The Smartest Amazon Seller

Is Amazon neglecting its sellers? Scott tackles this question head-on, brings you exclusive insights from Amazon employees and industry experts, and delves into the challenges sellers face, from navigating 1P and 3P complexities to dealing with account suspensions. Learn the truth behind the trend urging brands to switch selling models and how nuanced decisions based on product categories can make all the difference. Scott also unveils Amazon's new reseller support initiatives and strategic account services designed to empower your business.   Episode Notes: 00:09 - Amazon's commitment to sellers 01:05 - Understanding 1P vs 3P 02:30 - Nuances of 1P and 3P models 05:35 - Strategic Account Services at Amazon 06:55 - New Initiatives for Resellers at Amazon 07:50 - Importance of Compliance and Advocacy 09:11 - Amazon’s Internal Complexity   Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace   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

Join Scott as he unpacks the remarkable growth of Tiege Hanley with founder Kelly Thornton. From initial struggles to becoming a powerhouse in men's skincare, Kelly shares invaluable insights into building a consumer brand on Amazon. Learn how Tiege Hanley leveraged YouTube for content-driven growth, simplified its product offerings, and mastered omnichannel expansion, including significant penetration into European markets. They delve into the challenges of scaling internationally, navigating digital marketing shifts, and maintaining brand integrity across platforms. Kelly also shares his perspective on the future of brand building, emphasizing long-term vision over short-term gains.   Episode Notes: 00:15 - Kelley Thornton Introduction 01:44 - Building a Scalable Brand 04:00 - The Genesis of Tiege Hanley 05:14 - Overcoming Early Challenges 07:23 - Content-Led Approach 11:00 - Content Creation Strategy 12:25 - Navigating Digital Marketing Challenges 14:10 - Amazon as a Sales Channel 18:27 - Overcoming Business Plateaus 21:57 - International Market Expansion 23:01 - Surviving the Aggregator Wave 27:00 - The Importance of Early Amazon Presence   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelleythornton-ceo-tiege-hanley Website: www.tiege.com   Related Post: How To Find Amazon Sellers as an Agency Using SmartScout   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

Are you unintentionally sabotaging your Amazon profits? Dive into this week's episode and learn about the hidden "dead zones" in Amazon pricing, particularly within high-volume categories such as Grocery, Beauty, and Clothing. Scott reveals why pricing products between $10-$12 is a critical mistake due to Amazon's intricate FBA fee structures. Learn how these "dead zones" can significantly impact your bottom line and discover strategic pricing adjustments to maximize your margins. Beyond pricing, Scott also breaks down the latest annual changes to Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees, a crucial factor for any seller looking to maintain profitability. Understand how these fee adjustments directly affect your operational costs and how to adapt your business strategy accordingly. Plus, Scot analyzes new data on Buy Box wins, revealing that nearly 40% of products now see multiple sellers sharing this coveted spot. Discover the key factors, including shipping speed and price competitiveness, that influence Buy Box rotation. Finally, get exclusive insights into Amazon's global revenue breakdown, with a deep dive into the US market's dominance, offering strategic opportunities for expansion.   Episode Notes: 00:10 - Overview of dead zones in Amazon pricing 01:36 - Impact of Amazon FBA Fees 02:30 - Dead Zone Pricing Insights 04:38 - Importance of FBA Fee Structures 06:38 - Multi-Seller Buy Box Dynamics 08:41 - International Amazon Market Insights   Related Post: Amazon FBA Fees Have Increased 50-200%—Here’s How It’s Changed Over the Years   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

