eComCatalyst - Selling on Amazon FBA and e-Commerce

Reading Time: 7 minutes Every Amazon seller knows that product reviews can make or break a launch. Over the past year, Amazon Vine has become one of the hottest tools for quickly gathering that all-important social proof. Last year, a video about Amazon Vine on the eComCatalyst channel took off—and not just among sellers. Actual Vine reviewers jumped into the discussion, offering fresh insights from the other side of the process. Why was that such a big deal? The Amazon Vine program has always been a little mysterious, especially for those who aren’t in it. In 2024, Vine underwent important changes that set the stage for an even bigger shift in 2025. Both sellers and reviewers have seen the rules rewritten, from how reviews are collected to who can participate and how the process is taxed. This post covers everything you need to know about Amazon Vine in 2025—from new features for sellers, to how reviewers get chosen, to practical tips and big warnings. Whether you sell on Amazon or want to become a Vine reviewer, there’s a lot you need to know this year. Here’s what you’ll learn: Amazon Vine 2025 updates for sellers: New “pre-launch” reviews, pricing details, and eligibility rules The Vine reviewer experience, including how to get invited and the truth about product “taxes” Best strategies for getting the most from Vine, fixing your listing early, and protecting your launch Watch the full update here: Amazon Vine’s Popularity and the Big 2025 Updates Last year’s Amazon Vine video surprised everyone. It was meant for sellers, but it took on a life of its own as Vine reviewers from the Voice of the Vine program joined in. The back-and-forth revealed not only how sellers use Vine, but what reviewers really think about the process. Why does this matter now? In 2025, Amazon rolled out a wave of changes for Vine. Sellers have powerful new ways to get reviews, while reviewers face new tax consequences and selection rules. Amazon Vine 2025 brings: Pre-launch reviews (get reviews before your product goes live) Expanded eligibility (more sellers can now enroll) Updated pricing (clearer, tiered costs) Transparent tax reporting for reviewers These updates give sellers faster feedback and stronger launches, but also come with extra steps to get it right. Let’s dive into what this means for your Amazon business—and what reviewers should know. What’s New for Amazon Sellers in Vine for 2025 The New Era: Pre-Launch Reviews for Stronger Product Launches In the past, sellers hit a wall during launch week. You’d send inventory to FBA, turn your listing live, and hope for early reviews. But for weeks, you’d be stuck with no reviews—no social proof at all. Amazon Vine 2025 changes everything: Now, you can invite Vine reviewers to claim and review your product before your product listing ever goes live. Build your listing, send inventory to FBA, enroll in Vine, but don’t activate the listing yet. Vine reviewers can now claim your products and start writing reviews. When your listing goes live, up to 30 reviews can be published on day one. Think of it as launching your product with a crowd already cheering for you. No more naked listings—that awkward phase where no one wants to buy something with zero reviews. Key benefits of pre-launch Vine reviews: Immediate social proof the moment your product launches The chance to spot listing errors or product flaws before the public sees them Improved early conversion rates and ad performance Here’s a quick comparison of the old vs new Vine process: StepOld Vine (Pre-2025)New Vine (2025)When reviews startAfter your listing is liveBefore your listing goes liveTime to first reviews2-8 weeksReviews ready on launch dayLaunch with reviews?Usually 0 reviews day oneUp to 30 reviews on day oneSocial proof early?NoYesEarly issue detection?No, too late to fixYes, can fix before launch No more cold starts, no more wasted ad dollars on review-less listings. Summary of seller benefits: Up to 30 reviews live at launch Higher conversion rates from day one Fewer product launch failures Better ad efficiency Early warnings so you can pause, fix, or pull a risky launch before spending big The Data: Reviews Boost Conversion and PPC Performance Numbers don’t lie. Listings with reviews convert up to 270% better than those without. The cold start problem—burning through PPC dollars trying to get those first few sales with no reviews—has killed too many launches. Best practices for seller launches with Vine: Sync your Vine enrollment so that reviews start flowing just as you launch PPC ads. Double-check your listing: great images, clear bullet points, and correct details matter. Use Vine for your most important products—especially those in high-trust categories. Avoid enrolling products if you haven’t resolved known product problems. Act fast on negative pre-launch feedback; fix or scrap before exposing your product to the wider public. Expanded Eligibility: Who Can Use Vine in 2025? Previously, only

Reading Time: 6 minutes If you feel like the e-commerce world just hit fast-forward, you’re not alone. A few months ago, everyone seemed frozen, stuck in a cycle of wait-and-see. Now, with Q4 right around the corner, it’s like someone flipped a switch! The message is loud and clear: it’s go time. Supply chains are moving, brands are jumping in, and opportunity is knocking (loud enough to drown out any lingering doubts). E-Commerce’s 2025 Momentum Shift: From Hesitation to Go Time For much of this year, uncertainty made decision making feel like walking on marbles—lots of precarious steps, not much traction. Hesitation reigned as tariffs, inflation, and oddball supply chain issues put everyone in wait mode. But that fog is clearing. Suddenly, brands are waking up to the ticking Q4 clock, and momentum is building. If you’re feeling the urge to move, you’re now in very good company. What Slowed Us All Down? Tariffs, Logistics, and Anxiety Let’s call it what it was: market weirdness. Tariffs threw product costs up in the air. Shipping took on a life of its own (sometimes even your containers seemed to take the scenic route). Everyone watched and waited, myself included. As a brand owner, I dragged my feet on reorders, worried about unpredictability. There was this shared sense of “Maybe now isn’t the time.” But that waiting game cost precious time. The Market Finds Its Footing: Momentum Is Back If you’re feeling FOMO when you see brands moving fast, it’s justified. Our calendar at eComCatalyst went from tumbleweeds to packed with strategy calls and account launches. In just a week, we brought on more new e-commerce management clients than we did all last month. The energy is back. Brands that waited last year learned their lesson—this time, no one wants to be left behind. Running an Agency When Things Get Tough: A Reality Check Let’s get real: I’ve felt the market’s pain too. There were weeks when it seemed everyone was glued to the news instead of planning for Q4. We felt every bit of that pause at Ecom Catalyst. But sharing the tough parts helps build trust. If you feel behind, you’re in good company—I’ve been there, and it’s normal for even seasoned pros to get caught out. Move Now…Or Miss Q4: Why Timing Is Everything Q4 comes at you fast. Here’s what happens if you wait too long: Order inventory in August: Likely receives it late September, maybe October October arrivals? Risky. It leaves little breathing room for missed shipments or stockouts. Peak sales? November through December. If you’re late, you’re watching from the sidelines. Acting now is your ticket into the Q4 show. Delay, and it’s like showing up after the lights come on and everyone’s counting their receipts. Say Goodbye to Paralysis by Analysis Let’s give “paralysis by analysis” the boot. It’s just fear in disguise, backed up by a calendar. The world is full of reasons to wait—tariffs, logistics, “will my product even arrive before Black Friday?” Forget perfect timing! Instead, keep these in mind: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. The best time to act was months ago. The second best time is now. Let those quotes marinate. Then, get moving. If You’re Still Waiting: The Clock Is Ticking Still figuring out your move? Every day you wait, that Q4 window gets a little smaller. Here’s the truth: momentum favors the bold right now. The brands that show up ready win. The ones that hesitate don’t just miss out—they get left behind. Your Secret Q4 Weapon: Ecom Catalyst as a Growth Partner If the idea of handling Q4 alone makes your eye twitch, you’re not alone! At Ecom Catalyst, our team helps brand owners and manufacturers with: Full account management for Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and more Strategy calls to refine your plan and squash doubts Data-driven actions to boost profits and growth Book early—our calendar fills fast when everyone hits panic mode in August! What Full Account Management Means for Your Brand Our agency’s full account management is like getting an all-star team for your business. Here’s what we handle: Product listings that convert (no more sketchy bullets or missing A+) Inventory management that keeps you in stock Strategic marketplace planning—pricing, promo, placement Paid ads and sponsored product strategy to drive traffic Scale-up systems that grow with you Hand us the keys, and we’ll help you focus on running your brand, not scrambling on the backend. Fast Track Your Q4 with One-on-One Consulting Need a strategy tune-up in a hurry? We offer quick-hit 30- or 60-minute consulting calls. This is perfect when you need: A sanity check on inventory planning Help refining your ad budget for holiday sales Real talk about tariffs and what moves actually matter A strategy session now can save you weeks (and a lot of headaches) later. Ecom Catalyst on YouTube: No Fluff, Just Real-World E-Commerce Insights Every week (life-permitting!), our YouTube channel serves up honest e-commerce tips—no filter, no filler. Get: Amazon F

Reading Time: 5 minutes Growing your sales on Amazon sometimes seems complicated, but every so often, a simple tool can make a huge difference. Virtual bundles let you increase your average order value and boost revenue without adding new products or overhauling your catalog. In this post, we’ll walk through how Fred McKinnon and the team at eComCatalyst used Amazon’s Virtual Bundle feature to add $24,000 in client revenue in just a few months—and how you can use this approach to grow your own Amazon business. Understanding Amazon Virtual Bundles Amazon sellers are always looking for ways to increase their cart size without making customers jump through hoops. Virtual bundles do exactly that, letting you group two or more products together as a single offer, which shoppers can add to their cart with one click. Let’s break down what this means, who can use it, and why it’s such a smart strategy today. What Are Virtual Bundles on Amazon? A virtual bundle is a grouping of two to five items listed for sale together, but—unlike traditional product bundles—there’s no special packaging or new SKU to prep. The shopper sees an option to buy these items as a bundle right on the product detail page. When purchased, Amazon simply pulls the items from existing warehouse inventory and ships them together. This eliminates the need for manual kitting or creating a new UPC. On the customer end, it’s seamless—they see a great deal and can add everything to their cart at once. Eligibility Requirements for Virtual Bundles To create virtual bundles on Amazon, you need to meet a few requirements: Brand Registry: Your brand must be registered with Amazon’s Brand Registry program. That means your brand needs a trademark or a pending trademark application. FBA Fulfillment: All products you wish to bundle must be fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) and physically stocked in their warehouses. Seller Central Access: Bundles are managed within Seller Central, requiring login and access to your brand’s products. For full instructions straight from Amazon, check out their Virtual Product Bundles support page. How Virtual Bundles Differ from Traditional Bundling Physical bundles require you to assemble products together before shipping them to Amazon. You’d create a new SKU, pick a UPC, prepare custom packaging, and send this pre-packed bundle to the warehouse. With virtual bundles, there’s no physical assembly required. Amazon picks and ships the components as they’re ordered. This means you can test bundles quickly, pivot offerings based on real data, and avoid the extra expense and hassle of kitting. It’s more flexible and much less risky than packing products together ahead of time. Case Study: Achieving $24,000 in Added Revenue with Virtual Bundles Harnessing virtual bundles isn’t just theory—it’s delivered proven results. Fred McKinnon and the team at eComCatalyst helped a client add more than $24,000 in revenue over several months, using virtual bundles in a smart, targeted way. From Strategy to