The Smartest Amazon Seller

By SmartScout

Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling ... more

· Technology

4.7

145145 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Smartest Amazon Seller:

How many episodes does The Smartest Amazon Seller have?

The podcast currently has 320 episodes available.

The Smartest Amazon Seller episodes:

August 12, 2025 Episode 314 - Automato AI’s Belal El-Harazin on Scaling Amazon Listings with AI, Brand Voice, and Smart Keyword Strategy
Scott welcomes Belal El-Harazin, founder of Automato AI, to discuss how AI is transforming Amazon content creation, keyword strategy, and catalog management.  

Belal shares Automato AI’s mission to help sellers scale with automated content refreshes, brand voice integration, and powerful keyword discovery. Also highlighting fun.com’s AI-generated listings outperforming human copy.  

The conversation covers the shift from manual listing updates to autonomous optimization, Amazon’s evolving search from keyword-driven to intent-based, and best practices for updating listings without losing relevance.  

Belal also explains how Automato AI serves as an “operating system” for large catalogs, complete with analytics, segmentation, and price monitoring.

Episode Notes:
00:38 - Belal El-Harazin Introduction
01:55 - Automato AI’s mission
03:06 - The Evolution of Amazon Content Creation
04:59 - Founding Story and Company Background
06:26 - Agency vs SaaS
08:50 - Analysis of Amazon Search Today
10:53 - The Power of Brand Voice in Amazon Content
12:24 - Intent vs Keyword Search
13:58 - Best Practices for Updating Amazon Listings
16:50 - Keyword Rotation and Relevance
19:17 - Discovering the Right Keywords
21:57 - Catalog Management for Scale
24:50 - Adoption and Getting Started with Automato AI

Related Post: The Ultimate Amazon Repricing Strategies: AI-Powered Price Optimization
How to Reach Belal:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/belharazin
Website: maverickdigital.com | automatoai.com
Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
29min
August 05, 2025 Episode 313 - CPG Brands, Trends, and Product-Market Fit with Nik Hall
Scott is joined by CPG expert Nik Hall to discuss what truly drives success for consumer packaged goods brands on Amazon.

Drawing from his experience building and exiting a gummy vitamin company, Nik shares hard-earned insights on category trends, why most failures come from chasing hype too late, and how overlooked niches often present the best opportunities.

Get real-world lessons from both failed launches and breakout brands, highlighting the importance of strategy, timing, and execution.

Scott and Nik also explore how to validate product-market fit through blind taste tests, review mining, and competitor analysis. Nik emphasizes that in the world of consumables, taste still reigns supreme. No amount of marketing can save a mediocre product.

They discuss how tools like SmartScout can guide smarter decisions around product development and launch timing, offering a clear roadmap for new sellers aiming to succeed in today’s competitive CPG landscape.

Episode Notes:
00:15 - Nik Hall Introduction
01:20 - Nik’s Background
01:57 - Success vs. Failure in CPG on Amazon
03:31 - Chasing Trends: Opportunities and Pitfalls
05: 10 - Multi-Trend Positioning
08:30 - Taste and Longevity: What Really Drives LTV
08:52 - Product Development: Testing and Sensory Analysis
11:07 - Navigating Manufacturing and Co-Packing Challenges
14:50 - Real-World Failure
18:17 - Product-Market Fit in CPG
19:03- Customer Conversations and Amazon Research
20:53 - Choosing a Launch Path
21:24 - The Realities of Retail
22:14 - The Permissionless Nature of Amazon and D2C
23:10 - Startup Resource Requirements
23:40 - Founders’ Stories
25:05 - Best Resources for New CPG Entrepreneurs
27:25 - Networking, Mentorship, and Building Real Relationships
29:08 - Content Marketing and Honest Advice
29:30 - Helping Select Brands and Giving Back

Related Post: The Top CPG Brands That Launched on Amazon Since 2018

How to Reach Nik:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nikhall
Website: vitafive.com

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
33min
July 30, 2025 Episode 312 - Recovering Lost Revenue Through Smarter Returns
Scott and Alan Weiss, CEO of AVX Returns and a former 8-figure reseller, unpack the real cost and hidden opportunity behind Amazon returns. They explore why return management is often overlooked, how AVX turns chaos into cash, and what resellers can do to stop leaving money on the table.

