessions rather than traditional presentations. The transformation of Seller Sessions into a more interactive learning experience is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of adapting event formats to meet evolving participant expectations. By sharing our experiences, we uncover the power of creating engaging, impactful environments that foster meaningful learning and networking opportunities. Lastly, we touch on the evolving trends within the agency business, the impact of AI and automation on e-commerce, and the critical role of understanding customer objections for conversion optimization. As agencies navigate the challenges of a competitive landscape, differentiation and genuine value become key to success. Meanwhile, the rapid advancements in AI technologies are reshaping industries, underscoring the necessity for sellers and companies to stay informed and adaptable. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the e-commerce landscape, event management strategies, and future trends, making it a must-listen for anyone keen on staying ahead in the industry. In episode 446 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Danny discuss: 00:00 - E-Commerce Events and Challenges 04:02 - Europe vs US Amazon Seller Events 12:36 - Transition to Workshop-Style Seller Sessions 17:30 - Teaching With Lesson Plans and Goals 20:11 - Event Management Strategies and Security 24:31 - Agency Business Trends and Evolution 28:22 - Growth of Competition in Marketing Agencies 31:37 - Importance of Differentiating in E-commerce Sales 37:54 - Customer Objections and Conversion Optimization 45:17 - Discovering Consumer Preferences Through Testing 50:10 - Future Trends in AI and E-Commerce 50:38 - Challenging the Concept of Honeymoon Period 57:54 - The Power of Prompting and AI 58:05 - Enhancing Design Output With ChatGPT 1:01:09 - The Role of the Engineer 1:08:42 - Kevin King's Words of Wisdom
In this brutally honest episode, Danny McMillan and Dorian dissect the realities of working in and with agencies. From client expectations to internal pressure, Danny opens with a stark insight: “You're taking on their pressure too — to turn the ship.” He reflects on how experience helps determine what truly works and what's just “proven strategy nonsense.” The Pitfalls of the Big Agency Portfolio Dorian highlights a harsh truth about agency structure: “You'll get the lowest experience manager assigned to your account. It just doesn't matter to them.” Clients are often drawn in by flashy portfolios, but in reality, smaller accounts get junior staff and rarely the attention of top talent. Danny reinforces this, noting how agencies scale through SOPs and “sweatshop workers,” saying: “Two out of ten account managers might be elite — the rest are filler.” Software + Managed Services = Locked-In Mediocrity Software companies that bundle software with account management often fall short. Danny explains that many account managers are “demo people” turned strategists, lacking deep PPC knowledge or cross-platform experience. “They run out of strategies by month two.” The root issue? The system trains people for one tool, not the dynamics of diverse, real-world businesses. AI & Automation: The Accountant Case Study Shifting gears, Danny shares how automation is reshaping his internal team. Manual tasks are disappearing, he reallocates those team members to high-leverage roles like data validation, dashboard reporting, and performance benchmarking. “Efficiency shouldn't equal job loss — it should mean more meaningful output.” Manus AI: Autonomous Power Tool or Overhyped Wrapper? One of the most compelling parts of the episode is Danny's deep dive into Manus AI. While it runs on Claude, he insists it's far from just a wrapper: “Manus is like dealing with a human. It uses 30 native tools, runs its own checklists, and breaks down tasks autonomously.” Dorian explains how Manus scrapes, previews, and clicks through websites, operating with depth beyond ChatGPT. Danny recounts solving major business problems — from venue bookings to accounting automation — all in four days for just $240 in credits, declaring: “The ROI was absolutely fucking priceless.” Tool Talk: LM Studio vs. Manus Danny experiments with LM Studio, an offline local LLM platform. While it's promising for airplane-mode workflows, he admits it's clunky compared to Manus. His final take? “Do you want to fiddle with open source to save a few pennies or use something that just works?”
In this powerful and brutally honest episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan sits down with Dorian Gorski, a seasoned agency founder, to pull the curtain back on the gritty reality of running an Amazon agency in today's commoditized, AI-driven landscape.
The Impact of AI on the Amazon Community In this engaging and thought-provoking episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan is joined by creative agency veteran Dorian Gorski for a candid conversation about the impact of AI on the creative industry. What starts as a warm-up for Dorian's in-depth interview next week quickly transforms into an illuminating discussion on technology, artistry, and adaptation. ⚡ AI's Disruption in Design and Creativity Dorian opens up about the initial panic felt when AI tools began generating high-quality visuals. “I saw the output and thought, damn, I might be out of a job.” But rather than resisting, Dorian and his agency chose to embrace the wave, recognizing parallels with past revolutions like the advent of Photoshop or the shift from hand-drawing to digital. Danny draws powerful comparisons with the music industry: Musicians once dismissed electronic music as "not real." Then, those same musicians feared the internet (LimeWire) stealing their art. Now, the creators born in that era are pushing back against AI-generated tracks.
In-Depth with 7-Figure Amazon Seller Matt Kostan In this in-depth episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan sits down with Matt Kostan, a serial entrepreneur, to chart his rise from early business experiments to Amazon success and beyond. From selling on Groupon to building million-dollar brands, Matt shares his wins, failures, and insights into what makes an entrepreneur thrive. Breaking into Business & Early Failures First job: Marketing assistant at a small pharma company. Quickly gained responsibility, launched direct-to-consumer websites, and caught the CEO's attention. Helped grow the company to millions in revenue before it was sold—but had no equity. A lesson learned. The Leap into E-Commerce Moved to a software start-up, gaining exposure to inventory management and online selling. First Amazon product: An iPod dock connector adapter—went viral with minimal effort, leading to thousands in sales within weeks. From Kickstarters to Seven-Figure Brands Kickstarter entry: Launched a mosquito repellent bracelet based on successful Groupon sales data. Year one on Amazon: Over $1M in revenue. Built a travel accessories brand out of personal passion, leveraging email capture via product registration to build a loyal customer base. Covid wiped out sales overnight. Adapted by launching a no-touch tool during the pandemic, raising nearly $100K on Kickstarter in 30 days. The Dark Side of Amazon Success Competing with big brands led to suppliers ghosting him—a factory was allegedly bought out by a large corporation. Negative reviews killed a promising mosquito tent product—users found it too difficult to fold, despite clear instructions and videos. Building Product Opinion & the Future of Amazon Selling Noticing that top Amazon sellers systematically tested everything, Matt (with Andri Saldak) launched Product Opinion to bring qualitative testing to the Amazon space. Lessons from CRO (Conversion Rate Optimisation): The HiPPO effect: CEOs often force their opinions into decisions instead of relying on data. Frankenstein images: Loading a main image with every “proven” tactic leads to disaster.
This is a conversation we had with Max and Jo from The New Frontier Podcast, but we felt it needed to be more widely available. In this episode, we dive deep into Amazon's RUFUS Blueprint—a game-changing patent that most sellers know nothing about. We break down exactly how RUFUS works, from noun phrase optimisation to visual label tagging and click training data, and how sellers can future-proof their listings. If you're serious about staying ahead in e-commerce, this is a must-listen. Host: Joanna Lambadjieva Guests: Danny McMillan, Oana (AI A9 Algorithm Specialist), and Andrew (Custom GPT Expert) Overview of the Episode In this captivating episode of the New Frontier Podcast, the discussion dives deep into the revolutionary RUFUS Blueprint, a groundbreaking Amazon patent that promises to reshape the way sellers optimise their product listings and leverage AI for superior e-commerce results. Hosted by Joanna Lambadjieva, with insightful contributions from Danny McMillan, Oana, and Andrew, this episode is a must-listen for e-commerce professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve. Highlights from the Conversation What is RUFUS? The team explores Amazon's RUFUS patent and its impact on optimising e-commerce experiences: Multimodal Capabilities: RUFUS processes text, visuals, and video, making it a versatile tool for personalised product recommendations. Learning Through Interaction: RUFUS evolves through click training data, analysing user behaviours across product categories, and refining recommendations over time. Key Insights and Strategies Noun Phrase Optimisation (NPO) Andrew explains how NPO is a game-changer: Traditional keywords like "lamp" or "chair" are insufficient. Instead, RUFUS thrives on semantic-rich noun phrases such as "hand-carved mahogany bookshelf" or "stainless steel pourover coffee maker". Building detailed noun stacks improves product discoverability by aligning with natural language queries. Actionable Tip: Sellers should integrate descriptive modifiers (materials, styles, purposes) into product titles, bullet points, and descriptions. Click Training Data Anana breaks down how RUFUS uses click behaviour: Every user interaction feeds into the system, refining future recommendations. Examples include linking features like "cushioning" with products like shoes for flat feet, evolving customer queries to reflect trends in user preferences. Takeaway: The dynamic nature of RUFUS queries underscores the importance of continuously updating product listings. Visual Label Tagging Andrew introduces the concept of visual label tagging: RUFUS uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to interpret text on images. Adding descriptive text to images (e.g., “portable and lightweight” or “ergonomic grip”) ensures RUFUS extracts relevant data. Pro Tip: Go beyond alt text—ensure images include textual overlays with key product features. Q&A Enhancements The patent's emphasis on Question-Answer (Q&A) optimisation offers sellers a new framework: Map out customer questions and create clusters by topic. Incorporate strong noun phrases into answers, aligning them with RUFUS's ability to infer and rank relevant responses. Example Strategy: In product descriptions, frame benefits around likely customer questions. For earbuds, structure the copy like this: Question: Are they comfortable for workouts? Answer: Designed with a secure adjustable hook for stability during intense exercise. Myths Dispelled and Real-World Applications Danny elaborates on common misconceptions about RUFUS: "Keyword stuffing" is obsolete; instead, sellers must focus on semantic relevance and contextual accuracy. Dynamic content and attribute enrichment are critical to staying competitive. Best Practice: Use RUFUS optimisations on underperforming products to safely experiment without risking top-selling listings. Final Thoughts The team concludes with a forward-looking perspective: The integration of conversational, semantic, and visual optimisation signals the end of static, keyword-stuffed e-commerce. RUFUS represents a paradigm shift where sellers must think contextually, conversationally, and inferentially. Key Message: Future-proof your Amazon strategy by embracing AI-driven tools like RUFUS to stay ahead in the evolving e-commerce landscape. Resources Mentioned Connect with Joanna Lambadjieva: LinkedIn Learn more about RUFUS and related tools via the Seller Sessions Live blog. Grab Tickets: Seller Sessions Live is Back May 10 – https://sellersessions.com/seller-sessions-live-2025/ New Frontier podcast on Spotify or Apple and Ecomtent Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/ Max: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/ Oana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-padurariu-b8b1b51a2/ Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bell-540403275/ Check out Rufus - The Blueprint https://sellersessions.com/rufus-the-blueprint/
Buying Back the Brand - The Story of Beast Gear with Ben Leonard Welcome to Seller Sessions with Danny McMillan. Today, Ben Leonard, founder of Beast Gear, shares his journey of selling, watching the decline, and buying back his brand. He offers insights into brand management, resilience, and reclaiming a damaged asset. The Birth of Beast Gear and Its Early Success Origins of Beast Gear: Ben launched Beast Gear as a strength and conditioning brand while working in oil and gas. By 2019, it reached $6M in annual revenue, becoming the largest in the UK and Europe. Sale of the Brand: In 2019, Ben sold Beast Gear to an aggregator in the first European acquisition of its kind. The offer was life-changing, supporting Ben's growing family and personal goals. The Decline of Beast Gear Aggregator Mismanagement: Ben observed how the aggregators, driven by financial motives rather than e-commerce expertise, failed to maintain Beast Gear's quality and brand identity. This resulted in the erosion of the “soul” of the brand. The Fallout: By late 2023, the aggregator faced Chapter 11 bankruptcy, struggling with its portfolio of over 200 brands, which it eventually downsized to fewer than 50. Buying Back the Brand Romantic Yet Strategic Move: Ben combined emotion with pragmatism, starting with contacting former aggregator contacts and leading to complex negotiations. The Deal: Ben and a former aggregator founder acquired Beast Gear among distressed brands, with minimal upfront costs, consignment inventory, and an earn-out model. Challenges and Risks of Rebuilding Market Evolution: The e-commerce landscape is now more competitive, but Ben sees opportunities to leverage his experience and the brand's history. Addressing Competition: Competitors often fail to build authentic customer relationships. Ben aims to revitalize Beast Gear's identity and reconnect with its loyal audience. The US Market: Not entering the US market was a major regret. Ben sees it as a significant opportunity for future expansion, despite brand recognition challenges. Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering a Buyback Mitigate Risks: Minimize upfront investment and use consignment for inventory. Leverage Relationships: Use your brand knowledge to position yourself as the best buyer. Stay Rational: Ensure the deal is financially sound, not emotionally driven. Be Prepared for Challenges: A buyback often means rebuilding a damaged asset from scratch. Ben's Future Plans and Brand Rescue Mission Ben will transparently document Beast Gear's turnaround through his Brand Rescue Mission, sharing experiences and strategies to inspire and educate others in similar ventures. Connect with Ben Leonard: Website: BrandRescueMission.com Email: Ben@BenLeonard.Pro Grab Tickets for Seller Sessions Live! Join us on 10th May 2025
Behind the Scenes of Live Image Optimization Host: Danny McMillan Guests: Dorian, Sim, Andri This MIM Live session explores image optimisation and its impact on product visibility and customer engagement. Danny McMillan and the team work with Dorian to refine visual assets in real-time, showcasing the iterative process of creating compelling e-commerce imagery. Key Highlights: 1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Product Messaging The discussion emphasizes the importance of ingredient transparency in product imagery, suggesting that highlighting ingredients like hydrogen peroxide can build trust and credibility. Andri highlights the challenge of balancing safety with performance claims, questioning whether to emphasize less invasive formulas or scientific effectiveness. Dorian agrees on the need for clarity, stating that a certain formula can be featured in the design to connect with the target audience. 2. Results-Oriented Copywriting Sim and the team discuss how timelines influence buyer decisions, emphasising that claims like “8x shades whiter” need a defined timeframe to increase credibility. Catchy phrasing like "Fast results in just 14 days" emerged as a strong contender, with Andri explaining, "14 days sounds shorter and less intimidating than two weeks—it's worth testing." 3. Award-Winning Trust Signals Integrating awards or certifications into packaging was explored. Andri suggested, “Adding ‘Award-Winning Formula' subtly elevates the product, making competitors look less trustworthy.” Danny adds, "It's about stating the obvious but making it compelling. Why does the formula win awards? That's the narrative buyers want." 4. Aesthetic Tweaks and Visual Testing A debate arose over using before-and-after images, with concerns about aesthetics and customer perception. Danny noted, "Yellow teeth might show results but could deter initial impressions." Dorian highlighted the squint test, zooming out to assess prominent elements like colors and text. Key points included: Bright colors (e.g., reds or blues) often outperform pastels. Highlighting "Award-Winning" in bold, contrasting circles can attract attention while staying professional. 5. Iteration Through Data The team emphasised the importance of testing hypotheses. As Dorian stated, "The moment I feel confident with a design is when I'm ready to spend $100 to test it on ProductPinion or similar platforms." The session concluded with multiple design iterations, balancing brand presence, messaging clarity, and aesthetic appeal. Actionable Takeaways: Test visual prominence: Verify bold claims like "Award-Winning" align with customer expectations. Iterate designs with context: Use competition-aware adjustments like standout colors or trust signals. Keep numbers clean and clear: Short timelines and concise claims enhance psychological impact. Grab Tickets: Seller Sessions Live is Back on May 10 – Get yours now!
Cracking Rufus and the Story Behind The Blueprint Welcome to this special edition of Seller Sessions, where Danny McMillan dives deep into Amazon's AI-driven evolution with Oana Padurariu and Andrew Bell. In today's episode, they unpack the sicence behind Rufus and how it words on a technical level. Danny kicks off by highlighting the monumental shift Amazon is undergoing with the introduction of Rufus, a powerful AI-driven recommendation engine designed to personalize the shopping experience. Unlike traditional keyword-based search algorithms, Rufus interprets natural language queries, connecting questions and answers to products through. Noun Phrases and semantic similarity models. “The era of static, keyword-stuffed listings is over. Rufus marks a sea change in how customers find and purchase products online. We need to think beyond keywords and embrace AI-driven optimization.” Lexical Matching vs. Semantic Similarity Lexical Matching vs. Semantic Similarity: Traditional search ranks results based on exact keywords. Rufus goes deeper by understanding noun phrases and their meaning, even if the exact words aren't present. Inference and Reasoning: Rufus interprets questions and product features to make recommendations based on real-world use cases. For example, asking “What's the best running shoe for flat feet?” triggers suggestions for products with enhanced cushioning, even if the product description doesn't explicitly say “flat feet.” The Core of Rufus: Noun Phrase Optimization (NPO) Andrew introduces a new concept for sellers: Noun Phrase Optimization (NPO). He explains that instead of focusing on individual keywords, sellers should craft rich noun phrases that Rufus can interpret and rank effectively. Example: Instead of just “journal,” optimize with: Material: Leather-bound Type: Writing journal Purpose: Gift for writers Key Takeaways: Build descriptive, semantically rich noun phrases that Rufus can infer meaning from. Structure listings using core noun phrases with descriptive modifiers (e.g., “stainless steel pour-over coffee maker”). “Think of it as building a noun stack — material, type, purpose. Each layer enriches the meaning for Rufus to process and connect with customer queries.” Why Sellers Must Embrace AI Search Danny, Oana, and Andrew agree that AI-driven search is the future, and sellers who adapt early will reap the benefits. However, they caution against gutting existing listings without a strategic approach. Here's how to get started: Test on Lower-Performing Products Apply NPO strategies to failed or underperforming products before risking top sellers. Optimize Image Text Rufus reads text in images. Ensure your action shots and infographics include semantic phrases. Utilize Backend Attributes Fill in optional attributes in the backend to help Rufus better understand your product. The Semantic Similarity Model In simple terms, Rufus connects questions to products through a ranking process that interprets meaning rather than matching exact keywords. It uses click training data to learn from shopper behavior and noun phrases to rank products based on their semantic relevance. Example: Question: Are car seats interchangeable? Answer: Universal infant car seat. Rufus makes this connection without the exact phrase appearing in the product description. Practical Strategies for Sellers Noun Phrase Structure for Titles: Descriptive Noun Phrase: Professional kitchen knife set Secondary Noun Phrase: Chef's cooking collection Qualifier: With German steel blades Bullet Points: Lead with strong noun phrases that connect features to benefits. Why Data Matters — And Why It's Still Missing There's no direct data for Rufus performance yet. She stresses the need for Amazon to release reporting tools that measure Rufus-driven sales and performance. However, Danny highlights a workaround: “Test your product detail pages (PDPs) with Rufus. Ask questions about your product and see how Rufus responds. If the answers are inaccurate or missing, that's a sign you need to optimize.” The Future of Amazon Search and AI “AI-based search is here to stay. Keywords aren't dead, but the way we use them is changing. We need to think conversationally, contextually, and customer-first.” Key Takeaways: How to Future-Proof Your Listings Embrace Noun Phrase Optimization (NPO)Create rich, descriptive noun phrases that Rufus can interpret. Test Your PDPs with RufusAsk questions and analyze the responses to identify gaps. Leverage Backend AttributesComplete optional attributes to improve product discovery. Final Thoughts from the Guests Andrew: “The rise of Rufus marks a shift to AI-driven discovery. Sellers must start thinking beyond traditional SEO and embrace inference-based optimization.” Oana: “2025 will be a pivotal year. Rufus will continue to evolve, and sellers must adapt to stay competitive. The key is understanding how Amazon's AI reads and ranks your listings.” Want More Insights? Looking for a Free PPC Audit?