Execution: The Process Overview The strategy starts with clear goals: increase the average order value and overall sales, with minimal operational friction. Here’s how it played out: Analyze Sales Data: Review which products customers frequently buy together using Amazon’s brand analytics and basket analysis tools. Select Products to Bundle: Choose items that make sense to buy as a group (think complementary products, or variations on a theme). Create Virtual Bundles in Seller Central: Build out listings with compelling titles, bullet points, images, and branding. Launch and Monitor: Go live and keep an eye on weekly virtual bundle sales reports emailed by Amazon to track performance. Refine and Expand: After initial success, expand bundle offerings and tweak based on real sales data. The result? Orders almost doubled in average value, with the majority of virtual bundle purchases combining $25 items into $50+ orders—every one a win both for the seller and the shopper. Analyzing Results: AOV Increase and Sales Impact The immediate benefit came in average order value (AOV): with virtual bundles on the product page, customers chose the bundle over a single product more often, nearly doubling AOV in some cases. This led to a surge in total sales. In one report, over $23,000 in sales were directly attributable to virtual bundles, helping the brand keep growing without launching a single new item. While Amazon provides a weekly sales bundle summary via email (not yet in real-time reports), this still allowed eComCatalyst to see the clear impact and optimize bundle offerings for even greater returns. How to Create and Optimize Virtual Bundles in Seller Central Launching your own virtual bundles can take minutes if you’re prepared. Here’s a step-by-step approach: Step-by-Step Setup of a Virtual Bundle Login to Seller Central: Access your Amazon Virtual Bundles dashboard under the “Brands” tab. Select ASINs for the Bundle: Pick at least two (and up to five)

Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’re in the e-commerce business, you already know the importance of finding the right fulfillment service. Today, Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is showing up as a serious competitor to Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). With over 20 years of experience selling on both platforms, I can confidently say Walmart WFS is not just an alternative — in many ways, it’s better than FBA. In this post, I’ll break down five solid reasons why Walmart WFS is better than Amazon FBA. Whether you’re new to selling or a veteran looking to cut costs and streamline operations, you’ll want to pay attention. Understanding the Basics: Walmart WFS vs. Amazon FBA Before jumping straight into the reasons, here’s a quick comparison of how both services work. In both Amazon FBA and Walmart WFS, sellers send their inventory to the respective fulfillment center. From there, the platforms handle storage, packing, and shipping. For Amazon FBA, products have the appeal of being Prime-eligible, which can boost conversions. Similarly, Walmart WFS makes products eligible for Walmart’s 2-day shipping. This high-speed service is perfect for the millions of Walmart customers who are used to fast delivery. Now, let’s dive into why Walmart WFS has an edge over Amazon FBA. 1. Lower Fulfillment Fees (Most of the Time) The first clear advantage of Walmart WFS is lower overall fulfillment fees. Amazon may be competitive on tiny, lightweight items like phone cases, but once you get into products that weigh more than a few ounces, Walmart takes the win. Here’s a quick comparison: For a product that weighs 12-16 oz, Amazon charges $4.75 per order, whereas Walmart only charges $3.45. For a 1-1.5 lb product, Amazon’s rate is $5.69, yet Walmart stays at $4.95. That may not seem like much, but over hundreds or even thousands of orders, those savings stack up fast. When every penny counts, Walmart’s cheaper rates simply make sense. 2. Storage Fees: Consistently Cheaper, Especially During Peak Season Amazon and Walmart charge similar base storage fees throughout the year, with Amazon at around 78 cents and Walmart slightly lower at 75 cents per cubic foot. But here’s where Walmart makes a huge difference — peak season pricing. Amazon’s storage fees explode during the October-December holiday season, jumping from 78 cents to a whopping $2.40 per cubic foot. Walmart, on the other hand, doesn’t jack up its prices. If you get your inventory into Walmart’s warehouses by September 30th, you’ll still pay just 75 cents per cubic foot, even during the holiday rush. No holiday storage price hikes. For sellers focused on maximizing profit, this is a game-changer. 3. No Inbound Placement Fees Amazon makes it complicated and costly to send inventory into their warehouses. You either have to pay for expensive inbound placement fees, or strategically ship products to multiple warehouse locations. This adds money, headache, and time. Walmart WFS couldn’t be any simpler. Just send your inventory to one location, and they take care of the rest. No inbound placement fees. Nothing complicated about where and how to ship products. At Ecom Catalyst, we’ve sent products from our Georgia office to Walmart’s fulfillment center in Florida using FedEx ground, and the whole process was smooth and fast. This factor alone makes Walmart WFS much easier and cheaper for sellers who don’t want the hassle that Amazon routinely creates. 4. Multi-Channel Fulfillment Options Now Available Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) has been a huge selling point for years. You could sell on other platforms like Shopify and still have Amazon fulfill orders for you. Walmart was missing this feature—until now. Walmart WFS now offers multi-channel fulfillment, meaning you can have your Walmart inventory fulfill orders for sales not just from Walmart, but also Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and more. This recent update from Walmart completely erases Amazon’s advantage in this area. The ability to streamline fulfillment across multiple sales platforms makes Walmart WFS the better choice for sellers looking to simplify logistics. Plus, using Walmart instead of Amazon aligns you with a major U.S. retailer growing in marketplace share. 5. Higher Conversion Rates Shoppers trust fulfillment from their favorite marketplace. It’s the difference between a listing that says “ships by Amazon” or “ships by Walmart” versus one that says “ships by XYZ Seller.” Studies show that when your product is fulfilled by Amazon or Walmart, customers are far more likely to complete the purchase. People trust the fast delivery, reliability, and customer service these platforms have built their names on. According to internal reports, Walmart WFS can boost your conversion rate by over 30%. That increased trust translates directly into more sales. Especially with Walmart WFS picking up speed in the market, now’s the best time to take advantage of their growing fulfillment service. Conclu

Reading Time: 4 minutes The New 5 Box Rule and What I Means for Amazon FBA Sellers Amazon just made it harder for FBA sellers—again. Earlier this year, they introduced inbound placement service fees that hit third-party sellers hard. And now, as of September 2024, Amazon has added yet another hurdle with its new “five identical box rule.” This is a game-changer for anyone using Amazon’s FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) service, and it means paying close attention to how you prepare your shipments. Today, I’m breaking down what this new rule means for FBA sellers, how it changes your shipping game, and most importantly, how you can successfully avoid those frustrating inbound placement service fees (IPFs). Stay tuned because you don’t want to miss the details. What Are Inbound Placement Service Fees? If you’re an FBA seller, you’re familiar with the pain of inbound placement service fees (also called IPFs). These extra costs come into play when Amazon splits your shipment across multiple warehouses. They started requiring fees for not following their placement suggestions earlier this year—which was already a headache. Here’s the deal: Amazon wants to spread your inventory across its vast fulfillment network. In theory, it helps them get products to customers faster. For you, it means shipments going to multiple locations. If you don’t follow Amazon’s split shipment plan, they hit you with these inbound placement service fees as a penalty. Most sellers just raise their prices to cover the costs, but there had been workarounds—until now. How the New Five Identical Box Rule Has Changed Everything So, here’s what Amazon dropped on us in September 2024: the new five identical box rule. Before this, you could avoid inbound placement service fees if you agreed to Amazon’s optimized shipment plan, which divided your products across five different warehouses. That sounded fine in theory, but the reality was tricky. You had to make an important decision: Would it be more affordable to send shipments to five locations, or just pay the placement fees and keep it simple? Now, though, it’s even tougher. According to the new rule, if you want to avoid those fees, each shipment has to contain at least five identical boxes—or identical pallets. That means the same items, in the same quantity, in each box. If you’re sending mixed SKUs, it’s almost impossible to meet these requirements without padding your shipment in a weird way or paying those inbound placement service fees. Example of How It Works Let’s say you’re sending 500 units total. Previously, you could send 100 units to each of the five warehouses and dodge the inbound placement fees. Now, under the new rule, you would need to split those 500 units equally across five cases, which would make things complicated—especially if you have mixed SKUs. For instance, if you have different products with varying quantities, Amazon won’t allow you to use an optimized shipping plan unless the number of boxes or pallets with the exact same contents can be divided by five. Yep. It sounds exactly as confusing as it is. The Problem With Cost and Optimized Shipments A big challenge with these inbound placement service fees is cost analysis. Shipping freight to five different locations can be expensive, especially given how Amazon’s warehouses are spread out across the country. You might save money in placement fees, only to lose it on shipping. Take my example: I’m based in Georgia, and often, I have to send shipments all the way to California or Nevada for an “optimized” shipment. The freight cost alone sometimes outweighs what I would have spent just paying the inbound placement service fees to send them to a closer location. You have to weigh the costs of shipping vs. the cost of paying the IPFs. It’s different for every shipment, and it’s just another headache we all have to deal with. My Experience: Testing the New Rule After running into this rule, I decided to put it to the test. I sent a shipment with cartons that had different numbers of items inside. I was unsure whether this would pass Amazon’s new “five identical box rule,” but surprisingly, it did. Here’s why: As long as each SKU in your shipment is present in all five shipment splits and there’s at least one carton with the same quantity as the others, Amazon will approve the shipment as “optimized.” It doesn’t always have to be perfectly divisible by five, but you need to make sure there’s some consistency. When You Should Consider Paying the Inbound Placement Service Fees The fees can feel like a slap in the face, I get it. But sometimes, paying them is actually the smarter move. If you’re shipping lightweight products that don’t cost much to send, paying the placement fees and sending it to fewer locations might save you money in the long run. Remember, the more destinations your shipment has, the more you’ll pay in shipping. Analyze your costs carefully before deciding. The Best Way to Avoid Inbound Plac

