AM/PM Podcast

Ex-Amazon insider Kara Babb shares how to use social media, branding, and AI to build unforgettable brands and drive real emotional connections with customers. Kara Babb, a former Amazon vendor manager, joins us to unravel the complexities of branding in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape. Drawing from her rich experience, Kara emphasizes the necessity of an omnichannel strategy, highlighting how sustainable brand success relies heavily on building a presence both on and off Amazon. She shares her insights on the significance of external traffic and creative brand awareness campaigns, with compelling examples like Poppy and BirdBuddy, to show how they can create sales surges and foster growth in the competitive market. Our exploration takes a fascinating turn as we examine BirdBuddy's innovative use of TikTok to capture the millennial and Gen Z audience, uncovering how creative content strategies can lead to explosive viral success. We discuss the hurdles platforms like Amazon face in the realm of social media, and the cultural barriers that live shopping encounters in the West compared to its success in Asia. Kara provides a nuanced understanding of why companies like Amazon and TikTok sometimes struggle when stepping outside their core competencies, offering a window into the future of digital engagement and consumer interaction. The conversation moves toward the frontier of AI in shopping, where we discuss how platforms like TikTok and AI models are reshaping consumer search behaviors. We introduce the concept of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and its implications for brand strategies, particularly for smaller sellers facing rising costs and international competition. Wrapping up, we delve into how brands like Scrub Daddy, Apple, and Chanel create deep emotional connections with their customers, emphasizing the power of brand identity to transcend mere transactions and maintain a lasting presence in consumers' lives. In episode 447 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Kara discuss: 00:00 - Branding and Social Media Strategy for E-commerce 01:59 - 1P & 3P Consulting Experience at Amazon 06:52 - Understanding the Concept of Branding for Amazon Sellers 09:45 - Bridging E-Commerce and Branding With Social 13:32 - TikTok Marketing and E-Commerce Insights 14:49 - Utilizing TikTok Trends for Business Success 18:47 - Cultural Differences in Live Shopping 28:13 - AI and Shopping Integration in AILMs (46 Seconds) 34:17 - Future of Social Media and TikTok 35:11 - Building Brand Affinity and Community Engagement 39:10 - The Value of Branding in Selling Online 45:32 - Kevin King's Words of Wisdom

Danny McMillan, an Amazon thought leader and host of Seller Sessions, dives into the evolution of e-commerce dynamics. He discusses the importance of adapting event formats for enhanced learning and networking. The conversation highlights the competitive agency landscape, emphasizing the necessity for differentiation and understanding customer objections. McMillan also shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing the industry, focusing on the need for sellers to stay informed and embrace technological advancements for optimization.

Palak Raniwala, a dynamic Amazon seller, skyrocketed her business from $1.5 million to $5 million in just five months. She shares her transformative journey, emphasizing the power of storytelling in marketing and the importance of community support. Learn about her innovative networking experiences at Market Masters, strategies for effective cash flow management, and the art of product line expansion in home linen. Palak's insights on outsourcing and brand presentation are invaluable for anyone looking to thrive in e-commerce.

Vanessa Hung, an expert in Amazon flat files and backend processes, shares her inspiring journey from Venezuela to becoming a leader in the Amazon-selling community. She discusses the importance of mastering flat files for optimizing listings and navigating backend challenges. Vanessa emphasizes the impact of virtual communities like Clubhouse during the pandemic and highlights the underrepresentation of women in technical Amazon roles. Her insights empower sellers to maintain catalog integrity and effectively manage their e-commerce presence.

Oana Padurariu, a PPC and SEO strategist and expert in Amazon's advertising ecosystem, offers intriguing insights into the world of e-commerce. She shares her journey from Romania to specializing in Amazon’s AI tools, discussing the synergy of PPC and SEO. Oana explores Amazon's cutting-edge AI technologies that enhance customer engagement and optimize listings. The conversation covers the shift from keyword-based strategies to intent-based marketing, emphasizing the importance of AI in personalizing shopping experiences and boosting conversion rates.

Rob Hahn, Chief Operating Officer of Pattern and former Amazon executive, shares insider secrets to e-commerce success. He reveals three essential strategies for brands to thrive on Amazon without losing control. Delve into how advanced logistics and AI are revolutionizing the marketplace, including insights from Amazon's trajectory in building its own delivery system. Rob also discusses the blend of tech investment and operational mastery essential for scaling businesses today. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to dominate the e-commerce landscape!

Kate Bray, an inspiring entrepreneur who transitioned from nursing to e-commerce, shares her journey of launching a groundbreaking women’s health product. She discusses the innovative strategies that helped her achieve impressive early sales, including leveraging TikTok for marketing and pre-orders through Shopify. Kate dives into the importance of addressing taboo health issues and connecting with consumers on a personal level. Additionally, she highlights the challenges of fostering a vibrant remote company culture while navigating the dynamic landscape of e-commerce.

Pat O’Neill, an e-commerce veteran managing Amazon accounts for brands like Zesty Paws, shares his extraordinary journey from retail arbitrage to a 9-figure business. He discusses essential lessons in branding and financial management while navigating the pet supplement market's challenges. The importance of building genuine relationships with consumers and leveraging AI for enhanced branding is highlighted. Pat also emphasizes the emotional commitments pet owners make, revealing how this impacts market growth and marketing strategies.

Learn how to scale your Amazon business with systemization! Michal Specian shares insights on hiring, building processes, and growing beyond the $1M mark. Don’t miss this episode! Join us as we explore the Amazon seller journey of Michal Specian, who transformed his initial $5,000 investment into a thriving eight-figure brand. Michal shares his experiences of overcoming language barriers while attending university in Prague, launching his first Amazon product in the US sports category, and partnering with Miles to create a successful kitchen and dining brand. Discover how their Czech-inspired glassware brand expanded into European markets, utilizing Amazon's Pan-EU program, and learn about the strategies Michal employed for systemization, team building, and scaling his business effectively. As we shift focus, Michal reflects on his post-exit experiences and future strategies, highlighting the lessons learned from finalizing a business deal in the Canary Islands. Hear about his transition from the Amazon business model to consulting on internal operations, leveraging his background in economics and systems thinking. We discuss the evolving landscape of launching an e-commerce brand today and the importance of diversifying sales channels beyond Amazon. This chapter provides valuable insights into maintaining negotiation leverage and strategically selling a business. Finally, we explore transformative business mindsets and the future of AI in business. Michal emphasizes the importance of working on your business rather than in it, sharing tips on systemization, mindset shifts, and delegation. Listen as we discuss how AI is reshaping business operations, with potential applications in customer service and logistics, and how it can enhance productivity and efficiency. With practical strategies for systemizing businesses and insights into the exciting potential of AI, this episode offers a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs aiming for growth and operational freedom. In episode 439 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Michal discuss: 00:00 - Amazon Seller's Journey to 8-Figure Exit 02:23 - E-Commerce Experience and Launch Location 05:52 - Successful Sale to Aggregator Bid War 08:08 - Post-Exit Reflections and Future Strategies 12:42 - Evolving E-Commerce Brand Strategy 16:16 - Prioritizing Balance and Enjoyment in Business 21:35 - Transforming Business Mindsets and Systems 26:21 - Role of Supply Chain Manager in Business 30:00 - eCommerce Hiring Challenges and Strategies 32:36 - The Future of AI in Business 39:08 - Global Success Stories in E-Commerce 40:41 - Business Growth and Systemization Strategies 42:21 - Motivating Through the Growth Process 46:13 - Kevin King's Words of Wisdom

Geek out on Amazon PPC with Mike Frekey! Learn data-driven ad strategies, AI’s impact on advertising, and tips for optimizing campaigns to boost your Amazon sales. 🚀 Amazon advertising expert Mike Frekey takes center stage in this episode, sharing his wealth of experience from Amazon PPC agency industry leaders like IGG and Perch. His journey through the world of Amazon advertising for over 100 brands underscores the importance of data over creativity in crafting successful strategies. Mike details the collaborative efforts with data scientists at Perch to create robust advertising campaigns using sponsored products, brands, and display ads, all while emphasizing the crucial role of numbers in spotting growth opportunities and fine-tuning advertising efforts. Listeners will gain invaluable insights into the meticulous process of auditing Amazon accounts to spotlight top-selling products and optimize ad spend across various types and placements. Mike breaks down the significance of understanding conversion rates and differentiating between brand and non-brand targets to maximize incremental sales potential. By utilizing brand analytics and search query performance data, he highlights how to effectively assess market positioning and address product issues that may impact performance more than the advertising strategies themselves. Adding a forward-looking dimension, Mike explores the evolving landscape of Amazon's PPC offerings and the burgeoning role of AI in advertising. He shares his enthusiasm for Amazon Marketing Cloud audiences and budding avenues like sponsored TV, while candidly pointing out challenges such as audience targeting limitations and conversion tracking hurdles. Wrapping up, Mike imparts strategic wisdom on launching products on Amazon, from risk management to harnessing social proof, illustrating how to use Amazon's first-party data for long-term success. This episode promises a comprehensive look at mastering the art of Amazon advertising, all seasoned with Mike's unique insights and expertise. In episode 438 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Mike discuss: 00:00 - Data Nerd's Amazon Advertising Strategies 02:39 - Amazon Marketing Strategies and Data Analysis 06:11 - Agency Age and Automation vs. Humans 09:03 - Analyzing Amazon Advertising Strategies 12:26 - Gender-Specific Product Line Analysis 16:33 - Amazon PPC Strategies and Attribution Challenges 18:40 - Amazon Bid Boosting Challenges 25:06 - Campaign Monitoring and Analysis Priorities 27:33 - Impact of AI on Amazon Advertising 29:15 - Future of AI in Amazon Advertising 31:41 - AI Transformation in Workforce 35:38 - Amazon Algorithm 39:31 - Amazon Advertising Launch Strategy Tips 41:59 - Product Reviews for Amazon Success 47:15 - Networking and Event Promotion on LinkedIn 48:30 - Kevin King's Words of Wisdom