The Smartest Amazon Seller

Scott returns from a month of trade shows to break down what he’s seeing on the front lines of e-commerce, and why we’re entering a new era of “AI visibility” for Amazon sellers. He shares how the largest brand client his team has ever signed actually found them through ChatGPT, and what that means for agencies, software tools, and brands trying to stand out online. Scott walks through the major eras of selling on Amazon, from early booksellers and repricers to retail and wholesale resellers, the private label boom with Jungle Scout, the rise of Amazon advertising and analytics tools, TikTok Shop’s rapid growth, and now AI business agents and shopping assistants. He explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini already influence which Amazon products, agencies, and software tools get recommended, and why strong written content, clear bullet points, and smart keyword strategy matter more than ever.   Episode Notes:   00:30 - Signing Up a Large Corporation 01:30 - The Evolution of Amazon Selling: Era by Era 06:50 - The Dawn of AI Visibility 07:29 - Understanding AI Visibility on Amazon 10:05 - Building Amazon Visibility 11:19 - Amazon vs. AI Shopping Agents 13:47 - Content Optimization for the AI Era 16:02 - Keyword Ranking by State 16:55 - SmartScout’s Feedback Tool   Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Amazon Selling Tools (and How to Choose the Right One)   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Discover why simplicity might be the ultimate Amazon strategy. This is straight from an industry veteran who’s seen it all. In this episode, Scott sits down with Scotty O. of Quickfire and Always Off Brand podcast to unpack decades of experience navigating Amazon’s third-party marketplace. From working with iconic brands like Columbia Sportswear and North Face to building agencies and embracing straightforward solutions over flashy tech, Scotty O. shares practical wisdom for sellers at every stage. They dive into the realities of ad management, finding your ideal client fit, surviving category competition, and why Amazon Business is suddenly a hot topic. Episode Notes: 00:11 - Scotty O Introduction 03:08 - Scott Ohsman's Retail Journey 05:15 - Entering the Agency World 06:22 - Life at Quickfire 09:51 - Tech, Tools, and Agency Value 10:40 - Audience Awareness and Communication Styles 13:43 - Niche Services and Transparent Relationships 15:49 - The Realities of the Amazon Marketplace 17:39 - The Seller's Dilemma: Guarantees and Incremental Wins 21:15 - Pricing and Competition: Can Small Brands Win? 26:00 - Chinese Sellers, External Traffic, and Ad Tech 27:54 - Amazon Business: The Sleeping Giant   Related Post: How to Know Amazon Market Share by Category: What Brands Are Winning on Amazon and Why   How to Reach Scotty O: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6 Website: quickfirenow.com Always Off Brand Podcast: Spotify  | Apple Podcast   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Nick from Aiometrix explains how agentic AI can automate busywork and boost results for Amazon brands. He began in a California garage with retail arbitrage, then expanded into wholesale and manufacturing during the COVID surge. Today, his team builds AI agents that connect to WMS and ad APIs to make real-time decisions on bids, budgets, and inventory so operators can focus on strategy. Scott and Nick cover Amazon’s AI roadmap for sellers and shoppers, why large companies move slowly, then fast, and how to use copilots without losing human judgment. The conversation also touches on advances in image generation, including Google’s Nano Banana update, and what these developments could mean for PDP creative.   Episode Notes: 00:15 - Nick Bahr Introduction 01:35 - Nick’s Personal Background and Journey 03:04 - The Shift During Covid and Evolution in E-Commerce 05:15 - Amazon's Announcements and AI Adoption 07:24 - The Changing Landscape of AI in E-Commerce 09:20 - The Role and Potential of AI Agents 11:30 - Enhancing Workflow and Decision-Making with AI 13:40 - Specific Use Cases and Technology Developments 16:32 - The Complexity and Regionality in AI Applications 17:45 - Aiometrix: A ChatGPT for Amazon Sellers 18:45 - Education and Mastery in AI Interaction 20:10 - AI for Image Generation 22:15 - Aiometrix Special offer: FREEAGENTS30   Related Post: Top 10 Amazon Quotes From the Operators Podcast   How to Reach Nick: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nick-bahr-47346b9a/ Website: https://aiometrix.com/   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott and Noah unpacks agency growth that actually moves the needle for Amazon sellers. They tackle conference takeaways, real playbooks for managing hundreds of brands, and how “unreasonable hospitality” builds sticky B2B relationships. You will hear how top teams stay resilient, communicate proactively, and keep speed and flexibility at the center of every client touchpoint. Also learn how AI is reshaping product