The Asian Seller

More often than not, new sellers are oblivious to all the costs of running an Amazon FBA or eCommerce business. They launch new products without doing proper research or validation, and are then surprised when they run into losses.

On this episode, Margaret Jolly, Founder & CEO, Profit Improvement Business Solutions, talks about the various expenses and costs sellers must account for in order to run a profitable eCommerce business.

Margaret became a mentor to small businesses after owning and managing several businesses of her own. She is also a successful Amazon seller who has been sourcing products from India for over 2 years.

She is a Coach on India Sourcing Trip, a guided sourcing, learning and cultural tour for Amazon sellers.

Whether you are new to Amazon and require guidance listing your first product or a more experienced seller looking for help with listings, optimization, images or other information, Margaret can help.

Her goal is to guide sellers on their journey and grow their brand that will make an impact on their customers. She teaches sellers how to find products that will sell and craft listings that convert.

Her truthful no-nonsense approach ensures sellers know exactly what the real costs of this business are and how best to manage their Amazon account to maximize profit.

Episode highlights:

• Background, intro, and how Margaret helps Amazon sellers
• Why are many Amazon sellers not aware of the costs of running their business
• What is the minimum margin sellers should look at to cover all key costs and still be profitable
• Deep dive into the specific costs:
• • Set-up costs
  • Cost of goods
  • Advertising
  • Tools & other expenses
• Effective ways to track expenses
• How can sellers reduce and optimize costs
• Margaret's services

Special offer:

• Free 30-minute consultation for the first 5 people to contact Margaret
• To redeem, email [email protected] and mention The Asian Seller
• More info: http://profitimprovementbusinesssolutions.com

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Many home-based Amazon and ecommerce sellers working as one-person companies often feel isolated, and need to deal with failures, criticism and self-doubt.

We experience many ups and downs on a daily basis - we may make a few sales in the morning and be excited and then receive a 1-star review in the evening and feel dejected.

My guest on this episode, Stephen Somers, Co-Founder of Marketplace SuperHeroes has been there done that. He shares advice and tips to build the mental frameworks that will make you stronger and more effective entrepreneurs.

Episode highlights:

• Introduction and how Stephen started with Amazon
• Challenges Stephen faced as he started and grew his business
• How can entrepreneurs overcome isolation
• Advice on how to deal with criticism and self-doubt
• How to manage failures, rejection and day-to-day ups and downs
• Tips for maintaining work-life balance
• Habits entrepreneurs should develop to be efficient and effective
• Services offered by Marketplace SuperHeroes, and how to reach Stephen

About Stephen Somers:

Stephen is the co-founder of Marketplace SuperHeroes, an online education and services company that helps people learn how to sell their own products globally on Amazon.

Together with his business partner, Robert, the guys have sold over $12 million of products on Amazon and have helped over 5,000 people learn to do the same.

Marketplace SuperHeroes: http://MarketplaceSuperHeroes.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0vPu0MpUQucAnZukUbtJuw/videos

FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1429399653973369

Instagram: @stephenjsomers

Daily Success & Motivation Hacks Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/831325197329010/

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Whether you are a new Amazon seller or an experienced one, finding new products to sell is probably one of the most challenging aspects of running an ecommerce business.

In this episode, Chris Thomas from The Australian Seller podcast talks about product research and validation for Amazon private label.

Listen in to learn: Is product selection an art or a science? How to look for product ideas off of Amazon? Which product categories to avoid? How to look for products at trade shows, and more.

Episode highlights:

• Introduction and how Chris started with Amazon
• Is product selection an art or science
• Where should sellers look for product ideas
• What are some product validation strategies that are working nowadays
• What is the search volume Chris is looking for when doing keyword research
• How to search for product ideas off of Amazon
• Product categories to avoid, especially for new sellers
• Does one need to "love" the product or be passionate about the niche
• Should sellers attempt to sell bulky items
• Product validation at trade shows - should people go to trade shows with a product in mind, or validate products after they're back from the show?
• Tools used for product research and validation
• Common mistakes sellers make when selecting products
• Capital required to start an Amazon business
• Chris's services and how can reach him

About Chris Thomas:

Chris has been involved in eCommerce since 2011, and in 2013, he raised $110,000 on Kickstarter for his own product. He launched on Amazon US in 2015, and is also an Amazon coach and consultant.

​He is the host of The Australian Seller Podcast, and speaker at conferences around the world including Retail Global and Global Sources Summit.

Website: www.theaustralianseller.com

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In this episode, Keith O'Brien, CEO of Page.One, a full service Amazon agency shares strategies to increase conversions by enhancing images.