Reading Time: 3 minutes Photo by Lennie Schmutz on Unsplash In the competitive world of e-commerce, getting product reviews can be a significant challenge. Many sellers struggle to establish credibility and social proof for their products. One solution that has gained traction is the Amazon Vine program. This blog will explore what Amazon Vine is, how to get involved, and whether it is worth the investment for e-commerce sellers. What is Amazon Vine? Amazon Vine is an exclusive, invitation-only program aimed at providing sellers with access to some of the best product reviewers on the platform. These reviewers, known as Vine Voices, are selected by Amazon based on their reviewing history and helpfulness within the community. The program allows sellers to send free products to Vine Voices in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. How Do You Get Invited to Amazon Vine? While the specifics of how Amazon selects Vine Voices remain a mystery, there are steps potential reviewers can take to increase their chances of being invited. Regularly reviewing products purchased on Amazon and leaving detailed, helpful reviews can put you on Amazon’s radar. The more helpful votes your reviews receive, the more likely you are to be considered for an invitation to join the program. Review every product you purchase. Leave detailed reviews with images and videos. Gain helpful votes on your reviews. Using Amazon Vine as an FBA Seller For sellers, utilizing Amazon Vine can be an effective strategy when launching a new product or revitalizing an existing one. Product reviews are crucial for building social proof and credibility. A product with no reviews can deter potential buyers, whereas a product with multiple positive reviews can significantly increase sales. When launching a product, sellers can enroll in the Vine program to get their first reviews. This is important because, without reviews, it can be challenging to generate interest in a product. Amazon Vine allows sellers to provide free products to Vine Voices, who are then expected to leave a review. Cost of Amazon Vine Amazon Vine offers different enrollment options based on the number of units you want to allocate for reviews: Free option: Get 1-2 reviews without any enrollment fee. $75 enrollment fee: Designate 3-10 units for review. $200 enrollment fee: Allocate 11-30 units for review. It’s important to note that while there is no cost for the product itself, sellers must cover the fulfillment costs associated with sending the product to the Vine reviewer. This means that participating in the Vine program can involve a significant investment, especially if you are opting for the higher tier of reviews. Warnings About Amazon Vine Voice Reviews While Amazon Vine can be a powerful tool, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Not all Vine reviewers will leave positive reviews. In fact, they can sometimes be more critical, as they may feel a responsibility to provide honest feedback. Sellers should ensure their products are ready for review and that any potential issues have been addressed before enrolling in the program. It is also essential to maintain a competitive price while waiting for Vine reviewers to claim their products. Vine reviewers often comment on the perceived value of a product, even if they received it for free. Setting a lower price can help mitigate any negative feedback regarding the product’s value. Is Amazon Vine Worth It for FBA Sellers? Ultimately, whether Amazon Vine is worth the investment depends on your specific goals as a seller. The program can provide a significant boost in obtaining product reviews, which are crucial for establishing credibility and driving sales. For a $200 enrollment fee and the cost of giving away 30 units, sellers can potentially receive 20 reviews within a matter of weeks. This is a much faster alternative compared to the organic rate of 1-2% of customers leaving reviews after purchase. Conclusion In conclusion, Amazon Vine is a valuable tool for sellers looking to enhance their product reviews and establish credibility in the marketplace. While it does involve some investment, the potential return in the form of reviews and increased sales can far outweigh the costs. If you’re considering launching a product or looking to improve existing listings, Amazon Vine is definitely worth exploring. For more insights and resources on e-commerce, visit eComCatalyst or subscribe to the YouTube channel. Made with VideoToBlogThe post Is Amazon Vine Worth It To Get Amazon Product Reviews? first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutes As the holiday season approaches, many FBA sellers face critical decisions regarding their inventory management. One of the most pressing questions is whether to utilize Amazon’s Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) services. This blog will explore the benefits of AWD, especially during the peak season, and how it can help sellers save on storage fees while ensuring a smooth sales process. Understanding the Importance of Timing Timing is everything in e-commerce, especially for sellers using Amazon’s FBA. If you’re expecting a shipment to arrive at Amazon FBA in October, the decision to use AWD becomes paramount. The key factor to consider is the anticipated sales velocity of your product. Products that are expected to sell quickly can be sent directly to FBA. If you believe your inventory will be depleted within 30 to 60 days, FBA might be the right choice. However, if your inventory will take longer to sell, AWD is undoubtedly the better option. The Impact of Peak Season Storage Fees During the peak season, which spans from Q4 to early January, Amazon significantly increases its storage fees. These fees can be astronomical compared to the regular storage rates. Understanding this can save you a lot of money and headaches. For instance, traditional FBA storage fees are manageable until peak season hits. Once that happens, they can spike dramatically. Sellers must remain vigilant about these fees, as they can impact profitability. Real-Life Consequences of Ignoring Peak Fees Many sellers have faced severe consequences due to neglecting peak season fees. One seller recounted losing over $10,000 because they didn’t account for the storage costs associated with a large shipment sent to FBA during peak season. This experience serves as a cautionary tale for all sellers. It’s essential to plan your inventory shipments strategically to avoid similar pitfalls. Advantages of Using AWD Choosing AWD offers several advantages, particularly during the peak season. Here are some key benefits: Reduced Storage Costs: AWD storage rates are significantly lower than FBA’s peak season rates, often around 70% less. Stability in Fees: AWD does not adjust its storage rates based on peak season, providing a consistent and predictable cost structure. Exemption from Additional Fees: Using AWD protects sellers from inventory placement fees and low inventory fees that Amazon imposes. When to Consider FBA Instead While AWD offers numerous benefits, there are situations where FBA might be more advantageous. If you have a product that is expected to sell out quickly, sending it straight to FBA can expedite the sales process. However, this approach comes with the risk of incurring high storage fees if the product does not sell as quickly as anticipated. Managing Auto Replenishment with AWD When utilizing AWD, it’s crucial to manage inventory effectively, especially during Q4. Many sellers opt for auto-replenishment to streamline their inventory management. However, sellers must remain vigilant, as the automated systems may not always keep up with demand. It’s advisable to monitor stock levels closely and be prepared to make manual adjustments. This proactive approach ensures that you maintain a steady flow of inventory without incurring excess storage fees. Potential Drawbacks of AWD Despite its benefits, AWD is not without its challenges. Sellers must be aware of potential drawbacks, such as: Manual Adjustments Required: The auto-replenish feature may not always function as intended, leading to potential stockouts. Longer Shipping Times: Depending on the location of your AWD warehouse, shipping times to customers may be longer compared to FBA. Conclusion: Making the Right Choice In conclusion, the decision to use Amazon’s AWD or FBA during Q4 hinges on your inventory’s expected sales velocity. If you anticipate a quick turnaround, FBA may be suitable. However, for products with slower sales, AWD is the clear choice, allowing you to save on storage costs and avoid the pitfalls of peak season fees. As Q4 approaches, sellers must remain vigilant and proactive in managing their inventory. By understanding the advantages and potential challenges of both AWD and FBA, you can make informed decisions that will lead to a successful holiday season. Call to Action If you have questions or need further insights on managing your e-commerce business, leave a comment. We love engaging with our community and are here to help you navigate the complexities of selling on Amazon. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more valuable insights and tips on e-commerce and selling online! The post Why Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) is CRITICAL in Q4 for FBA Sellers first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 5 minutes When it comes to selling on Amazon, aspiring entrepreneurs often face a crucial question: Should I resell other people’s products or create my own brand through private labeling? This debate is one that continues to ignite discussions among sellers, and understanding the nuances of each approach is vital for making an informed decision. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of both models, providing insights that can help you choose the best path for your Amazon FBA business. Understanding the Basics: Private Label vs Wholesale Reselling Before diving into the specifics, let’s clarify what private labeling and wholesale reselling entail. Private labeling involves creating your own brand and products, typically through a manufacturer. This model allows for greater control over branding, pricing, and product quality. On the other hand, wholesale reselling consists of purchasing products from manufacturers or distributors and selling them under their existing brand names. Each model comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The Investment Factor: Capital Requirements One of the most significant factors influencing the decision between private labeling and wholesale reselling is the capital investment required. Starting a private label brand often demands substantial upfront costs. This includes product development, design, manufacturing, and inventory management. As such, aspiring private label sellers need to have a considerable amount of capital at their disposal. In contrast, wholesale reselling typically requires a lower initial investment. Sellers can purchase products in smaller quantities, allowing for more flexibility. This is particularly advantageous for those who may not have significant funds to commit to an entire brand launch. Therefore, if capital is a concern, wholesale reselling may be the more accessible option. Access to Products: Speed and Convenience Another advantage of wholesale reselling is the ease of access to products. When creating a private label brand, sellers must go through a lengthy process of sourcing products, obtaining samples, and managing manufacturing logistics. This can be time-consuming and may involve dealing with international shipping complexities. In contrast, wholesale resellers can often acquire products quickly. For instance, by utilizing retail arbitrage techniques, sellers can purchase discounted products from local stores and immediately list them on Amazon. This means that resellers can start generating revenue much faster than those who are launching a private label brand. Advertising and Marketing Costs In the highly competitive Amazon marketplace, advertising plays a crucial role in product visibility. For private label sellers, building brand awareness often requires a significant investment in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and other marketing strategies. Many private label brands find themselves allocating 10-20% of their gross sales to advertising, especially in the early stages. On the other hand, wholesale resellers can benefit from the established brand recognition of the products they sell. Since customers are already familiar with these brands, there is often less need for extensive advertising. This can lead to reduced marketing costs and a more straightforward path to profitability. The Creative Factor: Skills and Ideation Creating a successful private label brand requires a certain level of creativity and strategic thinking. Sellers must be able to identify market gaps, develop unique products, and create a compelling brand story. This process can be challenging for those who may not possess strong ideation skills. In contrast, wholesale reselling allows sellers to focus on execution rather than product development. For those who excel in operations and logistics but struggle with product ideation, reselling can be a more suitable model. It eliminates the need for extensive creativity while still allowing for successful business operations. Long-Term Goals: Building an Asset One of the most compelling arguments for private labeling is the potential to build a valuable brand asset. Successful private label brands can be sold for significant multiples, providing a lucrative exit strategy for entrepreneurs. This potential for long-term growth and brand equity is often a key motivator for those choosing the private label route. While wholesale reselling can be profitable, it may not offer the same long-term asset-building potential. Resellers are often seen as intermediaries without the same level of brand recognition or customer loyalty. This distinction is essential for sellers considering their long-term goals and exit strategies. Finding Your Path: Which Model is Right for You? Ultimately, the choice between private labeling and wholesale reselling comes down to individual circumstances, goals, and preferences. For those with limited capital and a desire for quick re