Episode Notes:
01:22 - Alan Weiss Introduction
02:23 - Alan’s Background and the start of AVX Returns
03:40 - The Reseller Landscape and the Sellers United Conference
04:33 - The Real Costs and Challenges of Handling Returns
07:35 - AVX Returns’ Unique Approach to Reseller Returns
10:30 - Return Categories and Recovery Realities
11:37 - Reimbursement Opportunities
13:06 - The Psychology and Business Wisdom of Returns Management
15:16 - Operational Best Practices for Sellers

Related Post: Why U.S. Amazon Shoppers Deliver Near-Double Value Compared to International Buyers

How to Reach Alan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alan-weiss-1b6a4431
Website: avxreturns.com
Email: [email protected]

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
20min
July 01, 2025 Episode 311 - How Leverage Can Make or Break Your Business
Scott gets into the real-world financial decisions Amazon sellers face, especially when it comes to leveraging debt. He shares firsthand experience navigating inventory demands, Q4 cash crunches, and the lure of fast growth, while also examining the dangers of borrowing, from overvaluing inventory to the addictive cycle of continual loans.
Hear case studies, cautionary tales, and reflections on what separates sellers who survive from those who flame out. Whether you’re debating your first credit line or considering a private label acquisition, this episode offers grounded insight—and a compelling argument for building debt-free, sustainable Amazon businesses.

Episode Notes:
00:09 - Iconic Companies That Haven’t Taken Loans
01:12 - The Need for Cash in Amazon Selling
02:04 - Navigating Financial Leverage
02:26 - Types of Financial Leverage Used
06:32 - The Downside of Leverage
12:10 - A Case Study: Private Label Acquisition During Leverage
13:52 - Survival and Demise of Major Amazon Sellers
16:12 - The Case for Debt-Free Growth
18:21 - Amazon Accelerate

Related Post: Nike and Amazon's Renewed Partnership

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

...more
23min
June 24, 2025 Episode 310 - Prime Day Changes, Sellers United News & Behind-the-Scenes Updates
Scott returns from Prosper to share some personal updates and Amazon insights.
Prime Day is expanding to four days this year — a move that makes sense as Amazon tries to give shoppers and sellers more time to take advantage of the buzz.
Scott also talks about the return of Sellers United this October near New York City, a conference built for resellers of all sizes.
Plus, he gives a casual rundown of what’s new at SmartScout. From tools that help track where your products get mentioned online to ways of better understanding pricing trends. It’s a laid-back, behind-the-scenes update with a bit of everything for Amazon sellers.

Episode Notes:
00:15 - New developments and Upcoming Announcements
01:14 - Amazon Prime Day – Strategy and Insights
02:30 - Sellers United Conference Announcement
05:57 - New Tools: Traffic Links
09:43 - Pricing Intelligence
14:40 - Content Marketing and Brand Awareness

Related Post: Who Competes with Circana? The Top Alternatives for Retail and CPG Data Intelligence

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
20min
June 17, 2025 Episode 309 - Building Better Tools for Amazon Sellers with Andrew Smith of Swapt
Kicking off with a surprising connection through pickleball that led to discovering shared passions in e-commerce innovation, Scott sits with Andrew Smith, founder of Swapt and former Klaviyo engineer, about building smarter tools for Amazon sellers.
Andrew shares his journey from working at IBM and Oracle to witnessing rapid growth at Klaviyo, which shaped his understanding of what marketplace sellers truly need.
They dive into how Swapt is helping Amazon-native brands drive customer engagement and reviews through one-time use QR codes, while staying fully compliant with Amazon’s strict policies.
With a successful case study generating $100K in sales and 500 reviews in three months, this episode is packed with insights for CPG, beauty, and supplement brands looking to boost performance and build direct customer relationships without risking their margins.

Episode Notes:
00:19 - Andrew Smith Introduction
01:52 - Andrew’s Background
02:23 - Scaling at Klaviyo and E-commerce Ecosystem Insights
05:39 - Data, Email Marketing, and the Amazon Challenge
08:59 - The Impact of Recent E-commerce Headwinds
09:52 - The Genesis and Evolution of Swapt
13:16 - Discovering the Amazon Brand Opportunity
19:57 - Technical Innovations and Results
20:38 - Navigating Amazon Compliance and Risk
25:00 - Who Should Use Swapt?
27:05 - Getting Started with Swapt

Related Post: Top 10 Tennis Racket Brands on Amazon

How to Reach Andrew:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewsm1th
Website: https://swqr.link/

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

...more
29min
June 10, 2025 Episode 308 – The Death of Arbitrage? Jasim Eisa Explores Big Shifts in the Market
Jasim Eisa, Founder and CEO of Voadera, built an $80 million e-commerce business from the ground up, and here, he shares what’s working now—and what’s not.
Scott and Jasim explore big shifts in the marketplace, such as Nike coming back to Amazon and what that means for resellers. Jasim also breaks down how major brands such as Adidas and Michael Kors are changing the way they sell on the platform and what sellers need to know about the growing “diversion economy.”
With Amazon tightening its supply chain rules, Voadera is moving away from traditional arbitrage and focusing on direct brand deals and smart acquisitions. You'll also hear practical tips on adapting to Amazon’s policy changes, rising FBA fees, and optimizing your logistics to stay profitable.

