The Ecomcrew Ecommerce Podcast

In this episode, Gary Huang is on to discuss 3 potential predictions for the future of e-commerce within the next three years. Gary and I touch on topics like globalization, the impact of AI, and the potential return of aggregators while emphasizing how important it is to start moving manufacturing out of China.  Struggling with tariffs? Unsure about upcoming changes? Let’s talk! With Portless, you only pay tariffs after your customers pay you - so your cash always moves faster than your costs. Schedule a risk assessment and leverage tariff deferment today. All new customers get $1,000 to reinvest in their business.  Big Takeaways Globalization is shifting towards a model that may exclude China. AI will significantly impact businesses, potentially leading to many closures. Aggregators in e-commerce are predicted to return with a focus on credible brands. New challenges often give way to new opportunity. New marketplaces present opportunities for sellers to expand beyond Amazon US. YouTube has the opportunity to become a major competitor to Amazon in retail. Diversification away from Amazon is crucial for long-term success. The current economic climate creates both challenges and opportunities for e-commerce. AI tools can enhance efficiency but may also threaten traditional business models. Timestamps 00:00 - E-commerce Predictions and Global Sentiment 02:57 - Globalization 2.0: The Future of Manufacturing 05:50 - The Impact of AI on Business Survival 08:59 - The Return of Aggregators in E-commerce 12:09 - New Market Opportunities Amidst Uncertainty 15:02 - YouTube as Amazon's Biggest Competitor 17:57 - The Seven Figure Seller Summit and Future Trends Gary, thanks for joining us on the podcast today. It was great having you on to talk about your upcoming event and some of your predictions for e-commerce in the future!  If you're interested in 7 Figure Seller Summit which will be held on April 22 - 24th, you can get your limited time Free Pass by clicking on this link.     

Join Mike and Aymeric as they dive into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. They highlight the vital roles of luck and tenacity while sharing personal tales of success and failure. Discover the pitfalls of 'shiny object syndrome' and the importance of balance between innovation and focus. The duo also discusses the transformative power of outsourcing and efficient delegation, revealing how these strategies lead to improved work-life balance. If you’re reconsidering your e-commerce path, this conversation offers eye-opening insights!

Navigating the pressures of rising tariffs, the discussion centers on five strategic approaches to minimize their impact. DDP shipping shifts risk from you to suppliers, while diversifying sales channels can help maintain profit margins. Negotiating discounts with suppliers offers an effective way to cushion the financial blow. Exploring manufacturing options in Canada and Mexico could significantly reduce tariff expenses. Above all, adapting to the evolving business landscape may reveal new opportunities for growth.

Chris Davey, an e-commerce entrepreneur and founder of FBA4U, drops valuable insights on product sourcing and development. He shares his journey of organizing networking events at the Canton Fair, emphasizing the critical role of relationships in navigating sourcing in China. The conversation navigates challenges like safety concerns, travel logistics, and the importance of factory visits. Chris also discusses strategies for creating accessories that capitalize on popular brands, highlighting the need for differentiation and being a first mover in the competitive market.

In this episode, Dave interviews Steve Chou, who shares his journey of growing his YouTube channel from virtually nothing to over 400,000 subscribers in just a 2 to 3 years. We discuss the biggest ways you can make creating video content for e-commerce easier, the importance of SEO, and the differences between short-form and long-form video content.  In this episode, Steve emphasizes the significance of watch time in video ranking and shares his strategies to engage audiences effectively. Finally, Steve shares what's in store for the upcoming Seller Summit, happening on May 6th. Need funding for your Canadian Amazon business? Not sure if you should use a Canadian corporation or U.S. LLC to form your company? We'll cover these questions and more in our new course, Start and Grow Your FBA Business as a Canadian. Get early access now!  Want to learn more about video from experts, or learn about new strategies for Amazon? Seller Summit covers everything content creation and e-commerce at Fort Lauderdale, Florida this May 6th. Check out Seller Summit here!  The Big Takeaways Starting with reading blog posts out can help ease into video. Joining a YouTube mastermind group was a turning point for Steve. A "hook" in the first 30 seconds are crucial for engagement. Watch time is a key factor in YouTube SEO. Short form videos can attract a wider audience quickly, which could be useful for brand awareness. Your video content should align with audience interests to avoid confusion from the algorithm. "Social selling" is becoming increasingly important for e-commerce. Faceless content creation is possible but requires a personal touch to get a "human" element in your content. Building a subscriber base through contests or giveaways can be effective. Video content takes time to gain traction. Short-form videos can be chopped up from long video content, which contributes to a broader content strategy. Consistency in content creation is key to success. Investing in good audio equipment is the bare minimum for good videos. Thumbnails with very exaggerated facial expressions can increase click-through rates. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 05:07 - Steve's Journey to YouTube Success 10:01 - Content Creation Strategies 14:58 - Short Form vs Long Form Video 19:52 - Building a YouTube Channel for E-commerce 20:45 - Creating Stories with AI 24:20 - Faceless Content Creation in E-commerce 28:10 - Launching a YouTube Channel for E-commerce 30:57 - The Power of Video in E-commerce 32:23 - Essential Equipment for Video Creation 35:20 - Thumbnail Tips for Higher Click-Through Rates 37:09 - Overview of Seller Summit 2025 Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Tanya Huang, an entrepreneur and founder of a successful silicone ring business featured on Dragon's Den, shares her journey in e-commerce. She discusses the power of customization in standing out among competitors and contrasts Etsy's unique, personalized shopping experience against Amazon’s efficiency-focused model. Tanya highlights Etsy's recent sales trends and the challenges of navigating customization on both platforms. She also reflects on her reality TV experience, offering insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in a competitive e-commerce landscape.