Reading Time: < 1 minute Who doesn’t love a good Pink Floyd song with perhaps one of the great guitar solos ever, right? Hello? (Hello, hello, hello)Is there anybody in there?Just nod if you can hear meIs there anyone home? This episode serves one purpose. It’s a super quick hello from Fred McKinnon to make sure that all of the fans of the former E-BusinessOnline Podcast know that we’re back. I did this podcast many years ago, back in 2018 … and then stopped. This podcast/show has been completely inactive for A WHILE! Then, we rebranded to eComCatalyst and started producing regular content on our YouTube Channel and I thought to myself “why not repurpose the audio from YouTube into a podcast”? Rather than start a brand new show, we rebranded this VERY OLD, OUTDATED podcast feed and much to our surprise, we are seeing hundreds of downloads. It seems that people stayed subscribed to the show, even though we didn’t post for years. Are these stats real? Are there really HUNDREDS of people still getting this, and all of a sudden, waking up and seeing NEW CONTENT? I wanna know … is anybody in there? Is anybody home? Can you hear me now? If so, take a quick second and zip me an email. Let me know who you are and where you are listening from, and any other fun facts you want to share. Hope to hear from you soon!FredThe post Comfortably Numb – Episode #31 first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutes As Q4 and the holiday season approaches, it’s crucial for Amazon FBA sellers to be aware of the key deadlines and strategies to maximize their sales potential. With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas selling season just around the corner, preparation is essential. This article will outline the important timelines, best practices, and tools available to ensure your products are ready for the peak shopping period. Understanding Amazon’s Deadlines for Inventory Submission Amazon has set specific deadlines for sellers to submit their inventory to FBA warehouses. Knowing these dates is vital for ensuring your products are available for customers during the busiest shopping days of the year. For 2024, the key deadline for inventory submission is October 19. October 19: Deadline for inventory to arrive at Amazon for “guaranteed” Prime availability for Black Friday. November 11 – December 29: Focus on processing orders, instead of receiving inbound shipments to FBA. These dates are critical for ensuring that your products are Prime eligible and ready for Black Friday sales. Delay in submission can lead to missed opportunities and lost sales. Importance of Early Planning While it may seem early to think about the holidays in July, early planning is essential. Amazon’s fulfillment centers become increasingly congested as the holiday season approaches, making it more challenging to get inventory checked in and available for sale. Amazon has indicated that during November and December, their primary focus will be on fulfilling customer orders rather than receiving new inventory. This shift emphasizes the need for sellers to have their products in place well ahead of the peak season. Key Planning Steps for Sellers To effectively prepare for the holiday rush, sellers should consider the following steps: Assess current inventory levels. Identify best-selling products for the holiday season. Plan your sourcing strategy well in advance. Utilize Amazon’s tools for inventory management. Monitor capacity limits and adjust shipments accordingly. Utilizing the FBA Peak Readiness Playbook Amazon provides sellers with a resource called the FBA Peak Readiness Playbook. This guide outlines best practices and strategies for managing inventory during the peak season. It’s an invaluable tool for sellers looking to optimize their operations. Key components of the playbook include: Inventory management tips Deadlines for sourcing deals Guidelines for using the FBA Capacity Monitor By leveraging this resource, sellers can better position themselves for success during the holiday season. Understanding the FBA Capacity Monitor The FBA Capacity Monitor is a crucial tool for sellers to understand how much inventory they can send to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. It helps in planning and managing your stock levels, ensuring that you do not exceed capacity limits. Here’s how to effectively use the FBA Capacity Monitor: Check limits regularly for updates. Adjust your shipments based on capacity availability. Plan for overages and avoid additional charges. Strategies for Successful Holiday Sales Beyond meeting the deadlines, there are several strategies that sellers can adopt to maximize their sales during the holiday season. Here are some effective tactics: Effective Marketing Strategies Marketing is essential to attract customers during the holiday rush. Here are some strategies to consider: Utilize Amazon Advertising for promotions. Create compelling product listings with high-quality images. Offer discounts and deals to entice buyers. Leverage social media to drive traffic to your listings. Optimize Your Listings Ensure that your product listings are optimized for search visibility. This includes: Using relevant keywords in titles and descriptions. Regularly updating your inventory and pricing. Encouraging customer reviews to build trust. Conclusion: Take Action Now! As the holiday season approaches, it’s imperative for Amazon FBA sellers to take proactive steps to ensure their products are ready for sale. From understanding deadlines to utilizing Amazon’s tools, thorough preparation can lead to a successful selling season. Don’t wait until the last minute. Start planning your inventory now, and take advantage of all resources available to maximize your sales potential. Remember, the key to success lies in early preparation and strategic planning. If you found this information helpful, consider subscribing to our channel for more insights or book a consultation with us. With over 20 years of experience in e-commerce and a proven track record of success, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of selling on Amazon and beyond.The post Critical Deadlines for Amazon FBA Sellers During the Peak Q4 Holiday Season [Episode 30] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Hello, Fred McKinnon here! I’m excited to introduce eComCatalyst, formerly known as E-Business Online. We’ve rebranded to better reflect our mission and services in the e-commerce world. Let’s dive into who we are, what we do, and how we can help you. About Me and eComCatalyst I’m Fred McKinnon, the founder of eComCatalyst. My journey began over 20 years ago as an Amazon seller. Yes, I’ve been in the e-commerce business for more than two decades! With over $100 million in revenue through my accounts and our clients, I’ve seen and learned a lot. My e-Commerce Journey It all started with a $99 investment in a drop-ship directory. From there, I opened an Amazon zShop, which preceded Amazon Seller Central. I uploaded my first spreadsheet and began making sales. My business thrived, transitioning from drop-shipping to wholesale, FBA flips, and eventually private labeling. This journey taught me invaluable skills in sourcing, negotiating, and understanding logistics. The Birth of eComCatalyst With extensive knowledge, I began offering one-on-one consulting. This was the beginning of E-Business Online. As we grew, it became clear that we needed a name and brand that matched our vision. Enter eComCatalyst, a full-service e-commerce marketing agency. Our mission is to be your TRUSTED E-Commerce PARTNERS to be the CATALYST for your BRAND’s Success! Services We Offer At eComCatalyst, we provide a comprehensive range of services: Full-Service E-commerce Management: We act as an extension of your team, handling everything from listing creation and optimization to SEO, product research, and market analysis. Graphic Design: Our in-house team creates compelling images, infographics, A+ content, and beautiful storefronts for Amazon and other platforms. Logistics Management: We manage inventory replenishment for Amazon, Walmart, and other marketplaces. Compliance and Account Support: We have specialists with insider knowledge of Amazon Seller Support to handle any issues you face. PPC Management: Our team has been managing Amazon PPC since its inception, delivering top-notch campaigns. We tailor our services to fit your needs, whether you require full management or specific support like PPC. The eComCatalyst Difference What sets us apart is our family-oriented approach. When you work with us, you get a partner who cares about your business as much as you do. We see our clients as family and are dedicated to building lasting relationships. Free Resources Not ready for full-service management? We offer plenty of free resources to help you: Newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter for tips and updates. Complimentary Consulting: Book a free 15-minute consulting session. YouTube Channel: Check out our YouTube videos for valuable insights on Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, TikTok Shop, and more. Join the eComCatalyst Family Thank you for considering eComCatalyst. We look forward to helping you achieve e-commerce success. Follow us on our journey and become part of our growing family. To get in touch, email us at [email protected], visit our website, or connect through our social media channels. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter for the latest tips and strategies. Together, let’s make your e-commerce dreams a reality. Welcome to eComCatalyst!The post Welcome to eComCatalyst: Your Partner for E-commerce Success [Episode 29] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – this is Episode 27 where we’re talking about Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime and some of the pitfalls in purchasing liquidation lots for resale. DON’T FORGET THE CONTEST TO WIN ONE HOUR OF FREE E-Commerce COACHING! ***CONGRATS TO JODI KLINE, our January 2018 WINNER of one hour of free consulting/coaching.*** I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSULT with me for your e-Business. This can be by phone, Skype, or if you are within travel distance of Southeast Georgia or Northeast Florida and want to come to St. Simons Island, GA and hookup, I’ll buy you lunch and we’ll talk shop for over an hour. This is worth hundreds of dollars so you wanna win! You can earn as many as three entries into the contest by doing any of the following: Send me an email letting me know you’re listening to the show. (Put “Podcast” in the subject line!) I’d like to hear your thoughts, what you’d like to see in the show, questions, constructive criticism, etc. This gives you an entry. Leave a written review on the iTunes Podcast. (you will need to email or tag me with your review username when published) Share this podcast on Facebook. (You can share this post, or better yet, go to the page on iTunes and share it from there – see screenshot below). When sharing you will need to TAG the E-BusinessOnline Facebook Page so that I know you shared it. When you share the podcast to Facebook I won’t know (and give you another entry) unless you tag the Facebook Page, so don’t forget! Today’s Show Topics: Amazon announces new “Social Media Coupon Codes” and gives sellers their own landing page to promote discounts. This can be a great way to easily get a landing page with your promotions to share on social media. One of the biggest advantages is that Amazon gives you settings to control the # of units a customer can buy and how often. It’s also an Amazon-built landing page so the customer is one click away from ordering your product. The biggest disadvantages is your loss of control on design and the ability to collect email addresses to build your list, as well as the inability to add your retargeting pixels (Facebook, Google, etc). How much wasted ad spend do you have? This is a question I was forced to address when my friend, Jon Kragh, owner of MySellerPal.Com, messaged me on Facebook to take a look at his new tool that shows this at-a-glance. I was shocked to find nearly $3,000 in wasted ad spend in the past 60 days. “Wasted Ad Spend” is those keywords that have clicks, costing you money, with no conversions (orders). Whether you use a tool like MySellerPal, Ignite, or just download the search term report in Excel – this is something everyone should check on. The surprising thing was that the wasted ad spend wasn’t a few expensive keywords, but was hundreds of cheap keywords that added up to thousands of dollars. February 15th is the date Amazon will charge Long Term Storage Fees (LTSF) on aged-inventory. Be sure to login to Seller Central and go to Reports > Fulfillment to find your aged inventory