Back from the Brink: A Deep Dive into Mental Health and Resilience with Paul Baron In this episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast, Danny McMillan brings a heartfelt and inspiring conversation with entrepreneur Paul Baron. Known for his expertise in the Amazon ecosystem, Paul shares an unfiltered narrative about his personal struggles with mental health, his journey through immense challenges, and his path to recovery. This conversation offers a unique mix of raw vulnerability and actionable insights, providing listeners with lessons on resilience, self-awareness, and community. Key Themes and Takeaways 1. The Entrepreneurial Highs and Lows Paul Baron and his wife launched their Amazon brand in 2015, initially experiencing significant success: Grew from $50,000 in first-year sales to $250,000 the following year. Garnered media attention with appearances on The Rachel Ray Show and partnerships with notable figures. The trajectory shifted drastically by 2020 due to the pandemic's impact on their travel-dependent product line, skyrocketing operational costs, and mounting debts. 2. Mental Health: The Hidden Struggles Paul openly discusses seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety, and ADHD, which compounded as his business faced setbacks. The impact of public personas: Paul described the disconnect between his public image of success and his personal battles. The danger of unresolved issues: Suppressing struggles led to cycles of burnout and self-doubt, a pattern that nearly led him to a breaking point. 3. The Breaking Point and Turning Things Around July and August 2023 marked the lowest period for Paul, when financial and personal stresses collided: Public scrutiny from a Bloomberg article exposed his struggles. Personal relationships were strained, culminating in a pivotal argument with his wife that led to self-reflection. The intervention of a friend, Tim Jordan, was crucial. Tim pushed Paul to seek professional help, offering both support and accountability. 4. Rebuilding with Purpose With therapy, physical activity, and a redefinition of his purpose, Paul began to heal: Therapy and psychiatric support helped address lifelong anxiety and uncover healthier coping mechanisms. Commitment to physical activity: Paul found solace in hockey and daily walks with his family. Reconnecting with creativity: His success as a TikTok content creator brought new income streams and restored a sense of accomplishment. Actionable Lessons for Entrepreneurs Recognize the Signs of Mental Strain Seasonal changes, racing thoughts, or persistent feelings of worthlessness may signal deeper issues. Don't ignore them. Seek Help Early Therapy isn't just for crises. Routine check-ins can provide clarity and prevent small issues from escalating. Build a Support Network Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable. As Paul's story shows, even one intervention can change a life. Balance Business and Identity Paul's journey underscores the importance of not tying your self-worth to your professional success. Redefine Purpose When business challenges arise, revisit your "why." For Paul, reconnecting with his family and creativity gave him new motivation. Memorable Quotes "Fixing the outside doesn't fix a broken inside." – Danny McMillan "Men have to feel useful. It's not just about love; it's about purpose." – Paul Baron "Your brain might be a little broken, but that's okay. You can heal." – Paul Baron Round-Up and Final Thoughts Paul Baron's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His candid discussion highlights how vulnerability, combined with action, can lead to profound change. This episode is not just a reflection on mental health but a roadmap for anyone navigating personal and professional crises. If you're struggling or know someone who is, take the first step: talk to someone, seek help, and prioritize your well-being. Resources Mentioned Talkiatry App: A tool Paul used to connect with a therapist aligned with his beliefs. TikTok Creator Content: Paul's creative outlet that became a new revenue source. Looking for a Free PPC Audit? https://www.databrill.com/ Out Now on SellerSessions.com: The Cold Reality of the Honeymoon Period and External Traffic https://sellersessions.com/the-cold-reality-of-the-honeymoon-period-and-external-traffic/ Your opinion matters! Drop us a comment
Main Image Monthly - Winning the Amazon Game with Data Welcome back to another Main Image Monthly episode of Seller Sessions, where we analyze, test, and refine product imagery to help brands optimize their Amazon listings. Hosted by Danny McMillan, this episode features a stellar lineup: Sim Mahon: A seasoned seller managing six private label brands and driving eight-figure revenues, Matt Kostan and Andri Sadlak: Founders of ProductPinion and 7-8 figure sellers, with over a decade of experience in e-commerce growth strategies. Then stop the scroll expert Dorian Gorski on the main image optimisation, and Oana Padurariu (image recognition insights), with special guest Luke T. Shelley from the viral TikTok brand Lucky Egg. Meet the Brand: Luke T. Shelley Luke, co-founder of Lucky Egg, shares his brand's journey from selling stationery products to launching a party game brand in 2021. With TikTok as a primary driver for traffic, the brand has achieved exceptional success. However, the Amazon listing needed fine-tuning to ensure consistency across traffic sources and optimize conversions. Qualitative Testing: Real Customer Feedback Product Opinion provided unfiltered feedback from 10 board game enthusiasts, focusing on three key questions: How could this party game's images be improved? What are the top features and benefits that matter most? Why wouldn't someone buy this game? Top Objections from Testing: Dark and Dull Colors: The black box was criticized for feeling uninviting and not matching the festive vibe of a party game. Looks Fake: Overuse of Photoshop, especially on the headphones, led to concerns about product quality. Too Busy: Customers felt the main image was cluttered with text and unclear instructions. Customer Quote: "The black background makes it look dull. I can't immediately tell it's a party game. The text is too small and busy." Concept Testing: Data Meets Creativity The team ran multiple iterations of the main image to address feedback while testing hypotheses: Original Image: Straightforward, clean box with headphones and cards. Concept A: Simplified, more focus on the headphones with gameplay text. Concept B: Open-box concept with brighter interior colors, added human element (smiling faces), and prominent TikTok branding. Round Two: Refining the Winning Concept The team didn't stop there. They hypothesized further improvements: Concept D: Enhanced the original image by rearranging elements and improving clarity. Concept E: Added customer-requested features, such as player count, playtime, and ease of use, directly on the box. Key Takeaways from Testing: Clarity is King: Customers prefer simplicity and a clear understanding of the product. Highlight Key Benefits: Playtime, player count, and ease of play are critical for party games. Social Proof Works: The “Best Party Game” badge was a standout element. Quotes Build Trust: Consider adding a powerful testimonial or review to the packaging for instant credibility. Amazon Recognition Insights Oana shared critical insights about how Amazon's algorithm interprets images: The current image risks being labeled as “electronics” or “business cards” due to the black headphones and text-heavy design. Recommendation: Incorporate the word “game” on the box and cards to ensure accurate indexing. Key Optimization Tip: Run Amazon Recognition tests before finalizing images to ensure they are correctly categorized by Amazon. Sim's Key Takeaways Quotes Matter: Adding a humorous or impactful quote can drive purchases, as seen with competitors. Giftable Packaging: A party game is often purchased as a gift, so showcasing appealing packaging is crucial. Segmentation: Keep the core audience (e.g., adults, party-goers) in mind when refining designs. Dorian's Expert Insights Testing Process: Creative optimization requires multiple iterations. Testing with real customer feedback separates opinion from data. Simplify and Enhance: If the original image performs well, focus on incremental improvements rather than dramatic changes. Final Advice: Focus on clarity and a focal point that attracts attention. For party games, simplicity and fun elements are key. Next Steps for Lucky Egg Luke will balance all feedback to test a refined main image: Retain the award badge with potential source credibility. Incorporate key gameplay features (e.g., player count, ease of play). Explore adding a reputable quote or humorous testimonial. Address Amazon's recognition by ensuring “game” is part of the image design. Final Round-Up This episode showcased the power of combining data and creativity in image optimization. From brutal customer feedback to multiple rounds of testing, the process demonstrated that even strong-performing listings can be improved with methodical, customer-focused changes. Key Learnings for Sellers: Always test hypotheses; assumptions don't drive conversions. Listen to your target audience—their feedback reveals critical pain points. Use data-driven tools like Product Opinion and Amazon Recognition to validate changes. Follow Lucky Egg on TikTok: @luckyegg for inspiration on creating viral, engaging content. Connect with Luke T. Shelley via LinkedIn or email: luke@luckyegg.co. Looking for a Free PPC Audit? https://www.databrill.com/ Out Now on SellerSessions.com: "The Cold Reality of the Honeymoon Period and External Traffic" https://sellersessions.com/the-cold-reality-of-the-honeymoon-period-and-external-traffic/ Your opinion matters! Drop us a comment
Mastering Amazon PPC and Organic Rankings with Anthony Nguyen Introduction: In this episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan welcomes Anthony Nguyen , a first-time guest, accomplished Amazon seller (sold in the peak of the aggregator run, and co-founder of JungleAce. With experience scaling his own Amazon business to seven figures and a strong background in data-driven PPC strategies, Anthony dives deep into the art of mastering Amazon's search engine and unlocking organic rankings. Follow along on Youtube Key Takeaways: Top-of-Search PPC as a Data Source: Anthony explains how using PPC at the top of search results can act as a controlled split-testing environment to fine-tune conversion rates and CTRs. Keyword Validation and Ranking Feasibility: Learn how data from Amazon's Search Query Performance (SQP) report helps determine whether a keyword is worth targeting. Anthony introduces his three-step system for validating ranking potential. Improving Conversion Rates: Dive into split-testing strategies to enhance product listings, ensuring your conversion rate surpasses market standards and unlocks top ranking opportunities. The Relevance Web: Explore Anthony's theory on Amazon's interconnected keyword groups and how ranking for a single root keyword can improve rankings across related long-tail keywords. Strategic PPC Execution: Discover how to focus campaigns on high-value keywords, adjust placements for top-of-search visibility, and optimize bids to minimize wasted ad spend. Decoding Ranking Signals: Learn to interpret Amazon's ranking fluctuations and stability periods, and use them to guide decision-making during launches or relaunches. Real-World Case Studies: Anthony shares actionable insights from campaigns, illustrating how conversion rate changes, pricing strategies, and competitor actions directly impact rankings. Reach Anthony - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-nguyen-%F0%9F%9F%A2-30522ba7/ Out Now on SellerSessions.com 'The Cold Reality Of The Honeymoon Period And External Traffic' The Cold Reality Of The Honeymoon Period And External Traffic If you have problems with the links, check the link in our bio! Seller Sessions Live, 2025. Grab tickets now: Seller Sessions Live 2025 Watch this podcast in its full glory. Out now on YouTube: Watch on YouTube
Advanced Ranking on Amazon in Q4: Garfield Coore In this episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan welcomes back Garfield Coore, a top-ranking strategist, to break down Amazon's algorithm. Garfield shares insights for sellers to maximize organic rank, external traffic, and achieve ranking stability as Q4 peaks., Garfield shares essential techniques for sellers looking to stay competitive and profitable. Key Takeaways The Three-Stage Ranking System: Primary Ranking Events: Roughly 90% of ranking impact comes from core behaviours on Amazon. Key actions include searches leading to a product page, add-to-cart from a search click, and purchases from a search pathway. Garfield stresses avoiding variations that interrupt the ranking pathway. Keyword Cohorts: Leveraging keyword "families" (using Amazon's Opportunity Explorer) helps products gain ranking bleed-over. Start ranking with smaller keywords, allowing spillover to higher competition terms. Territorial Influence: Minor ranking factors include BSR and inventory location, affecting regional rank. BSR reflects category sales ranking relative to competitors. Conversion Events Beyond Sales Clicks, page visits, and add-to-cart actions all serve as ranking events, which Garfield calls “conversion events.” Focus on generating quality traffic to accumulate these events, which can boost rank without immediate sales. PPC Strategy: Maximizing Click-Through Rate PPC placement relies on expected revenue from clicks, not relevance. Garfield explains that a history of clicks improves PPC placement probability. Timing Event-Driven Ranking Garfield advises starting campaigns for seasonal events early to establish a low-cost rank before high-demand periods. For example, healthcare and weight loss products should begin ranking efforts before New Year's resolutions in January. Reach Garfield - https://www.facebook.com/garfield.coore Out Now on SellerSessions.com The Cold Reality of the Honeymoon Period And External Traffic
Seller Sessions - The Man Behind the Honeymoon In this episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan welcomes Anthony Lee, the innovator behind the term "honeymoon period" in the world of Amazon FBA. Anthony dives into the history of this ranking strategy, clarifying misconceptions and discussing its evolution, while touching on advanced topics related to Amazon algorithms and the role of AI in e-commerce. The Honeymoon Period Debunked Anthony discusses the origins of the "honeymoon period," a concept he coined around 2015 when data showed unusual ranking activity in Amazon listings around the six-month mark. Initially, it appeared that there was a grace period where rank was closely tied to sales history, leading to faster ranking boosts for new products. However, over the years, as Amazon's algorithms shifted towards keyword relevance, this phenomenon became outdated. Today, relying on the honeymoon period as a ranking strategy can be risky, as Amazon's focus is now on more sophisticated factors such as relevance and real-time data. Understanding Amazon's Cold Start Anthony explains how Amazon's "cold start" period, originally lasting up to seven days, has shortened dramatically. This cold start phase allows the algorithm to gather enough data on a product to understand its relevance, but it is no longer something sellers can easily game. He emphasizes that many outdated strategies, such as manipulating sales velocity during this time, no longer yield the results they once did. The Importance of Attributes and AI The conversation highlights how attributes—both front-end (keywords, titles) and back-end (image metadata, product details)—are becoming critical to Amazon's ranking engine. Anthony reveals how tools like Amazon's AI-powered Recognition and Comprehend can analyze product images and listings to assess relevancy and performance. Sellers should optimize both their text and images to align with Amazon's ever-evolving search algorithms. Anthony also hints at the future of e-commerce with AI, as more sophisticated machine learning models like Cosmo and AtroBERT help Amazon improve relevance in real-time searches. Moving Away from Gimmicks Both Danny and Anthony criticize outdated methods like reissuing ASINs to reset rankings or over-relying on past strategies that don't align with Amazon's current approach. Instead, they advocate for a focus on product quality and data-driven decisions. As margins become tighter, leveraging tools and understanding Amazon's new algorithmic systems—like knowledge graphs and semantic models—become crucial to winning in a competitive marketplace. Conclusion Anthony Lee urges sellers to focus on building strong, high-quality products and adopt a data-driven approach to launches, rather than relying on outdated tricks. As Amazon continues to refine its search algorithms, it's essential to stay ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and methodologies, including AI tools for product optimization.
The BroadMatch Show: SSL2024 Review, ADHD Diagnosis, Side Events, and More In this engaging episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan welcomes back co-host, Adam Heist to discuss a wide range of topics, from the latest insights into Seller Sessions Live to personal health challenges and the entrepreneurial mindset. Seller Sessions Live: The Evolution and Impact Refining the Format One-Day Event: Adam praises the one-day format of Seller Sessions Live, highlighting its efficiency and effectiveness compared to longer events. Quality Over Quantity: Danny explains that maintaining high-quality content throughout a multi-day event can lead to diminishing returns, hence the decision to keep it short but impactful. Audience and Atmosphere Seller-Centric Approach: The event remains focused on sellers ensuring meaningful and genuine interactions. Unique Speaker Line-Up: Danny and Adam emphasise the importance of featuring new faces and fresh insights, avoiding the repetition. Logistics and Challenges Travel Considerations: The convenience of a one-day event minimises travel fatigue and maximises attendee energy and engagement. Cost Management: By keeping the event to one day, Danny manages to keep costs down, making it accessible without compromising on quality. Addressing Side Events The Problem with Side Events Danny's Stance: Danny addresses the issue of side events organised around major events without prior consultation. He emphasises the importance of respect and proper communication when planning such activities. Exclusive Contracts: To prevent conflicts, Danny mentions that all speakers for next year will be under exclusive contracts, restricting their participation in other events around the same timeframe of Seller Sessions Live. Impact on Events Draining Resources: Danny explains how unauthorised side events can drain resources and detract from the main event, making it clear that he will not tolerate such actions in the future. Personal Journeys and Health Challenges Adam's Stroke Recovery Three and a Half Months In: Adam shares his progress since experiencing a stroke in Bali, discussing the slow but steady recovery and the importance of incremental gains. Life Lessons: Reflecting on his journey, Adam draws parallels between business challenges and personal health, emphasising resilience and the power of small steps. Danny's ADHD Diagnosis Discovery and Management: Danny recounts his recent ADHD diagnosis and the profound impact it has had on his life and work. He shares practical tips on managing ADHD through micro-dosing and nootropic stacks. Embracing the Superpower: Rather than seeing ADHD as a hindrance, Danny views it as a superpower that, when leveraged correctly, can lead to hyper focus and significant productivity gains. Entrepreneurial Insights and Mental Health Mental Health in Entrepreneurship Shared Struggles: Both Danny and Adam discuss the mental health challenges common among entrepreneurs, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Importance of Vulnerability: They highlight the value of open conversations about mental health, reducing stigma and fostering a supportive community. Building a Mental Fortress Upcoming Workshop: Danny introduces his concept of a "Mental Fortress" workshop aimed at helping entrepreneurs build resilience and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Toolkit for Success: The workshop will cover essential topics like boundaries, emotional literacy, and attachment styles, providing attendees with practical tools to improve both their personal and professional lives. Future Plans and Projects Adam's Summer Plans Reconnecting with Roots: Adam plans to spend the summer in Canada, focusing on personal and professional catch-up while enjoying time with family and friends. Exploring Austin: He also considers moving to Austin, Texas, for the winter to explore new opportunities and experiences. Danny's Upcoming Ventures Tech Development: Danny hints at exciting new tech developments at Databrill, aimed at improving the search and PPC experience for sellers. Book Launch: He is also working on a book titled "The Evolved Man," which will address key aspects of masculinity and mental health. Key Takeaways Event Efficiency: The one-day format of Seller Sessions Live is praised for its effectiveness and high-quality content. Health and Resilience: Both Danny and Adam share their personal health journeys, offering valuable insights into managing ADHD and recovering from a stroke. Mental Health Focus: The episode emphasises the importance of mental health in entrepreneurship, encouraging open discussions and supportive communities. Future Innovations: Listeners can look forward to new tech developments and an insightful book from Danny, aimed at enhancing both business and personal growth. Conclusion This episode of Seller Sessions with Danny McMillan and Adam Heist is a treasure trove of insights, from the practicalities of running a successful e-commerce event to deeply personal stories of health and resilience. It underscores the importance of community, mental health, and continuous improvement in both business and life. Looking for a Free PPC Audit? Data Brill PPC Audit
The Biggest Hack This Seller Used To Reach 9 Figures Welcome back to another insightful episode of Seller Sessions, hosted by Danny McMillan. In this episode, we are rejoined by Mels Terlouw, a seasoned entrepreneur peaking at 9 figures in sales. Together, they delve into the critical but often overlooked topic of addressing customer objections, a vital component of successful sales strategies. Key Insights from Mels Terlouw Understanding Psychological Warfare in Sales: Mels emphasises that selling is akin to psychological warfare where the goal is to win the customer's heart. He gets frustrated with the common reliance on hacks and algorithms, urging sellers to focus on genuine customer engagement. Addressing Customer Objections is Crucial: Many sellers neglect addressing objections because it is perceived as tedious and unglamorous. However, Mels argues that understanding and addressing these objections is fundamental to transforming potential customers into actual buyers. The Importance of Product Presentation: Mels discusses how subtle changes in product listings, like simplifying installation instructions or using psychological cues in images, can significantly impact customer perception and overcome objections. Strategies for Overcoming Objections Tailored Product Features: By focusing on specific customer objections, sellers can tailor their products to meet these needs, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and sales. Visual and Psychological Cues: Mels points out the power of visual cues in influencing customer decisions, suggesting that sellers employ strategies that align with subconscious customer expectations and preferences. Effective Communication and Testing Continuous Testing and Feedback: Both Danny and Mels highlight the necessity of continuous product testing and gathering feedback to refine product offerings and address emerging customer objections effectively. Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways Engage Directly with Customers: One of Mels' key pieces of advice is for sellers to engage directly with customers to gain firsthand insights into their objections and preferences. Innovation in Addressing Objections: Mels encourages innovation in how objections are addressed, suggesting that meeting and exceeding customer expectations in creative ways can set a product apart in competitive markets. Summary This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of not just meeting but deeply understanding customer needs and objections. Mels Terlouw's insights provide valuable strategies for sellers looking to enhance their engagement and conversion rates through thoughtful, customer-centric product development and marketing.
One of the Top Amazon Ranking Experts You Haven't Heard Of In an in-depth episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan sits down with Garfield, a pioneer in understanding and applying the concept of Geo Rank and is way ahead of the curve than most when it comes to ranking on Amazon. This podcast sheds light on how Geo Rank affects sellers and offers a critical look at common misconceptions in the industry. It has taken four years to get him on Seller Sessions and well worth the wait… Key Insights from Garfield: Understanding Geo Rank: Geo Rank does not rely on inventory levels but is driven by local shopping activities following a search. This is a significant shift from the common misconception that inventory levels directly influence rankings. The Impact of Inventory: Garfield explains that while inventory levels don't drive rankings, they can penalise them if the inventory is too low for the demand in a specific area, thus preventing potential stock-outs and customer dissatisfaction. Debunking Myths: Many sellers believe that Geo Rank normalises rankings across different regions, but Garfield clarifies that each of the 400-500 geographic zones has unique shopping activities which affect rankings individually. Localized Advertising: By understanding regional ranking differences, sellers can tailor their marketing strategies to boost visibility and sales in areas where their products are not performing well. Cost-Effective Campaigns: With detailed insights provided by Geo Rank analytics, sellers can allocate their budgets more efficiently, ensuring that they are not spending on ads in regions where they already dominate the market. Inventory as a Modifier: If a seller's inventory drops below what is needed to meet the demand for a specific keyword in a locale, Amazon may lower the product's ranking to prevent customer dissatisfaction from unavailability. Strategic Inventory Management: Effective inventory management becomes crucial to maintaining high rankings in key markets, making it a strategic area of focus for sellers to avoid penalties. Limitations of Common Tracking Tools: Single Sample Issue: Most keyword tracking tools used by sellers capture data from a single location or a very limited number of locations. Garfield emphasises that these tools might be reporting ranking data from just one of the approximately 500 geographic zones that Amazon uses. This approach gives a very narrow view of a product's overall performance across the market. Misleading Data Representation: Because these tools often pull data from random, singular points, they do not accurately reflect the broader performance of a product. For sellers, this can lead to misguided strategies, as they might believe a product performs well universally based on its rank in one zone or poorly based on another. The lack of comprehensive geographic data can lead sellers to allocate their marketing and inventory efforts inefficiently. Randomised IP Sampling: Tools that do attempt to gather broader data often use randomised IP addresses to scrape Amazon, which might access different geographic data points at each scrape. However, they typically do not control for or even identify from which geographic zone the data comes, leading to a patchwork of information that does not accurately represent any cohesive market performance. Financial Traps and Underreporting: Adversarial Nature of Amazon Advertising: Garfield describes the relationship between sellers and Amazon advertising as adversarial, where Amazon aims to maximise its revenue from each click, while sellers strive to minimise cost per click. He warns that tools and metrics provided by Amazon often serve Amazon's interests more than the sellers'. Brand Share and Impressions: Garfield criticises the use and effectiveness of brand share metrics provided by Amazon. He argues that these metrics are often promoted by Amazon to encourage increased spending without delivering meaningful benefits to sellers. He describes these metrics as "financial traps," suggesting that they are designed to benefit Amazon's revenue goals rather than genuinely helping sellers improve their business performance. Inaccuracy and Manipulation in Amazon's Data: Garfield criticises Amazon's use of data, noting that it often comes with financial traps and is incomplete or incorrect. He is particularly critical of how Amazon handles impressions in PPC campaigns, explaining that impressions are counted whenever a page is served, regardless of whether the ad is actually seen by consumers. This can mislead sellers into making ineffective optimisations based on skewed data . Questionable Validity of Search Query Performance: Garfield plans to demonstrate that the data provided under Amazon's search query performance metrics might be misleading. He suggests that Amazon may be withholding information or providing erroneous calculations, affecting sellers' strategies and financial decisions. Reach Garfield Moore either via Facebook or direct via his website : https://rankdiagnostics.com/
China's Slow Meltdown For Amazon Sellers Welcome to another enlightening episode of Seller Sessions, where host Danny McMillan engages with the ever-insightful Steve Simonson. This session dives deep into the evolving dynamics of global logistics, supply chain intricacies, and the strategic foresight needed in today's unpredictable market landscape. Unpacking the Logistics Landscape: A 2024 Outlook Current Climate Overview: Steve Simonson shares his expertise on the logistical challenges and changes as businesses transition into 2024, emphasising the importance of adaptive strategies in the face of unforeseen global shifts. Supply Chain Insights: Discussion revolves around the post-COVID supply chain recovery, unexpected hurdles, and the criticality of staying agile amidst fluctuating container costs and transit times. Strategic Foresight and Adaptive Planning Forecasting Faux Pas: Simonson reflects on past predictions, highlighting the unpredictable nature of supply chain disruptions and the necessity of resilient planning. Real-time Adjustments: He shares anecdotes of swift strategic shifts his team made in response to the dynamic global trade environment, underscoring the essence of flexibility in business operations. China's Economic Conundrum: Impact on Global Sellers China's Slow Meltdown: A deep dive into the economic and industrial challenges within China, including liquidity crises and the effects on manufacturing sectors and global sellers. Navigating Manufacturing Uncertainties: Simonson offers valuable advice on mitigating risks associated with factory closures and capital constraints, advocating for strategic negotiations and the importance of securing favourable terms. Diversification and Global Manufacturing Shifts Beyond China: Exploring the strategic shift of manufacturing bases to countries like Vietnam and India, considering their proximity advantages, labor dynamics, and industrial capacities. India's Potential Unpacked: A nuanced look at India's burgeoning role in the global manufacturing landscape, balancing its skilled workforce against the backdrop of technological and infrastructural development. Leadership and Organisational Growth Blueprint for Effective Leadership: Simonson is set to lead a workshop focusing on foundational leadership qualities, strategic decision-making, and cultivating a culture that aligns team satisfaction with customer happiness. Future-Proofing Through Learning: Emphasising the importance of continuous learning, embracing mistakes, and the relentless pursuit of improvement in leadership and organisational success. Summary / Round-Up This episode with Steve Simonson offers a treasure trove of insights, from the intricacies of global logistics to the strategic nuances of leadership in uncertain times. As businesses navigate the unpredictable waters of 2024, Simonson's advice stands as a beacon for adaptable, forward-thinking strategies that can help steer companies towards sustained growth and resilience. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions on Seller Sessions, your go-to podcast for expert insights into the e-commerce world. Seller Sessions Live May 11, 2024 Grab tickets – https://sellersessions.com/live2024/ Get £50 off using Discount code: 202450 Brought to you by: Databrill Exhibitors Include: Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK, Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify, Intellivy, and Ecomcy. P.S. Interested in Sponsoring? Get in touch. Michele Venton: "The first of its kind!” Steve Consalvi: "Best seller event so far!" James Cissel: "Insightful and actionable.”
The Challenge of Amazon's New Fee Host Danny McMillan and guest James McConnel Jr. delved into the complexities of Amazon's newly introduced fee structure. James, with over 40 hours dedicated to dissecting this topic, shared his profound understanding, emphasizing not just the increased workload for sellers but the nuanced challenges it presents. This conversation is crucial for Amazon sellers looking to navigate the murky waters of Amazon's fee adjustments with strategic foresight. Understanding the Fee's Complexity James McConnel Jr.'s analysis begins with acknowledging the inherent complexity of the new fee. Unlike straightforward increases in FBA or referral fees, this fee intricately ties into a seller's operational workflow, significantly affecting cash flow and demanding a higher level of strategic inventory management. It's not just about adjusting prices to cover increased costs but understanding the mathematical and logistical implications behind the fee structure. The fee's complexity lies in its basis on historical stock levels and its application to future orders, compelling sellers to meticulously plan their inventory levels to avoid penalties. Strategic Inventory Management and Planning One of the standout insights from James revolves around the strategic management of inventory levels. The fee calculation, relying on historical data, places immense pressure on sellers to maintain adequate stock levels. This approach by Amazon, while aiming to streamline inventory management, introduces a layer of unpredictability for sellers. It necessitates a shift from reactive inventory management to a more predictive and strategic model. Sellers are advised to not only monitor their current stock levels closely but also to analyze sales trends and forecast future stock needs more accurately. Navigating Amazon's Calculation Methods James pointed out the opacity of Amazon's calculation methods for this fee as a significant hurdle for sellers. The fee is computed weekly, with its roots in past inventory levels but does not account for inbound shipments until they're officially checked in. This discrepancy creates a blind spot for sellers, making it challenging to align their inventory strategy with Amazon's fee calculation timeline. It underscores the necessity for sellers to adopt a conservative approach to inventory management, ensuring they have a buffer to account for any delays or inaccuracies in Amazon's stock level calculations. The Complexity of Parentage and Variation Management For sellers with products that come in multiple variations, the new fee introduces additional layers of complexity. James emphasized how the fee calculations take into account the entire parent SKU, affecting inventory management decisions for individual child SKUs. This scenario presents a double-edged sword; on one hand, it offers an opportunity to balance stock levels across variations to mitigate fees, while on the other, it risks penalizing sellers for underperformance in just one of the variations. Sellers must meticulously manage their product variations, potentially reorganizing their product listings to optimize for fee efficiency. James's Inventory Management Calculator In response to the challenges posed by this new fee, James McConnel Jr. developed a calculator designed to aid sellers in estimating the optimal inventory levels to minimize fees. This tool is a testament to the need for precise and informed decision-making in inventory management. By inputting product dimensions and weight, sellers can receive tailored recommendations on stock levels that balance the risk of incurring the new fee against the costs associated with holding excess inventory. This calculator represents a significant step towards empowering sellers with the data-driven insights needed to navigate Amazon's evolving fee landscape strategically. Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations The conversation between Danny McMillan and James McConnel Jr. sheds light on the critical aspects of Amazon's new fee structure, emphasizing the need for sellers to adopt a more analytical and strategic approach to inventory management. The insights shared by James, from the importance of understanding the fee's complexity to strategic inventory planning and the utilization of specialized tools like his calculator, are invaluable for sellers aiming to navigate this new challenge effectively. Sellers are encouraged to not only digest these insights but to actively engage with tools and strategies that can help them optimize their inventory levels. The key to success in this new fee environment is a combination of vigilant inventory management, strategic planning, and leveraging available resources to make informed decisions. As the Amazon marketplace continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable will be crucial for sellers aiming to maintain profitability and operational efficiency. Referenced Article: https://marketplaceprep.com/low-inventory-fee Seller Sessions Live Announcement: - Event Date: May 11, 2024 - Ticket Information: Available at Seller Sessions Live 2024 - Organizer: Databrill - Exhibitors: Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK, Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify, Ecomcy, and more. - Sponsorship Opportunities: For those interested in sponsoring, please get in touch. Praise for Seller Sessions Live: - Michele Venton heralds the event as "The first of its kind!" - Steve Consalvi calls it the "Best seller event so far!" - James Cissel describes it as "Insightful and actionable."
Unlocking Amazon's Algorithm with Colin Raja: A Deep Dive into Ranking, Indexing, and Keyword Strategies In this insightful episode of the podcast, host Danny McMillan welcomes back Colin Raja, a New York-based brand builder who skyrocketed his startup from a modest investment to a million-dollar enterprise within 18 months. The duo embarks on a detailed exploration of Amazon's ranking mechanics, discussing indexing, keyword linking, and the future of Q&A features. Indexing Insights: Amazon's Evolving Indexing Strategy: Colin demystifies Amazon's indexing process, highlighting the transition from simplistic category-based indexing to a more nuanced approach involving product type, item type, and gender ledger. This evolution underscores Amazon's commitment to refining its categorisation to improve product discoverability and relevance. The Importance of Relevancy: As the conversation unfolds, Colin emphasises that relevancy and conversion rates are pivotal in achieving better rankings. He shares groundbreaking tactics, including leveraging Amazon's AI for semantic matching, which allows products to rank for related keywords without explicit indexing. Keyword Linking Mastery: Colin unveils his advanced keyword linking strategy, distinguishing between browse keywords and purchase keywords. By identifying and exploiting the intricacies of keyword relevancy and conversion metrics, Colin outlines how to optimise PPC campaigns and achieve significant ranking improvements. The discussion further delves into the use of bigrams and trigrams in creating a scoring system that enhances keyword relevancy and ranking potential. This sophisticated approach enables sellers to strategically position their products in highly competitive niches. Sunsetting of Q&A and its Implications: Highlighting an imminent shift in Amazon's platform, Colin predicts the phasing out of the Q&A feature. He advises sellers to capitalise on the current functionalities to enhance product visibility and keyword relevancy, underscoring the dynamic nature of Amazon's algorithm and the need for sellers to stay informed and adaptable. Summary: This episode is a treasure trove of strategies for sellers looking to navigate Amazon's complex algorithm. From the nuances of indexing and the power of keyword linking to adapting to platform changes, Colin Raja and Danny McMillan offer invaluable insights into achieving eCommerce success. Seller Sessions Live May 11, 2024 Grab tickets – https://sellersessions.com/live2024/ Brought to you by: Databrill Exhibitors Include: Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK, Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify, and Ecomcy. P.S. Interested in Sponsoring? Get in touch. Michele Venton: "The first of its kind!" Steve Consalvi: "Best seller event so far!" James Cissel: "Insightful and actionable."
Unlocking Amazon Success in 2024 with Kevin King Kevin King returns, a name synonymous with cutting-edge strategies in the world of Amazon. This deep dive explores Kevin's top picks for the year, offering listeners a blend of forecasting, strategic advice, and actionable insights aimed at navigating the evolving landscape of our community. Strategic Highlights and Expert Insights: Product Selection and Sourcing: Kevin emphasizes the critical importance of product selection and sourcing, advising sellers to focus their efforts on these areas for maximum profitability. The discussion delves into the necessity of looking beyond traditional sourcing markets, such as China, to avoid potential geopolitical and supply chain disruptions. Leveraging AI and Technology: The conversation shifts to the utilization of AI, with Kevin sharing his approach to employing AI for analysis and brainstorming rather than content creation. He underscores the role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency and sparking creativity in product development and marketing strategies. Navigating Changes in Amazon's Ranking Algorithm: Kevin predicts significant changes in Amazon's ranking algorithm, urging sellers and tool developers like Helium 10 and Jungle Scout to adapt. He forecasts a shift towards AI-driven search mechanisms, which will transform traditional SEO practices and keyword optimization on Amazon. The Power of Imagery and AI in E-Commerce: Kevin discusses the increasing importance of images in e-commerce, suggesting that AI's role in analyzing and interpreting product images will play a pivotal role in search relevance and customer engagement. This segment highlights the need for high-quality, contextually appropriate images to enhance product visibility and appeal. Building a Robust Brand Presence Beyond Amazon: The dialogue encourages sellers to explore platforms like TikTok and to cultivate a brand presence across multiple channels. Kevin stresses the importance of building a direct relationship with customers through effective use of social media, newsletters, and other digital marketing tools. Embracing Change and Preparing for the Future: Throughout the episode, Kevin and Danny McMillan discuss the necessity for sellers to stay agile, embrace new technologies, and prepare for the inevitable shifts in consumer behavior and platform algorithms. The focus is on building a sustainable brand that can thrive amidst the fast-paced changes in the e-commerce ecosystem. Summary and Takeaways: This episode of Seller Sessions with Kevin King is a treasure trove of insights for e-commerce sellers aiming to stay ahead in 2024. From strategic product sourcing to the adept use of AI and the importance of multi-channel branding, Kevin offers a roadmap for success in an increasingly competitive online marketplace. Listeners are encouraged to embrace change, leverage technology, and focus on building meaningful connections with their customers to achieve long-term success. Seller Sessions Live May 11, 2024 Grab tickets – https://sellersessions.com/live2024/ Brought to you by: Databrill Exhibitors Include: - Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK, Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify and Ecomcy. P.S. Interested in Sponsoring? Get in touch. Michele Venton: "The first of its kind!” Steve Consalvi: "Best seller event so far!" James Cissel: "Insightful and actionable.”
The Broad Match Show with Adam Heist Amazon Selling: Navigating the 2024 Landscape Adam Heist's Insights: Predicts a shift in Amazon strategy from keyword focus to more nuanced approaches. Emphasizes the increasing importance of product quality, differentiation, and visual representation. Highlights the need for constant A/B testing and creative innovation in product listings and marketing. Danny McMillan's Perspective: Stresses the importance of understanding and adapting to the changing landscape of Amazon selling. Discusses the need for rigorous testing and the significance of sentiment analysis in product marketing. Conversion Rate Optimization: The New Frontier The Shift from Technical to Creative: Both Heist and McMillan agree that conversion rate optimization will be key. This includes a stronger focus on visual identity, product presentation, and customer experience rather than just technical aspects like keywords and PPC. Test Everything: McMillan emphasizes extreme testing, especially for underperforming products. Heist agrees, noting the importance of constantly innovating and adapting to stay ahead in the market. Personal Identity in Business Navigating Ups and Downs: Both hosts discuss the psychological challenges of running a business. They delve into the importance of not tying one's identity too closely to business success or failure. Ego and Business: Heist shares his experience of ego death and the realization that business achievements do not define personal worth. McMillan echoes this sentiment, discussing the importance of maintaining perspective and focusing on meaningful work over status. Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond Embracing Uncertainty: Both hosts emphasize the importance of being comfortable with the unknown and adapting to changes in the Amazon landscape. Personal Growth and Business Strategy: Heist discusses how personal growth has informed his business strategy, advocating for a more holistic approach to business and life. Key Takeaways for Amazon Sellers: The discussion concludes with key strategies for Amazon sellers in 2024, focusing on adaptation, customer experience, and personal well-being. Summary/Round-Up Adapting to Change: In 2024, Amazon sellers will need to adapt to a more nuanced and customer-focused approach. This includes less reliance on keywords and more emphasis on product quality, differentiation, and customer experience. Conversion Rate Optimization: This will be crucial, with a shift towards creative and visually appealing product presentations. Emotional Resilience: Sellers should focus on their personal growth and not solely define their worth by their business achievements. Future Outlook: Embracing the unknown and being adaptable will be key to succeeding in the evolving landscape of Amazon selling. Seller Sessions Live May 11, 2024 Grab tickets – https://sellersessions.com/live2024/ Brought to you by: Databrill Exhibitors Include: Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK. Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify and Ecomcy. P.S. Interested in Sponsoring? Get in touch. Michele Venton: "The first of its kind!” Steve Consalvi: "Best seller event so far!" James Cissel: "Insightful and actionable.”
Exploring Google Business Profiles with Norm Farrar Introduction to Google Business Profile In this insightful episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan welcomes Norm Farrar, a seasoned entrepreneur and host of Lunch with Norm, to delve into the world of Google Business Profiles (GBP). Farrar shares his vast experience and knowledge, offering valuable insights for businesses looking to leverage GBP for enhanced visibility and growth. Key Insights from Norm Farrar Understanding Google Business Profile: GBP, previously known as Google My Business, is a platform for managing online presence. It's not just for local SEO or brick-and-mortar businesses; brands can benefit significantly. Only a tiny fraction of eligible businesses utilize GBP effectively. Utilizing GBP for Brand Visibility: Businesses can geo-target regions, cities, or even countries. Instant indexing on Google when using GBP. Key strategy: Regularly update GBP with relevant information and promotions. Integration with Other Google Services: GBP integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics, offering detailed insights. Utilizing Google Sheets for daily updates can significantly boost SEO rankings. Encouraging user reviews through GBP can enhance credibility and visibility. Maximizing the Impact of GBP: Consistent updates are crucial; a stagnant profile is ineffective. Use of Google Sheets for dynamic content changes. Incorporating various types of content (images, offers, events) for engagement. The Importance of Reviews and User-Generated Content: Aim for at least 20-25 reviews for credibility. Encourage user-generated content for authenticity and engagement. Utilize contests and promotions to generate interest and participation. Leveraging GBP for E-commerce: Link GBP with e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify. Use GBP for promoting specific products, offers, and events. Strategic Updates and Content Posting: Regular updates are essential; however, avoid over-posting to maintain authenticity. Balance between informative posts and promotional content. Event-Based Marketing Through GBP: Creating events on GBP can drive more traffic and engagement. Use events for product launches, special promotions, and seasonal sales. Real-world Examples and Success Stories: Farrar shares examples of businesses that have significantly benefited from using GBP strategically. Tips for Effective GBP Management: Ensure all relevant fields are filled with updated information. Regularly update hours, especially during holidays, to avoid showing as closed. Summary and Round-Up Norm Farrar's discussion with Danny McMillan on Seller Sessions provides invaluable insights into the effective use of Google Business Profiles for enhancing brand visibility and engagement. The strategic use of GBP, integrating with Google's array of tools, and focusing on user-generated content and reviews can significantly impact a brand's online presence and SEO performance. This episode is a must-listen for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to leverage GBP for their growth and online marketing strategies. Seller Sessions Live May 11, 2024 Grab tickets – https://sellersessions.com/live2024/ Brought to you by: Databrill Exhibitors Include: Uncapped, Getida, VAA, AVASK. Ecom Brokers, Kata Logistics, Data Dive Tools, Mint Accounting, MultiplyMii, Zignify, and Ecomcy. P.S. Interested in Sponsoring? Get in touch. Michele Venton: "The first of its kind!” Steve Consalvi: "Best seller event so far!" James Cissel: "Insightful and actionable.”
Mina Elias Unpacks Amazon DSP: A 20-Minute Expert Guide Introduction to Amazon DSP Welcome to another enthralling episode of Seller Sessions with host Danny McMillan. Today's special guest, Mina Elias, brings invaluable insights into the world of Amazon Demand-Side Platform (DSP). This session promises to be a goldmine for Amazon sellers eager to harness DSP's capabilities to elevate their business. Understanding Amazon DSP Mina Elias kicks off by demystifying Amazon DSP, clarifying its role beyond Amazon's delivery services. He describes DSP as a unique advertising platform, rich with Amazon's first-party data. This includes critical insights into customer behaviors, like views, purchases, and demographics. Elias notes that DSP ads are similar in appearance to traditional Amazon display ads but offer a far more extensive reach and functionality. Targeting and Placement Strategies in DSP Elias delves into DSP's core features: targeting and ad placement. Unlike typical Amazon PPC strategies focused on keywords or products, DSP targets individual customers, allowing for precise audience selection and varied ad placements. This includes Amazon-owned and third-party sites, highlighting the platform's extensive reach. Maximizing Impact with DSP Funnel Strategies The discussion shifts to who benefits from DSP. Elias highlights that brands excelling in PPC can significantly gain from DSP's advanced funnel strategies. He discusses targeting different customer segments, like retargeting, cross-selling, and enhancing brand loyalty, emphasizing the need for creative ad design and Amazon's responsive e-commerce template. Budgeting in DSP: Minimum Spend and Efficiency Elias touches on an essential aspect of DSP: budgeting and minimum spend. He shares insights from successful campaigns operating with budgets as low as $2000 per funnel segment and advises on strategic fund allocation across DSP components. Product Categories and DSP Effectiveness In this segment, Elias discusses the varied success rates of DSP across different product categories, stressing the importance of tailored approaches and avoiding generalizations in strategy. Building and Optimizing DSP Campaigns Elias explains the intricate process of building and optimizing DSP campaigns, emphasizing frequency optimization and bid management to ensure ads reach the target audience effectively. KPIs and Attribution in DSP Addressing DSP performance measurement, Elias highlights the role of KPIs tailored for different funnel stages and discusses the challenges and solutions in DSP attribution models. Final Insights on Amazon DSP Concluding the session, Elias reiterates DSP's power, especially for consumable products. He advises leveraging DSP as a strategic tool to expand overall presence and drive more traffic to Amazon listings.
Ads Versus Authenticity: Does PPC Undermine Organic Search Relevance on Search Results? Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan welcomes Elizabeth Greene, an Amazon advertising expert and co-founder of JUNGLR. They delve into the dynamic world of Amazon advertising, discussing the platform's latest changes and what they mean for sellers looking to scale their businesses. From exploring the nuances of PPC strategies to the evolving role of AI in Amazon's ecosystem, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in the competitive world of Amazon. Danny McMillan's Discussion on Amazon's Search Matching System Danny McMillan expands on this by discussing the evolution of Amazon's search matching system. He explains that Amazon initially used a lexical matching system where single words were indexed. Over time, this evolved into semantic matching, which considers the context of the words, and further advanced with the introduction of BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers). BERT enhances the understanding of language, allowing for more human-like interpretations of search queries. Concerns About Ads in Amazon Search Results Despite these advancements, Danny points out a significant concern: the search results pages on Amazon are increasingly populated with ads. This heavy ad presence pushes down organic search results, potentially conflicting with Amazon's goal of delivering the most relevant search results. Danny questions whether there might be a shift in focus to increase relevance in search results around ads, as Amazon's primary goal is to ensure a great search experience, regardless of whether they come from organic search results or paid ads. Speculations on the Future of Amazon's Search Relevance He also speculates about the future of Amazon's approach to handling the balance between ad-driven and organically relevant search results. He acknowledges that while there are certain limitations on what keywords can be targeted in ads, the control largely lies with advertisers who are paying for ad placements. This creates a dynamic where the relevance of search results could be at odds with paid ads in terms of overall relevance. Danny suggests that this might lead to customer frustration if they don't receive the level of relevant search results and ponders how Amazon will address this issue going forward… If indeed they will, as this is a massive profit center for them. Key Topics Discussed: The Future of PPC on Amazon: Elizabeth shares her thoughts on where PPC is heading in the coming years, including the impact of new tools and features. Challenges and Opportunities with Amazon Ads: Discussion on the complexities and potential of Amazon's advertising platform, including the importance of data access and budget rules. Amazon's Algorithm Evolution: Danny and Elizabeth discuss the progression from lexical to semantic matching and the introduction of BERT, exploring its impact on search results and PPC. Relevance in Amazon Listings: A deep dive into the importance of relevance in product listings and how Amazon's algorithm interprets this. AI's Role in Enhancing User Experience: The conversation turns to how AI is influencing shopping experiences on Amazon, with a focus on listing optimization and the potential future shifts in strategy. Optimising Product Images: Insights on the significance of correctly categorising product images for better alignment with Amazon's search algorithm (image attributes). Recommended Resources: Junglr Website: Explore the services offered by Elizabeth's Amazon ad agency. Elizabeth Greene on LinkedIn: Follow Elizabeth for more insights into Amazon advertising. Conclusion: This episode of Seller Sessions with Elizabeth Greene offers valuable insights into the current trends and future directions of Amazon's advertising landscape. Whether you're a new seller or looking to scale your existing business, understanding these dynamics is crucial for success on the platform.
Optimizing Conversions and Scaling Traffic with Mansour Norouzi In this episode of Seller Sessions, Danny McMillan interviews Mansour Norouzi, ecommerce expert and director of advertising and partner of Incremental Digital, about optimizing conversions and scaling traffic on Amazon. Key Takeaways Conversion and traffic are the two main factors of the "Amazon equation" needed to grow and scale Targeted traffic is key - non-targeted traffic with low relevance won't convert Align traffic growth with conversion rate to balance advertising costs Use Product Opportunity Explorer to optimize listings and identify customer preferences Add virtual bundles, A+ content, comparison charts to increase conversion Leverage promotions for at-risk customers and cart abandoners Optimize organic rankings with external traffic and targeted PPC Analyze category insights and keyword research to scale PPC efficiently Optimizing Listings for Conversion Mansour shares various tips for optimizing Amazon product listings: Use the Product Opportunity Explorer to identify key purchase drivers, customer insights and topics from reviews to inform listing optimization. Add these details throughout the listing - title, bullets, images etc. Assess Listing Quality score using Helium10 to evaluate areas for improvement. Create virtual bundles to cross-sell products, take up competitor space and increase order value. Ensure bundles receive positive reviews. Feature Brand Story to share your brand narrative visually with lifestyle imagery. Upgrade to premium A+ content for additional features like video and quizzes. Add comparison charts in A+ to showcase products. Use coupon codes - even on non-promotional products - to trigger increased conversion via badges. Ensure codes don't stack negatively. Driving Targeted Traffic When scaling advertising, Mansour emphasizes monitoring conversion rates and being disciplined with budgets to maintain profitability. He outlines a few key traffic driving tactics: Leverage the new Customer Loyalty analytics for tailored promotions - target customers in various tiers or those who recently abandoned cart. Create Amazon Posts to garner impressions and potential sales from seasonal or evergreen lifestyle content. Balance paid and organic traffic growth to efficiently improve organic rankings long-term. Avoid saturating search with irrelevant gift traffic that won't convert. Follow niche trends in Product Opportunity Explorer and adjust budgets seasonally to match market demand rather than goal-setting in isolation. Compare category insights for market share benchmarking. Conduct thorough keyword research combining Product Opportunity Explorer parent categories, Brand Analytics search data and performance metrics like click share % to identify the optimal search terms to target. Mansour reminds us not all keywords are equal and many low commercial intent keywords that drive mainly browsing aren't worth aggressive paid targeting.
A9 Bot - How To Get The Most Out Of Your Listing Optimisation In this informative episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan gives listeners an inside look at the A9 Bot available exclusively through his website. This specialised bot aims to help sellers better grasp Amazon's ever-evolving A9 ranking algorithms and optimisation factors by synthesising key learnings from extensive scientific literature and patents. Laying the Groundwork Around A9 Understanding Before demonstrating the A9 Bot tool itself, Danny emphasises how this fits into his broader mission to equip Amazon sellers with more technical competency on the inner workings of Amazon search. He's compiled and working through 1234 scientific papers and has written at depth on subjects sellers may find confusing or conflicting when trying to rank higher. Understanding Product Photos and How Attributes Really Work How Amazon Protects Answers to Product Questions Using Similar Products The Real Reason Why A10 is a Myth Improving Seasonal Relevance and Ranking on Amazon Search This scientific grounding informs the A9 Bot's capabilities for listing optimisation tied to ranking factors. Danny emphasises digesting this background will prove useful for sellers aiming to "level up" their Amazon search education. Introducing Key Match Types: Lexical vs. Semantic vs. BERT Contextual As Danny shifts into demonstrating the tool itself, he starts by outlining three key match types critical to understand: Lexical Matching Semantic Matching BERT Contextual Matching While lexical matching should remain core to any keyword targeting strategy, Danny urges sellers not to limit themselves to only indexing keywords. The semantic and BERT matches within A9 paint a fuller picture of what customers may search for — and how listings can evolve to reach more searchers. Seeing the A9 Bot in Action: Listing Rewrites To illustrate the bot's capabilities, Danny provides a demo using a beard oil product as an example. He prompts the bot to rewrite the listing bullets targeting first lexical matches, then semantic matches, and finally keyword matches informed by BERT's contextual analysis. The output shows clear differences highlighting how each match type shapes results. The lexical rewrite sticks closest to exact keyword matches in the original beard oil listing. Meanwhile the semantic match incorporates more contextual phrases that extend meaning like beard grooming and shaping tools. Finally, the BERT rewrite recognises entities and relationships to recommend additional keywords around skin conditioning, packaging format, and product feel during application. This small demo begins to showcase how tapping scientific advances in language AI can assist sellers in reaching more customers. While their manual testing and listing quality control remains imperative, leveraging innovations like BERT as an input can spur new optimisation ideas. Key Takeaways and Parting Thoughts In concluding his A9 Bot intro, Danny shares a few final recommendations: Use provided prompts to experiment rewriting your own listings with lexical, semantic, and BERT matches Check his site's “A9 Algorithm” section for articles dispelling myths plus evolving science around ranking factors Recognise sellers optimise for conversion while Amazon algorithms focus on customer experience first Avoid overstuffing listings with keywords without considering user experience With innovations in contextual language understanding racing ahead, Danny emphasises sellers must stay on the pulse of Amazon advancements to remain competitive in organic search. Tools like the A9 Bot point to a future where semantic search capabilities will only grow more advanced. Though testing and high-quality listings remain essential, embracing these new frontiers in AI can help uncover more opportunities. Link to A9 Bot: https://sellersessions.com/a9-bot/ Prompts For A9 Bot Examples (adjust accordingly to your requirements): I am launching a beard oil product. Can you generate a list of 10 search queries that would represent lexical matching. Then explain what this match type is and how it impacts ranking 1.I am launching a beard oil product. Can you generate a list of 10 search queries that would represent semantic matching. Then explain what this match type is and how it impacts ranking 2.I am launching a beard oil product. Can you generate a list of 10 search queries that would represent BERT matching.Then explain what this match time is and how it impacts ranking 3.Take this title and rewrite it based on Lexical, Semantic and Bert matching “Beard Oil Conditioner Sandalwood Scent (Large 2 Oz) - Natural Organic Formula with Tea Tree, Argan and Jojoba Oils for Men - Promotes Growth, Softens, & Hydrates - Striking Viking “ and use all of the knowledge base for other factors that could improve conversion and Click through rate then summarise and explain why to you did them? 4.Take these bullet points and rewrite it based on Lexical, Semantic and Bert matching “ • Invigorate Your Senses - Our beard oil for men is non-greasy and made with nothing but pure all natural ingredients, leaving your beard looking and smelling its best Softens and Conditions - Our beard oil conditioner is made with high quality ingredients to help tame your beard, while also making it thicker, fuller and softer. Striking Viking beard grooming products for men will give you the confidence to conquer the world! Healthy Beard Growth - Our beard conditioning oil promotes growth by effectively restoring the natural moisture to the root of your beard leaving you with thick luscious hair Goodbye Itch and Dandruff - No more rough, scratchy beard from now on because we use only the finest ingredients, so our beard softening oil is lighter and easier to absorb. Just a few drops will keep your beard deeply nourished and looking well maintained throughout the year! Try It Risk Free - Try our collection of beard care oils today, all designed to help your beard look and feel great 5.Write a unique and compelling product description for the above bullet points and title, including tips on how to use it and how it can improve {the pain your product solves}.
Recapping 2023 in the Amazon seller world - major trends and pain points Personal and business challenges faced in 2023 - including health issues, family emergencies, and day to day struggles Reflecting on importance of family, health, and relationships over business and material success Maintaining perspective and finding meaning amidst life's ups and downs 2023 Amazon Seller Trends and Challenges: “Post-COVID hangover” - sales declined 30% for many sellers, increased competition and costs -Success is now about differentiated, high-quality products with good branding and customer experience - Organic SERP littered with ads - mastering Amazon PPC essential - Overall industry seems to have shrunk, with fewer new sellers entering market - Agencies struggling as more sellers view them as commodities, quickly switching between providers Coping With Personal Crises and Hardships: - After business exit and dream lifestyle, Adam experienced emptiness and depression - Had to re-ground himself amidst divorce and 40% revenue declines - Perspective change - happiness not tied to outcomes, but rather presence, intuition, and relationships Emergency With Teenage Daughter: Shattering call from Danny's daughter Maia - “I can't feel my legs” after bad car accident - Long wait for emergency responders - incredibly stressful time with daughter in jeopardy - Thankful her injuries not worse in the end Losing Beloved Family Dog Cookie to Cancer: - Already sleep-deprived, agonising decline was drawn out over weeks - Reached breaking point - had to step away briefly to regain composure Ongoing Crisis for Friends in Israel: - Adam feels deep connection to affected communities now after years in the Amazon space - Heart goes out to all impacted families - unimaginable turmoil and displacement - No easy words of comfort, but expressing solidarity and grace Summary The "post-COVID hangover" brought declining sales, fierce competition, and rising costs for Amazon sellers in 2023. Success now depends on high-quality, differentiated products with strong branding and customer experience. As organic rankings faded behind ads, mastering Amazon PPC became essential. Personally, after a business exit and the dream lifestyle, Adam experienced emptiness and depression, needing to reground himself amidst divorce and revenue drops. True happiness rests not in outcomes, but presence, intuition, and relationships. A shattering call from Danny's daughter after a bad car accident left her immobile tested their strength. Thankfully her injuries were not worse. Losing their beloved family dog Cookie to cancer after weeks of agony also pushed them to the edge and required stepping back briefly to regain composure.
Introduction: In this episode of Seller Sessions, hosts Danny and Adam have an insightful discussion about shifts they are seeing in how Amazon ranks products in search, and what this means for sellers going forward. They talk about moving beyond a primary focus on keywords to a more holistic optimisation strategy. Key Topics Discussed: Evidence that Amazon search algorithms are incorporating more semantic matching (and BERT), looking at full product listings rather than just keywords Success with broad match and phrase match PPC campaigns, indicating changes under the hood at Amazon The concept of "semantic cores" - clustering single word terms that show up repeatedly across competitors' rankings Titles focused on human readability combined with key conversion keywords performing better recently Danny's massive research compiling over 1200 academic papers on Amazon search algorithms Building AI tools to help sellers optimise listings based on latest search science (Danny's A9 Bot) Actionable Takeaways: Keyword stuffing likely no longer moves the needle much; focus is shifting more towards optimising images, offers and creative Sellers should double down on their top 20% of SKUs driving 80% of performance Regularly test different angles, pricing, etc. with A/B experiments on important listings Ensure flat files have accurate attributes for Amazon's catalog Monitor aggregate conversion rates across advertising and organic traffic Outro: Danny is building a free knowledge base of Amazon search insights at SellerSessions.com and access to his A9 Bot. He welcomes ideas and feedback from the community to produce more helpful content based on the science literature.
Sourcing and Manufacturing Options Outside of China - With Mike Michelini Introduction In this episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan interviews Mike Michelini, an expert on sourcing and manufacturing in Asia, specifically Thailand. They discuss the pros and cons of manufacturing in Thailand compared to China. Key Takeaways Thailand is known for handmade, natural products vs China's expertise in electronics and injection molded plastics Northern Thailand specializes in wood, handmade goods, natural products. South Thailand near Bangkok has more traditional factories. Response times are slower in Thailand - you have to follow up more but once engaged, they commit Use Facebook and Line app to source suppliers in Thailand Higher minimum order quantities (MOQs) in Thailand - educate on holding inventory Packaging options less abundant than China - focus on great branding Overall quality has been higher for Mike in Thailand vs China Comparisons of Manufacturing in China vs Thailand China is the "world's factory" - expertise in electronics, injection molded plastics Thailand better for handmade, natural products - wood, dried flowers, clothes Northern Thailand known for wood, handmade goods, natural products Southern Thailand near Bangkok has more traditional factories with port access Response times slower in Thailand - have to follow up more aggressively Once engaged, Thai suppliers very committed Source Thai suppliers via Facebook and Line app vs Alibaba Higher minimum order quantities (MOQs) - educate to hold inventory Packaging options less abundant than China - focus on great branding Quality has been higher in Mike's experience with Thailand vs China Sourcing Suppliers in Thailand No Alibaba-like platform - use Facebook and Line app Search Facebook in Thai for suppliers and products Engage via Facebook Messenger then move to Line app Get friendly with emojis and build relationship Recap terms in a quotation for clarity Prepare to educate on holding inventory for lower MOQs Packaging options less abundant - develop great custom branding Overall quality has been higher than China factories Tips for Manufacturing Outside China Expect higher minimum order quantities (MOQs) and educate to hold inventory Develop great custom branding and packaging to stand out Build relationship with factory through messaging apps Don't assume same level of urgency - follow up aggressively Confirm terms: pricing, MOQs, delivery timelines, inspection process Leverage inspection companies expanding across Asia With lower volumes, consider negotiating payment terms favorable to you Be prepared to educate on your needs like lower MOQs Mike's Joint Venture Brand in Thailand Mike partnered with long-time plastic manufacturer in Thailand Started joint venture company and private label brand together Mike has 30% equity stake, manufacturer holds 70% Manufacturer finances inventory for launch around $150k Mike's company makes payments over time to pay back capital Cross Border Summit in Thailand Mike's signature event connecting Amazon sellers and experts Started in China alongside Canton Fair schedule Moved to Thailand and postpones 2 years for border reopening Occurs annually in March/April timeframe Valuable for networking and meeting suppliers 2023 summit scheduled for March 30-31 near Chiang Mai Check CrossBorderSummit.com for details Conclusion Thailand offers a compelling option for sourcing quality products outside China. With the right expectations and preparation, you can find great partner factories to produce your products. The Cross Border Summit provides an opportunity to network and meet potential suppliers in Thailand. Keywords: Thailand manufacturing, China manufacturing, sourcing outside China, finding suppliers in Thailand, Cross Border Summit
Amazon Seller Health Check Maintaining Your Health During the Stressful Q4 Season: Insights from Amazon Sellers The Q4 season is a crucial time for Amazon sellers, with increased competition and sales targets to meet. However, it's important to prioritise your health during this time to avoid burnout and maintain productivity. 1. Prioritise exercise Exercise is key for maintaining your health during the Q4 season. Matt Phipps, an Amazon seller and fitness enthusiast, shared that exercise is crucial for his daily routine. It helps him stay clear-headed, productive, and connected to the world. By prioritising exercise, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. Phil Hadfield, another Amazon seller and health advocate, also emphasised exercise's importance in reducing anxiety and depression, common issues faced by Amazon sellers during Q4. Incorporating exercise into your routine improves overall health and well-being. 2. Take breaks and rest Taking breaks and resting is vital for maintaining your health during Q4. Danny McMillan, the host of the Seller Sessions podcast, noted that many guests recommended breaks and rest to prevent burnout. Though it may seem counterintuitive during a busy season, giving your body and mind time to recharge is essential. By taking breaks and resting, you can reduce stress, improve focus, and boost productivity. Preventing burnout has long-term positive effects on your health and business. Prioritise rest by taking short walks, meditating, or napping during Q4. 3. Get enough steps Getting enough steps is another important aspect of maintaining your health during Q4. Danny McMillan noted that even during the busiest times, it's important to prioritise movement and physical activity. Even on vacation, you may end up getting more steps than when working from home. Sufficient steps improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. They also prevent health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Incorporate movement into your routine by taking walks during lunch breaks, using a standing desk, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 4. Address common health issues Addressing common health issues faced by Amazon sellers during Q4 is crucial. Phil Hadfield discussed issues such as back pain and eye strain caused by long hours of sitting and screen time. He recommended stretching and moving around during breaks and using blue light filters to reduce eye strain. By addressing these issues, you can prevent long-term health problems and improve overall well-being. Invest in an ergonomic chair, take regular stretch breaks, and use blue light filters on screens to address any health issues you may face. Conclusion: Maintaining your health during the Q4 season is crucial for avoiding burnout and maintaining productivity. Prioritise exercise, take breaks and rest, get enough steps, and address common health issues to take care of your body and mind during this busy time. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset, and taking care of it will ultimately benefit your business in the long run. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can maintain your health and well-being during the Q4 season and beyond.
Key Points: Unethical behavior by some aggregators in the Amazon space is a growing concern. Sellers need to be cautious when sharing sensitive information and should read NDAs carefully. Not all aggregators engage in unethical practices, and many have brought benefits to sellers. Staying true to your brand's authenticity can help navigate competition and protect your business. In a recent conversation between Danny McMillan, an Amazon expert, and Ryan Adkins, an experienced seller, they delved into the murky waters of unethical behavior by some aggregators in the Amazon space. This issue has been a growing concern for many sellers who have had their business models replicated or even stolen. Ryan shared his personal experience of being approached by an aggregator, only to discover later that one of their employees had started a competing brand using the same products and suppliers. This situation highlighted the difficulty of proving intent behind such actions, especially when there is a lack of concrete evidence. The incident underscored the importance of keeping sensitive information confidential. When dealing with aggregators, it's crucial to read Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) carefully. These documents should clearly outline what information can be shared and how it can be used. If not handled properly, this could lead to significant damage to your business. Ryan's experience also shed light on the impact such situations can have on a seller's business. It's a stark reminder of the need for sellers to protect themselves and their intellectual property. However, it's important to note that not all aggregators engage in such unethical behavior. As Danny pointed out, the industry as a whole has been beneficial for many sellers. The rise of aggregators has provided opportunities for sellers to exit their businesses profitably and has brought more professionalism and structure to the marketplace. Despite these benefits, the challenges of competition remain. Sellers must stay vigilant and ensure they are protecting their brands. One way to do this is by staying true to your own brand and authenticity. In a competitive market like Amazon, authenticity can set you apart and help build a loyal customer base. In conclusion, while the Amazon space offers immense opportunities, it also comes with its share of challenges. Unethical behavior by some aggregators is a concern that sellers need to be aware of. However, with the right precautions and a strong commitment to your brand's authenticity, you can navigate these challenges successfully.
In this insightful episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast, host Danny McMillan brings together a panel of e-commerce experts to discuss Q4 strategies. As the holiday season approaches, this episode offers invaluable insights for Amazon sellers aiming to optimize their strategies. Guest Lineup and Bios: Cara Sayer: Cara is the inventor of SnoozeShade - a global baby brand that has helped hundreds of thousands of parents, won 80+ awards, and is recommended by the world's leading baby experts. Passionate about her journey, Cara loves sharing her experiences and the reality of running and growing a 7-figure business in her signature straight-talking style. Joe Jakes: Joe successfully transitioned his multigenerational family business from 100% wholesale to 100% D2C. Regularly achieving seven-figure months and big six-figure days, the business now sells millions of units per year. Matt Parker: Founder of the digital media agency 'Trendlution', Matt has been a part of the e-commerce world for over 15 years. Having created over 250 top-selling items across Amazon, Ebay, and Woocommerce, he is also a part of the external pro trader and Ebay development program globally. Matt recently helped beta test the personalization feature and next-day service pre-release on eBay.com and .co.uk. Matt Phipps: Matt, along with his wife Kata, began selling on Amazon in 2018. They achieved 7-figures by the end of their first year and sold the brand within three years. Currently, Matt is building a second 7-figure brand and coaches top-tier 7 and 8-figure sellers inside the Titan Network. Nick Eary: Nick began his Amazon journey in 2017 and successfully exited two of his 7-figure companies in 2021. Having launched over 300 products worldwide, he now runs and operates 3 brands, scaling them towards 8 figures. Ryan Edkins: An author, pilot, and serial entrepreneur with 3 exits, Ryan began selling on Amazon in 2021. In just two years, he scaled his FBA brands to mid 7-figures and beyond. He regularly coaches Amazon sellers, sharing his experiences and guiding them towards achieving financial freedom. Key Takeaways: 1. Ryan Edkins: The Power of Video Ryan emphasizes the effectiveness of sponsored videos, especially during high-traffic events like Black Friday and Prime Day. He also touches upon the challenges of sponsor positions and the importance of adjusting brand store images for seasonal sales. 2. Nick Eary: Gifting and Photography Nick shares his brand's focus on gift-able items and the potential of product photography in enhancing sales. He also highlights the importance of basic deal management, promotions, and the challenges faced in the German market due to VAT number discrepancies. 3. Matt Phipps: Keyword Mastery Matt P. delves into the significance of keyword research and the utilization of past performance reports. He suggests creative additions like ribbons for gift-able products and the potential of brand-tailored promotions for retargeting. 4. Matt Parker: Carousel Advertising Matt P. (yes, another Matt!) discusses the effectiveness of the carousel feature in advertising. He stresses the role of creative angles, the importance of negative keywords, and harnessing the power of hashtags on platforms like Pinterest and TikTok. 5. Joe Jakes: Amazon's Evolving Algorithms Joe provides insights on top search adjustments and the ever-evolving Amazon advertising algorithms. He also underscores the role of deals in increasing visibility and sessions. 6. Cara Sayer: Strategies Beyond Q4 Cara offers a fresh perspective for businesses that might not peak during Q4. She talks about the importance of housekeeping, optimizing listings, and shares success stories from the Australian market. Cara also gives recommendations on stock management with Amazon during non-peak seasons. Special Mention: Danny also gives a shoutout to the upcoming Seller Sessions social event in December. It promises to be an excellent opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing. Closing Thoughts: This episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast is a must-listen for anyone in the e-commerce space. With the holiday season fast approaching, the insights shared by the panel can be the difference between a good Q4 and a great one.
Insights from John Hefter, Co-founder of Thrasio: A Conversation on Entrepreneurship and the Future of Sellers In this episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast, Danny McMillan interviews John Hefter, co-founder of Thrasio. John shares his journey as an entrepreneur and offers predictions for the future of sellers. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of running a successful Amazon business, the impact of the recent layoffs at Thrasio on the seller community, and the upcoming trends that sellers should be aware of. With his wealth of experience and knowledge, John provides valuable insights and advice for anyone looking to succeed in the world of e-commerce. Key Takeaways: John discusses the changes that occurred at Thrasio, including the layoffs in March 2022, and how they affected the seller community. He emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and viewing it as a necessary part of personal growth. John also highlights the significance of self-care and avoiding burnout. They explore upcoming trends for sellers, such as the need to diversify and expand beyond Amazon. John underscores the necessity for sellers to stay informed and adapt to market changes. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and advice for individuals who are interested in achieving success in the realm of e-commerce, especially those who are contemplating selling their products on Amazon.
Today, we're privileged to have an enlightening and engaging conversation with the one and only Kevin King. Before Amazon FBA and E-commerce, Kevin takes us back to his early days as a collector of sports cards, which eventually transformed into a lucrative venture during his college years. In a unique twist to the collectibles market, Kevin began featuring pretty girls on baseball cards. A fascinating story that takes us back to that era and Kevin's unique business strategy ties into the Amazon-selling industry today. Get ready to take notes as Kevin King, opens his treasure trove of Amazon seller hacks and wisdom from his vast experience in the business world. From unveiling the concept of intuitive eating that helped him lose a remarkable 70 pounds without dieting, to sharing insightful hacks, strategies, and resources for Amazon sellers, Kevin covers it all. He even takes us behind the scenes of his recently launched an Amazon newsletter and its intriguing and engaging content. Gear up as we switch gears to advanced Amazon seller strategies and explore the unfair advantages and perks you can get by being a Helium 10 Elite member! As we dive further into the conversation, you'll hear tales of success from Elite members and how their monthly training and networking calls help them gain insights from some of the top Amazon and Walmart in the space. Rounding off the episode, we anticipate the forthcoming Billion Dollar Seller Summit and the Level Up event. So, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an established business owner, or simply someone with a penchant for compelling stories, this episode is guaranteed to leave you inspired and filled with actionable advice. Don't miss out! In episode 491 of the Serious Sellers Podcast, Bradley and Kevin discuss: 00:00 - Kevin King's Amazon Seller Hacks and Journey 03:59 - Collectible Baseball Cards and Strip Clubs 10:16 - Kevin's Weight Loss Journey and Health Tips 24:05 - A Different Amazon Newsletter 27:40 - Increasing Engagement Through Opt-in System 40:00 - Benefits of Joining the Helium 10 Elite Program 42:52 - Catch The Next Billion Dollar Seller Summit 48:30 - 60-Second Tip: Automated Tool for Boosting Amazon Sales ► Instagram: instagram.com/serioussellerspodcast ► Free Amazon Seller Chrome Extension: https://h10.me/extension ► Sign Up For Helium 10: https://h10.me/signup (Use SSP10 To Save 10% For Life) ► Learn How To Sell on Amazon: https://h10.me/ft ► Watch The Podcasts On Youtube: youtube.com/@Helium10/videos Transcript Bradley Sutton Kevin King is back on the podcast and, in addition to some cool seller hacks that he always has for us, he's gonna talk about a whole variety of topics like how he used to be a collectible card Manufacture and how he's lost 70 pounds in the last couple of years without even dieting. How cool is that? Pretty cool, I think. Are you a six, seven or eight figure seller and want to network in a private mastermind group with other experienced sellers? Or Maybe you want to take advantage of monthly advanced training sessions with Kevin King, an expert guest? Do you want to come to our quarterly in-person all-day trainings at Helium 10 headquarters? Or do you want the widest access to the Helium 10 set of tools? For all of these things, the elite program might be for you. For more information on Helium 10 elite, go to h10.me/elite. Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of the Serious Sellers Podcast by Helium 10. I'm your host, Bradley Sutton, and this is the show. That's a completely BS free, unscripted and unrehearsed organic Conversation about serious strategies for serious sellers of any level in the e-commerce world, and we've got the most serious sellers of them all, Kevin King, back on the show. Kevin, how's it going? Kevin King It's going. I don't know if I'm serious, though I'm more a I'm a seller, but I'm, yes. Bradley Sutton Some people might say you know as like they read my news I would say what is serious, like how serious is this guy? Yeah, yeah, the newsletter. We're gonna talk about that you know. There's definitely been some some things that people are saying that this isn't, this can't be serious, but we'll get it. We'll get into that. Kevin King A little bit depends on the total point of view, what you see, what's coming, yeah, oh my goodness, I can't wait, I want to talk right off the bat though, before I forget. Bradley Sutton You know, I don't think we've talked about this on the podcast before, or maybe you've alluded to it. I've heard you talk about it, but I've never actually dug deep like right now. Hold on, let me just pull something from my back wall here. I just hit it behind. I was sorting some some baseball cards and I'm actually flying to Japan on my own time personal time off and I'm setting up at a card show over there because my dad's had a business there. But I've heard you mentioned before that that you've dabbled in in the old days, in the, in the like sports cards or comics or what was it exactly in that industry. Kevin King Yes, I as a child back in the 80s, 70s and 80s, I collected the basketball cards, back when the I think it was tops they were big, they're like four, four by six size or something like that very Huge, and I collect I don't know. So I don't know when I started second, third grade. So I'm like that and I collected those, collected baseball cards, collected football cards and I was big into them and then I just kind of I grew out of it. I guess maybe I don't know, sophomore year, high school or something, just that was a little kid stuff threw everything in a box or actually put everything in a. I think I was going to throw it away. My mom's like no, no, no, no, don't throw all that stuff away. So she's threw it into about my mom's a hoarder anyway, but she threw it into a box. And then my senior year of high school, like seven years late, sorry, of college, like seven years later, yeah, I was like I damn, I need some money, man, I need a, I need a little extra cash. I was like what, how can I make some cash? I was like, wait a second. My mom, I think baseball cards now people are actually starting to pay real money for these things. I might actually have, you know, some crazy rookie card for Roger Clemens or something, I don't know. I called her up. You still got that box of stuff I was going to throw away. She's like, yeah, I was like I'm coming up to see you, um, you know, from mother's day or something, I'm gonna grab it from you. So I grabbed it and I went on and I sold to Sold a bunch of those. I had some rare stuff in there, made thousands of dollars just taking them into a hobby shop, you know, a comic book store or whatever, and trading them in. And you got some extra beer, money and cash that I needed when I was, you know, not doing so well, when I was 21, 22 and so that evolved, though into time and, uh, the earth was. When was this? Like 92, 93, so about three years after college, um, I was doing stuff, mark and I, you know, mark, from billion dollar stars on, we were doing, um, I'd started a magazine, uh, that dealt with strip clubs, actually, and it wasn't. There's no nudity or anything. This is the business side of it. It was, you know the business side of it. And and doing that, these, for some reason baseball cards have become hot to put strippers on. So it was everything from you know the cabaret, royal and Dallas to the dollhouse in Orlando, to playboy magazine was doing it, penthouse, all the anybody you know bikini, hawaiian, tropic bikini girls were doing it. It became a thing to put Put pretty girls on on baseball cards and these were being sold through traditional comic stars. This wasn't like in the adult shops and like the on the other side of the internet. These were like. Diamond comics was a big distributor back then in capital city comics Too, huge distributors that distributed all the comic book stores. You know they will have big boost at comic con in san diego. Um, they would put these things out and you will put them in packs. It became a huge, freaking business. Bradley Sutton We're selling cases of these and that's one of my first so you were the, you were the one who made them, or you were we made. I was one of the. Kevin King I was both. I was one of the companies, I was making them. Um, originally we had deals because I knew some of these club owners. So they're like yeah, do go ahead and do ours. You know that's good promotion for us and we'll do it. So I was doing them, I go to them. We would either shoot it or they give us stuff that we would. Actually I would design it. What's the back of the cards have? you know, in baseball cars I would have the stats and he had had susie, susie smith, stage name, candy, candy dropper, whatever, uh, five, six, 34, 24, 34, um, originally from san diego, likes men with uh, a short hair or whatever, um, you know, it would be something like that and I was like I need a better way to actually sell these. So a lot of people it goes back to what we do today. They're putting insert, insert cards, you know, register your warranty or get on our, join our vip club or something as one of the like the 11th card in a pack of 10, and they were sending it into the company stew physical mail. There's no internet back then and these companies were not doing anything. They're like the, the business cards in a fishbowl at the gym. You know, they just accumulate. And so I called up all these companies so what are you doing with your, with your, uh, your inserts? And I got there sitting there, said send it to me, I'll get them all typed in. I hired some company in Jamaica that would type these in for Four cents a piece or something, some crazy load number ended up building a mailing list of like 13 000 people off of this that had filled up for like a hundred different companies that were doing this and then as part of the deal I said well, I want to be able to you, I'll send you the list. I knew these guys wouldn't do anything with it most of them and I want to be able to have the right to mail it and I'm going to buy your cards from you wholesale and I'm going to create a catalog, a glossy color catalog that was sent in the mail, and Send these out and sell mine and yours. That became a huge freaking business that blew up and, um that we were able to ride that wave, uh, for quite some time and we were doing all kinds of really cool. Sometimes I have to show you. If I would know and you're gonna talk about this, I could have showed you some here but we did 24 karat gold signatures, like an ink with 20 raised 24 karat gold. We did and put them in like those, those crystal cases with screws on all sides. I mean this was like Serious, serious stuff. Bradley Sutton I mean people ahead of the time, because that, that's like what the industry has moved to is like