Getting started as an e-commerce seller can feel intimidating in quite a few ways. One of the ways is the feeling that you have to spend a large budget just to get started. In today’s show our panel explores how you can use just $100 to get started in eCommerce.

We explore physical product options, how to work with Kindle and physical books. We touch on marketing on and off Amazon. We also discuss how to approach influencers in an original way. We touch on how to approach a potential business mentor, and how you might put together your own peer group for peer-to-peer learning as well.
What you’ll learn

 	* How to use Kindle books as cheap marketing tools
 	* How to approach an experienced potential e-commerce mentor
 	* Ways to influence multiple influencers for $100!
 	* The easiest way to get started in eCommerce for $100
 	* Why checking product-market fit might be the best use of your budget!
 	* The hack for getting free marketing books to learn from
 	* When should you quit the day job and go full time with your own ecommerce business?

Getting started in eCommerce –  How to Spend Just $100 for Max Impact!

Amazon Private Label and eCommerce Interviews with Experts in Amazon product chooosing, Amazon listings, sourcing private label products, importing from China, and Amazon product listings. We serve new Amazon sellers and 7-figure Amazon sellers with specialist content.

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Welcome to another episode! Today, we're diving into the complexities of Amazon FBA and US sales tax compliance with Jared Smithson of RJM Tax Exemption. Jared's team specializes in helping American, UK, and other international businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of US sales tax. With over 5,000 businesses under their belt, they're the perfect guide to ensure your e-commerce brand scales smoothly without unnecessary tax burdens.



[00:00:00] - "Need to File Sales Tax Returns"[00:04:55] - "Necessity of Paying Sales Tax"[00:06:04] - "Penalties for Not Paying Sales Tax"[00:13:10] - "Nexus for Non-Marketplace Platforms"[00:15:16] - "Using Resale Certificates with Wholesalers"[00:16:55] - "Corporate Structures and Sales Tax"[00:18:49] - "Mistakes by Established Sellers"[00:22:12] - "Acquiring a Business with Tax Liabilities"[00:23:33] - "Sales Tax for Non-Marketplace Platforms"[00:27:13] - "Managing Sales Tax for New Platforms"[00:30:08] - "Need to File Sales Tax Returns"[00:31:45] - "Special Offer for Listeners"[00:33:33] - "Closing Thoughts"



What is Sales Tax and Why Does it Matter for Amazon Sellers?



Let's break it down. Sales tax, essentially the US version of VAT, is a tax levied on the sale of specific goods and services. The rate varies significantly by state, county, and even city, with over 11,000 jurisdictions to keep track of! But here's the catch: even if you're based outside the US, you can still be liable for sales tax under a concept called "sales tax nexus." Simply put, nexus signifies a substantial connection with a state, which can be established through physical presence or exceeding economic thresholds. Failing to register for sales tax when required can lead to hefty penalties and back taxes.



The Common Misconception and How to Avoid It



Many sellers mistakenly assume Amazon collecting and remitting sales tax in certain states absolves them of all responsibility. While this may simplify things in some cases, it's crucial to remember that individual state regulations vary. Some states might exempt sellers solely on Amazon, while others consider economic thresholds or physical presence (like using an Amazon fulfillment center) as triggers for registration. Additionally, some states, like Washington and Texas, have unique legislation requiring registration even if you only sell on Amazon.



Taking Action: How to Register for Sales Tax



The good news: registering for sales tax is generally a straightforward process. Most states allow you to register online through their Department of Revenue website and obtain a sales tax certificate. This process typically takes 1-2 hours and requires your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Remember, many sellers overlook obtaining an EIN because Amazon allows them to operate without it. However, an EIN is crucial for tax compliance.



Reseller Certificates and US Business Structures



While this episode focuses on private label and custom product sellers, it's important to note that if you purchase inventory from US wholesalers, you can likely obtain a reseller certificate to avoid paying sales tax upfront. This certificate, based on your shipping address, allows wholesalers to recognize you're not the end consumer.