and possible LTSF so you can avoid these fees by removing inventory or discounting it to liquidate prior to the deadline. I’d love to have EBOers report back on what they discovered in “wasted ad spend” – let’s see how much wasted ad spend we can report and more importantly, LET’S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! The post Amazon’s New Social Media Codes, Wasted Ad Spend, and Long-Term Storage [Episode 28] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 4 minutes Hello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – this is Episode 27 where we’re talking about Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime and some of the pitfalls in purchasing liquidation lots for resale. DON’T FORGET THE CONTEST TO WIN ONE HOUR OF FREE E-Commerce COACHING! I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSULT with me for your e-Business. This can be by phone, Skype, or if you are within travel distance of Southeast Georgia or Northeast Florida and want to come to St. Simons Island, GA and hookup, I’ll buy you lunch and we’ll talk shop for over an hour. This is worth hundreds of dollars so you wanna win! You can earn as many as three entries into the contest by doing any of the following: Send me an email letting me know you’re listening to the show. (Put “Podcast” in the subject line!) I’d like to hear your thoughts, what you’d like to see in the show, questions, constructive criticism, etc. This gives you an entry. Leave a written review on the iTunes Podcast. (you will need to email or tag me with your review username when published) Share this podcast on Facebook. (You can share this post, or better yet, go to the page on iTunes and share it from there – see screenshot below). When sharing you will need to TAG the E-BusinessOnline Facebook Page so that I know you shared it. When you share the podcast to Facebook I won’t know (and give you another entry) unless you tag the Facebook Page, so don’t forget! AMAZON SELLER-FULFILLED PRIME: Archie Clement from our EBO Facebook Community asks a great question about Amazon’s Seller-Fulfilled Prime program: Would like to hear your thoughts on Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime. We receive requests from Amazon from time to time to apply, but we don’t currently have the infrastructure in place to ship orders the same day they are received, and in addition we only have a single warehouse in Texas, so it would require air shipping to many locations to achieve 2 day delivery. Seems to me it could only work with product inventoried in regional fulfillment centers or something. Seller-Fulfilled Prime is a program that allows Sellers to ship their own items from their own warehouses and still get the “PRIME” badge on their listings, capturing those Amazon Prime shoppers. The biggest disadvantage to the program is that you have to purchase your shipping from Amazon and the rates are not very discounted. The advantage is that you don’t have to commit to Prime Shipping for the entire country, but can define it by region, and only offer to those customers that you can reach in 2 business days via cheaper, ground shipping. PITFALLS WHEN BUYING LIQUIDATION LOTS: One of the hot trends that people are jumping on these days is purchasing inventory through liquidation sites. The hype is that you can get amazing deals for pennies on the dollar and sell them in new, open-box, or used condition for huge profits. Sometimes this is true and it can definitely be a great opportunity but as with anything, there are some downsides and pitfalls. Fred discusses a few pitfalls he’s experienced through is own mistakes and share them to save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. avoid consumer electronic returns – they need to be thoroughly tested before being resold. The same is with computer components. If you don’t have a quick easy way to test before reselling, stay away. We had a large % of electronic returns come back to us due to defects that could not be caught without extensive testing. In some cases, items are returned for no valid reason and they are a great buy; however, in most cases, the items were returned for a reason. avoid opened/returned video games. Customers install these on their consoles and register games, or steal upgrade codes making the returned game useless in many cases. Pay attention to the category of the products and what conditions are allowed. For example, we purchased a lot of returned Baby products and in most cases, Amazon would not allow us to list in “Used” condition in this category. Pay attention to product reviews – in MANY cases, a product is being liquidated for a GOOD REASON. For example, we got an amazing deal on a well-known fitness tracker but the customer reviews on Amazon for this particular model were TERRIBLE. The items we purchased were brand new, retail box, not refurbished or used — yet, the overwhelming majority of them were returned by customers who left bad feedback and we lost a lot of money. All the return reasons matched the very negative product reviews on Amazon. Don’t get swept away by the deal and the potential estimated sales. Junk is junk, and your time is valuable. Shipping to customers then paying for prepaid return labels and dealing with unhappy customers and negative

Reading Time: 2 minutesHello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – the first episode in many months and our first for 2018. In this episode: CONTEST: I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSULT with me for your e-Business. This can be by phone, Skype, or if you are within travel distance of Southeast Georgia or Northeast Florida and want to come to St. Simons Island, GA and hookup, I’ll buy you lunch and we’ll talk shop for over an hour. This is worth hundreds of dollars so you wanna win! You can earn as many as three entries into the contest by doing any of the following: Send me an email letting me know you’re listening to the show. (Put “Podcast” in the subject line!) I’d like to hear your thoughts, what you’d like to see in the show, questions, constructive criticism, etc. This gives you an entry. Leave a written review on the iTunes Podcast. (you will need to email or tag me with your review username when published) Share this podcast on Facebook. (You can share this post, or better yet, go to the page on iTunes and share it from there – see screenshot below). When sharing you will need to TAG the E-BusinessOnline Facebook Page so that I know you shared it. When you share the podcast to Facebook I won’t know (and give you another entry) unless you tag the Facebook Page, so don’t forget!   HYPE, HYSTERIA, and HONESTY: So in this show, it’s more of a heart-to-heart to kickoff the New Year. I want you to be able to push through all the hype and hysteria about e-commerce, selling online, and how much money is being made, and just hear some HONEST conversation. NEW PROCEDURES FOR AMAZON SUSPENSIONS: In this episode I discuss a new procedure that gives Sellers a warning prior to their account being suspended. This is great news and is the result of some intense conversations I had with a new team at Amazon. Listen to hear more.The post EBO New Year 2018 – Hype, Hysteria, and Honesty plus CONTEST! [Episode 26] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 25 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred discusses the upcoming Long Term Storage Fees, changes in Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment fees, and the new liquidation options. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 25: Hey EBOers: In this episode we’re talking about the upcoming Amazon Long Term Storage Fees. They are going to hit you on August 15, 2017 for any inventory that you’ve had in Amazon’s warehouses for 6+ months. As of July 1, 2017, your aged units of inventory in our fulfillment centers will subject to the following fees, unless you submit a Removal Order request (or they sell) before August 15, 2017: $11.25 USD/cubic foot (six to 12 months) $22.50 USD/cubic foot (more than 12 months) We recommend going to Amazon Seller Central > Inventory > Inventory Planning and reviewing your aged inventory. You can also see “Recommended Removal” reports in the Reports > Fulfillment area. One new option for getting rid of excess inventory is Amazon’s new “LBA” or “Liquidation by Amazon”. Amazon will liquidate your inventory for you and pay you 90% of the proceeds. However, be advised that the typical liquidation price is around 10% of the “average selling price”. FREE COACHING: As you have heard, I am offering professional e-commerce coaching. As a fun contest I’d like to offer one free 30-minute coaching session. To enter the contest, send a text message to “44-222” with the word: EBOCOACH. Lastly, send Fred an email and let him know where you’re listening from. fred @ e-businessonline.com. Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”] The post Long Term Storage Fees are Coming & Free 30-Minute Coaching [Episode 25] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 24 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred returns after a few weeks of some really rough e-business events, including two account suspensions, staff layoffs, and a significant battle with sickness. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 24: Hey EBOers: In this episode Fred does something that few people are willing to do. He takes you straight into the details of when things go bad. Yes, even as a veteran seller with over a decade of experience, things go wrong. Our primary seller account was suspended two times in 48 hours and the second suspension lasted over a week. It was an awful experience. Fred talks about how those things can happen and how to weather the storm. In the intro, Fred also discusses the various hats he wears, one of which is as a musician. If interested in some of Fred’s music, you can listen at: Web: fredmckinnon.com Worship Interludes Instrumental Podcast: bit.ly/worshipinterludes Lastly, send Fred an email and let him know where you’re listening from. fred @ e-businessonline.com.   Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”]The post Amazon Suspensions – The Horror Stories [Episode 24] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 23 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred discusses Amazon’s Prime Day and how to prepare your Sponsored Product Ads. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 23: Amazon’s Prime Day is Coming – July 11, 2017 Hello EBO’ers: In today’s episode I talk about Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day on July 11th, 2017. I go over some suggestions on how to prepare for your sponsored product ads from Ivy, an Amazon Business Specialist. Below is some of the tips discovered: As you know, Prime Day is on 7/11 and Prime Week starts on 7/5 so I’d like to send you some tips for your SP campaigns – let’s take advantage of this biggest Amazon festival! Benefits from Prime Day/Week: Page View / Traffic had X times increase in 2016 (sorry cannot share the X here but you would be shockedJ) GMS had Y times increase as well (this number is phenomenal!) Halo effect for your organic ranks after the Prime Day Etc. etc.(If you did not do well in 2016 on the Prime Day, it does not mean that you won’t do well this year!) What should you do for your Sponsored Products campaigns? Increase your overall bids around 7/4 especially for core keywords and focused ASINs given that all the advertisers will increase their bids so your ads will not show up if you don’t do so. Increase your Daily Budget to make sure your campaigns do not run out of budget in the middle of the day – please be noted that if you increase your budget when it’s out of budget already, it will take several hours to populate so your ads won’t show up for a few hours. I would have the Daily Budget in place around 7/4 as well Turn on Bid+ for your manual campaigns to get more opportunities showing your ads on Top of Search placements Add more keywords to your manual campaigns and put exact match & phrase match types Remove Negative Keywords if they are relevant to your products – check the negative keywords you added earlier and remove the ones if they are relevant to your ASINs to ensure impressions & relevancy Revert changes back one week after the Prime Week as there is an Halo effect Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”]The post Amazon Prime Day is Coming – How to Prepare [Episode 23] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 22 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred breaks the big rule of Private Label and reveals a product and his launch strategy. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 22: Amazon Changes: Unsolicited Emails and New Early Reviews (plus updates on the Crazy Fidget Spinner Case Study) Hello EBO’ers: In today’s episode I talk about some of the recent changes at Amazon. Specifically, I’m discussing the issue with followup emails not being delivered due to customers supposedly “opting out” of “unsolicited messages”. What do you think? Did these customers really all opt out? How did they know they had the choice? I’m not so sure. I have a good 10-minute vent to process it. Also in much better news we discuss Amazon’s new “Early Review” program that allows brand-registered, US-based sellers to enroll their SKU that have 5 or less SKU (and priced over $15) to potentially get reviews from Amazon customers. Finally, I recap the results of the “Crazy Fidget Spinner Case Study” that I mentioned back in Episode 21. If you haven’t signed up for the study yet, please check it out! Signup for the case study by clicking here! Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”]The post Amazon Changes: Unsolicited Email Saga and New Early Reviews [Episode 22] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 21 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred breaks the big rule of Private Label and reveals a product and his launch strategy. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!)   Photos by Chris Moncus Photography Episode 21: Who Is Crazy Enough to Launch Fidget Spinners? Hello EBO’ers: If you’ve listened to enough podcasts about private labeling or if you’ve hung out in various e-commerce Facebook groups you will learn something very, very quickly. It’s an unspoken rule that everyone usually swears by … NEVER, EVER reveal your BRAND or your PRODUCT. You see, plenty of people have nothing better to do than to sabotage your brand or hijack your product idea. It’s a sad state when this happens. So unless you invest a ton of money into someone who will tell you their secrets you are stuck thinking about your product in a generic way that may or may not relate to the overall dynamic of launching a product. Call me crazy, but I’ve just broken that rule. I learn visually and by actually “trying it”. You can read a manual to me out loud ten times and have me stare at it for weeks — but until I put down the manual and start tinkering, I don’t learn. It’s just how I’m wired. And I know there are plenty of you out there who are wired the exact same way. With that being said, I decided to do a simple little case study (click here to signup now!) on launching a private label product that has extremely high competition but that also has extremely high demand. If you haven’t heard of “Fidget Spinners” in the Spring of 2017 you were probably hiding under a rock or have little to no interaction with younger children and teenagers. I’m not sure whey they hit the market but the #1 “Fidget Spinner” on Amazon is currently selling nearly 10,000 units per month. That’s more than 300 units per day, or nearly 14 fidget spinners per hour. (I might also add that at today’s current selling price of the #1 Fidget Spinner, they appear to be losing money or liquidating their inventory). A search of the word “fidget spinner” on Amazon has 400 pages of results. My kids started bringing these gadgets home and I realized they were like $10 bills because they were literally being used as trading currency in our kid’s schools. I’d ask my kid “where did you get that” and he’d reply “I traded a spinner for it” or vice-versa. Crazy. I had to explore this product. Here’s the deal: I had very little to lose. They aren’t expensive so for a minimal investment I could experiment with this and see what results I could get. This would be a great product to private label – all I had to do was stick a logo on there and go for it. Breaking the HUGE RULE about revealing your product was no big deal since the market was already saturated. I could launch this on my main company’s brand which is public knowledge – so I didn’t need to reveal any secret brand names or businesses. That’s when I decided to pull the trigger and do a case study. The question? Can I source, launch, and make a profit off an extremely competitive, saturated product in an aggressive niche? I was willing to take the risk and share the details, win, lose or draw. That’s what this case study is about. I’d love to invite you to get the details. Join the “Crazy Fidget Spinner Case Study” right now and you’ll start getting a series of emails and updates with screenshots, graphics, REAL sales numbers, REAL ASINS and links to MY PRODUCT on Amazon. Signup for the case study by clicking here!       Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”]The post Am I Crazy Enough To Launch Fidget Spinners? Case Study [Episode 21] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 20 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred interviews guest Connor Gillivan, a $20M Amazon Seller and CMO/Co-Founder of FreeeUp 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Interview with Connor Gillivan Hello EBO’ers: In Episode 20 we are interviewing a guest, Connor Gillivan. Biography My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m 27 and the co-founder and CMO of FreeeUp. I have been an entrepreneur in the eCommerce industry since 2009 when I co-founded my first company in my dorm room and have grown into a leading expert in the field with experience managing multi-million dollar businesses. My first company, Portlight, has sold over $20 million on Amazon and continues to operate today. I co-founded FreeeUp in 2015 after spending 5+ years interviewing, hiring, and training remote workers through my first eCommerce venture on Amazon.com, Portlight. My co-founder and I decided there must be a better way for eCommerce companies to hire remote workers without having to spend hours interviewing and finding the most reliable people. A year later and FreeeUp is a rapidly growing company interviewing hundreds of worker applicants each week and providing remote workers for over 1,000 clients. The company is on pace to do over $3 million in 2017 revenue. I am a published and best selling author with a book that was just released in April 2017. The book is titled Free Up Your Business: 50 Secrets to Bootstrap Million Dollar Companies. Here is a link to learn more: https://freeeup.com/free-up-your-business I also own my own website, ConnorGillivan.com, where I write about starting, growing, and leading eCommerce companies. Giveaway As a special offer for our EBO members, Conner has graciously and generously allowed us to offer a FREE DOWNLOAD of his e-Book, “FREE UP YOUR BUSINESS: 50 Secrets to Bootstrap Million Dollar Companies”. To get it, send a Text Message to: 44222 with the message: BOOTSTRAP That’s it. We will not spam your phone (we don’t even record your phone #).     Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”] The post Guest: Connor Gillivan – $20M Amazon Seller and CMO of FreeeUp [Episode 20] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 19 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Reasons to Hire a VA 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Why You Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) – and How! Hello EBO’ers: In Episode 19 we’re talking about the VALUE OF YOUR TIME and why you may want to consider hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA). Chad Rubin, Founder of Skubana software, recently spoke at the Prosper Show in Vegas and made this statement: How do you win in ecommerce? Work SMARTER, not HARDER. Learn to work SMARTER than your COMPETITION. Not all work is created EQUAL. ” (Chad Rubin, Skubana) This is something that I have known to be true for many years. I recently was forced to really consider the value of my time. A book that I’m reading, “The Four Disciplines of Execution” was paramount in helping me juggle through the impact of my time, the worth of my time, and how to manage the “whirlwind” of life. In this podcast I’m encouraging you (and your team) to sit down and write a note of all the tasks that you have to accomplish – including the ones you WISH you had time for, but don’t. Some examples from my own, personal list, included: screening emails doing product research for PL and FBA product listing error resolution adding or editing images social media management PPC management Google Merchant Center/Shopping management editing, optimizing webstores (Shopify, BigCommerce) doing FBA and wholesale product research restocking FBA inventory There are so many other things that could come to mind (including posting relevant news about ecommerce to the E-BusinessOnline social media accounts, making show notes, etc. As yourself this question … or as Chad Rubin said, “take inventory of your hustle”: What am I doing that I have NO DESIRE to do? What am I doing that I have NO EXPERTISE to do? What am I doing that I have NO KNOWLEDGE of? (I also like to ask, “what am I doing that is not worthy of the value of my time”. In other words, if I can pay someone a hourly rate to do something which frees me up to accomplish something at a much higher value, this is where I need to make a change. SOME PLACES TO HIRE: There are a number of websites that specialize in helping you find VA’s, including (but not limited to) Upwork.Com FreeMeUp.Com OnlineJobs.Ph EasyOutsource.Com Various Facebook Groups THINGS TO KNOW: It will take time to build trust It’s very important to over-communicate what work you need done Send clear examples and tutorials on how the work should be done Get a written email work summary so you can check on the progress of training Understand that the time invested in training is substantial at first, but can pay huge dividends. Some positions are full-time for as low as $3-4/hour which is a very fair wage in their countries. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes. Consulting: Interested in having 1-on-1 consulting calls with Fred? See the appointment calendar below: [bookly-form category_id=”1″ service_id=”1″ staff_member_id=”1″ hide=”staff_members”] The post Why You Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) – and How! [Episode 19] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 18 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Updates on the status of things Summary: Fred returns to the podcast after a 2-week break and discusses a whirlwind of activity in e-commerce world. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) What’s Happening in E-Business Land? Hello EBO’ers: So glad to be back after a 2-week break. My intention has to been to produce at least one podcast per week and I fell short of that goal for the first time over the past few weeks. I’ve had a lot of travel – some for business (Prosper and ASD trip), some for pleasure (Jamaica Spring Break) and some for family and sorrow (funeral of my father-in-law). Thanks for hanging in there and being gracious. Lots of things are happening in e-commerce world. Hijackers on Amazon Listings: hijackers are uploading hundreds of thousands of offers on active listings with extended lead times to ship and getting paid for orders and never shipping them. Try to get brand gated and brand restricted if this is happening to you. Our Jet Account was suspended! That’s right, with 10+ years of experience, these things still happen. I’ll discuss why and how we are dealing with it. Amazon Vendor Central and Vendor Express: are you hearing about this, and are you taking advantage of AMS (Amazon Marketing Services?) Surges in IP (Intellectual Property) and Trademark claims on established brands on Amazon. How are we coping with these? I want to hear from you! What topics would you like to hear discussed on the show? The differences between our Facebook Page and Facebook Group. If you are an e-commerce owner and have a story to share, let me know! I’d love to interview if you have been hijacked or if you are using Vendor Central or Vendor Express. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post What’s Happening in E-Commerce World? [Episode 18] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 17 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon with guest, Russ Hutto Topic: Building a Social Media Following and Monetizing Niche Markets Summary: Join us as Fred interviews long time friend and business partner, Russ Hutto. Russ grew an amazing following via social media in a unique market about “marching band”. Hear how he grew his social media following to nearly 200,000+ fans across social media platforms. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Follow Russ Hutto at: www.MarchingBandIsAwesome In this podcast Fred talks to Russ Hutto, creator and founder of the “Marching Band is Awesome” site and fan bases. He created a special niche market in something he was passionate about – marching band. Russ grew this niche market on Facebook to over 100,000 fans and over 60,000 fans on Instagram. Using this market, he is able to sell merchandise (T-Shirts, Hoodies, etc) successfully while allowing him to travel, spend time with his boys, and work from anywhere there is wi-fi! In addition, he used this market to pursue a dream to write a novel and enjoys the #1 spot on Amazon in his teen-fiction category. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.    The post Building a Huge Social Media Following and Monetizing: Russ Hutto with “Marching Band is Awesome” [Episode 17] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 16 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Amazon.Com’s new Opt-Out of Messaging Summary: This is a breaking news podcast episode to discuss the latest change by Amazon, allowing customer to opt-out of unsolicited buyer-seller messages. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!)   Amazon Allows Customers to Opt-Out of Unsolicited Messages Hello EBO’ers: In case you missed it, Amazon has yet again made a radical change in their Terms of Service that have a profound impact on 3rd Party Sellers. Amazon is now allowing their customers to opt-out of what it deems to be “unsolicited” messages via the Buyer-Seller messaging system. Only messages “critical” to the order are accepted if a customer has opted out. Sellers may begin receiving emails like this: Dear Seller,   We were unable to deliver the message you sent for order [xxx-xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx] because the buyer has chosen to opt out of receiving unsolicited messages from sellers. However, even if a buyer has opted out of unsolicited messages, if you need to send them a message critical to completing his or her order, you can do it using Buyer-Seller Messaging: Go to Manage Orders. Click the buyer’s name in the list, which will take you to Buyer–Seller Messaging. Select “Additional Information Required” as your subject, write your message, and click Send If you tried to respond to a buyer and received a message that the buyer has opted out of unsolicited seller messages, please respond to the buyer on the original message thread (instead of starting a new thread) and make sure that his or her original message is included in your reply. For your reference, the following messages are considered “critical” to complete the order: Product customization questions Delivery scheduling Issues with a shipping address The following messages are “not critical” to complete the order: Requests for seller feedback or customer reviews Order, shipment, or delivery confirmations Proactive customer service (for example: product manuals, tips for using the product, FAQs, suggestions if something goes wrong) Out-of-stock or delay notifications and offers of alternate products (please cancel the order instead) Please don’t send messages to opted-out buyers for correspondence that isn’t critical to completing the order. Repeated violations of this policy may result in enforcement actions or loss of selling privileges. Learn more about Buyer-Seller Messaging and what messages are considered critical to completing orders   Sincerely, Amazon Seller Support A few takeaways from this latest move by Amazon: Like any other move, this is not the end of the world. Amazon made this move to give a better experience to their customers. Any customer should have the right to opt-out of emails if they want and although this may block the messages of people we send emails to, they didn’t want to receive them anyway. They probably would not have responded or worse, could have responded with negative feedback. Despite what is being said in the email, it appears that you will not be penalized for emailing someone who has opted out since you have no way of knowing who that person it. However, one should take immediate action to not continue emailing someone once this has been disclosed to them Currently, there is no way via Amazon Seller Central or API to retrieve a list of customers who have opted out. Most email followup services have already provided measures to add these customers to a blacklist for no solicitations. Customers cannot opt-out online, they have to contact Amazon Customer Service (as of the time we published this blog) A few extra links of interest: Article from Feedback Five Article from Feedback Genius   Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment of discuss in the Facebook Group. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Breaking: Everything You Need to Know About Amazon’s Opt-Out of Buyer-Seller Messaging [Episode 16] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 14 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: What are Amazon Sponsored Products and Ads? Summary: This podcast picks up as a continuation of Episode 12 and Episode 13 and moves into best practices in finding the keywords and phrases and optimizing your listing. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Download Amazon’s “Building Your Brand with Sponsored Products” E-Book Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Amazon Sponsored Ads, Part 3 – Finding Keywords and Optimizing [Episode 14] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 13 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: What are Amazon Sponsored Products and Ads? Summary: This podcast picks up as a continuation of Episode 12 and moves into manual campaigns and how to monitor profitability of keywords. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Download Amazon’s “Building Your Brand with Sponsored Products” E-Book Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Amazon Sponsored Product Ads, Part 2 – Manual Campaign Adjustments [Episode 13] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 12 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: What are Amazon Sponsored Products and Ads? Summary: Join Fred for a live walk through as he discusses Amazon Sponsored Products and adjusts his auto campaigns. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Download Amazon’s “Building Your Brand with Sponsored Products” E-Book Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Amazon Sponsored Product Ads – Auto Campaigns [Episode 12] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 5 minutes Welcome to Episode 10 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred answers questions from fellow EBO’ers sent via email and on the Facebook Group Summary: Fellow EBO’ers (that’s code for folks in our E-BusinessOnline community!) ask questions and have them answered here on the podcast. 3 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Checkout Fred’s 1+ hour long interview of his story on fellow podcaster, Stephen Peterson’s show, ECommerce Momentum Question #1 from the Facebook Group from Lance: Hi Fred and EBOers I have been selling a pl product on Amazon with poor results, 20 units in 2 months. I want to focus more on dropshipping, but just getting started. Can you dropship on Amazon? I heard they don’t like it due to the fact that merchant shipping goes through more than one set of hands and could result in late shipments to their customers. I have about 10 vendors from worldwide brands that I have been approved on but listing on my Shopify site has not yielded sales thus far. I like the idea of listing many products on Amazon and other platforms to drop ship. Thanks in advance for an advice Lance, thanks for the question and thanks for being a part of our FB group! I answer in detail on the podcast but YES, you can definitely dropship on Amazon. They even do it themselves. You mentioned a few things in your question that I addressed. WorldWide Brands: this is a directory that you can purchase a lifetime membership to that puts you in touch with wholesale distributors who will agree to dropship for you. You can definitely use these – lots of distributors and thousands of products at your fingertips. This is great – the negative is that everyone else who buys this directory is reaching out to the same suppliers, so competition is fierce. Shopify: this is a great choice for those wanting to build an online store. After building your store, you’ll still need to drive traffic, using things like Google Adwords, Google Shopping, and other marketing options. Question #2 from the Facebook Group from Amy: Hey Fred! I just wanted to say thanks for the add on your E-business online FB site. I am trying to get started in this business and learning as much as I can. It just seems there are sooooo many people out there selling courses to teach you how to do this business. Is it worth it to buy a course? I do want to but I’ve come to find out alot of people will say their course will tell you all you need to know but some of them i have found are selling crap. Would you mind telling me how you got started? Do you still enjoy it? I am trying to start a business that will let me be flexible so i can be here for my family but make enough money to not need an outside job. Can i do that with this business? Amy, first – great to have a local from the Golden Isles to discover the podcast and group. Thanks for chiming in. I’ve answered in detail on the show. Ultimately, yes, some of the courses are great. I’ve purchased a couple and some have proven to be very helpful for me. Stay away from courses that claim to make you tons of money for very little work or time or effort. That is “crap” as you put it. This is hard work. If it’s super easy, it’s money that will disappear as quickly as it appeared, and that’s a Biblical principle. Research a course, don’t buy on impulse. Ask others before making the purchase. But, there is a ton of free help just by posting in our FB Group – so you can always start there and by listening to our podcast. Question #3 from the Facebook Group from Michelle F: Hi Fred – really enjoyed your podcasts. Thanks for sharing the information. I listened to all of them this weekend while working on my taxes! For dropshipping, can you address integration partners? We are currently on Amazon, eBay and Walmart with a handful of suppliers and have tried out several integration partners and have a demo scheduled with channeladvisor. It looks like some of them have more features for dropshippers. Thank you! Michelle thanks so much. Glad you caught up on the episodes of the podcast but hate that you had to endure TAXES. I agree, it sounds like you’re in the place where an integration partner would be useful. I don’t typically recommend or endorse any of them on the show but can only comment on ChannelAdvisor, as it’s what we use. I go into great detail about what an integration platform does for those who don’t quite know what it means. Good luck. Question #4 from Facebook Group user, Sergei from the Ukraine Sourcing in US. How to negotiate with US wholesalers\ manufacturers when you are not just big enough yet. And\or not a US residen

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 9 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: EBO on the Go – live/remote broadcast Episode 9 is one of our “EBO On The Go” episodes where we take the recording of the podcast out of the studio and into the world. With a super busy few weeks I wanted to touch bases with fellow EBO’ers and launch another “on the go” episode. This episode is called “A Day In The Life of an E-Business Owner” and I take time throughout the day to record my actions and invite everyone to “ride along shotgun” with me as I go through the day operating my e-business. Hope you enjoy it!   Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post EBO On The Go: A Day In The Life of an E-Business Owner [Episode 9] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 8 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred tells his story of how his primary seller account on Amazon got SUSPENDED for 4 days during the peak Christmas buying weekend in December. Episode 8 is a story, and a horrific one. As a veteran seller of over 11 years on Amazon, Fred and his team went into panic mode as they accidentally got their primary seller account suspended for 4 days in the peak buying season of Christmas. Fred tells the details of how and why the suspension happened. In addition, he tells about how he interacted with Seller Performance to defend his position with two primary takeaways to help you NOT get suspended. As promised on the show, here’s the screenshot of the portion of the weekly remittance that Amazon refunded back to us due to the lost sales that they proactively (and erroneously) canceled when they mistakenly thought our seller account had been compromised. Seeing this extra $17K on the weekly disbursement was a huge sigh of relief!   Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Amazon Suspended Our Account During Christmas – The Horrific Nightmare [Episode 8] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 7 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred answers questions from fellow EBO’ers on Facebook, Messenger, and Reddit Summary: Fellow EBO’ers (that’s code for folks in our E-BusinessOnline community!) ask questions and have them answered here on the podcast. Question #1 from the Facebook Group from Martin Mendez: Commercial General Liability Insurance. when do you need it? Thanks, Martin! According to Amazon, you have to have this when you become enrolled in their Professional Selling Plan: Sellers with professional selling plans on Amazon.com must provide proof of Commercial General Liability insurance. This insurance, obtained at the seller’s expense, shall cover up to $1,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate and must include products liability, bodily injury, or personal injury, property damage, and other requirements as stated in the Participation Agreement. The insurance must indicate that “Amazon.com, Inc., and its affiliates and assignees” are added as additional insureds. Fred tells a story of how his Liability Insurance rescued him from a case where a cash register possibly caused the fire in a saloon. Question #2 from the Facebook Group from Jerry Mills: Recommended tools/metrics for researching potential products? Great question, Jerry. There are so many awesome tools, but a few that I really use frequently include: JungleScout Chrome Extension Keepa – Amazon Price Tracker Extension CamelCamelCamel – Amazon Price and Sales Rank Tracker HowMany? Chrome Extension Question #3 from Reddit user kcolabear: How do you stay on top of quality and shipping times when you dropship? I’ve never understood that business model. I’m so extremely anxious about quality assurance that I touch every single item that I sell! I’d love to reduce my workload? Thanks, K – this question is addressed in Episode 4 but I can tell you a few important things would be: Be sure that you keep with accurate inventory in using inventory buffers Be sure you understand shipping cutoff times, shipping methods, and set your “lead time to ship” or “fulfillment latency” accordingly. Question #4 from Reddit user DavidECom: How will small business compete with amazons 1 hr delivery / drones? I believe the best way is to exceed expectations with superb customer service and personalization. More details in the podcast. What are the top 3 selling channels? How’s the landscape changed over the last 5 years? For us, it’s Amazon, Walmart, and Jet. eBay is also a top-contender. Many are crushing it on Etsy. Do you think Amazon is destroying brands? Tough question. Long answer on the show, but my short answer is yes and no. Some brands feel the low pricing on Amazon has destroyed their brand and eroded their product’s value. Others have been able to use Amazon to launch their own brand and see great success. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Q&A from EBOers: Amazon, Brands, Insurance, Dropshipping, and Research Tools [Episode 7] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 6 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon with guest, James Thomson Topic: Interview with James Thomson, Co-Founder of the Prosper Show Summary: In Episode 6, Fred is joined with guest, James Thomson. James is a former Amazon executive and is the co-founder of the Prosper Show. The PROSPER show has a three-track program running all-day March 22-23, 2017. There is a pre-day of workshops on March 21, 2017, available at an extra cost. (PL) sessions are designed for PRIVATE LABEL sellers. (AS) sessions are designed for ADVANCED SELLERS. The Prosper Show is running in cooperation with the ASD show and SourceDirect. It’s an incredible opportunity to invest in your e-business and while you’re there, let’s network with other EBO’ers! REGISTRATION FEE INCREASES after JANUARY 31! Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Interview with James Thomson, Co-Founder Prosper Show [Episode 6] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 5 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon with guest, Justin Davidson Topic: The 4Ms: Maintain, Maximize, Margin, and Move Into – Time Management and Leadership Summary: In Episode 5, Fred is joined with guest, Justin Davidson, to share a simple, but profound exercise which is perfect for jump starting your New Year or business. Many (most) of us are juggling regular jobs on top of our e-business and struggle to manage our time wisely? How do we decide what we want to keep doing (maintain), focus more effort into (maximize), and what do we prune out of our daily lives (margin) so we can expand our influence or purpose (move into)? We’d like you to listen to this episode as a coaching time to help manage your time. Print or draw out your own diagram like the one above and take some time to evaluate your schedule. If you are willing, share some of your results with in our Facebook Group; specifically, in this post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ebusinessonlinegroup/permalink/595709297375524/   Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post The 4Ms: Strategic Leadership & Time Management [Episode 5] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 3 minutesWelcome to Episode 4 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast (Part 1 of this series is in Episode 3 – listen to it here) Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Introduction to Dropshipping, Part 2 – Finding Suppliers, Critical Steps to Prevent Loss Summary: In Episode 4, Fred McKinnon discusses the process of dropshipping in e-commerce, finding suppliers, and some critical things to review and questions to ask prior to launching your products. Where Do I Start? Search for suppliers who will dropship for you. Preferably, those who offer “blind dropshipping”, meaning they will ship with your company name and address on packing slips and inserts. Avoid mass-dropshippers who do not really stock and ship your items. Plenty of “dropshipping” distributors are simple middle men who then send your order to the actual warehouse. They are “dropshippers of dropshippers”. Ask if they physically warehouse and fulfill the products directly. WorldWideBrands.Com – this is the directory that we started with over 10 years ago that is still in business. Large bulk/dropship directories can give you easy-access to distributors for a quick launch but will also have more competition since so many people signup for the same distributors. Consider finding local businesses and distributors or manufacturers that will allow you to sell their product online. Establish Your Accounts Directories such as WorldWideBrands will typically give you a link where you can become a “Reseller” or “Dealer” online. Typically, you will need your business name, a tax ID (for sole proprietors, this is often your SSN), and a Sales Tax/Resale certificate in your home state. Followup with phone calls and emails to establish relationship. Format Inventory Feeds for Bulk Upload or Manual Creation If manually creating SKU, populate as many of the fields as possible – the more content the better, especially when it comes to critical fields such as image, UPC, description, brand, and shipping weight. Familiarize yourself with the methods allowed for bulk uploading – via flat files (Excel/spreadsheets) or via integration platforms. Some platforms that will assist you include ChannelAdvisor (most recognized, industry leader, but very expensive), InventorySource (already integrated with many of the most popular dropshipping distributors with full push-capability to Amazon, Shopify, BigCommerce, and other shopping platforms), or SellBrite. [Free Trial currently available for SellBrite – this is an affiliate link, not an endorsement] Stay On Top Of Inventory remember, when you are dropshipping, you do not actually own the product yet since you do not have physical possession. It is possible for a supplier to sell out of a product before you have the chance to purchase it. Use inventory buffers to prevent over-selling. Critical Question to Ask Are there any additional fees, such as handling fees, dropship fees, minimum quantity requirements What is your LTS (Lead Time to Ship) – what is your order cutoff for same day shipping, or when will you ship? Is the price a landed price, meaning, inclusive of shipping? If price does not include shipping (usually does not), how is the shipping calculated? Can you bill shipping charges to my 3rd party shipping account (my FedEx or UPS account) Where are your shipping warehouses located geographically? What is the best way to place my order? (email, flat file, via website?) How and when do I obtain tracking and invoice data on my orders? What are your accepted payment terms and payment methods? Credit Card, Open Net Terms, etc Tips to Win Longterm Build relationships. Distributors are like family. Get to know them personally and become more than just a client. Use inventory buffers to prevent over-selling Never mass-upload diverse products without reviewing for potential restricted products Add an additional day in your LTS from what the dropshipper states is their lead-time to ship. (if supplier says they ship in 1 business day, say that your lead is 2 business days) Constantly negotiate and ask for better pricing, deals, bulk deals, and goals to obtain. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player Download the show notes. If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Intro to Dropshipping, Part 2: Finding Suppliers and Critical Steps To Prevent Loss [Episode 4] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: 2 minutesWelcome to Episode 3 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Introduction to Dropshipping Summary: In Episode 3, Fred McKinnon discusses the process of dropshipping in e-commerce. What is dropshipping? Dropshipping is a process where a seller utilizes a 3rd party (that we will call a drop shipper) for their catalog of products and for the fulfillment of their product. For example: let’s say I’m registered as a reseller with a music store. I list their Gibson Les Paul guitar for sale on Amazon and someone buys it. When Amazon notifies me of that order, I then relay that order information to my music store partner, who then packages the guitar and ships it to my customer. If they take that a step further, and they ship it to the customer with my company’s name on the packaging, and there is no mention of the music store, it’s called a “blind dropship” because the customer is “blind” to the fact that as a seller, I didn’t personally ship that order to them from my physical inventory. Pros and Cons for Dropshipping PROS: ability to list a wide variety of products, based on the dropship distributor partners you can sign up with. cheap – no money tied up in the purchasing of inventory that you may or may not sell allows you to gain quick traction in the market with additional sales due to expansive catalog potentially exposes you to manufacturers and brands you would not have a relationship with otherwise builds your business credit and buying power. [side note: never spend more than you can lose] CONS: quality control – you don’t see the product or the package, or how it’s shipped risk of overselling due to inventory not being available risk of brand restrictions or trademark infringement [ask to only sell what doesn’t require special authorization] risk of loss due to price fluctuation unknowns in overall financials – landed cost isn’t guaranteed lots of competition from directories, low margins typically In Part 2, we’ll go deeper into the actual process of getting signed up with dropshippers and some of the critical things you need to know so that you don’t make huge mistakes. Links Facebook Page: we share e-business related news and resources from time to time here Facebook Group: this is the place to network with other sellers and get your questions answered Podcast Subscriptions: follow links beneath player If you’re listening on our website, please consider clicking the subscribe links underneath the player to subscribe in iTunes or in Android apps. We’d be honored to hear your comments about this podcast below and your reviews on iTunes.The post Intro to Dropshipping: Pros and Cons with the Dropship E-Commerce Model, Part 1 [Episode 3] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn our second episode of the brand new E-BusinessOnline podcast, Fred McKinnon debuts a quick sample of an attempt at mobile podcasting. Because of time constraints this may be one of the best ways to produce episodes quickly and efficiently. Recording episodes in the studio has great advantages with audio quality but is very time consuming. In this episode I am trying to see if the mobile podcasting setup will work. If this works it’s a way I can quickly and easily broadcast news and updates about e-business and e-commerce to our listeners. Let me know if you like it!The post EBO On the Go [Episode 002] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMerry Christmas and welcome to “The Inauguration Episode” of the E-BusinessOnline.Com Podcast. This podcast has absolutely nothing to do with the presidential inauguration but it has everything to do with our FIRST EPISODE. This welcome episode introduces the host, Fred McKinnon, and his purpose and vision behind creating a new podcast about e-commerce, e-business, and ways we can encourage one another. If you’re listening, please leave a comment below so we know who you are and where you are from. Have a topic you’d like to discuss? Include it in the comments below.  The post E-BusinessOnline Podcast: The Inauguration [Episode 001] first appeared on eComCatalyst - Amazon, e-Commerce Growth Agency.