According to Keith, people buy online based on emotion, and therefore the most important thing for sellers to consider is who exactly their audience is. After they've done this, they need to add emotion and story into their images.

Here are 5 key strategies Keith shared among many others:

1. Understand who buys the product and why
2. How does the product solve their problems
3. Hero shot or main image should be the best it can be
4. Tell a visual story using your image stack
5. Nail the feature / benefits of the product

Episode highlights:

• Keith's background and how his company helps Amazon sellers
• Importance of images and photographs on Amazon listings
• Different types of photos on Amazon, and which are the most critical
• Should sellers DIY their images
• If they do DIY, what are the minimum requirements
• About 3D rendered and Photoshopped images
• Tools for A/B testing images
• Common mistakes sellers make when it comes to images
• 5 strategies to increase conversions using photographs and images
• Services offered by Page.One

About Page.One:

Page.One is a full-service agency serving Amazon and e-commerce businesses with listing optimization, product photography, Enhanced Brand Content, PPC management and full brand management.

They have been helping Amazon businesses grow their brands since 2014 and work with businesses of all sizes.

Website: https://www.page.one

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Anna Davidson, an Amazon mentor and coach from London opens up to share her story of how she found the courage to get out of an abusive relationship.

Anna also talks about her transition from a successful corporate leader to a digital mumpreuner launching her own online business. She is now a 6-figure seller, an eCommerce mentor and has helped over 2,000 people launch their own businesses. She is also an author, speaker and ambassador of a charity The Buddy Bag Foundation.

PS: If anyone reading this is in an abusive relationship or the victim of domestic violence, know that if Anna could come out of it, you can too! Reach out for help now.

Episode highlights:

• Anna had a successful corporate career, and then her perspective changed after the birth of her first child
• She talks about her abusive relationship, and why she has now decided to open up and talk about it. She hopes someone who is in a similar situation might hear her story and find the courage to get out of it
• It took her three years and a lot of courage to get out of the relationship
• What was the tipping point that finally made her leave
• How Anna stumbled upon Amazon
• How she started her coaching program
• Why people need ongoing help with their Amazon business
• Common mistakes people make when starting their Amazon business
• Product research strategies and tips
• Differences between the US and European marketplaces
• Why Branding is going to be critical on Amazon moving forward
• Eco-friendly products will continue to be a key trend in the future
• The key is to look for products that haven't gone sustainable yet
• Anna's plans for the future

About Anna:

Anna is an eCommerce & digital marketing expert, author, mumpreneur, founder of 6 Figure Amazon Sellers and coach at ImportXperts.

She became an Amazon seller in 2012 on the USA marketplace followed by Europe. Her skills are understanding Amazon, building brands, and creating eCommerce stores. She has taught over 2,000 students to build successful businesses through on and offline training programs,

She also teaches how to drive traffic through Facebook & Instagram. She has built multiple brands from scratch with 10+ years of online marketing experience.

How to reach Anna:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/missannadavidson

Instagram: www.instagram.com/annadavidsonthawe

Join her Amazon sellers group: www.facebook.com/groups/6figureAmazonCreator

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In episode, we talk about hiring and working with freelancers and agencies. My guest is Kamaljit Singh from AMZ One Step, who shares outsourcing best practices and the mistakes people make when working with freelancers.

Kamaljit came to Canada in 2010 as an international student at Niagara College. After finishing school, he founded AMZ One Step, an agency that helps Amazon sellers launch their products on Amazon.

They now have a team of 27 employees in Canada and Pakistan to help with Listing Optimization, EBC, Photography and PPC management services.

Episode highlights:

• Introduction
• When should Amazon sellers hire freelancers or outsource their tasks
• Tasks that can / should be outsourced
• Freelancers vs agencies - pros and cons
• Criteria to consider when selecting freelancers
• Recommended platforms to hire freelancers
• Where to outsource - pros and cons of key locations - Philippines, Pakistan, India
• Average rate per hour for freelancers
• How to ensure they deliver quality consistently
• Importance of developing SOPs and defining KPIs
• Mistakes sellers make when outsourcing, and best practices
• How AMZ One Step helps Amazon sellers

Special offer:

• Email [email protected] or [email protected] and mention "The Asian Seller" to get a 15% discount on all services
• Website: www.AMZOneStep.com

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Raj is an Amazon seller in Singapore, who started his eCommerce journey in early 2019 after working in a 9-to-5 job for 16 years.