Here's some good news for international sellers: you don't necessarily need a US LLC or Corporation to sell on Amazon USA. Your existing UK Ltd company can suffice, provided you obtain an EIN.



Beyond the Basics: Considerations for Established Businesses



For established businesses with significant sales volume, incorporating a US entity offers advantages. A US corporation allows you to open a US bank account,

Unlocking Amazon Sales Tax Nexus: Do I Need to Register?


Why Brand Registry Needs Chinese Trademarks



E-commerce brands thrive on Amazon's vast marketplace. But for true growth, brand protection is essential. This is where Amazon Brand Registry excels, offering powerful tools to combat counterfeits. However, these benefits are limited by geographical reach. To unlock Brand Registry's full potential and dominate the Chinese market, registering your trademark in China is crucial.



[00:14] - Introduction and overview[00:58] - Conversation with Anita Ma begins[02:01] - Trademarks in different countries[03:17] - Filing trademarks internationally with WIPO[m05:37] - Enforcing trademarks on Amazon[09:55] - Renewing and maintaining trademarks[13:41] - Trademarking in China[19:00] - Importance of trademarking in China[24:25] - Timing of filing in China[26:24] - Filing trademarks in India



Territorial Rights: Understanding Trademark Protection



Unlike the U.S., China operates on a "first-to-file" system. This means whoever files a trademark first owns the rights, regardless of prior use elsewhere. So, even a competitor or manufacturer in China can steal your brand identity if you delay filing a trademark.



The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) offers a streamlined process to file in multiple countries simultaneously. However, ensure your trademark application perfectly mirrors your original registration. Inconsistencies can lead to rejections and delays. Remember, China's trademark laws differ significantly from the U.S. and Europe. Consider seeking help from a local Chinese attorney to navigate the process smoothly.



Brand Enforcement on Amazon: Taking Action Against Infringers



Having a registered trademark (® symbol) empowers you to report infringing listings on Amazon through Brand Registry. This is often the most effective solution. Additionally, a cease-and-desist letter can usually deter potential infringers. However, if these steps fail, be prepared for legal action in Chinese courts.



Important Note: In the U.S., you cannot enforce trademark rights with a pending application ( symbol). The registration process takes about 18 months, while the U.K. boasts a faster turnaround of 4 months.



Maintaining Your Trademark: Vigilance is Key



Protecting your brand requires constant vigilance. Here are some strategies:




* Utilize the registered trademark symbol (®).



* Set up free Google Alerts to receive notifications whenever your brand name is mentioned online.



* Subscribe to a trademark monitoring service like Trademark Angel for comprehensive brand protection.



* Regularly search the WIPO database to stay updated on trademark applications similar to yours.




Remember, trademarks require renewal every 10 years. In some countries, including the U.S., you need to submit proof of use (e.g., product packaging with your trademark) during renewal. In others, simply paying the fee suffices, but someone could challenge your ownership for non-use.



Abandoned Trademarks: Tread Carefully



If you discover an unused trademark, you cannot simply adopt it. Investigate further. Play detective - check websites, make calls pretending to be a customer, and gather evidence of non-use. Consider legal counsel before proceeding.



Buying and Selling Trademarks: Important Considerations



Yes, registered trademarks can be bought and sold as business assets, assuming they are actively used. However, an abandoned trademark can be canceled if someone proves non-use. Similarly,

Maximize Amazon Brand Registry Benefits: Filing Trademarks in China


Building a successful brand on Amazon requires strategic planning. Trademark registration is a crucial step, but the process can seem daunting. This guide breaks down everything you need to know into easy-to-understand steps.



[00:00] - You really need to know what you're going to sell[00:56] - Introduction of guest Anita Ma and topic of trademarks[01:21] - Explanation of what a registered trademark agent is[02:12] - Anita's background and founding of Trademark Angel[02:50] - Defining what a trademark is[04:13] - Why trademarks exist and legal protection they provide[05:51] - Benefits of having a registered trademark[07:03] - Importance of trademarks for e-commerce and online sellers[08:16] - Distinction between having a trademark and registering one



What is a Trademark and Why Do They Matter for Amazon Sellers?



A trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase that identifies the source of a product or service. It acts like a lighthouse, guiding customers to your brand and distinguishing you from competitors. Trademarks offer several benefits for Amazon sellers:




* Exclusivity: A registered trademark grants you a legal monopoly for your specific product or service category for ten years. This deters competitors from using your brand name or logo.



* Increased Brand Value: A strong trademark strengthens your brand identity, fostering customer trust and loyalty. Over time, your trademark becomes an invaluable asset, increasing your business value.



* Brand Registry Access: Trademark registration is a prerequisite for enrolling in Amazon's Brand Registry program. This program unlocks powerful tools to protect your brand from counterfeiters and hijackers, improve product listings, and gain valuable customer insights.




While common law rights exist for unregistered trademarks, enforcing them is challenging and expensive. Registration provides concrete evidence of ownership and simplifies the process of protecting your brand.



Are You Protected by Your Company Name?



Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe incorporating a business automatically protects their brand name. However, trademarks arise from using a specific brand name for a particular product or service in the marketplace.



When Should You File a Trademark?



Before filing a trademark application, it's crucial to have a clear business plan and conduct thorough market research. Define your product categories precisely. A vague trademark, like "Kitchen Essentials," won't offer sufficient protection. You can't file an "umbrella trademark" to cover a broad range of unrelated products.



The ideal scenario is to file a trademark application before launching your product. However, you don't necessarily need a product already on the market.



Stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll delve into the order of events for trademark registration, market research techniques, and trademark availability checks!

Unlocking Trademark Registration Process for Amazon Sellers


The Roman Empire was famous for being the greatest empire in the ancient world. It lasted hundreds of years. It controlled the then known world, which was around Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, but it's 410 AD, the barbarians sack Rome. What happened? And how can we learn from this as e commerce operators?



Stay tuned.



Protect your Empire!



Hey folks, Michael Veazey here from Amazing FBA. I want to talk about this under appreciated topic. Everyone's obsessed with growth, and of course they should, and the empire building. But once you've got something valuable and desirable, then of course, you're going to get people attacking it in some form or degrading it.



And one of the things that a more mature entrepreneur will do when they move from pure startup phase, where you just growth, growth, growth, revenue, revenue, revenue is to understand that you've got something valuable, and now you need to protect it.



So that's why we're going to talk about it today. 



Success invites Attack



You think about the Roman Empire, this fertile ground in Italy where it was was focused and Rome is halfway down Italy. It had costly desirable infrastructure, a whole city with beautiful buildings and they had a reputation. They were famous. They were the kind of tall guy that everyone wanted to take a pop at.



And although you probably don't feel like you're running the Roman Empire right now, you may have in your category a reputation and an obvious desirability of the market so you need to be protecting it.



 If you're working in e commerce or Amazon specifically, if you're running a business for fewer than 10 years, 60-70% percent of all the cash you ever see from the business will come when you sell it. Guess what? If you don't have the proof that you own the things that you sell, like your trademark, If you cannot show that you have dealt with the risks inherent in the business, and we'll talk about those, the business is either not sellable, or you will sell it for hundreds of thousands of dollars or pounds less than you could have sold it for.



And that is a huge loss. That is real money, not in your pocket, that could have been. So reason to take this stuff seriously.



Let's talk briefly about the threats, which is not much fun, and the ways you can protect yourself, which is much better. In no particular order,



Sales Channel risk



The first one is sales channels risk.



The, the Amazon sales channel is a great powerful thing to have access to, but it can be suspended. So there are two ways that can happen.