discovery on Amazon, from ChatGPT workflows to Rufus and what that means for ranking, conversion, and revenue. Instead of chasing vanity metrics, Scott and Noah show how to optimize for sales and profitability first, with SEO as a supporting lever. If you run an Amazon agency or lead an in-house marketplace team, this episode is your roadmap to faster growth, smarter tools, and happier clients. Episode Notes: 00:50 - Noah Wickham Introduction 02:25 - E-commerce Beginnings and Favorites 04:20 - Joining My Amazon Guy 05:24 -  Leadership Journey with Steven Pope 09:55 - What Amazon Sellers Value 11:00 - The Four Pillars of Amazon Success 11:59 - Amazon Accelerate 13:35 - Amazon’s AI Strategy and New Tools 15:45 - Building an AI Tool for Amazon Sellers 19:17 - Adapting to AI Search Behavior 20:25 - The Rise and Adoption of Rufus 21:55 - Golden Seller Awards 24:06 - Managing Hundreds of Seller Accounts 27:10 - The Importance of Speed and Execution 28:20 - Unreasonable Hospitality in B2B Contexts 29:10 - Fast Onboarding and Proactive Communication 31:04 - Business Growth, Innovation, and Culture Sellers United 2025 Related Post: Top 10 Creator Brands on Amazon in 2025 How to Reach Noah: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/noahwickham/ Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott welcomes Dan Buford, known online as @1000Asins, to share the journey of scaling a wholesale Amazon business from the ground up. Dan explains how he left a demanding real estate career in New York to pursue e-commerce, starting with retail arbitrage before shifting to wholesale during the pandemic. He highlights the breakthrough moment of selling yeast during COVID, which fueled his full-time transition, and discusses how his team now spans the US, Philippines, and Serbia with in-house prep operations to navigate changing FBA rules. The conversation covers the realities of running a wholesale business today, from the challenges of account suspensions and rising fees to building profitable brand-direct relationships. Dan also shares insights into the future of wholesale, where resellers add value with SEO, content, and advertising support.   Episode Notes: 00:09 - Daniel Boufford Introduction 01:52 - Transition from Real Estate to Amazon Selling 03:15 - Retail & Online Arbitrage 04:05 - Pivot to Wholesale & Pandemic Opportunities 06:02 - Building and Scaling the Business 07:35 - Strategies for Wholesale Growth 08:40 - Market Trends & Seller Suspensions 12:15 - Evolution of the Wholesale Model 16:12 - Entry Barrier and Advice to New Sellers 20:14 - Wholesale Exit Opportunities & Business Valuation 23:00 - Insights from Seller Events & Community 25:10 - Content Creation and Personal Brand Building Sellers United 2025 Related Post: The Best Carriers for Different Shipping Needs: A Data-Driven Guide   How to Reach Jeremy: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danielboufford Instagram: @1000asins   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott invites Jeremy, founder and CEO of Euka.ai, to tell us how TikTok Shop is transforming e-commerce growth. Jeremy shares how brands are leveraging micro-creators and affiliates to generate viral content, scale sales, and even create a halo effect that boosts demand on Amazon. Together, they unpack why TikTok has become a key driver for brands looking to go from zero to $100M in record time. Scott and Jeremy also discuss how Euka’s AI-powered platform helps brands automate creator outreach, re-engagement, and incentive programs to keep affiliates producing high-performing content.   Episode Notes: 00:18 - Jeremy Yaoxin Ding Introduction 02:35 - The TikTok Affiliate Model Explained 05:40 - Yuka’s Tools for Brand Success 06:47 - Activating and Incentivizing Creators 09:38 - Category Suitability and Limitations 11:15 - The Evolving TikTok Shop Landscape 12:49 - Managing Creator Saturation 15:58 - TikTok Shop’s Halo Effect on Amazon Sales 18:05 - LTV-to-CAC Metric 19:44 - Performance Marketing and Incrementality 20:51 - Where Social Commerce Is Going 23:07 - Practical Steps for TikTok Shop Newcomers   Related Post: How Amazon Sellers Can Use Content Marketing to Increase Sales and Build Brand Authority   How to Reach Jeremy: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremy-yaoxin-ding-6bb60554 Website: https://www.euka.ai/about Email: jeremy@euka.ai   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott welcomes Belal El-Harazin, founder of Automato AI, to discuss how AI is transforming Amazon content creation, keyword strategy, and catalog management.

 Belal shares Automato AI’s mission to help sellers scale with automated content refreshes, brand voice integration, and powerful keyword discovery. Also highlighting fun.com’s AI-generated listings outperforming human copy.

 The conversation covers the shift from manual listing updates to autonomous optimization, Amazon’s evolving search from keyword-driven to intent-based, and best practices for updating listings without losing relevance.