In this episode he shares his experience selling on various marketplaces including Amazon, Lazada and Qoo10. He shares lessons learnt, successes and challenges.

Raj knows that eCommerce is not a get rich quick scheme like some "gurus" portray it. It is a real business that requires hard work, patience and a lot of learning. While it is a business that needs less investment than many others, there are challenges, pitfalls and risks just like any other entrepreneurial venture.

This episode is for all wannabe sellers, and gives a glimpse of what running an eCommerce business entails.

Episode highlights:

1. About Raj. How he started selling on Amazon
2. Did he take a course and how was it
3. Mistakes he made when starting his eCommerce business
4. Biggest challenges he faces in business today
5. Which aspect of the business he finds most challenging
6. Selling on multiple marketplaces for diversification
7. Main differences sourcing from China and other sourcing markets
8. Importance of networking and learning from other sellers
9. Raj's advice for new sellers

Mentioned in this podcast:

Helium10

• A comprehensive suite of tools to help with your Amazon business
• Includes Freedom Ticket - a free US$1,000 course from Kevin King
• Use the code ASIANSELLER10 for 10% off every month or ASIANSELLER50 for 50% the first month
• Subscribe here: www.helium10.com

Jason Tay's Amazon training

• This is the most comprehensive, practical and affordable Amazon training in Singapore, and I vouch for it 100%
• Mention "The Asian Seller" to receive an additional one-on-one session with Jason after the in-person training
• Sign up here: https://www.jasontayonline.com/singapore-training.html or email Jason at [email protected]

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Steven Selikoff started selling on Amazon FBA in October 2006, a few weeks after the program was announced.

He has vast experience in retail and sourcing from China.

He recommends identifying market gaps and people's pain points to come up with product ideas instead of using tools. He also emphasizes the need to diversify off of Amazon and sell into retail.

Steven caught the entrepreneur bug in 1973 when he sold photos printed from editing room discards from the TV show Star Trek at the second ever Star Trek Convention.

He continued to nurse his entrepreneurial streak through years in fashion photography, advertising and marketing.

Eventually he ended up at Microsoft where he was Business Manager to two Vice-Presidents, including Microsoft's Worldwide Retail Sales & Marketing division. While at Microsoft, he started developing and importing products from China. His own businesses grew enough for him to leave Microsoft and to make importing and selling products his sole career.

Episode highlights:

• Introduction
• Is retail dying? If not, how is it changing and adapting?
• Steven's approach to identifying, testing and developing products for eCommerce and retail
• On average, how much capital is required to develop a new product
• How should someone who doesn't live in the US develop products for the US market?
• Trading companies vs manufacturers
• Vetting suppliers - why communication is critical
• Contacting retailers after the product is developed and tested
• The one piece of advice Steven has for sellers
• About Canton Fair Experience

Learn more about The Canton Fair Experience:

• www.thecantonfairexperience.com
• Use the code MEGHLA100 for $100 off

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Klaidas Siuipys is a rising PPC expert and professional based in Lithuania. He has been an entrepreneur most of his life helping with the family business.

He ventured into Amazon in 2015 when he started selling products from his family business on Amazon.

Now Kliadas is a trainer, consultant and conference speaker known for closely tracking how Amazon platforms are constantly evolving and how to adapt to take advantage of any changes.

In this episode, Kliadas walks us through the basics of Amazon PPC. If you're just starting out on Amazon, this episode is for you.

Episode highlights:

• What is Amazon PPC, and what ACoS?
• What's the purpose of PPC? Is it to make profit or to rank your products organically
• What to prepare before spending money on ads.
• What are the different campaign types - Auto and Manual
• Keyword match types
• Ad placement options
• Keyword research
• Negative keywords
• Common rookie PPC mistakes

How to reach Klaidas:

• www.chayzconsulting.com
• www.facebook.com/KlaidasCommerce

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In this episode, Meghla Bhardwaj talks about how you can find the right supplier for your Amazon and eCommerce business.

The first step is defining an ideal company based on your specific needs. Use 6 key criteria to decide what kind of supplier you want to work with depending on your requirements.

This will save you time during the supplier selection process because you can very quickly eliminate candidates that don't meet your requirements.

Episode highlights:

• 6 criteria to consider when defining your ideal supplier:

1. Supplier types
2. Regulatory compliance
3. Export markets
4. Location
5. Factory size
6. Equipment, specialization

• Where to search for suppliers
• Narrowing down to 2-3 suppliers
• Finalizing THE one and placing an order

How to reach Meghla:

• Email: [email protected]

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