E-commerce & Channel Strategy Expert Kara Babb from High Tide Commerce joins Scott to dissect the e-commerce landscape. From navigating Amazon's vendor system to building brand strategies and launching her consultancy, Kara shares unique perspectives. Learn how viral events impact sales, how to manage brand media, and the challenges of implementing e-commerce strategies in large corporations. She also shares her framework to unlock growth, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration and the importance of focusing on business outcomes. Discover how Amazon influences broader business strategies and gain actionable insights for navigating the complexities of multi-channel sales in today's digital age.   Episode Notes: 00:30 - Kara Babb Introduction 01:55 - Kara’s Journey in E-Commerce 03:00 - The Vendor Experience at Amazon 04:28 - Transition to Brand Side 06:55 - Brand Media Management 07:32 - The Role of Viral Events 10:10 - Working with Agencies 10:37 - Organizational Dynamics in Large Corporations 14:28 - Key Insights for Unlocking Growth 18:05 - Streamlining Brand Strategy 19:04 - Importance of Cross-Functional Collaboration 20:25 - Navigating Multiple Channels 23:20 - The Dual Nature of Amazon 25:50 - Why Amazon is Not the Solution for Everything 27:00 - Biggest Barriers and Impacts to Conversion 28:43 - Strategizing and Prioritizing   Website: www.hightidecommerce.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karababb   Related Post: Amazon Marketplace Sellers: A Look at Seller Counts and Revenue Performance   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

From Amazon's explosive growth to its evolving policies, this episode covers everything you need to know about the Buy Box. Scott explores how shipping speeds and location impact Buy Box ownership, introduces a groundbreaking new tool for regional analysis, and offers strategic recommendations for large brands and resellers. Scott also touches on Amazon vs. TikTok Shop/Shopify and the latest reimbursement policy changes. Don't miss out on these crucial insights! Listen now and start dominating the Amazon Buy Box. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Winning the Amazon Buy Box 01:51 - Insights on Amazon's Growth 05:05 - Amazon's Policy Changes 09:10 - Buy Box Dynamics 10:20 - New Tool Introduction 13:22 - Implications for Large Brands and Resellers 13:41 - Strategic Recommendations 16:00 - SmartScout iPhone App     Related Post: Stop Losing Sales: Introducing the Buy Box Map for Amazon Sellers   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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  

Revolutionize your Amazon strategy with SmartScout’s Buy Box Map! Discover who's winning the buy box in each state, at what price, and how fast they're shipping. Learn how FBA, FBM sellers, 1P Vendors, and resellers can leverage this data to optimize shipping, improve conversions, and uncover hidden arbitrage opportunities. See how wildly products can vary across states and leverage this data for explosive growth. Plus, get an exclusive discount code!   Episode Notes:   00:20 - New Mapping Feature Developed for SmartScout 01:43 - The Buy Box Map and Its Unique Capabilities 02:24 - Practical Application of the Buy Box Map 04:25 - Impact on Selling Strategy 06:11 - Conversion Rate Dynamics 07:28 - Logistics and Fulfillment Insights 08:15 - How to Leverage The Buy Box Map for Analysis and Decision-Making 09:58 - Future Enhancements and Use Cases 10:24 - Reflections on the launch of an innovative tool   Coupon Code: BuyBoxMap   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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

Join host Scott as he sits down with Uri Rahimi, a serial entrepreneur whose diverse ventures span the worlds of e-commerce, manufacturing, and software development. From humble beginnings flipping iPhones in high school to building a multi-million dollar wall decor brand, Uri’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of opportunity. In this episode, we delve into Uri's journey, exploring his early forays into Amazon selling, the challenges of scaling a physical product business, and the strategic decision to open his printing facility in Miami. Uri shares invaluable insights from navigating the complexities of manufacturing, including his experiences at global trade shows and firsthand observations of production processes in China. Tune in to discover how diversification can create unexpected synergies between seemingly unrelated businesses, the strategic advantages of manufacturing your product line, and the importance of embracing the learning process inherent in every entrepreneurial journey. Episode notes: 00:17 - Uri Rahimi Introduction 02:00 - Uri Early Ventures in High School 04:00 - Entrance into Amazon and First Brand 06:00 - Learning from China and Import Challenges 06:25 - Scaling the Business 07:25 - Product Research 07:55 - Increasing Conversion Rate 10:45 - Number of SKUs Created and Removed 11:41 -  Reaching 7 Figures 12:00 - Uri Continued Interest and Involvement in Software Development 16:30 - Vertical Integration and Becoming a Manufacturer 17:55 - Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges 18:34 - Expansion to Print-On-Demand 20:45 - Technological Limitations and Innovations 26:15 - Artelo Specialization 29:07 - Seller Utilities 30:20 - Value of Having SQP Reports 32:35 - The Keepa Model 34:50 - What’s Next for Uri? 36:23 - Beating China 37:22 - The Platform Risk 39:05 - The Future of Amazon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-rahimi/ Related Posts: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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