 Belal also explains how Automato AI serves as an “operating system” for large catalogs, complete with analytics, segmentation, and price monitoring. Episode Notes: 00:38 -  Belal El-Harazin Introduction 01:55 - Automato AI’s mission 03:06 - The Evolution of Amazon Content Creation 04:59 - Founding Story and Company Background 06:26 - Agency vs SaaS 08:50 - Analysis of Amazon Search Today 10:53 - The Power of Brand Voice in Amazon Content 12:24 - Intent vs Keyword Search 13:58 - Best Practices for Updating Amazon Listings 16:50 - Keyword Rotation and Relevance 19:17 - Discovering the Right Keywords 21:57 - Catalog Management for Scale 24:50 - Adoption and Getting Started with Automato AI Related Post: The Ultimate Amazon Repricing Strategies: AI-Powered Price Optimization How to Reach Belal: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/belharazin Website: maverickdigital.com | automatoai.com Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott is joined by CPG expert Nik Hall to discuss what truly drives success for consumer packaged goods brands on Amazon. Drawing from his experience building and exiting a gummy vitamin company, Nik shares hard-earned insights on category trends, why most failures come from chasing hype too late, and how overlooked niches often present the best opportunities. Get real-world lessons from both failed launches and breakout brands, highlighting the importance of strategy, timing, and execution. Scott and Nik also explore how to validate product-market fit through blind taste tests, review mining, and competitor analysis. Nik emphasizes that in the world of consumables, taste still reigns supreme. No amount of marketing can save a mediocre product. They discuss how tools like SmartScout can guide smarter decisions around product development and launch timing, offering a clear roadmap for new sellers aiming to succeed in today’s competitive CPG landscape. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Nik Hall Introduction 01:20 - Nik’s Background 01:57 - Success vs. Failure in CPG on Amazon 03:31 - Chasing Trends: Opportunities and Pitfalls 05: 10 - Multi-Trend Positioning 08:30 - Taste and Longevity: What Really Drives LTV 08:52 - Product Development: Testing and Sensory Analysis 11:07 -  Navigating Manufacturing and Co-Packing Challenges 14:50 - Real-World Failure 18:17 - Product-Market Fit in CPG 19:03- Customer Conversations and Amazon Research 20:53 - Choosing a Launch Path 21:24 - The Realities of Retail 22:14 - The Permissionless Nature of Amazon and D2C 23:10 - Startup Resource Requirements 23:40 - Founders’ Stories 25:05 - Best Resources for New CPG Entrepreneurs 27:25 - Networking, Mentorship, and Building Real Relationships 29:08 - Content Marketing and Honest Advice 29:30 - Helping Select Brands and Giving Back   Related Post: The Top CPG Brands That Launched on Amazon Since 2018   How to Reach Nik: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nikhall Website: vitafive.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott and Alan Weiss, CEO of AVX Returns and a former 8-figure reseller, unpack the real cost and hidden opportunity behind Amazon returns. They explore why return management is often overlooked, how AVX turns chaos into cash, and what resellers can do to stop leaving money on the table. Episode Notes: 01:22 - Alan Weiss Introduction 02:23 - Alan’s Background and the start of AVX Returns 03:40 - The Reseller Landscape and the Sellers United Conference 04:33 - The Real Costs and Challenges of Handling Returns 07:35 - AVX Returns’ Unique Approach to Reseller Returns 10:30 - Return Categories and Recovery Realities 11:37 - Reimbursement Opportunities 13:06 - The Psychology and Business Wisdom of Returns Management 15:16 - Operational Best Practices for Sellers   Related Post: Why U.S. Amazon Shoppers Deliver Near-Double Value Compared to International Buyers   How to Reach Alan: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alan-weiss-1b6a4431 Website: avxreturns.com Email: info@avxreturns.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott gets into the real-world financial decisions Amazon sellers face, especially when it comes to leveraging debt. He shares firsthand experience navigating inventory demands, Q4 cash crunches, and the lure of fast growth, while also examining the dangers of borrowing, from overvaluing inventory to the addictive cycle of continual loans. Hear case studies, cautionary tales, and reflections on what separates sellers who survive from those who flame out. Whether you’re debating your first credit line or considering a private label acquisition, this episode offers grounded insight—and a compelling argument for building debt-free, sustainable Amazon businesses.   Episode Notes: 00:09 - Iconic Companies That Haven’t Taken Loans 01:12 - The Need for Cash in Amazon Selling 02:04  - Navigating Financial Leverage 02:26 - Types of Financial Leverage Used 06:32 - The Downside of Leverage 12:10 - A Case Study: Private Label Acquisition During Leverage 13:52 - Survival and Demise of Major Amazon Sellers 16:12 - The Case for Debt-Free Growth 18:21 - Amazon Accelerate   Related Post: Nike and Amazon's Renewed Partnership   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog