The Amazon Files: The Real Truth About Selling Online: Recent Episodes
Kristin Ostrander
The Amazon Files is hosted by Kristin Ostrander a dynamic seven figure super seller and teacher who dedicates her energy to helping others start and scale businesses on Amazon. With 18 years of eCommerce experience, she is fully equipped to teach the necessary skills online sellers need to take their business to the next level. With a unique approach to Amazon, she created the Wholesale Bundle System & Framework™ Generating over $5 million in WholesaleBundle sales with her custom framework Kristin is the industry expert in bundles. While specializing in Wholesale Bundles, she is also an expert at helping new sellers get started.
Overcoming Fear with Truth: Insights from "Fear is a Liar"
As the host of this enlightening podcast, I had the profound opportunity to delve into a topic that resonates with so many of us: fear and anxiety. In this episode, I explored the powerful message behind Zach Williams' song "Fear is a Liar," and how we can combat fear with the truth found in the Word of God.
Have you ever felt that to connect with God, you must be within the four walls of a church? The truth is, God's presence isn't confined to stained glass windows and wooden pews. As I delved into Larry Fleet's song "Where I Find God," I was reminded that the sacred can be found in the simplicity of a drive, the tranquility of nature, or the quiet moments of self-reflection. It's all about the discovery of divine presence in the most unexpected corners of our lives.
Hey Hey I'm Kristin Ostrander. Welcome to music that inspires.
Today I am bringing you a song that goes deep. A song that touches the soul and provokes thought.
This week I am exploring the profound message behind Spencer Crandall's song "Made," a track that resonates with my own beliefs about love, soulmates, and the enduring commitment required to nurture a relationship.
With 25 years of marriage under my belt, I've learned a thing or two about what it takes to keep the flame of love burning bright.
Cody Johnson's "Till You Can't" is a masterpiece that resonates with anyone who's ever had a dream or faced the fear of taking a leap of faith. The song's powerful message encourages us to grab hold of the opportunities before us, to cherish the time we have with our loved ones, and to pursue the dreams that God has planted in our hearts.
Listen to "Til You Can't" by Cody Johnson on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/mommyincome?si=9a7d407cc2974d30&nd=1&dlsi=252d60f0a07a4be7
I explore the profound impact of Tasha Layton's song "Lay It Down" in this episode, delving into how music can deeply inspire and guide us toward life-changing breakthroughs. Join me as I share my personal journey of letting go and finding renewal, highlighting those pivotal moments when a single lyric opened my heart to new possibilities. Tune in to learn how embracing change with open hands can lead to incredible blessings and unlock the full potential of what we can receive!
Music That Inspires Spotify Platlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/mommyincome?si=9a7d407cc2974d30&nd=1&dlsi=252d60f0a07a4be7
Music: Vlad Gluschenko — name of the exact track
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
Join Kristin Ostrander—speaker, author, teacher, and success coach—as she dives into the transformative power of music with her podcast, Music That Inspires (a passion project). For Kristin, music isn’t just background noise; it's a passion that heals the soul, sparks creativity, and breathes renewal in your current season. Each episode explores the profound impact a song can have, whether it's offering motivation, helping you navigate tough times, or simply providing that gentle nudge to brighten your day.
Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the songs? What experiences shaped the lyrics, or what emotions fueled their creation? Kristin shares the music that has significantly touched her life and discusses the inspiration behind each track. This podcast isn’t just about listening—it’s about inspiring your journey through life.
Expect heartfelt discussions, insights into songwriting, and conversations with guest songwriters who share their creative processes and the personal stories behind their songs. Tune in to Music That Inspires and let Kristin help you discover new music to add to the soundtrack of your life
I'm retiring from Amazon FBA but not without giving you a parting gift first. Snag the Wholesale Bundle System + 65 additional bonus trainings today at www.mommyincome.com/retire.
Come and explore the intricacies of fulfillment and storage solution designed for all resellers. It’s packed with insights and valuable takeaways for anyone looking to streamline their reselling business.
Let's dive into the depths of Amazon's selling strategy and uncover the mysteries behind effective bundling, decode the complexities of Amazon's algorithm, and discover how to revitalize your listings for peak performance. This is a journey filled with actionable tips, heartfelt advice, and the insider secrets to turn your Amazon slumps into sales success!
In today's instant culture, we're bombarded with images of immediate success and easy money. But the truth? Success is a journey filled with hard work and setbacks. If you're feeling left behind or frustrated by the lack of immediate results, remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Let's uncover how to set realistic expectations and stay motivated on your path to success.
Navigating the complex legal landscape of e-commerce can be daunting, but it's essential for safeguarding your business and ensuring long-term success.
This week's episode dives deep into the critical aspects of legal protection for online businesses, from handling lawsuits to understanding intellectual property rights.
We also explore the invaluable role of legal counsel in business planning and crafting a robust exit strategy.
Join me, Kristin Ostrander, and our amazing guest expert Steven Weigler to discover effective strategies for protecting your brand and setting your business up for a prosperous future.
If you sell on Amazon I’ve got to congratulate you. You have climbed the highest ecommerce mountain on earth. If you have established a foundation on Amazon it is time to diversify. In this episode of The Amazon Files, Kristin holds your hand and dives into the benefits of selling on multiple platforms. It is easier than you think!
Now and then I get to connect with entrepreneurs in other industries that I find fascinating. Garr Russell is a Native Michigander who started a nationwide RV rental company that is growing like wildfire, hence the name Firestarted RV Rental.
Come and listen to what Garr and I have in common as we share details about business failures, successes and the faith that has kept us both going!
Are you overwhelmed by the growing to-do list of running your e-commerce business?
If so, this is definitely your solution!
This episode is a game-changer for entrepreneurs seeking efficiency and growth. And today, I'm joined by Brittany Brewer from FreeUp, a leading platform for hiring e-commerce freelancers.
Discover how hiring freelancers can be a complete game changer for your Amazon and e-commerce business, freeing up valuable time and resources.
We'll uncover how leveraging expert freelancers can significantly boost your Amazon and e-commerce businesses.
From real success stories to actionable strategies, this episode is packed with insights to help you streamline your business and capitalize on the power of skilled freelancers.
Don't miss out on these invaluable tips for transforming your e-commerce journey!
You may have heard about Bunding on Amazon. Grab your pens and listen up because I am going to explain the major benefits of this Amazon FBA selling strategy, who is buying bundles, why they work and what you can do to get in on the action.
You heard that you can sell products on Amazon to make money.
Have you wondered if it was too saturated, too difficult, or too expensive to get started?
Today, I am going to talk about the Amazon FBA opportunities that are still available to you and how you can sell on Amazon in a different way without all the crazy competition or saturated categories.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Have you considered selling on Amazon as a side hustle or a full-time work-from-home gig? After 20 years of ecommerce experience, I have tried it all. In this episode, I will show you what I do why it works, and how you can get started selling on Amazon.
Snag your free masterclass on how to start and scale an Amazon business here: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
I've always believed in the transformative power of sharing insights and experiences. The new year is a time for reflection, for taking stock of where we are in life, and for considering what truly brings us joy, fulfillment, and success. I'll share with you the essence of our latest episode, where we delve into the significance of setting goals, embracing gratitude, and the relentless pursuit of growth.
Code Word: NEW YEAR
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
A new year always brings reflection and planning. This episode will help you determine what you want and how to get it!
Code Word: DREAM BIG
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/bigdreams
Perfectionism and procrastination often go hand in hand. Common thoughts and beliefs associated with perfectionism include the fear of failure, the need to be perfect, and the fear of others' judgment. It's important to recognize and identify our perfectionistic tendencies, as they may be hidden or subconscious. So, let's dive in and explore how we can overcome these hurdles.
Code Word: IDENTITY
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Private label selling can be a great way to establish your own brand on Amazon. However, it's not without its challenges. I've heard countless stories of people who were promised success with private label, only to end up with unsold products. I want to share some solutions for those who have been disappointed with their private label experiences on Amazon.
Code Word: PLPAINS Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
The way other people are teaching bundles is WRONG! Please do not risk your account by following bad advice. Here is the REAL way to create an Amazon bundle to reduce competition and follow all the rules.
Code Word: BUNDLE QUEEN
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe or system
Will Haire from Bellavix joins me in today's discussion regarding your Amazon brand, product reviews, and pricing strategies that will level up your sales.
Code Word: STRATEGY
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/THANKSGIVING
Q4 is a very busy time of year to be in e-commerce. If you sell on Amazon listen to this quick and dirty guide on how to survive the holidays as an online seller. Learn what to sell during the busiest time of year.
Code Word: HOLIDAY
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/Thanksgiving
Have you received a negative review on your Amazon listing and wondered what can be done about it? In this episode, Shane Barker of Tracefuse gives us tips on what we can do to prevent and remove negative reviews on our product listings.
Code Word: REVIEW
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
If you sell on Amazon, capitalizing on Black Friday can bring in thousands of dollars every year. Learn the strategies you need to crush black Friday and bring in some serious cash by Christmas.