these, you know, like one of ones, and like, hey, this is a uh, you know there's only 10 that have this signature. And now there's these companies that have them, where they actually come out Like every single one, like national treasures and stuff, where every single you know card in the set it comes in like this case, and it's all encapsulated in these plastic or these, these hard holders, and You're like doing this stuff. Yeah, it's 25 years before we were doing stuff for puzzles. Kevin King So at the back of the card we might do a set of, a subset of nine, so maybe this sets a hundred, but nine of them on the back is a puzzle piece. So you had to collect all nine, flip the cards over and put them in the right order to get another picture as a, you know, as a puzzle piece, like like a tic-tac-toe board. But you put them on the right order it makes another picture. Uh, we, yeah, we're doing all kind and but because of the nature of the products we were, basically I was limited in my marketing, and so it's where I cut my teeth, because I had to get super creative and super innovative on marketing. Because you know, you weren't allowed to. You know, if there was a facebook back there wasn't facebook back then, but there was they would not allow you to advertise it. So it caused us to be very creative in the way we did marketing. Um, we did a huge events. You talking about going to japan at the block blotch Blotch not beloggio, that's vegas, but the Belaj hotel in west hollywood on the sunset strip over there by the viper room and maybe some different name now, but there's a fancy hotel. In 1997 we brought in a bunch of the models Put out a thing and said you know, it's 500 bucks to come, and we had all these guys come like 300 guys, 400 guys, come to get, stand in line, get autographs from the girls on their cards, on 8 by 10s, and we did a party afterwards. It was it was different world. Bradley Sutton Interesting. Well, hey guys, you heard it first. Kevin King I never talked about it. It's not okay. Bradley Sutton I guess, heard, like you know Briefly, you're into collectible cards, you know, and I was like you know what? That's kind of up my alley. Let me ask him about that. So you heard it first here. Now, guys. Kevin King We had binders, you know, with the sleeves, and you put special, special binders. You would collect and, yeah, it was like it was full on full on Wow, interesting, interesting stuff. Bradley Sutton So, guys, we're doing this podcast a little bit differently. I'm doing everything backwards. You know, Kevin is known for his strategies and and Amazon. You know seller hacks and stuff like that. Well, we'll definitely get to that, but instead of doing at the beginning, we're gonna do that towards the end. If you guys have been listening to this podcast for a while, I've actually, you know, usually at the end of podcast, start asking people about their health regimen and diets and exercise and things like that, because 2023 is my year of health, where I'm asking, talking to guests. But we're gonna, we're gonna flip the script a little bit. Say to the end for the Amazon strategy. Now, Kevin, you yourself, wait, wait, can you look to your left really quick? Look to the side, Kevin. Where'd you go? Kevin? Where, oh? You disappear. You're so skinny now. You just disappeared when you, when you turn to the side there. How much weight have you lost this year? Kevin King I Don't know what the number is this year but in the last couple years about 70, 70, some odd pounds. I still got a ways. Still got a ways to go. But I'm probably another 50 or 60 and I'll be happy, but that'll probably take. Bradley Sutton That's impressive. Take me a few more years. Once you, I've noticed, you know, once you hit 40. It's like hard to lose weight, so you hit a number like that. That's pretty impressive. So let's talk about that a little bit. You know I Mean are. What are you doing? You're not, you know, starving yourself. You told me that before. It's not about, it's not about like starving yourself or necessarily counting calories or or working out seven hours a day or anything like that. But but how have you been able to, to steadily get to that when you're at now? Kevin King I've been. I've had an issue with my weight all my life. I've been up and down all my life and sometimes it's gotten a lot worse than what it what it is now. You know, right now about 260. I've been as high as like 360 in the past. In high school I was right around 200 when I most of my weight gain started when I left the house to go to college, to start drinking beer, eating pizza and just kind of kind of put it on and Didn't really care Too much. But then it, you know, as you age and I've been lucky, knock on wood, that I haven't had a lot of issues, not other than a type 2 diabetes, but no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, none of that kind of stuff that you would expect. I've been pretty good shape, even though been a bigger, bigger guy comparatively, and but I got to a point where it's actually my, my ex-wife, her. She always used to say if you can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of me? Which was a good little slogan and it's true, and so that kind of motivated me a little bit to To kind of in. So I tried every diet in the book. You know, everything from carnivore diet to Atkins diet, to Weight Watchers, to. Bradley Sutton Manny, get you on that carnivore at one point. Yeah, they're all stupid, he's, I know he's big on that. Kevin King Every one of those diets is stupid. I'm sorry if someone's out there's listening and thinks they're great. They're stupid. Every single one they do. They work, yes, they work short term. But how many times have you done the carnivore and you're right back to where you started it. But the key and I kind of learned this from my dad in a way, because he lost a lot of weight and kept it off for like 50 years he's skinny, I mean, he's like 130 pounds or something, but it's mindset, it's psychology. Eating is psychology. It's the people that you look at, all the people that go when they work out. They go when they work out and work their ass off and what they do after that. They go get a Starbucks and they just undo the entire workout. They just did by getting Starbucks with all the cream and all the whatever in it. I'm not coffee drinkers, I don't know all the terminology, but and they just completely undo it. But they feel good about themselves. I worked out and I had a supposedly a good coffee. It you've got to be conscious of what's in your mouth. So my, my ex-wife had found this woman. She's from Venezuela originally. She was listening to these, this podcast in Spanish, and she was a guest and she's talking about something called intuitive eating. You can look at, you can Google it. Google it intuitive eating. And she was talking about how this works. And so my wife At the time was like, let me, I want to do this. And so she called her up, started doing like launch. This woman lives in Miami doing long-distance consultations. And Then she said, Kevin, I think you'll really like her, she's really really good, you should try it. So, and to during COVID 20, was it? I'm into 2020 on Christmas time, 2020. I had my first call with her and started really in January 2021 and what she does is she doesn't believe in diets and she's like the head of the gastric that people of Miami I don't know what the damn thing is called, but something Uh, but she's like the top person of it, gmm. She's skinny, she's a Attractive you know, vince, a willing girl, but she's headed. This whole thing and her whole thing is, is intuitive eating. It's the psychology of eating. It's not about, you know, weight losses is about 80% what you put in your mouth and 20% everything else, and being conscious of what you eat, and so it. She's like Kevin promised me, you'll never go on another diet in your life. It's like done check mark. She's like if and if you get bad. If you get bad, if you go off rails on something Like you know, you go out and you you eat a gallon of ice cream one night because you're depressed or something. Don't think, well, shoot, I just ruined everything. I'm working at Might as well, eat another one the next day and I'll start a diet on Monday. Everybody always starts a diet on Monday or the first of the month. Okay on, on September, on August 1st, I'm gonna start. She said that's absolutely the wrong way to do it. She's like eat what you want. If you want a freaking Pizza, eat the pizza, but it needs to be. You want the pizza needs not be a five or six out of habit, but like a nine or a ten and go get the pizza, but be conscious of what you're eating. Maybe get a small instead of a large or whatever. And I had a habit. I had a bad habit like every night to relax, I would watch TV Just to, you know, unwind my brain and everything and spin an hour just watching mindless TV. You know, america's Got Talent or some stupid reality show or just whatever, just to kind of just wind down. And I would eat a box of milk guts. You know one of those, can those? I love milk guys because you could put three or four of them in your mouth, suck on them. You know, you put three or four in your mouth, they kind of meld together because they're caramel and so you're just sucking on it like you would a you know a butterscotch or something, and then, as it gets lower, you put a couple more in your mouth and they meld together so you can make a box last like an hour and a half. But that's 600 calories on a lot of sugar. I just I was in this habit of doing it every single night. She broke me of that. Now I have that maybe once a month. But she got me the thinking about things and she finds substitutes. Why do you like those milk duds? Is it the texture? Is it the carmel? Is it the way it taste on your tongue? There's something about it. Why do you drink so much soda? Is because you like the carbonation, that is, a specific carbonation. How about switching to this drink, not a period, not this, but this specific one, and it works. So you're, you're tricking your mind psychologically to still, because you have those cravings in those desires or those habits, and as you break in those you swap it. So she's told me, like Most dieticians would say, if you're drinking a coke, zero, you need to cut that out. You need to go to water. You know, hundred twenty eight gallons a day, or ounces a day I mean I got too much, that's a whale size. But a hundred twenty eight ounces a day, and and and, quit, cut, cut those out immediately. She's like no, if you're drinking six a day, just swap one of them out for a water In this, you know, and then have five and let's see where that goes. And but over time you start consciously eating things differently. You start looking at stuff. Am I eating because I'm hungry or am I eating because it's a habit? And now I'm at the point now where I have a private chef that comes once a week and cooks for me, and he used to make my lunches and my dinners. Now I'm just telling me one meal a day because that's all I want. So, and I'm not, I'm not eating half of it anyway. I eat, you know, a little bit of breakfast, protein shake, maybe a little cereal or piece of bread or something. But if I want a candy I buy. If I want an ice cream I get it, but I used to eat a lot of ice cream. Bluebell is my favorite to Texas company and you get across the south it's not everywhere but it's my favorite so I would have those little pints. I buy those little half gallon things or whatever they are last a couple days. I've had one right now in my fridge for two months and I haven't even opened it. It's a change in psychology or what I've done is like, okay, if I want that taste, I want that ice cream taste. I love that taste. It gets the hormones In me, it gets the things that satisfaction, those triggers that are in your body. I'll buy those small size cups. They're like for birthday parties for kids. You know there are 160 calories and I'll eat one of those and she's like, do you go back for a second, go back for a third? Like, no, I just, I just eat one. So it's it's some of its discipline, some of its mind over matter, just being conscious of everything that you eat. And that's the biggest thing in. The second is sleep is so important in in health and a lot of people especially. I mean you're a perfect example. You're working your ass off and sleeping wherever you could grab a nap here or there's a couple hours at night at one point. I know you're better about it now, but but most people dismiss how important sleep is for your overall health. And what woke me up to it is is a few years ago I was going to get life insurance and I didn't have life insurance before. But I got Marius, I better get some life insurance. And talking to the agent, they're like OK, there's, there's a what's your sleep apnea score? And I'm like. I just did a test and it was like 19, I had 19. Mild things or whatever it was, in a, in a period of whatever the measuring period is, that's OK, that's mild and what? What this insurance company told me is that you're at 19 times, maybe it's 19 times per hour. You sub, get subconscious, you don't realize it, but if it messes with your body and they said, if you're you get to 20, you're uninsurable on life insurance. I'm like what? And so I went immediately. I had my wife used to say I would snore. I would snore like a sound, like a Mack truck Coming down the street. So I went. I had a. There's a guy here in Austin that does a balloon, sonia plastic, so they go into your. I had a 70% blockage. I didn't know what, I just get used to it as you're living, you only realize it. But I had trouble in my nose. So you know, man, he just did it. I did a Marcus done a bunch of people done it. He has this technology is like these. One is doogie how's your guys that became an MD when he was 14 or something. So you know this technique. So it doesn't require the major surgery that and still get knocked out for like 15 minutes because and uses balloon and blows it up and opens all that up. That made a huge difference on my story. In my sleep Plus, I started using a sleep mask and I changed. You know, sometimes in your bed If it's hot or cold, temperatures are right, you're tossing and turning, you're not getting as much sleep, you wake up in this little bit of sweats or whatever. But there's something called the eight sleep mattress. Is the number eight sleep. That's freaking amazing. It's a mattress topper and you it's about two grand. It's not cheap, but you put it on top of your bed and then it you can set settings are you cold sleep or warm sleep? And you can do splits, so if your wife and you on one side, your partner new Can be off different. And then it measures you throughout the night and it ring and fit, that fits and stuff. Do this, but give you like your pulse rate and use some measurements during the night. But this like measures your whole body and like how often do you wake up, how, what kind of quality of sleep did you get? What was your heart rate, your hrv through the night, all this stuff and it Adjust after a week of testing. It figures out where what temperature is optimal for you. It's a way to just you can manually write it but adjust up and down either cold or hot, the temperature of the mattress. And this thing is so thin, it's super thin. It goes on top of the bed, has a little pump that you hide behind your bed with a little bit of water in it and it's brilliant. I mean I have a. I have a sleep number bed that has Like seven thousand dollars sleep number bed that has something similar built in that sucks compared to this Eight sleep. It's awesome. So things like that plus you got. You got to watch as a man. You got to watch your testosterone. So, as men, the number one thing is sleep, sleep apnea or sleep To stop, strong level in your diabetes level. Those three things play more in your health Then anything else. If you get on top of those, your chances of Of Having a long fruitful life and being there for your kids and your wife and when To enjoy your retirement or much, much higher intriguing stuff. Bradley Sutton Alright, so let's let's give somebody a quick tease. We're gonna talk about your newsletter you just started, why you started it and some of the stuff, but what's one of the either one that's come out already or something that's coming one of the strategies that you can share with our listeners who maybe haven't gotten a chance to read the newsletter? What's something you brought out in one of your newsletters that can write off the bad help sellers listening. Kevin King Yeah, I mean I just started April, august 14th. It's twice a week, it's Mondays and Thursdays. When I say newsletter, a lot of people roll their eyes but and cause I'm like, oh yeah, I get a newsletter from Helium Town, I get a newsletter from this software, and every time I get my email I get the company newsletter. Those are not newsletters, those are promotional emails for the most part. Go read our blog, go read this. A newsletter to me is more like a. What I'm doing is more like a magazine in a newsletter format. So it's action packed. Yes, there's a couple of ads and stuff in there from people that are paying for those, but it's action packed, actionable stuff. It's totally free. So, like, we just did a big one that's really resilient. The one that came out on August 28th talked about the A9 algorithm and so you know, Danny McMillan over at Seller Sessions did a big, big like document on it and we analyzed that and like, while that's good, that's not really there's more to it than that. So we took a look at Amazon Science, a big paper that came out and a couple of other things analyzed that and we talked about that and I've gotten so many people saying this is like the most amazing. It was written in a way that we can understand it. Sometimes this stuff gets too technical, plus some of the tips and tools that we put in there. We had a really cool resource for like getting. Sometimes, when you're trying to create your A plus content, your brand story, your brand pages, you're like what should I do? How should I tell my designer, a graphics person, to do and maybe you saw a couple here their ideas, or you give them some basic idea. But there's guys who listen. There's a guy in George. That's a similar library of 25,000 A plus pages and you can filter by it. I'm in the pet space, I'm in the space, I'm in the. It's got it all keyworded so you can search and get like, wow, that's a cool one, that's a cool one. I want my designer to do something like that or combine these two together. So I wish there were resources like that. I have something called the Dream 100. As you know, there's a lot of BS not Bradley Sutton's, but BS in this industry that with fake gurus and stuff. So I have every Thursday I come up, I put someone in the Dream 100, and I announced this is a legit person, you should follow them, trust what they say. So that'll get up to 100 people. It's only three right now, but that'll get up to 100 people over time. We do. I add a little bit of humor to it, so there's like I'll either call somebody out you know that's basically a fake guru or we'll put some crazy listing like hey, can you believe that this product is selling 100 grand a month on X-ray on Amazon? You look at it like holy cow. That's the craziest thing I ever saw. We do some of that, so it's a mix. And then I tell a personal story and each one's called a six second story. So when someone opens the news there, you gotta hook them right away and you gotta get them reading and engaged. And so I do. I personalize it and then I tie it to whatever we're talking about that day. Bradley Sutton So I'll personalize and reason. One kind of causes stir about some naked people, some balconies. Kevin King Yeah, but I do that. I want to. You know, I always say if you're not pissing someone off, you're not doing a good job. If you try to please everybody, you please nobody, and so I'm feeding my audience and so if that bothers you and it's gonna bother some people that might be religious or you know, depending that's okay. You can go find your information somewhere else. I'm fine with that. But the overwhelming response to that has been like holy cow, this is the best thing ever. This is don't stop. Can you do this every day? I can't believe it. One guy who sent me a message today is like this is so good I can't even take it all in. I just got three of my team members start reading this and we're dividing up sections of what to do, and so that's. There's so much out there. You know we do the helium-10 elite every month and we've been doing that since 2017 at helium-10, which is advanced level stuff, and in that I do seven ninja hacks every month and share those with the audience, and then, once those have become a little bit older, sometimes I share those other places, but the helium-10 elite people always get them first. Right now, I write everything on the current newsletter, but it's going to get to. I'll hire a staff, but I need to get to set the tone, figure out what works, what people like, what they don't like, and then I can feed everything I've written. For if I do this for three months, let's say, I can feed that all into an AI and then say have the AI write in the style of Kevin of the newsletters they don't know the exact style, the exact everything. So these are not AI newsletters, these are. We use AI as a tool, but AI is not writing these. Bradley Sutton So if somebody wants to go ahead and sign up, it's free right now. How can they do that? Kevin King Well, it's always going to be free. It's billiondollarsellers.com with an S, billiondollarsellers.com with an S. It's growing pretty quickly. So I think hopefully by this time next year there'll be maybe 50 to 100,000 people getting that twice a week and actually reading it that one. So my email list from all the stuff I do is big not as big as helium-10s or something, but so I could just blast this out to everybody. But I don't want to do that. I want people to actually want it and I have people now already saying I didn't get it, I didn't see it in my spam or what happened to it, and they're getting upset that they didn't get it. That's what I want. Is it to become habit-forming and become something people look forward to? When they see that Kevin King, BDSS, they're like, oh, this is something I got to read. If I can't read it right now, I'll save it until tonight or the plane ride tomorrow or whatever. That's where I want it to be. So it doesn't have to be. It's not a blast on my whole email list. You've got to double opt in. You can't just sign up and get it. You actually sign up and you got to click something else to say you really want to sign up and then you're in and that's on purpose and it keeps the open rates high, the engagement high, it's good for the advertisers that come into it, that support it with a little bit of advertising, and it's just good for everybody. It's people that want it. Bradley Sutton All right. So guys, make sure to sign up. It's one of the. I personally don't even read newsletters. This is like the first one. I actually just sit there and read and, just like Kevin said, sometimes he starts with a funny story, but it works. It like hooks you up and like laughing, sitting there, laughing like all right, I want to read more. I'm hooked in and from start to finish. It's long, it's like you're doing a lot of scrolling. Sometimes people say, oh, when you write an email, you don't want them to scroll, and they're like I got no problem scrolling, but it's written short. Kevin King It's written in a format so that you can skim it, but you'll see that it's using every trick in the book. There's no paragraphs more than two or three sentences. There's no. It's not long, and usually when I write it I have to go back and cut half of what I've written wrote out and it's straight into the point and we use a sense of humor. It's not just that opening story, but it's like we did something about in a recent one. So there's no such thing as the A10 algorithm. It's always the A9. There is no such thing, and the A9 of all is just like you did during puberty, but it's still named the A9. So we'll do stuff like that. It's not necessarily business-like or corporate-like, but screw that, put a personality to it and people love that and then as a reading they have a little smile or like I get it, or that's relatable. It doesn't sound like corporate speak or boring stuff. That's all on purpose. Bradley Sutton All right. Now you referenced Elite and how you saved the best hacks for there. Do you have any? Just for a sample, you can give some of the cool one or two of the cool hacks that you've given out on your seven ninja hacks that you do monthly in the Elite group. Kevin King Yeah, sure, what's a good reason? We do this every single month. We talk about some of its tools, like CASPA AI, which is a really cool tool where you can shoot your product on your iPhone, just basic picture, upload it and then put it into any scene you want. So you're like, hey, I want my water bottle to be held by an Asian guy standing in the gym with some barbells behind him and he's holding it facing the logo out. It'll make a cool picture instantly using AI with that which you could use in your Amazon post or you could use in your maybe in your listing. You could use a lot of places. So we'll do cool tools like that. Or Melio payments, where you can use credit cards to actually finance your purchase, orders and stuff. We do things like. A recent one was about how to Get that there's a newer version of this item available. You know we covered that there's a new version of this item available. Like people like see that, how do I get my? You know if I you got a calendar or you got you just updated your product, how can you Link that to the old inventory so that people see there's a newer version available? We showed people how to do that. We showed people how to do the back-end stuff before anybody knew how to do the back-end and get a complete dump of your competitors Listings like all their attributes and everything before. That was really public information. Well, I was like a couple years before yeah, main stream. Yeah, we stuff like how to use a Hexa. Hexa, it's a beta program most people don't know about to create 360 degree pictures for Amazon listing. They'll do it for you for free and I think that's really really, really, really cool. We've done stuff like how to make money fall from the sky on your landing pages. You know you, someone hits on one your landing pages or one of your blog sites and they don't let's say they don't sign up. But you want to know who they are. There's tools out there that will actually Use IP and geo location to actually figure out, in about 50 to 60% of cases, who these people are, based on public data In the United States, Europe, you might have a few more issues with privacy, but yes, we don't care about privacy. So, unless it's medical, and so we, we can figure out that. I just went to Bradley's blog talking about the honeymoon and he's a no, I went there. You know, as he got a hit or his metrics, that there's a visitor session, but he doesn't know who they are. If he puts this little bit of code, then we can we put, we can figure out that. Oh, this was Kevin King because he was using this IP address of this computer and there's reverse matching. That knows that, oh, Kevin King went to this gaming side or went to somewhere else in the past 10 years From that same place. It must be Kevin King. Let's match it up again to this other database. So his, his email address is blah blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Puts that into a database. Then you can either email those people which I don't always recommend if you're gonna do that, you should use something like zero bounce to make sure the emails are valid or you can put them into custom audiences if you're running Facebook ads or any kinds things like that and you can retarget these people. You ever wonder how sometimes you went to a site and You're all of a sudden now I'm seeing this stuff all over my feed. Some of that's retargeting pixels, which is more private. But if you're wondering, how do they get me onto an email list? Or how did they get me from this this not a meta property into an X or Twitter property? Those two aren't the same company not sharing the same pixel. How do they do that? And this is some of the ways they're doing it. We also talked about you know, Howard. You've had Howard on the how tie on the on the podcast and he's got a little group called elites I'll forget the name of elites seller society or something like that and he's had every Thursday he has someone come on and talk about stuff and one of the things that just recently he had David, who's spoken at the billion dollar sauce on. You remember David from a, the ghost story. Bradley Sutton Back in 2019 he came on and he did some translating for him. One year at the billion dollars. Kevin King He came on and talked about you know what, what? How are things changing with the Chinese sellers? You know, Howard, he's like you know, ai is level the playing field as far as creating listings and stuff now for everybody. And If you someone's like a word that, how are they ranking? How are they getting reviews? What are they doing? He's like the number one way that Chinese sellers are getting Ranking. Right now they're using postcards, postcards through the mail and he's like, thanks to Kevin King, I'm like what he's like? Oh yeah, I did talk about that in 2019 when I did me and Brandon young went over there and spoke to a huge group in Shenzhen. Well, they took that and now he said that's the number one way that they're getting Review, ranking products and getting reviews. And and so I was like you know what? I think I actually did that In the US too. It wasn't. I just didn't give that to the Chinese sellers. And so I look back and I share that to the helium-ten elite. First way back, and I don't remember exact time, in 2018, some point, I did a presentation on postcards and it was cutting edge. Virtually nobody did it, everybody, you know. They looked at like, yeah, Kevin, that's like I I never heard of. I don't even check my mailbox. I don't know. I'm a millennial Nah who reads the mail like dude, you're missing it. And so nobody in the hardly anybody in the US did it, but the Chinese like, oh, this, this looks good. They did it and look what it's doing for him four years later. So that's the kind of stuff we do in helium-ten elite. If you freakin pay attention and implement Not only what I'm teaching but what we bring on Really good guests. You know I look for diversity, from PPC people to shipping people to you name it. You know sometimes you get a speaker. That's yeah, okay, but we get some really good people as three speakers, plus myself, on Every single one of the helium-ten elite, that's. You know, there's a lot of groups out there that that have trainings, but I think this might be the longest last, the oldest one period. It's continuous. There's others that have started and come and gone, but that and but I think since we started February at 2017, when it's called Illuminati, changed the name in 2019 to helium-ten elite, but it's been continuous, never missed a month since February 2017. So that's six and a half years. I don't know if there's any other Group. That has lasted that long at this point and guys. Bradley Sutton You know I told people this before. This is One of the secrets not the main secret to my success is Before I ever sold on Amazon, you know, before I even became a consultant. You know people thought I was crazy because it's mulling. I mean, like seven, eight, nine figure sellers going and paying 400 bucks to get in this Illuminati mastermind. I, I could see the value in it. I saw a webinar for something first of you and Manny, you know, way before I worked at helium-ten Year, more than a year probably before and and I actually joined Illuminati Just as a regular person who wasn't even selling yet and within like three, four months I had enough knowledge just from the Illuminati stuff and you know a couple other. You know courses I was taking, but mainly from the Illuminati, where I became like a pretty top-level consultant and and was, you know, launched my Amazon consulting career. You know which was my career before helium-ten, without even selling on Amazon, just because I was able to ramp up my knowledge super fast by being part of that Illuminati mastermind. Kevin King So and it's not just the guys exactly training- that's what we had, but more recently Helium 10's added a weekly call with all the people that want to participate. So I do one a month. I jump on once a month and then the other three weeks Bradley and Carrie and Shivali host them and we'll have anywhere from 20 to 40 50 people in there that are members of helium-10 elite. There's a lot more members in that, but you know some people are busy and for a couple hours Typically an hour or two hours everybody's on there on a zoom call, all on the screen. There's no agenda, no presentations Like what do you got a problem with? Oh, you know Amazon's blocking me from shipping this and anybody else ever dealt with this. And usually there's someone else like, oh, yeah, I've a. You know, maybe we me or Bradley or somebody knows the answer begin help them. But usually there's somebody else like, oh, have you ever tried this? Or this happened to me two years ago and I did this and you have this interactive conversation that you're not gonna get in a Facebook group. You're not gonna get anywhere else other than maybe an in-person event, which there's four of those a year to for helium-10 elite. Did you get to come to for free? That are that value right there. Sometimes I learned stuff in there, you know, I didn't know from somebody else that right there, connecting with other high-level sellers and being able to share is as valuable as the presentations, if not even more valuable in some cases, and I'm so. There's things like that, that that you're not gonna get anywhere else. Bradley Sutton Just last week I don't know if it was on your call or on one of the regular weekly one that you're not on there, it was before you. Either way was before you came on the call there was Elizabeth, who's an elite, elite member, and she was talking about how she's done like something like a two million dollars on TikTok shop Some crazy, some crazy number like that and so she was just like people were dazzled with what she was saying Just ran, you know, just like just randomly got on there. She was just one of their participants and was talking about that. Now we're actually gonna do a train. She's gonna do a training in October in the elite in-person workshop in New York where she's gonna show people I'll kind of like reverse engineer how she was able to get to this level of success that she's had on on TikTok shop, which is definitely a hot topic. Kevin King So that's hot, that's. That's big right now. That's big. If you're not paying attention to that, that's big. You know I had Perry Belcher. This will be coming out on the AM PM podcast in October. So be sure, but Perry Belcher if you don't know who he is, he's one of the top marketers in the space right now. He started digital marketer. Yeah, the big expo with 7,000 people I mean sorry, traffic and conversion is. He was one of the founders of that. He started digital marketer. He's really big in the marketing space and old-school marketing guy. One of the things he actually said on that podcast, among a bunch of other cool stuff, is that he's like if you're going from Amazon to Shopify, it's a mistake. You should not be doing anything on Shopify. He said we're finding far better success by setting up funnels with click funnels or high level or one of the other, and doing single product drives it. The conversions are way higher, the Sales are way higher than driving someone to a Shopify site where it's there's too many confusing things that can distract them and he's like that's where these Amazon sellers because I asked him for one of the mistakes people are making said that's one of the mistakes a lot of sellers. Amazon sellers are making right now, as they should be focused more on driving stuff to single products with upsells Rather than driving to a Shopify store. Bradley Sutton Here's all my 20 things my, my company sells, but yeah, yeah, I mean the tick-tock shop that there's, just whatever is cutting edge. You know we talk about an elite, so so it's actually the longest in history and that you know. Kevin just said it started in in 2017. So it's we're talking over six years, almost seven years. It's been closed for the longest time in history. I think the last time it was open was in March of this year I'm not sure by the time you guys are listening to this episode of its open, but sometime in in September, October, we're gonna open it up for a couple weeks or so. So this is the time to sign up. Guys write this down h10.me forward slash elite. H10.me forward slash elite. And even if it's not open right now, there's a button on there where you can join the waiting list so you can make sure that when it does open for the short window that it does, that, you guys can get in. But but you know the benefits are this is like the only way to really talk to Kevin. You know people Want to ask kept. You know want to hire Kevin as a consultant all the time. Kevin doesn't have the the bandwidth do that, but once a month he'll go on there and just live, you know, just in a regular zoom call. You can ask him anything you want. You can ask other people anything you want in the Facebook group. Or we have two weekly zoom calls now one at In the afternoon on Friday us time and then one that I actually hop on at midnight because it's 8 am UK time Every Friday and and we hit the, we hit the Europe. You know, all the European sellers and people in Asia, you know, can hop on a call and network with each other. We have four quarterly workshops. The next one's coming up in October, the fourth one of the year. We had one in, you know, during Amazon accelerate, September 11th, and now October, right during unboxed, we're gonna have one where we're gonna be talking about, like I said, tick tock shop, and also we're gonna have a PPC Expert and there's a whole bunch of other Advances of being on the elite program. So if you guys are interested to add this to your helium tenant count again, go to h10.me forward slash elite and Either sign up right there if it's open, take advantage or if it's closed, just just join the waiting list so you can hook up with Kevin that way. Kevin King There's some software tools to that. They get extra tools or extra capacity or something right. Bradley Sutton Yeah, elite members usually get access to tools like way before, like we just launched Some historical Cerebro. Elite members have had that for like a year and a half, you know, but now barely diamond members are getting it. Like a year and a half Later there's some tools like our elite analytics so that Kevin actually developed himself he gave the the kind of blueprint for it. That's still only elite members can can access that diamond members don't have access. Then that's been around for like two years. So lots of advantages, including networking and training that elite has. You know, back in the day, like I said, when I was an elite Illuminati member, it was only the. You know there's a I think there was a Facebook group Maybe at that time or something, but it was mainly just one of those training calls a month and that was enough value For me and now it's just like all you know tons, tons of other value. So guys, make sure to check it out. Another thing you know I'm wearing my my OG Billion Dollar Seller Summit shirt today from the very first one, from the very first one and the next one time and place In 2024 for the next billion dollars. Kevin King There's actually two. Come with the next Billion Dollar Seller Summit, May 18th to the 23rd in Kauai, Hawaii, which is gonna be amazing, and then right after that one from the 23rd to the 26th, I have a second event called level up, where we're? So the first, the billion dollar seller summits, mostly for Amazon sellers and all the traditional things that you're You're used to like you are Bradley from a billionaire, saw something, the level up, or switching resorts, take it, everybody that's staying, that chooses to stay, and they're going to the Waimea Canyon, which is the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. It's like a little Grand Canyon that you in Hawaii that then we're taking them on the Nepali Coast on a dinner cruise. The pop for the poly coast is where these mountains, these beautiful mountains, come right up to the edge of the water. It's just stunning Dolphins jumping everywhere, and so that's gonna be cool. And then we're switching to Hanalei Bay, to the one the chain, the ones 300 million dollar resort that just had a overhaul and it's like 14, $1500 a night to stay there, but we got a rate that's like way less than half of that For people coming to the event. And then we're doing it's called level up, so it's six speakers, only ones Amazon, the other five, or you know, like Perry Belcher just said, he's probably gonna speak at it, jason Flatlin is someone that's maybe speak at us, a couple other Molly Mahoney, it's probably gonna speak at it, and some some other, and then we're mixing that in with Some mind and body stuff, like we talked about earlier, because that's important for our engineers. So there's gonna be cryo therapy, there's gonna be a sound therapy lab where you listen to the bowls and it helps reset your mind. We're doing hot yoga, a bonfire on the beach, and so it's. It's gonna be pretty cool. We're doing a race. You know we did that race here in Austin. You were in that's that scavenger hunt we did a couple years ago here in Austin. People love that. So Probably problem one of the problems when you go to an event you don't get to see the place. You're like you see the hotel and maybe you see a bar or something with a restaurant. So we're doing we've got 25 Avis rental cars thing or 30 Avis rental cars all lined up and you're gonna broken the teams of four and you're gonna do an amazing race across the islands one day. So you're gonna see, then you're gonna be able to see the entire islands and experience the island. Quiet is a place where you're not gonna want to be sleeping aping in the back. You know you're gonna be like looking out the window after every turn going Holy Callis is beautiful. I've never seen something so beautiful my life. It's a drastic Park Island and so you're gonna, but you're gonna be able to see some cool stuff all in some back places that you wouldn't know they're not on the tours map. We're gonna take you to this one cool beach as part of the race. You're like, holy cow, I'm coming back here because nobody's here, nobody knows about this place. It's like a secret little beach. So that's. That's gonna be cool too. If it's your third or more trip, you're gonna get like a drastic park experience in a helicopter ride Over the island and stuff. So, like Bradley, if you're out there, you get. You get that for free, as, since you're a regular, since you've been to three, this is your third or more we're gonna take a helicopter around the island as a tour is amazing fly up to the inside. This 10,000 foot waterfall and a helicopter in land and this, this drastic park kind of vehicles gonna pick you up and take you through this Amazing like plantation kind of thing and to a VIP dinner that night. It's gonna be really, really cool. So, yeah, that's a billion dollar seller summit calm. If you want information on that, then in October I'm doing the billion dollar exit summit so the billion dollar exit summer, doing this with Scott Deets so somebody may know he's got the, the exit ticket or whatever it's called him and he them to Probably the top guy and helping people exit. He helped manning Guillermo exit Helium 10 help who's involved in that Done over a half a billion dollars worth of exits for Amazon sellers. So and you may be like, yeah, but right now I'm not thinking about exiting, but you, you might be in a year or two years and now's the time to actually start working on it now To maximize and add a couple extra million dollars to your exit. By working now, rather than waking up one day and say I want to exit, I want to be out of here in three months, you're gonna be shooting yourself in the foot. So we're doing a. It's very small 25 to 30 people in Austin, October 10th to the 13th called the Billion Dollar Exit Summit and it's hands-on. So he's bringing his whole team, so it's want some a lot of one-on-one stuff. It's not a bunch of presentations from all these random people. You're gonna walk out there with a plan like, okay, this is what I need to do specific to your business. So that's, that's happening in October. Bradley Sutton Awesome, awesome, alright. So, guys, billiondollarsellersummit.com to get more information on it. Alright, like always, let's go ahead and close this out with your 30 or 60 second tip that you can leave for the sellers out there, do you haven't checked out Levonta. Kevin King That would be a really good tip. I leave a NTA, I think calm, I think is the is the URL. But especially for the fourth quarter coming up. You know, offside Amazon traffic is huge for ranking. You know you get the 10% referral bonus if you're brand registered and it just helps you in your rank Even if they don't buy. If you're sending traffic from outside social media or outside media, blogs, whatever, even if they don't buy, it helps you on your rank. But these guys you know that's, but it's kind of a pain in the ass to go set all that stuff up. You got to find people on TikTok or you got to find blogs or you got to find these affiliates and like coordinate everything one-on-one, one by one, by one. These guys have got over a thousand of the top affiliates, from TikTok people to people who are in the affiliate business. That's what they do to blogs like USA Today. USA Today will do a holiday gift guide for pet products this year. If you have a pet product, you want to be in that gift guide in USA Today with two million people reading it online. You, these guys, can facilitate that in the way. It's seamless, the way it works is you just connect your Amazon account to their system and it automatically imports all your products. Once your products are in there, you can go in and cherry pick them like I only want to promote these three. I'm willing to give a 20% commission for you know this dog bowl and then that goes into their database, these thousand affiliates. When they're writing their stories and looking for things they can search that database. Oh, I want, I want to promote this dog. Well, he's given 20% Off. They just automatically pick up the code, the, everything. It's all done for them. They put it into their blog or their, their post or whatever, and it's all automated or you can go in there. I think they let you do 50 a day. You can reach out to people and they're growing really, really fast and they just had people on prime day the last, the July prime day. Do over a million dollars just off of outside traffic, off of this program on prime day, and just imagine what that does to your listing on Amazon and the internal Amazon stuff, how that's gonna get that file flywheel going. So that's that would probably be a tip of there under the radar. And you know a mission is here. They don't give me a kickback or anything for this, but that's a tool that I think any Amazon serious Amazon seller is a fool to not use. I'm an absolute fool to not actually take a look at that, especially for this fourth quarter, and get a strong competitive edge Over your competition get more like that. Bradley Sutton Guys in Helium 10 Elite. h10.me/elite. Kevin, thank you so much for joining us. I know you're traveling a lot more than you were in the previous years. I'll probably hopefully see you at one of these upcoming events and then, for sure, at the Billion Dollar Seller Summit next year. So Keep on. By the time I see you next time, you know I might not even recognize you're losing so much. Wait, hopefully you won't recognize me, because I need to. I need to get on the path. Kevin King Yeah, it's slow but by. Yeah. If we go along in a period of time, you know I've lost a bunch. Bradley Sutton I'm not trying to do it quick. All right, we'll see it. We'll see you next time you.
MMA Nutrition - Amazon Open Brands Mina Elias joins the show as we delve into another behind-the-scenes episode in our Open Brands series. Here, a few brave souls open up and discuss their brands in an industry where it's common for brands to be kept secret due to fears of being copied or, in some cases, attacked. - **Introduction and Background** - Danny McMillan welcomes Mina to the show for an Open Brands series discussion. - Mina is known for his work in content with PPC and his own brand. - Mina emphasises the importance of hard work, innovation, persistence, and consistency over just product ideas. - **Mina's Amazon Journey** - Mina's brand journey started with electrolyte powder. - His initial launch was modest but improved over time. - He emphasises that execution matters more than just having an idea. - **Challenges and Learning** - Mina discusses challenges in investing money without proper guidance. - He mentions getting scammed by gurus, leading to wrong investments. - Lack of proper guidance and mentorship impacted his early decisions. - **Agency Transition** - Mina pivoted to an agency model due to challenges with the brand. - He focused on helping clients navigate Amazon and succeed. - **Balance and Future Plans** - Mina talks about balancing brand growth and the agency. - He discusses future plans and the challenges of scaling a brand. - **Key Advice for Amazon Sellers** - Mina advises sellers to focus on learning and getting good at their craft. - He suggests investing in learning from experienced mentors. - Mina emphasises the importance of having a clear vision and hiring skilled professionals.
A New Hybrid Model For Financing Your Amazon Business In this episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast, Danny McMillan and returning guest Fe Soutter dive into a discussion on a groundbreaking hybrid model tailored for Amazon sellers aiming for exponential growth. Fe Soutter, seasoned Amazon seller, opens up about her own experiences grappling with cash flow constraints and the intricate complexities of managing her brand. At a critical juncture, she confronted the tough choice between sourcing funds for expansion or selling her business altogether. Traditional avenues like a standard business sale or going through an aggregator came with the heavy baggage of tax implications, prompting Fe to explore uncharted territory. Enter the hybrid model – a game-changing approach that would see Fe not only retain her role as the managing director but also actively collaborate with a partner company. The crux of this innovative pact involved granting a calculated percentage of her company to this strategic partner on only the new revenue and profits generated. Fe walks us through the intricacies of this model, highlighting how this strategic affiliation allowed her to tap into unparalleled expertise and structural reinforcement. Central to this hybrid model's success is the relentless pursuit of scalability and methodical systematisation. While relinquishing partial ownership, Fe seized the opportunity to channel her energy into the facets she's most passionate about – nurturing creativity, fostering vision, and fortifying the brand's presence in the market. Fe dishes out advice drawn from her profound journey, emphasising the immeasurable value of learning from skilled team members. As the episode unfolds, we glean insights into the roadmap ahead. Fe's target? Steering this model towards a strategic exit in the coming years, with aspirations to hit the eight-figure mark before the final curtain call.
Open Brands - Amazon Seller Rich Hawkins - Gravity Fitness Introduction: In this episode of Seller Sessions, host Danny McMillan is joined by e-commerce expert Rich Hawkins. This is the first part in a new series where we chat with Amazon Sellers that show their brand, which means we are able to discuss context to the business with the line of questioning. Rich shares his insights on leveraging influencers as affiliates and the challenges of quantifying their impact. He also highlights the significance of brand recognition and the highest converting phrase for his business. Additionally, Rich talks about the role of Facebook ads, working with larger affiliates, and the development of their fitness app. Key Points Covered: The pivotal role of influencers in their business success, although quantifying their impact is challenging. Utilising influencers as affiliates, incorporating discount codes, and other strategies. The significance of brand recognition and its impact on customer conversion. Exploring the effectiveness of Facebook ads as a marketing channel. Partnering with larger affiliates and the benefits of collaborating with publications for sales and SEO. The development of a fitness app and the extensive effort involved in creating high-quality content. Overcoming challenges in the European market due to Brexit and establishing a separate European company. The advantage of Estonia's tax rule that allows reinvestment back into the business. The future focus on expanding into the US market and the logistical challenges of shipping larger products. The shift towards seller fulfilled orders and the decreased reliance on FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). Rich Hawkins' contact information: Instagram - @rich_hawkins Conclusion: In this episode, Rich Hawkins provides valuable insights into leveraging influencers, expanding into new markets, and overcoming challenges in the e-commerce industry. Listeners gain practical knowledge on utilising influencers as affiliates, optimising Facebook ads, and the benefits of collaboration with larger affiliates and publications. Rich's experiences and expertise offer valuable lessons for e-commerce sellers seeking to enhance their marketing strategies and expand their business reach. Are you a 7 figure brand selling on Amazon? Want to work with an Agency that knows both PPC and the A9 algorithm? Click here to request a free PPC Audit https://www.databrill.com/
Behind The Scenes of Seller Sessions Live with Adam Heist and Danny McMillan Episode Summary: In this episode of Seller Sessions, Adam Heist and Danny McMillan take a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes aspects of organising the Seller Sessions Live conference in London. They discuss the challenges, successes, and unique experiences that make Seller Sessions a must-attend event for Amazon sellers. From the origins of the conference to creating a safe and inclusive environment, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of organising and hosting live events. Episode Highlights: The Origins and Challenges of Seller Sessions Conference: The discussion delves into the origins of the Seller Sessions conference and the challenges Danny faced in starting and organising the event. Finding Passion and Energy for Long-Term Engagement: Danny emphasises the importance of finding one's passion and energy to sustain long-term engagement in a particular field. Creating a Vibrant and Unique Event Experience: Danny discusses his vision for the Seller Sessions conference, focusing on creating a vibrant atmosphere that encourages self-expression and differs from traditional events. Balancing Sponsorship and Attendee Experience: The conversation covers the significance of affordable pricing made possible by sponsorship, which facilitates the inclusion of diverse speakers and perspectives while maintaining a quality attendee experience. Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment for Women: Danny highlights the significance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for women in the industry, and how the Seller Sessions podcast and events contribute to this goal. Event Economics and Maintaining Reasonable Pricing: Danny explains his pricing strategy and how he balances sponsorships with maintaining reasonable pricing to avoid sponsor influence. Challenges, Recovery, and Reflections: The guests discuss the challenges of recovering from a half-empty event, organising events during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of human connection during events. Embracing Authenticity and Continuous Improvement: The importance of authenticity, embracing flaws, and continuous improvement is emphasised, along with anecdotes and stories from past events. The Intense Pressure of Organising an Event and Overcoming Challenges: The guests discuss the intense pressure of resolving logistical issues, and maintaining great relationships with sponsors. Strategies employed to overcome challenges are shared. Reflecting on Successful Event Execution: The Danny shares a personal experience of organising an event, including last-minute room rearrangements, maintaining the schedule, and engaging the audience during presentations. Lessons Learned and Planning for the Future: The guys reflects on the event experience, plans for improvements in the coming year, and expresses gratitude to attendees for their support. Join Adam Heist and Danny McMillan as they provide an inside look into the world of organising Seller Sessions Live, revealing the dedication, challenges, and rewards behind the scenes. Are you a 7 figure brand selling on Amazon? Want to work with an Agency that knows both PPC and the A9 algorithm? Click here to request a free PPC Audit https://www.databrill.com/
TODAY’s GUEST IS Danny McMillan! Today's guest is Danny McMillan! Danny creates daily videos on becoming a happier, more secure, and levelled up man in your forties. Too many people think life needs to slow down at 40 but Danny shows you how it is actually just getting started with some changes in your approach.... The post Episode #177 Danny McMillan on how to level up your life after 40! first appeared on Next Level Guy.
Introduction: In this episode of the Seller Sessions Podcast, host Danny McMillan welcomes Mihkel Moosel from Estonia to delve into the fascinating world of entrepreneurship. Mihkel shares his inspiring journey, from his childhood aspirations to his experiences as a successful Amazon seller. They also explore the challenges he faced along the way and how he found motivation and inspiration. Childhood Dreams and Role Models: Mihkel reflects on his childhood and how he looked up to his father for inspiration. He shares his early aspirations, ranging from wanting to be a veterinarian to a car mechanic, highlighting the diverse range of interests that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Academic Journey and Discovering Sales: Mihkel excelled in high school but found university to be lacking excitement. He then stumbled upon an opportunity that would change his life - selling books door-to-door in the United States during his university years. This experience marked his entry into the world of sales. Building Sales Teams and Venturing into Amazon: Mihkel explains how his sales acumen led him to become a sales manager, where he recruited and managed teams for a company. Eventually, in 2016, he made the pivotal decision to start selling on Amazon. He launched two brands, one focused on water and air quality testing, and the other revolving around RFID wallets. The Journey of Selling Brands: Mihkel shares the process of selling his brands, from receiving offers to negotiating the deal. He reflects on the emotional aspects of this decision, as well as how he celebrated the successful sale. This marked a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey. Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Mistakes: Mihkel opens up about facing challenges with a previous brand, which resulted in financial losses and the departure of valuable team members. He discusses how personal and business-related difficulties, including depression and a severe shoulder injury, took a toll on his well-being and team motivation. The Road to Recovery and Personal Growth: Taking a break and seeking solace in Madera for five weeks became a turning point for Mihkel. He shares how this rejuvenating vacation helped him regain his strength and mental well-being. Gradually returning to work, he focused on a healthier work-life balance, personal growth, and travel experiences. Supporting a New Brand and Overcoming Initial Setbacks: Mihkel's business partner and a talented team member started a new brand, with Mihkel providing financial and strategic support. They encountered challenges with defective products during the initial launches but persisted, resolved the issues, and ultimately achieved profitability. Aspirations and Inspiration: Looking ahead, Mihkel aspires to build a successful eight-figure business on Amazon. However, he remains open to exploring new opportunities if needed. He finds inspiration through various channels, including walking, exercise, conversations with others, and exposure to new experiences and information. Conclusion: Mihkel Moosel's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges. From childhood dreams to facing setbacks, he demonstrates the importance of learning from mistakes and maintaining team motivation. Tune in to this captivating episode as Mihkel shares his experiences and insights that can inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and those seeking to find their own path to success.
Ranking on Amazon in 2023 Roundtable Time to put on the lab coat and talk A9 and all thing ranking on Amazon with Brandon Young, Gonzalo Martinez Dr Ellis Whitehead and more to be announced before Wednesday. Brandon Young is an 8-figure Amazon seller, active course instructor, and YouTuber. On his YouTube channel, he shares the latest information about the private label business model, Amazon's ever-changing Terms of Service, and the world trends he sees that will affect sellers. He also sells courses on his Seller Systems platform for beginners, sellers who have specific issues they want to work on, and those looking to start or completely revamp their Amazon FBA business. His unique strategies for private label include data-based keyword and product research strategies as well as using social media and chat bots to drive traffic. Brandon Young has been in the e-commerce industry since 2013 when he started selling on Amazon FBA. He has seen many changes in this industry over the years and plans to continue sharing his best tips with other sellers so they can increase their profits and grow their businesses. Dr. Ellis Whitehead is a Data Scientist and Algorithm expert and co founder of Databrill with Danny McMillan. He was one of the architect behind the smart technology used by Jungle Scout, a groundbreaking Amazon software tool. With a PhD in automation and data science, Ellis has a proven track record in solving complex problems through software engineering, mathematics, and data science. Gonza Martinez: A former Medical Doctor and a Rescue Diver with a calling to serve. He spent a number of years designing, engineering, and manufacturing products for the consumer goods industry out of China. He has started 5 Amazon brands and has accumulated a number of failures and achievements he's willing to share in order to help others be successful on the platform. He is currently an 8-Figure seller and manages other brands with his full-management agency. ………………………………………………………………………………. Seller Sessions Live is Back! Seller Sessions Live is back 13th May, bigger and better with a new home. With Seller Sessions Live 2022 being a sold out success, we want to go bigger and focus not just on bringing in the best 7 & 8 figure sellers but making sure you get multiple opportunities to network and have fun! This years line up thus far... More to be added - [ ] Danny McMillan - [ ] Sharon Even - [ ] Leo Sgovio - [ ] Adam Heist - [ ] Jana Krekic - [ ] Tim Jordan - [ ] Ben Leonard - [ ] Ben Webber - [ ] Matt Altman Would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors; Carbon6, Clearads, 8fig, Getida, Branded, VAA and AVASK Get Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../seller-sessions-live...
Amazon FBA New Capacity Limits 2023 & AWD Today on Thursdays with Sharon, we discuss the recent news of Amazon FBA's new capacity limits for 2023. Amazon has implemented new capacity limits for its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. We'll discuss what these limits mean for sellers and how they may impact our storage, Additionally, we'll also delve into Amazon's new Automated Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) program and how it may change the way products are stored and shipped. ………………………………………………………………………………. Seller Sessions Live is Back! Seller Sessions Live is back 13th May, bigger and better with a new home. With Seller Sessions Live 2022 being a sold out success, we want to go bigger and focus not just on bringing in the best 7 & 8 figure sellers but making sure you get multiple opportunities to network and have fun! This years line up thus far... More to be added Danny McMillan Sharon Even Leo Sgovio Adam Heist Jana Krekic Tim Jordan Ben Leonard Ben Webber Matt Altman Would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors; Carbon6, Clearads, 8fig, Getida, Branded, VAA and AVASK Get Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seller-sessions-live-tickets-333834777807
Amazon Exits in 2023 - Roundtable (The Brokers) Today I am joined by Michal Baumwald Oron, Ben Leonard and Chris Shipferling. We had a golden run from late 2019 until the beginning of 2022 (exits) when deals across the industry dried up almost overnight. Then in March (2022) we started to see the public layoffs across the aggregators and less money being raised across the board. As the multiples came down, sellers started to focus their energy on growth and now we are starting to see signs of an uptick of deals getting done again. Today we discuss some of these trends with brokers that get to see everything across the board, not just deals done with aggregators but also private buyers in the market. Michal Baumwald Oron, CEO, and co-founder of Fortunet, a leading investment banking firm specialising in e-commerce. With 25+ years of experience as an executive manager, investment banker, and commercial lawyer in senior positions at international leading brands, Michal has led major public offerings, including initial public offerings (IPOs) and follow-on offerings, as well as M&A global transactions and joint ventures. Ben Leonard is the classic millennial entrepreneur. He built a business on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time. The difference? Ben grew an international 7-figure business and successfully exited after 3 years; the business holy grail. Now Ben is doing it all over again, and helping others to do the same with his e-commerce brokerage (EcomBrokers.co.uk) who help sellers sell now, or will mentor you to the perfect exit. ………………………………………………………………………………. Seller Sessions Live is Back! Seller Sessions Live is back 13th May, bigger and better with a new home. With Seller Sessions Live 2022 being a sold out success, we want to go bigger and focus not just on bringing in the best 7 & 8 figure sellers but making sure you get multiple opportunities to network and have fun! This years line up thus far... More to be added Danny McMillan Sharon Even Leo Sgovio Adam Heist Jana Krekic Tim Jordan Ben Leonard Ben Webber Matt Altman Would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors; Carbon6, Clearads, 8fig, Getida, Branded, VAA and AVASK Get Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seller-sessions-live-tickets-333834777807
Amazon PPC Roundtable: with Brian Johnson, Destaney Wishon, Dr Ellis Whitehead and Daniel Fernandez Today, I am joined by the Brain, the First Lady of Amazon PPC, the Good Doctor and the Young Gun to discuss trends to look out for this year pertaining to Amazon PPC and we take a rear view look on 2022 and what progress we have seen over the last 12 months. Brian Johnson is a leading strategist in Amazon Pay-Per-Click Advertising. He has founded several successful ventures in the eCommerce world, including the Amazon PPC Troubleshooting community, PPC Scope ad management software, and Canopy Management advertising agency. He is known for his ability to achieve success as an online seller and help other brands do the same. Destaney Wishon is the Co-Founder and CMO of BetterAMS, a company that specialises in Amazon Advertising. She has extensive experience in managing ads for well-known brands and has managed advertising initiatives for over 100 brands through BetterAMS. Dr. Ellis Whitehead is a Data Scientist and Algorithm expert and co founder of Databrill with Danny McMillan. He was one of the architect behind the smart technology used by Jungle Scout, a groundbreaking Amazon software tool. With a PhD in automation and data science, Ellis has a proven track record in solving complex problems through software engineering, mathematics, and data science. Daniel Fernandez is an entrepreneur and expert in cross-border commerce, copyright, and marketing. He runs an Amazon marketing agency that specialises in PPC. With a global perspective and extensive knowledge of supply-chain logistics, international trade, and product launch strategies, Daniel helps brands successfully get their products into the hands of end-users. ………………………………………………………………………………. Seller Sessions Live is Back! Seller Sessions Live is back 13th May, bigger and better with a new home. With Seller Sessions Live 2022 being a sold out success, we want to go bigger and focus not just on bringing in the best 7 & 8 figure sellers but making sure you get multiple opportunities to network and have fun! This years line up thus far... More to be added Danny McMillan Sharon Even Leo Sgovio Adam Heist Jana Krekic Tim Jordan Ben Leonard Ben Webber Matt Altman Would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors; Carbon6, Clearads, 8fig, Getida, Branded, VAA and AVASK Get Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seller-sessions-live-tickets-333834777807
Mina is multiple seven-figure seller in the supplement industry, investor, Amazon PPC expert, and founder of Trivium Group, an Amazon Advertising agency. Mina excels at developing cutting-edge supplements for different target audiences and combines his passion for supplements, his background in chemical engineering and chemistry, and his expertise in PPC to crush the competition on Amazon. He has spoken on every major stage in the Amazon industry, consulted over 400 brands, consulted 3 aggregators worth $1.2 billion combined, has been on over 100 Amazon and E-commerce podcasts to share his knowledge, and continues to be a leader innovating in the Amazon advertising space. His goal is to change the way people perceive Amazon PPC and empower them to take back control and dominate their ads. ___________________________________________________ Grab Tickets for Seller Sessions Live Brought to you by Thrasio on May 7, 2022 Featuring: Ivelin Demirov, Tim Jordan, Destaney Wishon, Adam Heist, Toimer Rabnovich, Paul Harvey, Dr Ellis Whitehead and many more.. Hosted by: Danny McMillan, Sharon Even, and Izabela Hamilton Grab Tickets at: https://live.sellersessions.com/ Use the code:10SSL (for 10% off) Conference tickets include the “Afterparty brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads”. Purchase tickets to the VIP Dinner “brought to you by Avask” https://live.sellersessions.com/ Big Thank you to our sponsors: Seller Sessions Live in brought to you by Thrasio (May 7) The VIP Dinner is brought to you by Avask (May 6) Afterparty is brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads (May 7) Thank you to Perpetua, YLT Translations, SellersAlley & Pinformative, Unicargo and Profit Whales, Carbon6
Darren is CEO of Vendo, a is a 360° digital growth agency specializing in online marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart.com having. Darren has 20 years+ of ecommerce experience including affiliate marketing, PPC marketing, marketplace strategy, supply chain, sourcing, and all areas of general ecommerce management. He believes that in today's highlight competitive online marketplaces you need to win as much off of those platforms as on them by building brand awareness. Darren is very passionate about all things ecommerce and is focused on how we can continue to add value and growth for all of our VENDO clients in an ever-changing online marketplace. ***10% off discount code when you use 10SSL** ___________________________________________________ Grab Tickets for Seller Sessions Live Brought to you by Thrasio on May 7, 2022 Featuring: Ivelin Demirov, Tim Jordan, Destaney Wishon, Adam Heist, Toimer Rabnovich, Paul Harvey, Dr Ellis Whitehead and many more.. Hosted by: Danny McMillan, Sharon Even, and Izabela Hamilton Grab Tickets at: https://live.sellersessions.com/ Use the code:10SSL (for 10% off) Conference tickets include the “Afterparty brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads”. Purchase tickets to the VIP Dinner “brought to you by Avask” https://live.sellersessions.com/ Big Thank you to our sponsors: Seller Sessions Live in brought to you by Thrasio (May 7) The VIP Dinner is brought to you by Avask (May 6) Afterparty is brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads (May 7) Thank you to Perpetua, YLT Translations, SellersAlley & Pinformative, Unicargo and Profit Whales, Carbon6
On Thursdays with Sharon, Sharon goes over the new Query Performance Dashboard in Brand Analytics. The Query Performance Dashboard Provides visibility into your search term's performance based on shoppers' search behavior. For the selected timeframe, it shows metrics of the top terms of your catalog or ASIN (e.g., search displays, clicks, adds to shopping cart, and purchases). This information can help you to understand customer demand, what queries lead buyers to your products, at what stage you may be “losing” the buyer and much much more! ___________________________________________________ Grab Tickets for Seller Sessions Live Brought to you by Thrasio on May 7, 2022 Featuring: Ivelin Demirov, Tim Jordan, Destaney Wishon, Adam Heist, Toimer Rabnovich, Paul Harvey, Dr Ellis Whitehead and many more.. Hosted by: Danny McMillan, Sharon Even, and Izabela Hamilton Grab Tickets at: https://live.sellersessions.com/ Use the code:SSL10 (for 10% off) Conference tickets include the “Afterparty brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads”. Purchase tickets to the VIP Dinner “brought to you by Avask” https://live.sellersessions.com/ Big Thank you to our sponsors: Seller Sessions Live in brought to you by Thrasio (May 7) The VIP Dinner is brought to you by Avask (May 6) Afterparty is brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads (May 7) Thank you to Perpetua, YLT Translations, SellersAlley & Pinformative, Unicargo and Profit Whales
Today Andy Arnott joins as we discuss some of the future possibilities for marketing on the cutting edge for Amazon sellers. The impact of AI on Marketing, Machine Learning and how to use in your business. How AI can improve your supply chain and why those that do use AI will have the upper hand. Andy started selling on Amazon in 2012 and hit 7 figures in sales within the first year of starting the business. Before starting his Amazon business, he worked for the US government in the aerospace industry & created a 7 figure mobile app software company. In 2015, he started an Amazon-related saas service to help sellers get reviews. Through his podcasting, coaching, & software has helped thousands of Amazon sellers grow their businesses. Today he's building a media network, and with his wife growing their real estate empire with long and short term rental properties. ___________________________________________________ Grab Tickets for Seller Sessions Live Brought to you by Thrasio on May 7, 2022 Featuring: Ivelin Demirov, Tim Jordan, Destaney Wishon, Adam Heist and many more Hosted by: Danny McMillan, Sharon Even, and Izabela Hamilton Grab Tickets at: https://live.sellersessions.com/ Conference tickets include the “Afterparty brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads”. Purchase tickets to the VIP Dinner “brought to you by Avask” https://live.sellersessions.com/ Big Thank you to our sponsors: Seller Sessions Live in brought to you by Thrasio (May 7) The VIP is brought to you by Avask (May 6) Afterparty is brought to you by BetterAMS and Clear Ads (May 7) Thank you to Perpetua, YLT Translations, SellersAlley & Pinformative ___________________________________________________ Grab tickets for Branded By Women Live brought to you by Branded. Hosted by: Sharon Even and Izabela Hamilton Featuring Yael Cabilly, Melanie Shabangu, Olivia Jones, Amy Wees, Cassandra Craven, Jana Krekic, Michele Venton, Cara Sayer and Kata Phipps. Tickets: https://brandedbywomen.com/ Big Thank you to our sponsors: Branded, AVASK, Helium 10 and Multiplymii