Podcast – TurnKey Product Management

In this Episode of Playbook for Amazon, host Alex welcomes Yohan Jacob, the president and founder of Retailbound, a firm that has guided over 500 product brands into major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Costco. With 18 years of experience, Yohan shares how the retail landscape has evolved since he started Retailbound in 2008, especially with the rise of e-commerce and omnichannel strategies.

Yohan discusses the shift from traditional brick-and-mortar retail to omnichannel approaches, accelerated by COVID-19, and highlights how retailers like Best Buy have adapted with curbside pickup and enhanced digital platforms. He also notes the growth of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands like Peloton and Casper, alongside the power of social media marketing in today’s retail world.

Retailbound specializes in helping brands with innovative, durable products (think consumer electronics, sporting goods, and housewares) break into retail. Yohan shares a success story of a smart ring brand, Ultra Human, which went from a crowdfunding campaign to generating $1.5 million in sales on QVC and expanding to 2,500+ stores across the US and Canada.

The episode also dives into Retailbound’s two key programs: Retailbound Launch, a comprehensive service for brands ready to hit retail shelves, and Retailbound Accelerator, a group coaching program for smaller inventors seeking retail education. Yohan emphasizes the importance of a strong Amazon presence before approaching retail buyers, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Listen to the full episode to discover how to make your brand retail-ready and connect with Yohan at retailbound.com!

thorn-crest.com

Keith Harmon’s insights underscore the importance of comprehensive IP protection for Amazon sellers. By taking proactive steps and utilizing available tools, brands can safeguard their products and maintain their market position. For detailed guidance and assistance, Thorncrest offers specialized services to help sellers navigate these challenges effectively.  

Today, we have a fascinating conversation with Jeff Lieber, the CEO and founder of Turnkey Product Management, a successful Amazon agency based in San Diego, California. Jeff shares his journey from starting his own brands to exiting them and finally establishing his agency in the ever-changing landscape of Amazon. We’ll explore the importance of networking and the role of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in scaling an e-commerce business. So, let’s dive in!

Getting Started in the Amazon Space:
Jeff Lieber began his journey in the e-commerce world back in 2014, selling his own brands on Amazon. With firsthand experience, he witnessed the continuous evolution of the platform over the years. After exiting his own brands, Jeff founded Turnkey Product Management in 2017, transitioning from a seller to an agency owner.

The Importance of Networking and Partnerships:
Jeff emphasizes the significance of networking and building partnerships in the e-commerce space. He recalls meeting Ryan Moran from Capitalism.com early on, and their friendship led to an official advisory role for Turnkey Product Management. Networking allowed Jeff to learn from others, expand his knowledge base, and foster valuable relationships in the industry.

The Value of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
SOPs are essential for scaling any business, including e-commerce ventures. Jeff stresses that SOPs streamline operations and enable entrepreneurs to delegate tasks efficiently. A combination of video and written SOPs proves effective in training team members to perform tasks at the same level as the founder. He also emphasizes the need to continuously update and refine SOPs to adapt to changes in the market.

Critical SOPs for Amazon Sellers:
For Amazon sellers, two crucial SOPs are listing optimization and product launch strategies. Many sellers neglect listing optimization, which impacts conversion rates and overall success on the platform. Jeff advises developing a checklist for listing optimization to ensure all components are present. Additionally, a well-structured product launch SOP can lead to more successful product introductions.

Turnkey Product Management’s Services:
Turnkey Product Management offers a range of services to e-commerce brands. For established brands with consistent sales, the full-service package includes Amazon channel management, listing optimization, advertising management, and launch strategies. Additionally, they provide coaching and SOP development for brands looking to improve their internal processes.

The Small World of E-commerce:
Jeff shares an intriguing anecdote about meeting Reggie Young, who had previously been a customer of Turnkey Product Management. The story highlights the interconnectedness of the e-commerce community and the importance of strong networking ties.

In this blog post, we explored Jeff Lieber’s journey from an Amazon seller to the CEO of Turnkey Product Management. Jeff’s emphasis on networking, partnerships, and the implementation of SOPs offers valuable insights for aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs. Whether you’re looking to build an agency or scale your own brand, investing in relationships and effective procedures can be the key to success in the e-commerce world. Happy selling!

Don Henning, the founder of Accrueme, a company that provides financing for Amazon sellers, was interviewed on the Amazon Playbook Podcast. Accrueme offers a unique financing model that does not charge interest, fees, or monthly payments. Instead, Accrueme earns a percentage of the profits that sellers make with the money they borrow. This model is designed to be more beneficial for sellers than traditional financing options.

Accrueme is the only company that offers this type of financing for Amazon sellers. The company has been in business for 4 years and has helped over 1,000 sellers grow their businesses.

To qualify for financing from Accrueme, sellers must have a minimum of $20,000 in monthly sales and have been selling on Amazon for at least 6 months.