Dave breaks down the huge fee increases for the Amazon Warehousing and Distribution program that takes effect on April 1st, 2025. He talks about the changes in warehousing and distribution fees, specifically on how much the fees have increased from previous iterations.  Need funding for your Canadian Amazon business? Not sure if you should use a Canadian corporation or U.S. LLC to form your company? We'll cover these questions and more in our Start and Grow Your FBA Business as a Canadian Webinar on March 12th, 10am PST! Today's episode is sponsored by Autron. Maximize your ROI with Autron’s real-time algorithmic bidding, optimizing every ad dollar for smarter spending and higher returns. Start optimizing today and get 30% off for 3 months!   Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) was one of the biggest programs that Amazon introduced in 2022, and pushed a lot of sellers into using AWD by increasing prices on the FBA side of inventory.    Back then, it seemed like an attractive alternative because of the low prices despite the shove to get everyone into the program.    That is until today where Amazon announced a fee increase to the AWD program in the most confusing way possible.    Luckily, Dave is here to break it all down for us and how these fees impact your e-commerce business.  Big Takeaways Amazon is increasing fees starting April 1st, 2025. The fee increase is not like previous fee announcements; they've given sellers only three weeks notice. AWD storage fees will increase by 20%. Amazon has changed the name of their "integrated rate" to "smart storage rate". To qualify for the smart storage rate, 70 days of inventory is required. Processing fees will increase from $2.50 to $2.70 per box. Transportation fees will rise from $1.00 to $1.15 per cubic foot. Overall, expect a 15-20% increase in fees. Amazon's tactics make it hard to plan for these increases. Sellers need to increase prices to maintain margins. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Amazon Fee Increases 03:12 - Understanding the New AWD Fees 05:51 - Impact of Storage Fee Changes 09:10 - Processing and Transportation Fee Adjustments 11:03 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

In this episode, Dave interviews John LeBaron, the Chief Revenue Officer of Pattern.com, the biggest third party seller on Amazon. They discuss Pattern's unique business model and how they help brands grow their presence on e-commerce platforms. The episode covers the importance of unit economics, advertising strategies, and how you can use AI to analyse your competition.  Today's episode is sponsored by Autron. Maximize your ROI with Autron’s real-time algorithmic bidding, optimizing every ad dollar for smarter spending and higher returns. Start optimizing today and get 30% off for 3 months! The Big Takeaways Pattern operates as an accelerator, not a traditional DTC brand, helping brands manage their inventory and online presence. Unit economics are crucial for brands looking to partner with Pattern. Advertising strategies significantly influence organic ranking on Amazon. Pattern leverages patented AI technology to improve conversion rates and predict organic ranking. The company manages over 300 brands, focusing on their growth. Off-Amazon marketing strategies are essential for brand success. Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Pattern: The Biggest Amazon Seller 03:02 - Understanding Pattern's Unique Business Model 06:01 - The Role of Accelerators vs. Aggregators 08:59 - Expanding Brand Presence Across Marketplaces 11:50 - Target Demographics: Brands Seeking Help 15:09 - Unit Economics: What Matters for Brands? 18:06 - Advertising Strategies and Organic Ranking 21:01 - Off-Amazon Marketing Strategies 24:04 - Leveraging AI for E-commerce Success 26:59 - Improving Conversion Rates Through Data 29:52 - Future Innovations and Conclusion Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Steve Churchill, an airline pilot and entrepreneur behind Urban Worm Company, shares his journey from military service to building a profitable vermicomposting business. He discusses how he manages a full-time job while growing a lifestyle brand, emphasizing the significance of work-life balance over rapid growth. Steve also highlights the value of niche markets and customer education in creating loyalty, alongside the importance of cash flow management for sustainable success. His insights blend passion with practical business strategies.

Jeff Oxford, a seasoned SEO expert, shares invaluable insights for e-commerce sellers looking to harness the power of Google Shopping. He explains how these listings go beyond ads, emphasizing the significant impact of domain authority and backlinks on rankings. Jeff advocates for diversifying away from Amazon and optimizing product listings with effective images and titles. He also discusses the growing influence of genuine product reviews and offers tips on navigating Google's recent algorithm updates, positioning sellers for greater visibility and success.