Episode Notes:
00:18 - Jasim Eisa Introduction
00:26 - The Big Brands’ Approach to Amazon
07:12 - Reseller Economy and Marketplace Double-Dipping
08:45 - 1P vs 3P Strategy and Policy Cycles
12:18 - Diversion and the Gray Market
14:45 - Moving Beyond Arbitrage: Brand Direct and Acquisitions
16:03 - Adapting to Amazon’s Fee and Policy Changes
18:18 - Arbitrage’s Diminishing Role and Supply Chain Optimization
19:52 - Warehousing, Fulfillment, and Grade B Marketplaces
21:28 - Future Investments: Supply Chain, AI, and Creative Tools
23:19 - Building a Top Brand Direct Business
24:29 - Favorite Tools & Technology Stack

Related Post: The Best Nielsen IQ and Data Impact Alternatives for Amazon Market Intelligence — Starting with the One Built for Visibility, Not Vanity

How to Reach Jasim:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasim-eisa-425735145
Website: voadera.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JasimEisa

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
28min
June 03, 2025 Episode 307 - How CPG Brands Win on TikTok with Rob Principe
Scott welcomes industry veteran Rob Principe to explore the explosive growth potential in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG).
Drawing from his extensive experience at Jungle Scout and Netrush, Rob shares insights on how emerging brands can leverage strategic positioning and TikTok's unparalleled reach to transform from unknown startups to market leaders. Learn why TikTok has become the essential platform for modern CPG marketing as Rob breaks down the critical differences between micro and macro-influencer strategies and their impact on consumer trust.
This is a masterclass in social media marketing for e-commerce brands, revealing how the right digital presence can dramatically accelerate brand growth and establish lasting customer relationships.

Episode Notes:
00:13 - Robert Principe Introduction
01:23 - Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
03:07 - CPGs and Top 10 Lists
05:50 - Challenger Brands: Growth and Positioning
08:51 - GLP-1s, Protein Trends, and Product Positioning
12:10 - The Evolution of Protein Bars & Consumer Tastes
14:44 - Identifying PE-Backed Versus Bootstrapped Brands
15:37 - Multi-Channel Launch Strategies for Brands
17:17 - Matching Brands with the Right Service Providers
20:43 - The Critical Role of TikTok for Modern Brands
24:12 - Navigating TikTok Agencies and Service Providers
28:47 - Brick and Mortar: Still Relevant for CPG?
31:54 - Influencer vs. Affiliate Strategies on TikTok
37:45 - The Value of Human Touch and Relationship Building

Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace

How to Reach Robert:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/etailfounder
Website: etail-advisors.com

Scott’s Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
43min
May 27, 2025 Episode 306 - What Every Brand Needs to Know About AI, Influencers, and Social Video
Justin Willhite, Senior Influencer Marketing Manager at Twitch and Owner and Principal Talent at CommQuest, shares invaluable insights from his journey from YouTube creator to running a successful video production studio.

Discover why "dark social media" is transforming marketing strategies, how brands can create genuinely shareable content, and the delicate balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining authentic connections with audiences.

Also, don't miss Justin's predictions on where video marketing is headed and how to stay ahead of the curve!

Episode Notes:
00:22 - Justin Willhite Introduction
01:52 - Justin Willhite Background and Industry Experience
05:18 - What is dark social media?
07:30 - Starting a Video Production Company & Working with Brands
10:18 - The Social Media Content Playbook for Brands
13:52 - Creating Viral and Engaging Product Content
19:35 - The AI Revolution in Video Marketing
21:10 - Implications of AI for Content Creators and Marketers
27:45 - Favorite AI Tools and Practical Tips
29:50 - UGC Strategies: In-House vs. Outsourced Creator Content

Related Post: How To Be a Trusted Seller on Amazon

How to Reach Justin:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinwillhite | linkedin.com/company/commquestofficial/

Scott’s Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
34min
May 20, 2025 Episode 305 - Amazon Ads Are Evolving — Here’s What You Need to Know
Neha Bhuchar, co-founder of Atom11 and former Amazon Advertising insider, shares Amazon Advertising secrets—revealing the game-changing concept of "retail-aware advertising" that integrates inventory, pricing, and search rank signals with advertising automation to maximize ROI.