The podcast episode highlighted the following key points about Accrueme:

• Accrueme’s financing model is unique in that it does not charge interest, fees, or monthly payments.
• Accrueme is the only company that offers this type of financing for Amazon sellers.
• Accrueme has been in business for 4 years and has helped over 1,000 sellers grow their businesses.
• To qualify for financing from Accrueme, sellers must have a minimum of $20,000 in monthly sales and have been selling on Amazon for at least 6 months.

If you are an Amazon seller who is looking for financing, Accrueme is a great option to consider. The company’s unique financing model can help you save money and grow your business.

Leo, a specialist in Amazon suspensions (Amazon Suspension Lawyer), advises sellers to carefully review Amazon’s policies before listing their products to avoid suspension and legal issues. As drop-shipping services and other passive income schemes are prohibited on Amazon, it is essential for sellers to conduct due diligence before starting any business models that may conflict with Amazon’s policies. Additionally, it is important for sellers to have a good understanding of the platform’s expectations to avoid logistical issues related to order fulfillment that can lead to performance issues and suspension.

He emphasizes the significance of providing excellent customer service and addressing buyer concerns promptly to avoid negative reviews and agency claims that could impact a seller’s performance. To establish a reputable brand, sellers should focus on providing quality post-purchase customer and tech support, particularly if they sell tech products. Furthermore, Leo mentions Amazon’s arbitration process, which serves as a faster and more exclusive dispute resolution mechanism between Amazon and sellers.

To succeed as an Amazon seller, it is crucial to be familiar with Amazon’s policies and take responsibility for understanding and adhering to them. By avoiding dubious practices, offering exceptional customer service, and building a trustworthy brand, sellers can expand their business on Amazon.

PR can serve as a valuable tool for Amazon businesses looking to launch new products and drive sales through promotions. By carefully timing press releases and securing media coverage, PR can generate excitement and increase the visibility of new products, creating a sense of urgency that can help drive sales.

Optimizing product listings is an important part of PR for Amazon businesses. PR can assist in improving the language and visuals used in product listings to make them more compelling and effective in converting shoppers into buyers. Additionally, PR can assist with keyword research and optimization to enhance search rankings.

When partnering with a PR agency, it’s crucial to establish clear objectives and expectations for the campaign, such as identifying the target audience, messaging, and desired outcomes. It’s also important to establish a timeline and budget for the campaign and to communicate regularly with the agency to ensure the campaign stays on track.

Another benefit of successful PR campaigns for Amazon sellers is improved search engine rankings through generating high-quality backlinks from reputable media outlets. This benefit of PR can have a lasting impact on the business by driving more organic traffic to their listings.

Johan, an expert in retail, suggests several strategies for physical stores to coexist with Amazon. One of the critical strategies is maintaining consistent pricing across all channels to avoid damaging the brand’s reputation. Retailers must also ensure their content, such as product descriptions, images, and reviews, is up to date and appealing to potential customers. Controlling access to the catalog by limiting the number of third-party sellers is also important to avoid pricing conflicts and maintain the brand’s reputation. To maintain a positive rating on Amazon, retailers should respond professionally to negative reviews and address customer issues promptly.

When expanding their business, retailers should consider selling directly to Amazon via 1p or 3p and evaluate the benefits of using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) versus Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM). Johan emphasizes that Amazon is an extension of a retail brand and should be treated as such. Entrepreneurs must carefully consider whether to start their business on Amazon or in a physical retail store, depending on the product category and their goals.

Retailers have adapted to the changing times by offering convenient shopping options like buy-online-pick-up-in-store or curbside pickup. To succeed in the future, entrepreneurs should consider both retail and online platforms and offer customers multiple buying options. This can lend legitimacy to the brand and give entrepreneurs negotiating leverage with retailers. Overall, Johan’s expert strategies can help physical stores coexist with Amazon and thrive in the current retail landscape.

Trying to figure out how to do product research?

When it comes to analyzing ecommerce markets, there’s one thing that matters the most.

It’s a product/market fit.

Don’t get too caught up on specific products, it’s the product research niche that you need to key in on for your winning product.

You don’t want to spend money and time on a product that no one or very few people want. That is why keyword research is a good idea.

Demand alone isn’t enough. You need to make sure that your niche has a marketing opportunity for your online business.

In this episode with Jon Tilley of Zonguru, let’s talk more about finding amazing product opportunities, analyzing your market and the best approach when you want to expand your Amazon business internationally.

Get the best deal on Zonguru here:
https://turnkeyproductmanagement.com/zonguru

• 00:55:22 – What is the story behind Zonguru?
• 04:44:12 – Any tips on finding amazing product opportunities on Amazon?
• 13:03:24 – Are there any tips for testing out international waters when you want to expand your Amazon business?
• 16:34:01 – Strategies for boosting conversions.
• 24:03:22 – Connect with Jon Tilly.

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