Boost your Amazon business without breaking the bank! Scott explores an array of free tools that can transform your selling strategy on Amazon. From price trackers such as  Keepa to innovative solutions such as Veeqo's profitability analyzer — there’s something for every seller looking to maximize profits while minimizing costs.   Episode Notes: 00:10 - Best Free Tools Overview 03:00 - David Zimmerman's curated list of free tools (@ddzim) 04:19 - Profit Analyzer: Veeqo 05:35 - PPC: Advance 06:45 - Search Query Performance: Amazon Seller Central 07:42 - Product Opportunity Explorer: Amazon Seller Central 09:07 - Sales Estimator: JungleScout 09:48 - FBA Calculators: Profit Guru, Jungle Scout, Amazon FBA Calculator 10:13 - Exploding Topics: SmartScout 10:55 - Google Trends 12:34 - Amazon Seller Map: SmartScout 13:52 - Price Tracker: Keepa Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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 takes a deep dive into the evolving Amazon marketplace to determine whether it still offers the same potential for success as it once did. From shifting trends in product sourcing and search traffic to the challenges of launching new private-label products, he explores sellers' strategies to thrive despite increasing competition and changing policies. He also tackles many sellers' pain points, such as account suspensions, bundling complexities, and changes to Amazon’s reimbursement policies. As Amazon continues to grow, so do the opportunities for partnerships and expansion. However, the platform’s rapid evolution comes with growing pains, and he discusses how sellers can navigate these challenges while staying profitable. Join Scott as he uncovers what it takes to succeed on Amazon in 2025 and beyond.   Episode Notes:   01:30 - Marketplace Pulse Year in Review 05:20 - Amazon Haul 06:15 - Starting a New Private Label Product 07:05 - Increase in Section 3 Suspensions 09:15 - Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) 10:40 - Exceptions on Bundles 12:40 - Jungle Scout and Helium 10 Search Traffic 14:20 - Alibaba to Amazon Search Volume 15:40 - Amazon Fees not Going Up 16:15 - Amazon Business Growing 17:10 - Growing Pains of Amazon 17:30 - Amazon Partnerships 17:55 - Amazon Reimbursement Policy 18:55 - Next Podcast Topics   Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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 John Aspinall from PickFu after a two-month hiatus on guests. Unlock the secrets to eye-catching Amazon listings and skyrocket your sales with John and learn how non-designers can create compelling product images that drive clicks and conversions on Amazon. John breaks down the key differences between graphic and merchandising designers, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through "hero" images to boost click-through rates. He also highlights how China's advancements in merchandising are challenging U.S. sellers and shares strategies to stay competitive. Packed with actionable insights, this episode covers innovative tactics for showcasing products effectively while adhering to Amazon’s guidelines. Tune in now to transform your listings and make your products stand out! Episode Notes: 01:30 - John Aspinall Introduction 03:00 - Graphic Designer vs Merchandising Designer 06:30 - The Clickthrough Rate Comeback 08:30 - Best Practices on Merchandising 14:10 - Optimizing for Humans and Bots 15:10 - Designing Product Images 19:45 - The Image Guidelines 22:20 - Seasonal Merchandising 24:40 - The Risk/Rewards of Merchandising Experiments LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaspinall Website: AmazonCTR.com | pickfu.com Related Post: 7 Pro Amazon Listing Optimization Tips to Send Your Sales Soaring   Email: scott@smartscout.com 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