Discover how Amazon's algorithms work, from the critical difference between click-through and conversion rates to strategic approaches for the newly democratized Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC). Neha breaks down complex concepts into actionable strategies for sellers at every level, from optimizing audience targeting to balancing conversion improvements with cost efficiency.

The conversation explores 2024's pivotal changes to AMC access, practical thresholds for implementation, and bold predictions for the future of e-commerce advertising. Whether you're managing campaigns in-house or evaluating automation tools, this episode delivers a rare insider perspective on Amazon's advertising ecosystem and Atom11's transparent approach to helping sellers thrive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.

This is for Amazon sellers, e-commerce marketers, advertising strategists, and anyone looking to understand the future of retail advertising technology.

Episode Notes:

00:26 - Neha Bhuchar Introduction
00:20 - Neha’s Background and Atom11
06:00 - Retail Aware Advertising
07:25 - Dynamic Bidding & Audience Creation
10:39 - Amazon Marketing Cloud
13:36 - Audience Targeting Challenges
14:01 - Look-alike Audience
15:50 - Mainstream Adoption of AMC
26:45- Tariff and Amazon Ads
31:05 - Impact of AI on Ads

Related Post: Amazon PPC Services: A Guide to Boosting Sales and Choosing the Right Partner

How to Reach Neha:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehabhuchar
Website: https://www.atom11.co/

Scott’s Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
X: @itsScottNeedham
Instagram: @smartestseller
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371
Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up
Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
...more
37min

FAQs about The Smartest Amazon Seller:

How many episodes does The Smartest Amazon Seller have?

The podcast currently has 320 episodes available.

More shows like The Smartest Amazon Seller

The Side Hustle Show by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation | YAP Media

The Side Hustle Show

1,587 Listeners

Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran by Capitalism.com

Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran

731 Listeners

Shopify Masters by Shopify

Shopify Masters

379 Listeners

AM/PM Podcast by Kevin King

AM/PM Podcast

211 Listeners

The Martell Method w/ Dan Martell by Dan Martell

The Martell Method w/ Dan Martell

496 Listeners

The Game with Alex Hormozi by Alex Hormozi

The Game with Alex Hormozi

4,383 Listeners

Serious Sellers Podcast: Learn How To Sell On Amazon FBA & Walmart by Helium 10

Serious Sellers Podcast: Learn How To Sell On Amazon FBA & Walmart

528 Listeners

The BirthCircle | Birth, Pregnancy, & PostPartum Conversations by BirthCircle.com

The BirthCircle | Birth, Pregnancy, & PostPartum Conversations

48 Listeners

The Full-Time FBA Show - Amazon Reseller Strategies & Stories by Stephen & Rebecca Smotherman

The Full-Time FBA Show - Amazon Reseller Strategies & Stories

235 Listeners

Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business by @DeeKeiMixes

Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business

277 Listeners

My First Million by Hubspot Media

My First Million

2,635 Listeners

Gutsy Health | Nutrition and Medicine by Juanique Grover

Gutsy Health | Nutrition and Medicine

674 Listeners

Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

Dear Alice | Interior Design

1,492 Listeners

The Irish Mummy Podcast | Work Life Balance by LaunchPod Media

The Irish Mummy Podcast | Work Life Balance

28 Listeners

CX Conversations by LaunchPod Media

CX Conversations

50 Listeners

My Amazon Guy by Steven Pope

My Amazon Guy

37 Listeners

The Best of RSlash | Best Reddit Stories by LaunchPod Media

The Best of RSlash | Best Reddit Stories

86 Listeners

The UpFlip Podcast by UpFlip

The UpFlip Podcast

244 Listeners

AI Hustle: Make Money from AI and ChatGPT, Midjourney, NVIDIA, Anthropic, OpenAI by Jaeden Schafer and Jamie McCauley

AI Hustle: Make Money from AI and ChatGPT, Midjourney, NVIDIA, Anthropic, OpenAI

69 Listeners

The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis by Nathaniel Whittemore

The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

509 Listeners

OPERATORS by OPERATORS

OPERATORS

45 Listeners

The Corey Ganim Show by Corey Ganim

The Corey Ganim Show

33 Listeners