Code Word: BLACK FRIDAY
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/blackfriday
A little inspiration to fuel you for the next steps of your journey. Hear my story of what I have overcome in order to achieve each milestone in my career so far as an entrepreneur and ecommerce business owner. Code Word: 20 YEARS
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
When was the last time you took stock of your purpose? Do you find yourself stuck and overwhelmed? Are you increasingly frustrated with yourself and your business? This is a clear indicator that something is missing and needs to be adjusted. Tune in to turn up your business and get back on track. Code Word: CHECK IN Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Not sure if you are building an asset or a money pit? Tune into today's episode with Jason Somerville of GW partners to define where you want to go and then build accordingly. Code Word: VALUE Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Last week we talked about staying motivated. Today we are taking action with smart goals. We will learn what they are and how to set them for yourself so that the motivation continues stronger even during difficult times. Code Word: SMART Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
As entrepreneurs we face many challenges. While we struggle to be both janitor and CEO it is easy to lose motivation. In this episode I will give you 5 ways to stay motivated during the most difficult parts of the entrepreneur journey! Code Word: MOTIVATED Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Bundles are becoming more popular but there is definitely a right and a wrong way to do them. Learn what to do and what NOT to do when it comes to bundling on Amazon. Code Word: MISTAKES Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Are you new to Q4 (October, November, December selling season) or are looking to improve your sales from last year? In this episode, I am going to share the best Amazon FBA holiday selling tips so that you can prepare for the biggest selling season of the year! Code Word: Q4PRODUCTS Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Football and business? What do they have to do with one another? In this episode, I am going to give you the top 5 strategies you can learn from football to apply to your business. Code Word: FOOTBALL Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Did you know that the average millionaire has at least 6 revenue streams? If you are an Amazon seller and you'd like to add an additional revenue stream to your business you might want to consider adding Walmart as a new selling platform. This third-party selling marketplace can bring in extra income while utilizing strategies you are already familiar with on Amazon. Today our guest Michael Lebhar is going to go into depth on how Walmart can be a game changer for you! Code Word: WALMART Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Accountability is one of the important keys to success. It stops us from overthinking and shoves us into action. If you are looking for more accountabilty to get things done I've got something special for you. I am hosting a bundle challenge for those who want to get off the fence and finally create a bundle. And the best part? We will do it LIVE and in under 40 days. This is for Wholesale Bundle students only so if you are not a student....you need to be in order to participate. mommyincome.com/subscribe is how you become a student.
Code Word: CHALLENGE
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
How do you source products for your Amazon store? Amy from Amazing at Home is going to share with us how we can 10X our profits with ONE sourcing trip.
Code Word: SOURCE
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
It's okay to grow slowly in business. It cuts down mistakes and helps you see the big picture more clearly.
Code Word: SLOW DOWN
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Have you ever gotten stuck trying to find products to sell? This is a quick and easy way to discover products you may have overlooked when doing product research for wholesale or bundles.
Code Word: KNOWLEDGE
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/subscribe
Do you want to be more than certain that your customers will buy your newest bundle BEFORE you launch it? Today I discovered a fantastic service that will help boost your confidence in bundle creation. It will give you real human feedback about your products or bundle before you spend money on inventory! This will prevent a lot of "hoping" your product will sell. Instead it will assure you that it will or show you how to improve it so that it will. This is truly a game-changer.
Code Word: CUSTOMER RESEARCH
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/pickfu
Christina Passmore of Christina Ink Marketing is with us today but the discussion isn't our typical how to sell more products on Amazon conversation. Today we are talking about what it is like to show up as your authentic self in the ecommerce industry.
Code Word: AUTHENTIC
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com
Are you super loyal to a specific brand? Do you know WHY you love that brand so much? Lydia Michael, founder of The Blended Collective and author of Brand Love joins me today to talk about why we need to understand our customers in order to sell to them!
Code Word: BRAND LOVE
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/brandlove
Podcast Music for Vlogs While Talking Educational - TALK #16
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music Promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music for Videos https://bit.ly/31OjyRA
Did you know that having a trademark is required in order to file for brand registry on Amazon? Do you know how to prevent IP claims against your business? In this week's episode, I have a great conversation with Suzi Hixon, an experienced trademark & IP attorney, who helps us better understand what is necessary for protecting ourselves against IP issues.
Code Word: IP CLAIMS
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Podcast Music for Vlogs While Talking Educational - TALK #16
Creative Commons - Atrribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Music Promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music for Videos https://bit.ly/31OjyRA
Today I sat down with an ecommerce expert of over 25 years, Fernando Sustaita who explains his transition from Amazon to Etsy and how he has created a new online income stream for Etsy.
Code Word: Etsy
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/etsy
Today on The Amazon Files Ritu Java of PPC Ninja is joining us to talk about Amazon PPC. Plus we have an honest conversation about how being an entrepreneur at different stages of life is contiunually fulfilling!
Code Word: NINJA
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
In this episode, I am going to disclose a decision that changed my Amazon business and doubled my sales.
Code Word: MY PREP CENTER
Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/myprepcenter
With all the new Amazon FBA fee changes for 2023 do you know whether you are making a profit? Tune in to this episode to learn the 3 fees you should pay attention to NOW to make sure you are still making money with Amazon FBA! Code Word: PROFITABILITY Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
It's time to get serious. You have more to lose than you realize. E-commerce is bigger than ever, and more opportunitues are opening up daily for those who choose to commit and take action. There are 3 simple steps to become more competitive and grow your income and profit right now. Code Word: DREAM Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Writing your listings can be intimidating. Sasha Gorelik is here to help with quick tips on how to maximize your Amazon product listings with key copy that sells! Code Word: SASHA Offer: www.mommyincome.com/concert
If you truly want to know what products to sell on Amazon you need to listen to this episode. We don't just sell products, we sell solutions and Christina Kelm and I have a deep discussion about the importance of avoiding the copy-cat mentality. We as sellers provide solutions for customers (in the form of products). Come and learn how we do customer research to provide solutions to problems! Code Word: SEO Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
There are many forced to become entrepreneurs because of hidden diseases and illnesses that prevent regular employment. Code Word: WARRIOR Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/concert
Do you want to know how to increase sales by 20% without spending a dime? You are going to want to take notes as Vanessa Hung explains how changing just 3 things in your listings will expand your reach to 70 million people Code Word: EXPAND Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Entrepreneurship is tough. Working alone as the boss can be difficult and lonely. Who do you share ideas with? Who holds you accountable? Today we are going to learn strategies to help us lead ourselves to greatness and where to find quality personal development when we need it the most. Code Word: LEAD Offer://www.mommyincome.com/mindquest
https://mindsetquest.thinkific.com/courses/self-guided
Ever wonder whether you should start selling on Walmart now that you've got Amazon figured out? Today my guest expert is Carrie Miller from Helium10 and she is going to discuss a few of the differences between Amazon and Walmart third party selling and why NOW is the best time to add Walmart as a sales channel! Code Word: WALMART Offer://www.mommyincome.com/helium10
You've heard it takes money to make money. I agree with that 100% if you are a startup. Once you are an established business owner there are many ways to grow your business without investing more money. Money helps but I'm going to challenge you to use something else that will help you grow. Code Word: CURRENCY Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
It's no secret that Amazon is the largest global ecommerce platform but the numbers might shock you. Lean in to see why Amazon is still the best place for ecommerce. Code Word: STATS Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Intellectual property violations can get you suspended on Amazon. If you are an Amazon seller or if you have ever received an IP claim on your Amazon account or listing you need to listen to this episode. Code Word: IP CLAIMS Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Product research is the most important task in ecommerce. You need to know what customers want, where to find those products, and how to sell in a way that keeps customers coming back. It often takes a week or more to develop a product that will appeal to customers and has little or no competition. Let me save you a week of work with something new. Code Word: DFYB Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/done4youbundles
Do you have questions about Amazon Brand Registry, getting a trademark, or creating a brand for your Amazon store? I've pulled the top questions Amazon sellers have about Brand registry on Amazon and answered them all right in this episode Code Word: URGENT Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Your Amazon listing is your only form of real estate on the Amazon platform. Let's face it...writing a product listing can be downright scary. The good news is it doesn't have to be if you have the essential components of a great Amazon listing that will help you sell your products faster. Here is your guide to writing better listings. Code Word: LISTING Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Business ain't for everyone. Entrepreneurship requires constant growth. Growing requires change. There are essential characteristics of successful people that have been studied over time. If you want to be successful it's time to grab your pen and take notes. Do you demonstrate these qualitites? Do you need to improve in certain areas? In this challenging episode, you will be encouraged to reach for your absolute best self. Code Word: CAPABLE Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com
If you ever find yourself overthinking, chasing every shiny object, or on the spinning hamster wheel of analysis paralysis, this is THE EPISODE you won't want to miss. Learn what you really need and don't need when running an Amazon FBA business. Code Word: AP GRAD Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
You can start a million-dollar business for $2000 If you have researched the Amazon FBA business model you've heard and seen big numbers. Perhaps you've seen someone posting about a six-figure month or a seven-figure year and you'd like to try it for yourself. Whether those numbers people are posting are real or exaggerated one thing is certain, it takes time to make money. The question is HOW MUCH? In this week's episode of The Amazon Files, I will speak the truth about what it really takes to start and RUN an Amazon buisness successfully. From start-up to growth every stage required more investment and I will give you the rundown of what you can expect. Code Word: TODAY Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
People start businesses for many different reasons, oftentimes with money as the root of it all. I'm diving deep this week to uncover the layers of why money is never enough to keep you moving when times get tough. You need more than money and I'll help you get there. Code Word: ENOUGH Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Where and how you look for product opportunities can make or break your business. Doing what everyone else is doing doesn't get it done. THIS is key to success for any product-based ecommerce business. Code Word: REACTION Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com
Getting into wholesale is more affordable than you think. If you are selling on Amazon FBA and you are not buying from wholesale suppliers and distributors you are missing out on thousands of dollars in profit. In this episode, you will learn what it takes and how much it really costs to start buying from wholesale distributors right now! Code Word: WHOLESALE Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
In a business where everyone is trying to get to the top of page one with search results what eventually wins the customer? I bet on creativity and win everytime. Code Word: CREATE Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
There are two data points we can look at to determine what we value most. Come find out what they are and how you can change your way you do business based on them.
Happy Holidays from Mommy Income! Code Word: HAMSTER Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Let's be honest. Most of us feel like quitting sometimes. When things get hard we look for ways to ease the pain and sometimes quitting seems like the best option. I want to walk with you on this journey because the struggle is real but so are the solutions! Code Word: EXAMINE Offer: http://www.mommyincome.com/
Are you ready to see what your business REALLY looks like on the inside? From simple data points to purpose and direction this episode is only for the serious business owners who are done playing too small. Grab your pen. You're going to want to write this down! Code Word: GROWTH Click Here to Learn More: http://www.mommyincome.com/
RESOURCES:
- 2023 Mommy Income LIVE Events
- Why You Should Sell Wholesale Bundles on Amazon
- Everything You Need to Know - Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
- 3 Reasons to Attend a Tradeshow Walkthrough
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Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
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Dream Big Step Small
Let’s just admit it! We are scared. Scared to launch new bundles, scared to get it wrong, scared to lose money. Worry and fear come disguised as overthinking. We are going to talk about practical ways to help you make better decisions in business based on data, facts, and risk rather than fear, worry, or failure.