Listing Suspension



One is your listing gets suspended because you've got some words in it that you shouldn't have. Maybe these days, weirdly can be even put in place by the Amazon artificial intelligence engine at Amazon. One half of Amazon does that. And then the other half of Amazon that monitors things like what you're allowed to say in your listing will shut your listing down, which is insane, but entirely consistent with how Amazon operates, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.



Obviously you could put something yourself in there naively, and that can suspend a listing for months at the worst.



Check TOS



So first of all. Checked terms of service and do not assume that one half of Amazon isn't doing stupid things. Check your listings very, very regularly. Particularly there's kind of hero product.



If you've got a small set of products,

Protecting your e-commerce business


E-commerce offers a thrilling path to entrepreneurship, but scaling your brand often requires an influx of capital. This guide delves into securing e-commerce startup funding, specifically tailored for Amazon FBA sellers. Here, we'll explore e-commerce startup financing options, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for maximizing success with minimal capital.



00:57 Introduction01:54 Discussing Financing Options for E-commerce Businesses02:37 How Lenders Assess E-commerce Businesses for Lending04:07 Invoice Finance and Trade Finance Explained06:02 Understanding Working Capital Needs08:09 Importance of Having a Plan for Using Financing09:26 Common Pitfalls for Amazon Sellers with Financing10:33 Red Flags for When Not to Take External Funding13:01 Minimum Requirements Lenders Look For15:18 Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Financing Viability19:02 Assessing Affordability of Financing21:04 Advice for Hesitant Amazon Sellers on Exploring Financing23:11 How to Get in Touch with Jamie Bridgeson24:59 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks



Understanding Amazon FBA Creditworthiness



Amazon's unique business model poses challenges for traditional credit assessments. Lenders often require at least a year of trading history to gauge profitability and Product-Market Fit (PMF). Demonstrating consistent profits strengthens your creditworthiness significantly.



Financing Options for E-commerce Startups



Beyond traditional loans, several financing options cater to the specific needs of e-commerce businesses:




* Trade Finance: Injects capital by allowing lenders to pay suppliers directly. Once you sell the stock, you repay the lender. This frees up cash flow, allowing you to focus on marketing while inventory is financed. Some lenders even offer foreign exchange (Forex) support.



* Invoice Finance: Once you've received inventory and raised invoices on Amazon or Shopify, you can "unlock" cash from those invoices through lenders. This helps bridge the gap between your payment terms and immediate business needs.




Financial Challenges and Strategies for E-commerce Businesses



Navigating the financial landscape of e-commerce comes with unique challenges:




* Balancing Affordability: Not all expenses qualify for financing. Marketing costs, for instance, don't have tangible assets as security. Building affordability into your financing plan is crucial.



* Minimum Requirements: Lenders often have minimum revenue or profit thresholds. Understanding these requirements helps you determine if external funding is suitable.




Red Flags for External Funding:



While external funding can fuel growth, consider these red flags before diving in:




* Unaffordable Debt: Can you comfortably repay the loan without hindering your cash flow? Lenders prioritize affordability, so demonstrating a sustainable repayment plan is essential.



* Overdependence on Unsecured Loans: During challenging times, some business owners turn to unsecured loans, accumulating significant debt. This can limit your options for future financing.




Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them:




* Broker Fees: Reputable brokers receive their fees directly from lenders, not you. Be wary of any upfront costs.



* DIY Lending: Rejection from one lender doesn't have to be a dead end. Brokers can leverage their network to find more suitable options.



* Rising Interest Rates: The current economic climate might present higher borrowing costs.

Secure E-commerce Startup Funding: A Guide to Raising Finance

Amazing FBA Amazon and ECommerce Podcast, for Amazon Private Label Sellers, Shopify, Magento or Woocommerce business owners, and other e-commerce sellers and digital entrepreneurs.

Getting started in eCommerce – How to Spend Just $100 for Max Impact!

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