We tend to overthink like every little thing. Maybe we need an Overthinker's Checklist.
Today’s episode is all about overthinking and moving past our analysis paralysis and to making decisions. We need to make decisions in our business. We can not take forever all of the time. Otherwise, we will slowly kill ourselves and our business will not grow in the right direction.
The feeling of indecisiveness, especially if you are new and second guessing everything because of inexperience or you have made bad decisions in the past and you do not want to continue repeating those mistakes are the reasons for fear, worry and overthinking.
I want to let you know that workshops are back for 2023. I would love for you guys to check it out. I can not wait to meet you in person because I get to know you. I love to get with people and talk business to help you grow, learn about you, your business and your struggles, and to see if there is anything I can do to support and help. Building bundles together in a group setting is so much fun. I hope I can meet you in January when we come to the Dallas marketplace. It is basically three days of shopping, meeting each other, going through the trade show together, and solidifying your business for 2023. If this is something that excites you and you want to do, if you want to crush your goals for this coming year, whatever your reason is, why you started this business, we can make it happen. Go to mommy income.com/workshop and check out the workshop that we have. We will be in Las Vegas in the end of February and there is going to be a retreat later on next year.
Overthinking makes it hard to take positive action in the right direction because our emotions can cloud our judgment. Overcoming one’s fear and curing overthinking and analysis paralysis is not going to happen overnight. Stop thinking about the past and stop worrying about the future. Get rid of all the things that you can not control. Do not dwell on the bad and scary. Opposite to overthinking is problem solving. Overthinking is identifying and looking at all of the options and looking into it. Problem solving consists of things, thinking about and working through, whether on paper or out loud or anything, working through a difficult situation through purposefully looking for ways to solve the problem. It is about reorienting our focus on the actual solutions.
And did you know that what you focus on is actually what grows? There is what we call a mental workout, a mental strength exercises that we can do to retrain our brain from overthinking into a healthier mindset. And this takes time and practice. You can help yourself adjust the way by you think by taking a few steps to overcome and be more productive with your brain power. It is a good thing if you have someone opposite your personality so there is a balance of the things that you tend to overthink. If you are thinking positive about certain things, then that someone has a negative thought about it, you can meet in the middle or able to see various possibilities or ideas that will lead you to a good decision. When there is a great balance, you can see both sides and then make an effective decision that is going to help solve the problem.
Take your thoughts and write them down. No judgements. You get a piece of paper. You can even throw it away. Or you can use your phone or an app. As you dig through the details, ask yourself why this situation is causing you negative thoughts. Just ask the question really quick. You can literally set a timer for 15 minutes or for five minutes. 15 minutes is too long to sit and worry. Five minutes is just right. You can get out of your head those negative thoughts and reread it. Sometimes, you can find those negative thoughts laughable. Some you find it easy to solve. You can actually rationalize with yourself and sometimes it is still just as real as when you wrote it down and that is okay.
You are just taking a step to do something with it. You are not just letting it circle and circle around. You can also break down the emotions of why you are experiencing that and trying to identify it, not judging it, not calling it or labeling it. You can know yourself better afterwards. There will always be judgment coming from other people, but that is perfectly normal and we need to be aware of it and recognize that not all people are going to support us and would make us feel in a certain way. You get to decide who can affect your actions.
You do not know me like you know me in this two minutes that I interacted with you, but you do not actually know me, know my life. So their opinion does not have value as opposed to say, for example, your mother-in-law or something like that who does know you and does pass judgment and her opinion might have a little more value, but does it, it is just food for thought.
Another way to kind of curb your overthinking and get it under control is to acknowledge previous successes. By regularly taking down all your negative thoughts, you are able to take a look at previous notes and determine which thought you have overcome. You can use your successes as inspiration and motivation to move on to the next step. Overcoming hardship is a proof that you can do hard things. You can make decisions and make good ones.
Another way is to stay present. Staying in the current moment helps you focus on what you can control instead of worrying about what might happen. You are focusing on what you can control right now in this moment, let's just be real. We are not in control of Amazon or their algorithm or their check in process, but you are, you are in fact in control of proper research, writing listings, taking good photos, setting prices, and focusing on growing your business. What we need to focus on most is just taking simple actions.
Action is the antidote to fear. So whatever it is that you fear, taking an action in some sort of direction helps the fear subside. There are plenty of ways to help stay in the moment so that you are not constantly thinking about past or future.
And disciplining yourself. Setting a definite date and time of doing things will eventually prevent you from worrying about things. Making a 15-minute hustle appointment and putting it on your calendar will organize your daily activities.
Also, you can talk to yourself, in front of the camera or in a mirror. Talk out loud about things you have in mind, even though it sounds silly. If that could eradicate overthinking, that is fine. And it is so freeing because no one is listening. No one cares, no one is judging. You can just talk to yourself so you can say whatever you want. There is no filter and no one is judging you for how you feel or how you think or how silly it might be. It is just you versus yourself.
Unplugging and shutting off your computer or your phone for a designated amount of time every day and doing an activity that brings you joy will help with worry. It will help with overthinking. Do what you love and turn off extra stimuli. Sometimes when we turn off all the extra stimuli, we actually have time to think for real.
Another tactic here that we can do is writing a list of things that you are in control of and choose one to take action on. Do your best and be excellent.
Something very simple as getting outside, taking a walk, walking away from your desk, from the things that is frustrating for 15 minutes and just taking a deep breath and walking outside, even if it is just a quick lap around your house or you go out in the yard and walk around for a second and instead of focusing on your problem. Take note of your environment. Note the way things smell, what you see, and what you hear. That is what makes us feel fully alive. When we are aware of what is going on around us, what is going on in our heads, and what brings us joy. This is all a lot about awareness as well. Getting outside, a simple change in environment for 15 minutes at a time can just change the perspective.
I hate wasting time. By overthinking, you are wasting a lot of time. You can prevent this by getting a different perspective from a person who has no idea and no clue. An outside perspective is helpful to keep us balanced. It can either validate that we are on the right track or it can bring in a perspective we had not thought of and help us to see the problem more clearly.
One of the ways you can do this is in the Amazon Files Hub. You can go and ask your fellow wholesale bundlers how they get through this step or how they get through this or how do they defeat overthinking.
If you are in the Hub, you have the Overthinkers training and checklists that I made along with this episode. So make sure you log into your student portal and you download the overthinkers guide and checklist for the framework because I went ahead and created that for you so that you actually have a checklist when you're going through the framework and you are checking off the different things when it is time to move to the next step.
An additional way that you can get some perspective is coming to the Facebook group. Asking someone similar to you can help you validate your thoughts. Asking someone with different perspective or personality can give you insights that you might not have thought of or that missing piece before you make a decision.
If you have not read my book, Dream Big, Step Small, why get yourself this gift for Christmas. It is on my website. I will send you a signed copy or you can get it on Audible and listen to it all on Audible or on Amazon. You can do the ebook and have it right away. You can print it out or order from Amazon.
Dream Big, Step Small Chapter Four - “Trust the Facts, Not the Feelings”. You all have heard me say this a million times probably on the show and other places, but this has really been the single handed most important thing that I have gone through to help me really get away from overthinking and analysis paralysis and decision making issues. A trusting facts and not feelings. An unbiased approach leads to better decision making. Being a good decision maker is a skill you need to have.
Write down how you feel about a situation. I know some of you do not want to write stuff down. Listen, there are motor skills and brain activity that are connected with hand and pen, and paper and brain. There are studies on this. It is important to use pen and paper even though everything is digital nowadays. We can type everything, we can talk and text, and we can FaceTime and everything else. There is something that happens physiologically when you write things.
If you want something done right, teach someone how to do it your way. That is better. And then hire them to do it over and over again.
QUOTE:
“When you do something you love, you're activating your dopamine and your endorphins in your brain that gives off those happy feelings. And doing something you love then helps you clear the space, clear the clouds, the worries and the fears are natural and they're the clouds, but the clouds can be moved away.”
-Kristin Ostrander
RESOURCES:
- 2023 Mommy Income LIVE Events
- Why You Should Sell Wholesale Bundles on Amazon
- Everything You Need to Know - Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
- 3 Reasons to Attend a Tradeshow Walkthrough
-
Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
-
Dream Big Step Small
- Mommy Income Hub Group
- HUB
I am doing this with love, compassion and understanding of knowing that this is hard stuff. No sugarcoating it. You are in business. It is not going to be easy, but it is worth it. The results are worth it. So I am challenging you to keep your overthinking and your analysis paralysis in check. Are you going to die? No. Anything that you knew in business, especially on Amazon e-commerce, you are not going to die. This is not a dangerous job. Your pride might get hurt a little. Your ego might get hurt a little if you try to sell something that does not sell. But that is actually not the end of the problem. You can actually tweak things to make them sell better and more efficiently. There are solutions to all the problems. So if you do not have a supportive group, I encourage you to join the Amazon Files Hub.
That is where we can talk and group coaching sessions every month. We can get questions answered, additional trainings and support from a community that understands what you are going through while creating and building a business of wholesale bundles. For those that are not in the Hub, it is open for enrollment. You are welcome to come and join the Hub and you can get the full Overthinker's Guide to the Wholesale Bundle Framework, including little check boxes.
So let you know when it is time to move forward in the framework. It is a printable download. You can log into your student portal and get that right away. If you are not part of the Hub, go to mommy income.com/hub and join the hub. We'd love to see you in there. And you guys just take a collective breath. Again, this is tough stuff you are doing and I am so proud of you for being willing to work on it. Your future self will thank you for relieving a little bit of that fear and stress and taking those actions. So remember, get your pens and papers, write some of that stuff down. Trust the facts, not the feelings, and take some action. We'll see you guys same time, same place next week on the Amazon files.
Share your AHA moments with me on my free private Facebook group - the Amazon Files (use the code word SCARED) and tag me so I can celebrate with you!
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
Keep on bundling…
-KO
Whether you are striving to be at the top of page one on Amazon or working on a personal or sports goal, you can accelerate your progress with one word.
Here’s how…
Today, I want to talk about a word that I feel can accelerate your progress no matter what goal you are looking to achieve.
Whether it is a business goal, personal goal, or in sports, you can accelerate your process right now!
This one key 🗝️ word holds the secrets to my accelerated progress and a lot of those others that I have looked up to - people, mentors, or other experienced, successful entrepreneurs and business owners that have crushed big goals.
If you are curious about what it takes and what it is, let me walk you through it by examining my own life and the lives of others that have achieved BIG goals.
There is a couple of common denominators among experts or when you think of somebody who has to succeed that you want to get closer to. What do they have in common?
What do they do? What is it? Is there one thing? Is there a specific thing?
I can tell you one of the things that the experts have, that the successful people have is…
EXPERIENCE.
Experience can mean several different things. It may be defined as an accumulation of knowledge or skills that came from or as a result of direct participation in events or activities.
I have 20 years of e-commerce experience. That is one kind of experience. A specific experience, first-hand knowledge of a particular event, a direct observation of a particular event, or at a particular place. Today would be an example of that kind of experience.
And I want to talk to you about the meanings of these experiences, how important they are, and how they relate to our success.
I recently read a quote from the book of Jean Chatzky. She is a leading expert in money and finance, specifically geared toward women. She's the author of many books, including How to Money, Women with Money, The Difference, and a few others. She is also the host of a podcast called Her Money. Go and subscribe to that podcast to learn more about it and how it relates to us. Hoping she will be on the Amazon files one day, and we can talk to her personally.
I want to read this quote from her because Jean is a money expert and this quote really resonated with me. I am like, “Yes, this is true for me” 🙋♀️. This is true for a lot of people, and it changes everything.
She says a lot about earning, a lot about saving and, planning and spending, where the best money is spent. And here is the quote that I want to talk about today. Jean says…
“Buy experiences, not things. Spending on experiences makes people happier than spending your money on things. Things get broken, they go out of style, they get discarded, they get forgotten. Experiences get better every time you talk about them, every time you remember them, how every time you bring them to mind, you had an experience.”
Now, why do I love this quote so much? It gets to the heart of what we all really want deep down.
We want to feel alive and connected.
Experiences are alive and fluid, creating emotion and opportunity for growth.
Experiences can be relived and revived in our minds as often as we like.
Experiences create memories that last.
We are going to prove this right now!
I am going to have you work your memory noggin 🧠 a bit…
What did you receive for Christmas last year?
Can you name a gift or a thing that you got for Christmas?
The truth is that some of us may have recalled something that we got for Christmas last year. Some of us may not be able to recall something.
Now, I am going to ask you another question.
Think about the best Christmas that you have ever received in your lifetime.
Or the best birthday since not everyone celebrates Christmas, but everyone has a birthday.
What is the best birthday you ever received?
Go back to that moment and recall your best Christmas ever. Your best birthday ever. Best event ever. Whatever is standing out in your mind.
Who was there? What was happening around you? What were the smells, the sounds, and the visuals in the room? What do you remember feeling about this best Christmas ever? What made this such a memorable moment for you? Being there, relishing the feelings at that moment in your own life, seeing the faces, and hearing the sounds in the room.
Why won’t you forget that?
Well, because you were there.
You were fully immersed in the moment that you were actively participating in that certain event in your life, which is the definition of experience. The more senses we use, the more we remember those moments. We can attach sights, smells, sounds, feelings, and environments.
Our lives are marked by experiences. Experiences change us inside.
You can not unmeet someone. You can not unhear, you can not unsee. Doing a ton of interviews on podcasts and webinars, I get this question a lot…
What is the best investment you have made into your business?
Your answer to that question with regard to your decision of what was the best investment you have made would mainly depend on your experience. Not on tools, hardware, software, or the amount of money that was put into the business. It is intentional education derived from experiences.
When I remember more, it is easier to practice what I am learning. I get faster, I get more efficient. I figure things out differently. I can get more creative when I'm not focusing all the time on the fundamentals and the basics.
I remember the two specific events and experiences that I had that changed my business and my life forever. One of them specifically in 2015, such a long time ago, and again in 2018.
One, I attended a workshop that showed me a step-by-step process for reaching the goal, which I reached after that experience. At another event I attended, I was introduced to others who have greatly helped me along my path in business.
In 2015, we were financially tight. I was just getting Mommy Income off the ground. I had just started it and was teaching people and doing webinars. I'd been about six months, and I was loving it! I was creating new content, and I was getting excited about helping people on their Amazon journey.
But…
Money was tight, and there was this conference coming up, a smaller conference. It was going to be about a 10-hour drive. I knew I could improve my Amazon skills if I was able to go to this conference and meet some of these people who have this experience and then have all this Amazon stuff figured out. I presented this case to my husband.
This is why I think I should go. This is how I am going to pay for it. This is what I hope to learn, and these are the results I hope to get. When I learn from these people, my business is going to grow. It was going to cost a couple of thousand dollars, and at the time, that was going to be a sacrifice.
I needed to travel for four whole days…
But I knew that once I learned the things I was going to learn, I could not unlearn them. I knew that I was going to earn more by going to this event, or at least that was what I hoped for. To be honest, I did not really know. I was convinced that any learning was a good learning and that it would help me grow. That was all I needed to know.
It was my first experience doing that. I was nervous. I was scared. So many thoughts swirled through my mind…
What if I get nothing out of this?
What if I spend all this money and time that I am away from my family and I do not learn a thing, or I am confused, or I am overwhelmed?
I will tell you this, I am where I am today because of the people that I met at that conference in 2015. I met with one of the industry's top educators at the time, and he nudged me to write a book. You all know I wrote a book, right? But it was not then. That was just the nudge. That was just the seed that was planted. I had to water it and weed it and cultivate it. It was not until three years later, at another event, that I was introduced to a book editor. That was no coincidence!
Since the beginning of my business, I have invested over $20,000 in events, experiences, and education for personal development, business strategy, coaching courses, conferences, retreats, and experts.
What I have learned by attending events and talking with people is that they are worth more than any tool or software or even dare I say, a course.
Yes, your course creator is telling you that sometimes these experiences can be more valuable to your growth than even a course. Although courses are necessary, we need to learn what we do not know in order to grow our business and grow ourselves personally. I am constantly educating myself one way or the other, but no one can actually take an experience from you.
I am really excited to gain some new experiences.
I am over not traveling.
I am over not staying in my little comfortable bubble.
I want to have a lot of experiences, and 2023 is no different.
As a matter of fact, one of my first experiences is going to be a workshop in January in Dallas and another in Las Vegas. I absolutely love workshops! 💖
I can remember the faces, the places, the first times, the last times, the different events over and over, and how they have each changed my life.
If you have been to one of my workshops, first of all, thank you for coming! I do not forget you. I remember the experiences. I remember the details. I remember you guys working through your frustrations and your AHA moments, and your breakthroughs. It changes me too, and I love that because I get to grow with you. We get to grow together!
I want to have more experience. And I would love to have one with you!.
So if you are considering your business growth for 2023, it's right around the corner. We have 40 days left in 2022.
As this episode airs, every year, I want to grow, change and be better than I was last year. And I do that by going and starting my year off right in my business by going to trade shows, and attending live events, especially at the beginning of the year sets the tone for my business growth for the year.
I love starting off the year with a plan and goals in mind and ways to execute those. That is how I crush goals. I set really small goals.
If you've let you've read my book, Dream Big, Step Small, you would know this.
I need to attain my goals. I can not set these huge lofty goals that people have.
WHY???
Because if I fall short, it becomes a really BIG bruise and hurdle I have to jump through.
For others they may be able to brush it off since they are reaching higher than they were before. That is a great concept for a lot of people.
For those who want to dig really deep and get super vulnerable and get super intimate and get super serious about your goal…
We are going to have a Mommy Income retreat this year. Join the waitlist!
All of you are working hard right now, and you deserve to have fun in your life and enjoy the fruits of your labor. We were not built to work ourselves to death. We need to enjoy not only the process but the fruits of our labor. You work to make money so that money can get you the things that you want or the peace that you want or get away from that boss that you can not stand.
The goals are real, no matter how big or how small they are. Your goals are important and real, and I intend to help you with that.
QUOTE:
“I mean, why do employers say experience required rather than we only accept Harvard graduates? Y'all. People want experience. It gives you confidence and credibility, not just having an experience, like going to an event and talking with people and learning new things and putting those things into practice, but actually gaining experience for yourself.”
-Kristin Ostrander
Make sure you go to www.mommyincome.com/events and see which one might be right for you!
There's only a limited number of spots at my events because I intend to personally meet everyone and work with you one-on-one individually and in groups so I can get to know you and your business.
I can't do that for hundreds and hundreds of people at a time.
Therefore, it’s only going to be small gatherings so that we can maximize our learning opportunities and our experience. I'm excited to meet you! Get a special discount. It's Workshop 2023.
RESOURCES:
- 2023 Mommy Income LIVE Events
- Why You Should Sell Wholesale Bundles on Amazon
- Everything You Need to Know - Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
- 3 Reasons to Attend a Tradeshow Walkthrough
-
Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
-
Dream Big Step Small
- Jean Chatzky
Share your AHA moments with me on my free private Facebook group - the Amazon Files (use the code word EXPERIENCE) and tag me so I can celebrate with you!
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
Keep on bundling…
-KO
If you have ever run an ad on Amazon you know how complicated and expensive it can be. Today we have a special guest, Mina Elias, who is going to help us change the way we perceive Amazon PPC and empower us to take back control and dominate our ads.
Today's guest is off the chain. We are so excited to be talking to Mina and talking about Amazon PPC strategies. You guys know we need all the help that we can get.
Mina is looking forward to sharing PPC strategies that can help you launch products on Amazon, whether it's private label or wholesale bundling. A very data driven approach. Very logical and fundamental in concepts you can follow no matter what you're doing.
So his normal beginning came to America in 2011. He was born in Egypt and grew up in Dubai. He studied chemical engineering, graduated top of the class, got his bachelor's and master's. Got a 9-5 corporate job in a new product development for a medical devices company. Worked there for five years. After changing jobs a few times, he realized corporate was not for him. And so he decided to start a supplement brand business since he is an MMA fighter and still trains. He fought and competed many times. He got interested in creating a supplement brand that helps him as an MMA fighter. So he created MMA nutrition, which is an electrolyte powder. It is still on Amazon. You can go check it out. He created a few other brands after that.
Later on he realized is all marketing, you're just putting a bunch of words and you make it sound cool to people and then you market it through influencers and to Amazon, and then you sell the product.
At first, he went from gym to gym and door to door supplement stores. No one would like it. He would take one and take one out but no one wanted to take it. And so he decided to figure out how to sell it on Amazon. He went super obsessive, deep dive, read every single article, video, YouTube, podcast, everything. He consumed every single possible piece of content out there in 2018. Then he called Amazon and told them that he wanted sell his product on Amazon. They sent him a starter package and an email. He filled out those and after that, he got a seller central account. He submitted Certificate of Analysis and an invoice since he will be selling supplements. He was rejected four times and on the fifth time, he was approved. Sales reviews and PPC are two things to make your products sell on Amazon. They are the biggest needle mover. And then SEO, images, and keywords. PPC is in charge of bringing people into the listing. Reviews get those people who are at the listing to convert. And by 2020 he was doing $94,000 a month in revenue with just one supplement.
Covid hit. He decided to have some podcasts and Facebook groups to share what works for him. People like it very much and would love to hear more of what he is doing. And then, this aggregator hits him up and invited him to provide training in advertising. They tested him for one of their brands and then four months later to six other larger agencies but all failed. He performed the best. Then he looked back. He might be good at supplements, but he is really good at PPC stuff. So he decided to start an agency because he figured out that people need PPC help and he can earn through that. If they don't pay him, if he don't exist, they are going to pay someone else.
He wanted to do it as a service to people. He wanted to share everything and give people all of his knowledge. Currently, his business manages 72 brands, 4 of them were his brands, and he has four of his team managing their own brands and other people’s brands. If they want to do it themselves, they can. If they don't have the time and they need the execution, then that is where their company comes in.
3 Do-it-Yourself PPC Tips
- Look at your portfolios
If you have a parent asin, separate each parent ASIN into one portfolio. This way everything is kind of clean and easy and simple to separate. And you can see the performance per product. Then move into, if you have a bunch of portfolios, this is time to clean it up. Then go into campaign nomenclature. Campaign names are very, very important.
Naming campaigns: It is your product code. So for example, my H unflavored was hu and then space, Space, which is my spacing, it will be SP or SB or SD based on sponsor product, brand or display.
- Type of ad
Is it close match, loose match compliments or substitutes, broad phrase or exact product targeting, category targeting?
Purpose to that campaign: is it a ranking campaign, general campaign
Where that keyword came from: search term report or Helium 10
These all help you in terms of pattern recognition. So you can go and say, let me type in SP and look at all your sponsored products and then type in SP and look at all of your sponsored brand. And then you can notice your overall performance if it improves or worsens? As you launch your sponsored brands, they show up in the same place as your sponsored products, they end up eating budget but not actually.
- Campaign budgets
Go into the campaign. The structure that he follows is one campaign should have one ad group and then maximum of five keywords. You can audit this. If you look at the multiple ad groups, you'll notice that the budget is not splitting evenly. What he would do in that case is go into the ad group with the least amount of sales, pause anything that is not working. So that you are not spending money on campaigns that are not making any sale. Just to get rid of it.
For the other ad group that there is, go look at the keywords. If you have more than five keywords sort by sales, and if you notice that five or six of those keywords are generating sales and the rest are not, pause everything that is not generating any sales in the last 30 days. You can take those and relaunch them in their own campaigns. And when you do that, you will notice that maybe in this campaign it was not generating sales because there is a big keyword there that is sucking up all the budget. But when you launch in its own campaign, it might generate two or three profitable sales and that adds up.
Running Multiple Campaigns on the Same Product and Why is it Important
The goal of Mina’s PPC is to drive as many sessions as possible into the listing at the lowest cost possible. Do not look at rows. Do not look at ACOs. All of these things are one indicator, and that indicator is like, did you convert? Did you spend money and convert? But conversion rate is a huge portion of that equation. So when looking at how effective Mina’s PPC, you are looking at how much money you spend on PPC and how many sessions you are getting, and if you are able to bring more and more and more sessions into the listing at the same cost per session or the lower cost per session, then you know you are winning on the ad side. And if that does not convert into profitable sales, that is not on the PPC, that is on the conversion, that is on the listing. Main image, price reviews, title, bullet points, enhanced brand content, questions, videos, all of that stuff that are on the listing.
Bring as many People into the Listing
You have to track sessions. If you do one campaign, you do whatever you can to bring a certain number of sessions. Put the keywords in, bring budget, dig bids. At some point it is going to get capped. How do I get more sessions? A session is a unique Amazon account, a visitor. We are not tracking clicks coming from one and the same person. We are interested in more unique people. And so when you launch a new campaign again with five different keywords, you'll notice that you are getting more sessions. The more campaigns that you launch with unique keywords, the more sessions you get and then it is all going to come down to how much am you spend to get those sessions. If the spending is proportionally going up, then maybe you are overspending and you need to stop and optimize. And if it is going down, then that is amazing. It could also be that because you are spending more on ads, your organic rank goes up. When your organic rank goes up, you get that free sessions into the listing. And so then the strategy becomes okay.
Launching Campaigns Targeting Keywords
Start off by having your four auto campaigns broken up. They are close match campaign, loose match, compliments, and substitutes. Close match and substitutes usually perform better. Loose match and compliments not as much. Have the auto campaign go and do keyword research to find your main keyword. Go into helium. Go into Amazon. Type in the main keyword that you think would find the top 10 competitors using x-ray then launch them into Cerebro. And then use a few filters. You should have at least eight out of the 10 minimum ranking competitors. You should see the intersection of keywords between all of those competitors, at least 300 searches a month or more. And no more than position 60 because maybe someone's ranked a position 120 for a keyword. It's not that relevant. It will give you a refined list of keywords, and you start with the most relevant high search volume ones. Let's say, take five or 10 of those and launch them in their own campaigns. Do broad and phrase and exact keyword. They behave completely different. So even you use the same keyword as exact or broad, broad could perform 10 times better than exact because broad is cycling through different keywords at different times of the day. So it just might have different performance than exact. That's targeting one keyword at a certain time of the day. From those auto and broad and phrase campaigns, go into the search term report and find which ones converted profitably. Take those out. Make sure that you are not already targeting them, not some of the main keywords, and then launch them in their own campaigns. And so that is the cycle of launching keywords, finding which ones worked, launching in them in their own campaigns and then the ones that worked, spend more money on them, find new search terms, launch them, the ones that didn't work, lower the bids.
QUOTE:
“This world is tough. Competition is fierce, and everyone is screaming at you to do more, be more and hustle more. But what I do know about all of these hard things, no matter how exhausted we are, hard times bring out our strength and benefits. So make a change and keep pushing forward!” - Kristin Ostrander
If you sell on Amazon, capitalizing on Black Friday can bring in thousands of dollars every year. Learn the strategies you need to crush black Friday and bring in some serious cash 💰 by Christmas.
These are some of my favorite times of the year. Q4 - it is the end of the year, and the holidays are coming.
It is the best time to be an Amazon seller because sales are coming in, all the products are available, and everyone is opening their wallet and talking about crushing Black Friday.
This episode is a little different. It is a snippet of an interview with me by Stephen Smotherman about retail arbitrage. I started doing retail arbitrage a long time ago but found a better and easier way to make money on Amazon…WHOLESALE BUNDLES!
But, occasionally, I can’t help myself going back to retail arbitrage because it is fun!
Retail Arbitrage is not the business model I use to make a living, but it is a business model that still works.
With the right strategies, you can capitalize and make a ton of money. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you have to be strategic by planning ahead and being careful about your purchase. There is a ton of money to be made on straight up single unit items. Retail arbitrage sold below wholesale value so that stores can bring you into their website or their physical store.
You can dig into Black Friday and learn how you can crush and cash in with our Black Friday masterclass or the resellers Guide to Black Friday.
Today, we talk more about the strategies and different things regarding Black Friday. We do a live masterclass where you learn all the strategies of Black Friday sales, along with the book. If you're already a student of this, you already have access to all of the updates. If not, go to mommyincome.com/BlackFriday and check out the masterclass that it's coming up in just a couple of weeks. I will be teaching alongside Stephen Smotherman from Full-time FBA.
I started Black Friday shopping when my kids were little, trying to get toys with a small budget. Thinking that could get some deals.
I would wake up at four in the morning and wait in line for a Nintendo product. While I was there, I realized, as an eBay and Amazon seller, that I could buy the toy for free if I sold some and made money.
And so, I started looking more into the deals going for the big purchase.
How I turned three hours into $15k in profit is one of Stephen Smotherman’s favorite stories.
Back in 2016, it was more of our full-time gig. It was a little bit after our foreclosure, my husband was back to work, and it was more of a family business that was growing. We had too many vans with a crew of four in each one. There was this hot product at Target for Black Friday only and in-store only.
So, we loaded down a trailer and two full minivans of this one product. The product was a razor scooter with light-up wheels for a $15 deal.
We went from one Target store to another for about three hours, filled as much as we could, and spent almost all of our money. And this product was gone in two weeks. They all sold out!
Another was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, which was $50 or $60 profit per piece. Selling on Amazon through FBA, which I always do because it is faster at checking in and making it available than merchant fulfill and can bring you instant profit.
However, you could list things merchant fulfilled on your phone on Black Friday and get sales instantly. I had this one product, a laser western toy that was restricted to list on FBA. So I listed it via merchant-fulfilled. It was very popular and hard to find so while I was listing them in line, the orders already coming in and needed to shipped.
The interesting thing is that last year, and so far this year, there have been no warnings of toys being gated when it comes to merchant fulfillment during the Q4 selling season. It is possible that it will be open again this year.
Amazon is, at first, always about the customer, especially when it comes to deadlines. Due to the increasing number of prime customers and removing many Amazon sellers, Amazon removed the restriction to encourage people to do the fulfillment because their drivers can’t keep up with the prime deliveries.
So always check your emails and check Amazon’s guidelines and rules to stay up-to-date. .
Black Friday deals can make you so much money in a short period of time. You just have to know what to do to dig those diamonds in the rough.
One of the strategies I can share is to start early. Be an early bird shopper!
Scheduling scouting trips to stores, but don’t buy yet. Look at the empty shelves, where there are, and focus to see if there is a specific brand or end caps that are sold out or running low. Pay attention to what is hot and trending. Do a lot of pre-research before purchasing any products. Know what is going to be in short supply on those steady products. Do your sourcing early, during, and after.
And don’t forget that doing both FBA and merchant fulfillment is the best option! You have to pay attention every now and then to your check-in times. Because Amazon is having shortages of staff, here and globally, you have to strategize to avoid sending in your Christmas-related products the first week of December.
WHY?
Because then you risk your items not being checked in until January and you don’t have a choice except to liquidate. You have to do it earlier for FBA.
Don't give Amazon any reason to hold up your inventory!
Make sure all your products are labeled correctly and in the right quantities. You can’t control Amazon, but you can control the time you send in your inventory. Pay attention to time because time is of essential this time of the year.
Ready to start planning your Black Friday strategy? We’ve got you covered. In my interview with Stephen Smotherman, I share more tips and tactics for crushing Black Friday and earning thousands of dollars in extra sales. Listen now to get started!
QUOTE:
“You are resellers. This is the busiest time of year, so you are either reselling and making a lot of money and celebrating holidays in a different way, in a different time. Or you're doing one or the other. It's just a busy time. And so you have to expect that you're going to work a little bit more in Q4. You're earning more, and there's more potential to increase your income. You have plenty of time to rest in January and February while you're gathering your riches right now. Be prepared to do a little bit of extra and maybe ship a little bit more packaging.” - Kristin Ostrander.
RESOURCES:
- The Reseller’s Guide to Black Friday by Stephen Smotherman and Kristin Ostrander use COUPON CODE BFSALE
- Top 3 Apps for Black Friday Resellers
- Black Friday Arbitrage Prep Guide for Amazon Sellers
- Why I Still Shop Black Friday as a Wholesale Bundler
- What to Sell on Amazon: Decode the Customer
In our book, The Resellers Guide to Black Friday, really is a manual for Amazon sellers.
If you're doing it for the first time or last year you did it or a few years ago, and it didn't work out for you, and you're just not sure, being prepared is the key.
We devour the possibilities when it comes to Black Friday. You can find out more about it at fulltimefba.com/blackFriday. The course has just recently dropped. Use the coupon code BFSALE.
It's only open for a short time! We only open this up once a year for a week and a half or two weeks, and then it's closed. Get the link to the masterclass, ask your questions, and finally, be prepared! There are opportunities, and you can smash so much of the profits around you on Black Friday by having a plan. We walk you through all the things that you need to know to get ready for Black Friday before, during, and after.
I love hearing Black Friday stories after the fact, so make sure you join my free private Facebook Group - the Amazon Files with the code word: BLACK FRIDAY. Post your comments, and your notes, and tag me so I can celebrate your success with you.
Now go and take some action in your business!
Get the class, get the Black Friday reseller's guide and crush it on Black Friday >> www.mommyincome.com/blackfriday
That’s all for now, friends. I'll see you guys same time, same place next week on the Amazon files. 🎧
-KO
Welcome to The Amazon Files brought to you by Mommy Income
Have you ever had an amazing experience with a brand?
How did you feel when you opened the package?
Did you pay attention to the packaging?
Did you feel something was cheap or high quality?
what made you think these things about the brand?
We are doing to dive deep into why branding matters and how you can step up your game to sell more products on Amazon
We are Tapping into the power of branding, storytelling, and copywriting to grow and strengthen your Amazon listings with Emma Schermer Tamir
Emma transforms her insatiable curiosity into conversion-spiking copy. As co-founder and CEO of Marketing by Emma, she’s helped over 1,000 businesses from around the world boost their sales and build their brands online.
Through her thoughtful approach and winning strategies, Emma has become a leading expert in the field of selling on Amazon. Whether she's speaking on stages across the globe, leading her team, or working with clients, her goal is to empower everyone to create better product pages, Amazon listings, and website copy that makes brands' dream customers excited to click "Add to Cart!”
Why does branding matter when you're selling on Amazon?
What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when creating an Amazon listing?
Why should businesses invest in branding?
Anything related to copywriting, branding, or storytelling! I love talking about these topics, and want to be sure that the listeners gain as much value as possible.
About Branding and Packaging:
- Branding piece is important.
- Getting customers to not only buy your product, but to keep it and buy again.
- Customers having positive experience with your product will remember your brand and eventually would do free marketing for your company.
- Good packaging will protect your product, hence avoiding negative reviews.
- Shareable links on Amazon are free advertising.
- Good packaging is building an identity for a good brand.
- Product development
- Brand story - a story associated with your product that connects with people.
- Point of differentiation - it will help customers choose your product over all of the other ones.
- Brand recognition and brand loyalty
- Branding based on people’s emotions, behaviors, understanding, and values.
- Investment, energy, and time spent into your listings/products/packaging will bring you amount of sales.
- Creating the avatar for every bundle.
- Price is the last thing that you adjust.
- Aligning your product with specific organizations or groups.
- Having good-looking images and good copywriting in your listings.
- Good quality products and a brand that will stand behind their products.
- Trusted communications
- Putting yourself into the shoes of your customers and knowing their specific needs and wants.
QUOTE:
“You know, I’m gonna say something that’s like, I mean, just brace yourself, y’all. Because you know, I’m tough and you know, I say the tough love things, but honest to goodness, like if you just, a lot of the stuff and a lot of the work is done upfront, right?” - Kristin Ostrander.
RESOURCES:
- Learn how Wholesale Bundles
- Amazon Brand Registry Q&A
- Branding your Amazon Bundles
- Success Strategies While Working from Home
- Marketing by Emma
- Emma's Facebook Page
- Emma's Youtube Channel
- Emma's Instagram Account
- Emma’s LinkedIn (Personal)
- Emma’s LinkedIn (Business)
- Email Emma
- Whatsapp/Phone: 5738642010
- Free Listing Analysis
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files!
Now I want to hear from you! What have YOU learned? What were your AHA moments? Post what you learned and your AHA moment that helped you take action in my free private Facebook Group - the Amazon Files with code word: branding matters and tag me so I can celebrate with you.
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
That’s all for now, friends. I’m Kristin. See you on social and every week on the Amazon Files podcast 🎧
-KO
If you're an Amazon seller, you know that creating and marketing your brand can be costly and time-consuming.
But what if there were free marketing strategies out there that could help promote your brand and wholesale bundles outside of Amazon?
And what if you had the first few steps you needed to get your brand out there?
Well, you’re in luck because we have an exceptional guest joining us, and he’s taking you behind the scenes in all things marketing and branding.
Hey, hey Amazon friends!
Welcome to this week's episode of the Amazon Files, brought to you by Mommy Income. I am your host, Kristin Ostrander, and I am super stoked about today's guests that we have joining us today.
He is the founder and leader of Simple Success Coaching, with over seven years in e-commerce now! He's done everything, from wholesale bundles to creating his own brand and marketing his products. I'm not even going to waste any more time talking about him because he has such an amazing and interesting story that will benefit you. Our special guest is Dustin Reichman.
Dustin was a civil engineer who created a marriage course with his wife and turned into an entrepreneur. His journey started with a message and a story they wanted to bring online. But it didn’t end there.
With no formal training in marketing, he figured out how to create and market his brand through the School of Hard Knocks…by just taking action and learning from successful and failed attempts, but never giving up. It’s this idea of action that provides clarity and confidence to keep you going.
However, there is ONE important thing we must all do today as entrepreneurs: having and sharing the conversation of brand stories so that you can connect with your customers and build the know, like, and trust factors to draw them in.
But an important question remains…
How do you create a brand story from something that seems a little bit insignificant, like cords, parts, or accessories? How do you market your brand outside of Amazon? And can it truly be marketed for FREE?
These are all great questions, and Dustin is here to take us behind the scenes and drop some gold.
He divulges everything about his journey from marriage courses all the way to building and marketing his own brand. He shares how he created the Fire Stick brand and tips on how you can create your own brand too. He also touches on why branding is so important, the story behind the brand, and free marketing strategies to get your brand out there, even outside the Amazon seller platform.
But success doesn’t come without obstacles or hoops to jump through, especially the ones we create for ourselves in the form of imposter syndrome, doubts, and fear. Dustin reveals some secrets he picked up along the way: defeating imposter syndrome, quieting the fears, and stepping up with courageous actions even as he started with ZERO marketing dollars!
So are you ready to get the inside scoop on creating and marketing your brand and wholesale bundles outside of Amazon with full transparency? Great! Let’s dive in behind the scenes so you can start building your very own brand from scratch!
QUOTE:
“‘I’m not qualified. I don’t have a degree in that. I don’t know what I’m doing.’ These thoughts keep you stuck, but the truth is that you’re learning from the school of hard knocks, from the school of action by just doing it, trying it, failing it, and figuring out what works instead of giving up. This is what qualifies you! So keep going. You’re doing great!” - Kristin Ostrander.
RESOURCES:
- Learn how Wholesale Bundles
- Amazon Brand Registry Q&A
- Branding your Amazon Bundles
- Success Strategies While Working from Home
- Fire Creek Snacks
- Simple Success Marketing
- Email Dustin Reichman
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files!
Now I want to hear from you! What have YOU learned? What were your AHA moments? Post what you learned and your AHA moment that helped you take action in my free private Facebook Group - the Amazon Files with code: FIRE CREEK Snacks and tag me so I can celebrate with you.
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
That’s all for now, friends. I’m Kristin. See you on social and every week on the Amazon Files podcast 🎧
-KO
Hey Hey Amazon Friends!
This week is a special week…it’s Mommy Income’s birthday! ! Woohooo! 🥳Mommy Income turns eight years old this week, and I am so excited to talk about that.
It's been a really crazy, fun, and interesting ride, to be honest. But it has also been hard. It's been all of the things I expected and some of the things I haven't expected. And I wanted to share with you a little bit about the journey because I think it's really important to reflect and look back.
I think oftentimes we get so caught up in the here and now and what's required of us and what we want right this moment that we forget to look back at how far we've come.
We forget to look back at who we were once, who we decided not to be or what pivots and changes we've made along the way. I think those things are super important to think about and to give yourselves a time of reflection so that you can decide and determine where you're going, what you want now, what you want next, and what you want to come to pass.
So in today's episode, I share my reflection and get even deeper in a vulnerable way as I share a direct quote from the journal about why I started Mommy Income. I also answered a question that came into our inbox that really touched me…
“I just wanted to say thanks for all you do. Your podcast inspires me every week. I love your story and how strong you are. You seem to never give up and keep working even when it's hard. Thank you for saying the hard things that we need to hear. You are so successful. I can only dream of a million dollars. Do you have a housekeeper and a nanny and everything? Honestly, can you tell me how you did it all?”
I'm so glad this was asked because now I can share the answer with you all. You see, there are a few key things that got me where I am today and will help you move toward your goals as well. Tune in for some tea-time secrets and vulnerability on how I got to where I am now, the deposits you can’t make, and the steps to the road to achieving success at every level of life and business.
QUOTE:
“Expect obstacles, but don’t turn them into the roadblock that keeps you from success. Go around them, go through them, go over them. Build a bridge. But whatever you don’t make excuses to give up. Keep pushing through to success!”
RESOURCES:
- Mommy Income Birthday Sale
- 10 Wealth Blockers
- What If I Fail?
- How to Succeed as an Amazon Seller?
- How Eric Quit His Corporate Job to sell on Amazon [SELLER SUCCESS STORY]
So there you have it, my tea-time secrets for success. And now it's time to take action! I challenge you to get crystal clear about what you want. Even if it's something as insignificant as making an extra $104 a week to afford tires and medicine. Make a small goal and be determined that no one, including yourself, will stand in your way. Have faith that it's possible because it's possible for you. But you shouldn’t do this alone. You are not meant to do it alone. And I’m here to help!
I want you to start making deposits into your success bank and not your excuse bank. And if you’re ready to take that next step, I've got a special Mommy Income Birthday offer just for you!
Whether you are looking to get support as a wholesale bundle student, coaching, or products…snag your sweet deal here >> www.mommyincome.com/birthday
Thank you for giving me the privilege to do this week after week. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful week, everyone. See you same time, same place next week on the Amazon files.
Keep on pushing forward…
-KO
Q4, the fourth quarter of the year and the most wonderful time of the year for us as sellers, is upon us once again. Thanks to the many holidays that occur during these months from October to December, Q4 ends up being the biggest selling season of the year, and with the statistics, insights, and tips I share with you here today, it can end up being a huge success for you as well.
This week we’ll dig into the details about Q4, especially some statistics regarding it, which you know I love. Along the way, I’ll review a number of product ideas for the 3 major Q4 holidays as well as my 3 key tips for the season, its top spending categories, and the importance of understanding your customer. We’ll finish off by looking at the top 5 reasons people purchase from Amazon. Whether this is your first Q4 as a seller or you’re a seasoned veteran, today’s episode gives you all you need to know to ensure this one is massively successful for you and your business.
I'm sure you've read the phrase "the sky's the limit" a million times. As entrepreneurs, it means there are no limits to what we can achieve, how far we can grow, and the many different ways we can succeed.
However, it is not an overnight success. It is not a straight road. There are many ups and downs on this roller coaster ride to success and your dreams, where you need to apply consistent small steps day in and day out, even when you feel like throwing in the towel.
I don’t know about you, but I'm tired and exhausted of arguing politicians about all things pandemic and all kinds of different stuff crowding our headspace.
Tired of dealing with violence and arguments over who's going to do what, where all around the world. We've all had our ups and downs the past few years, with everything turning upside down. We're all kind of tired, aren't we? 🙋♀️
But if these times have taught us anything at all…
It's how to be resilient and adaptive when things are out of our control. Everything from inflation, job losses, increasing prices and bills, increasing interest rates, fighting politicians, the weather, and hurricanes are outside your control.
Yet all of these challenging times bring out our strength, no matter how exhausted we are. It’s not fun. It's not easy. And I'm here with you. I hear you, I see you. I understand that the struggle is REAL.
Every day we have a long list that seems to multiply every day, and it grows longer than the time we have to take care of the list.
We probably have bills that are stacking up, and we wonder how they will be paid, how we will make ends meet, or if this business is actually going to work…
Hard times create strength, and there are eventual benefits.
Now, don’t catch what I am not saying. I'm not saying we must be happy with endless sunshine and rainbows when our world is crashing in or closing in on us. But what we learn about these hard times and things that come at us, things inside our control or outside of our control - we can learn from and makes us stronger.
Let's be real… sometimes our wounds are self-inflicted. Sometimes we find ourselves in a position because we did nothing, did too much, or did the wrong things. And let's be even more real and tougher…sometimes the problems we create for ourselves are because of our own excuses, our own procrastination, or our own unwillingness to learn and adapt.
But that's okay now. Why? Because you're here right now listening to what can help you change that. It's not fun, it's not easy, but it's worth it! And there are benefits when we consider where we're at and where we want to go.
QUOTE:
“This world is tough. Competition is fierce, and everyone is screaming at you to do more, be more and hustle more. But what I do know about all of these hard things, no matter how exhausted we are, hard times bring out our strength and benefits. So make a change and keep pushing forward!” - Kristin Ostrander
RESOURCES:
- Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
- Amazon Ecommerce Success Stories Stay-At-Home Mom Makes $300k
- TOP Answers to Questions about Selling on Amazon
- Your 2022 Amazon Business
- 7 Reasons 1:1 Coaching is Worth Your Time and Money
Are you ready to go for it? To adapt and change? You're nodding yes, and that's great! You’re ready to go from “I can't. I won't.” to YET. But don’t think you have to do it alone. If you are unsure of what your next move is, no worries! 😉 I finally opened my coaching calendar again to accept new clients.
I would be happy to chat with you about your goals, desires, and what/where you want to be next, even if it's not Amazon. So many people are scared to come to me because they stopped doing Amazon long ago and are doing this and that now. I'd love to hear about what you're doing now if Amazon's not right for you. I’m so proud of you for adapting, changing, making mistakes, and pushing forward!
There's nothing new under the sun. There's no straight line to success or elevator up to the top of whatever mountain you're climbing. So whether that's an Amazon business or something else, you still apply the same principles. You're not there YET, but you're willing to make changes to get where you want to be or get closer to where you want to be.
I would love to help you figure that out! Whether it's the next steps in your Amazon business or transitioning into something completely different. I've helped people with all those things, and I would love to just have a conversation to get to know you and to talk to you about your desires and goals so that you can take the next step. Book your coaching time now: www.mommyincome.com/coaching.
Let’s pick up and start moving in the right direction together!
Thank you so much for listening to this week’s episode. Share your AHA moments with me on my free private Facebook group - the Amazon Files (use the code word YET) and tag me so I can celebrate with you!
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
Keep on bundling…
-KO
I have a question for you…
Do you know what to do next in your business?
Are you pulled in a hundred thousand different directions every single day, full of chaos and disorganization, or at least some of the time?
I don't know if you're like me, but that's exactly how I feel. 🙋♀️
Hey hey, friends, my name is Kristin, and I am so happy you are here.
A lot of the time, I’m pulled in all kinds of different directions. I wear many hats. I have many roles…
So how can you find peace amidst all this chaos? How can you get things done and stay organized and stay on top of your business? Because that's the deal here. We want to stay on top of our business and get more done!
Why? Because when we get more done, usually we make more money!
We have a list of things to do so we can improve our business. Y'all, if you have a bunch of tasks that don't benefit you in some way, throw them away. We have a list of tasks and todos because we find them important. And so there is a way that you can change your business daily - 15 minutes at a time. I’m going to talk to you about the 15-minute hustle, what it is and how it can actually help you. And if you’ve been here for a while, this will be your reminder. 😉
I live my life based on the 15-minute hustles. I honestly have a timer that sits right on my desk and use it every single time I sit to do tasks for my business. It is a timer. Yes, it's a 60-minute timer, but I live and die by this timer. You know why? Because sometimes tasks are hard, and procrastination sets in, pushing your money-making tasks to the back burner. And this is a BIG no-no!
Plus, do you know that the #1 thing that stops people from succeeding is procrastination and fear?
Fear of being overwhelmed.
Fear of not being able to get it done.
Fear of not knowing what you're doing.
Fear of screwing it up.
Fear of [fill in the blank with any fear that stops you].
One fear I hear most often is: “I don't have time. I don't have time to overhaul my entire basement. That's full of years of the pile-up. I don't have time to do that.”
But here’s a question for you…
Do you have 15 minutes?
Because if you do, then you can go down there and say, I will fill one paper bag with things that I can donate in 15 minutes. You can absolutely do that!
Hey, I do it every single week. I get rid of a paper sack full of miscellaneous items that no one's using. I donate them, give them away, or throw them away in a paper sack full of stuff every week. You'd be surprised what accumulates even in a week. And we just have access to things that clutters - and it drives me crazy.
So What is your goal? What do you want to accomplish in your business or personal life? Why are you doing business? What’s driving you here and committed to making it a success?
Come up with a BIG one even in the perfect world. And don’t be passive.
Fill in the blank: I want ____.
It can be anything like I want an organized home where everything has a place. Or I want to take a family vacation every year.
Once you know your goal and drive, it becomes much easier to list all your tasks and separate them into priority piles.
Now that you have your one BIG goal in mind, let’s jump in and start using the 15-minute hustle to achieve it!
Quote:
“Reminder: Not everything is urgent. Just because everything seems urgent to us all the time…it’s not. We need to prioritize, especially in business, the things that make us money first.” - Kristin Ostrander
RESOURCES:
- 15-Minute Hustle e-book
- Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
- Overcome the “What-if I fail?” Barrier
- Overcoming "I Don't Have Enough Time" - An Amazon FBA Success Story
- STOP ANALYSIS PARALYSIS in its Tracks with THIS
It's time for you to take the 15-minute hustle challenge! Go download the book, make your master task list of what you need to do, and get yourself a timer. One you can leave on your desk or use on your phone. There's a stopwatch or timer on everybody's phone. Let’s get more stuff done. Utilize your 168 hours a week wisely. And, of course, pat yourself on the back for doing it. Don’t forget to reward and motivate yourself for the progress you make every day as entrepreneurs.
Congrats on using the 15 minutes! 🎉
Thank you so much for listening to this week’s episode. I'd love to hear from you and how you’re using the 15-minute hustle. Post your excitement on my free private Facebook group - the Amazon Files(use the code word FETCH) and tag me so I can celebrate with you.
If you haven’t snagged your 15-Minute hustle e-book yet, no problem - click >>HERE<< and get ready to get stuff done!
Have questions? Email me directly at admin@mommyincome.com with all your questions, concerns, or doubts. I would love to answer them all for you.
Keep on bundling…
-KO
Hey everyone! I’m Kristin, your host and bundle queen 👑. Welcome to this week's episode of the Amazon files brought you by Mommy Income.
Today we’re welcoming back a special guest: Ryan Parman. She has been selling on amazon since 2017 with her next level goal in mind - $300k revenue!! And she did it!!!
She spills all the real secrets and truths about how she got there & what challenges came alongside her journey but most importantly, the strategies that worked. (To catch Ryan’s first episode, click here.)
Because let’s be real, no matter what level or path you are on, it’s not always going to be all sunshine and rainbows. The struggle is REAL! It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride.
You’re going to face successes, challenges and heartstrings are going to be pulled, but it is all worth it.
So, if you’ve been thinking about…
👉 Looking for a way out of your 9-5 or to just try something new like Amazon,
👉 Testing the waters but unsure if you should start with bundles, retail arbitrage, online arbitrage, thrifting, or another model,
👉 The challenges you may run into and how to overcome them,
👉How to set realistic goals and a path to achieve them,
👉The process of growing and evolving and more.
You’re in the right place!
Ryan has some great advice and is dropping so much gold about her journey answering all your questions and so much more.
So bring your tea/coffee/wine and be ready to take notes!
I can't wait to share her story with you.
But before we begin, I have a very special announcement I wanted to share...
The Wholesale Bundle System 3.0 debut is almost here! I’m so excited and can't wait for you who have pre-order it and those thinking of ordering it because it is all college-level education.
The current curriculum is off the chain! My wholesale bundle system has generated my students and me over $20 million in wholesale bundle revenue.
Just pause and think about that for a second…
The wholesale bundle system between all the students and me has earned over $20 million in revenue.
And I can't wait for you to see the new version.
I have poured my heart, my soul, and every ounce of energy that I've had to deliver the best course for you. It's the most comprehensive, user-friendly, complete Amazon FBA curriculum on the market today!
The wholesale bundle system is going to be off the chain, and actually, it already is.
It's just not ready for you just yet, but this is your opportunity to get the wholesale bundle system 3.0 for half the cost of what it's going to be when it releases. This is the only time I'm telling you about this as well. This is a special insider promo only. You're not going to see this in an email or on social media. 🤫
This is an exclusive mommy income insider community offer for those of you who are serious about changing your income level.
If you are serious about making wholesale bundles your reality and increasing your income on Amazon, this is going to be an exclusive offer for you only.
It's half the cost that it's going to be in about six weeks when it's released. So you'll have access right now to wholesale bundles, 2.0, and when the new 3.0 version is released, you’ll get all of the brand new material you can dive into for only half the cost.
Now, this is going to be a full comprehensive FBA curriculum that covers:
➡️How to set up your business properly if you haven't already done
➡️Direction in contacting and setting up wholesale supplier accounts
➡️A step-by-step research process for finding and curating the best bundles on Amazon
➡️G10 exemptions, trademark registration, brand registry, and more so that your products can be listed with ease!
So are you ready to start on your path to success and reach your revenue goals?
Then register for the Wholesale Bundle System today!
And without further ado, let’s jump right into Ryan’s success story and how she overcame her each milestone.
RESOURCES:
- Wholesale Bundle System 3.0
- Overcoming "I Don't Have Enough Time" - An Amazon FBA Success Story
- College Credit Cost Survey with Education Data
- Success Strategies While Working from Home
- How Eric Quit His Corporate Job to sell on Amazon [SELLER SUCCESS STORY]
Do you like Mommy Income? Are you a fan of the Amazon files podcast?
If you have ever learned anything from me or the success story interviews, YAY that means I am doing my job.
There is a really easy way to show appreciation!
It’s FREE and it takes less than 5 minutes to do so!
Please post a review:
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Unsure of what to write in the review…No problem, I got you covered. Here are three questions you can answer when writing your review >>
#1: What is the biggest challenge you faced, and how has Mommy Income helped you overcome it?
#2: Why would you recommend the Mommy Income Community?
#3: How has being part of Mommy Income helped you reach your goals?
Join me again same time, same place next week on the Amazon files.
Keep on bundling…
-KO
Do you want to make more money?
I mean, why not?
BUT do you know what it takes to produce more profit in your business?
Today, I'm going to give you some practical steps to help increase your bottom line, but they're going to be a little bit outside of the box. There is one essential skill that you need, in order to increase your profit. Did you know there are certain things that are costing you money and ruining your profitability because they're taking too much time and too much energy?
I'm calling this finding the holes in your bucket and plugging them. The holes aren't always financial and many times are actually mental blocks. They are us getting in our own way and they're just plain and simple lack of organization.
Most people struggle in one area or another when it comes to organization, which I believe it is the number one business essential skill that you need in order to increase your profits. If you're disorganized, you're losing money left and right, you just don't know it. This episode of the Amazon Files is all about practical ways to get and stay organized when it comes to your Amazon business here.
Example: Don't be so disorganized that it takes you 2 hours to do something that literally could have taken you 30 seconds. Listen to the full podcast to hear the story.
I too struggle with holes in my bucket and profitability in my business. However when I notice that it’s happening, I take action, because I don't want to lose two and a half hours looking for a piece of paper, a very important one.The idea here is that when we aren't organized, we spend more time, energy and money getting ourselves out of trouble that we should never been in. I should have never had to spend two and a half hours looking for a piece of paper.
Have you ever had a never again moment where you do something and you're so frustrate and annoyed. You tell yourself, never again, will I do that?
I'm going to share multiple ways for you to boost your profitability by getting organized. If I were to ask you how you do a certain task, would you have an answer? Do you have a method by which you operate on a regular basis? Are you a fly by night, immediate in the moment? Are you a planner? Even my planner super organized friends, struggle in some way. Maybe they're really good at organization, but they are worrywarts and they can't pull the trigger. We all have something that we struggle with and so if you don't struggle with organization, then come give us all your tips, cuz we need it.
The first thing about organization is literally stopping and analyzing your process. So I'm going to challenge you to take a few minutes after this episode, of course, and take your notes or listen to it as you're doing it and press pause. Then with fresh eyes, walk into your inventory processing area and think about what you do first, second, and third. Write that down. And the question is, do you do it the same way every time? And if your answer is, no, my question is why?
If you can save even 10 minutes of your process by organizing it differently, just three times a week, that's half an hour of your life you got back. Spend five minutes. Write down your processes for your stuff. Where does it go? How do you physically process your inventory? Where do you store it? How do you scrape the stickers? Where are your tools?
Organize your space and give it a permanent home. If you have permanent homes for stuff, but they never end up there, the best way to trick yourself into putting things back where they belong is to pretend that it's not your space. Our brains are very adaptive and we're really smart people so pretending is kind of a way of tricking our brain into thinking that something's real. So just for a second, pretend that it's not your space. If you came to my office and you used my tape gun, would you just leave it on the table? You wouldn't because we tend to respect other people's space more than our own. However if you pretend for a second that you are hired help and you were here to do a job, you would come in, you would find the tools, you would use them and you would put them back where they go when you're finished because it's not your space.
Organization creates efficiency. Efficiency makes you can do the same tasks faster, which means you have more of your precious time to do whatever you want, including making more money. The next thing about this organization is documenting the processes. Take a queue from corporate America and create SOPs standard operating procedures for your business. One step at a time, 15 minutes, twice a week. When you're documenting your processes, you should have a step-by-step to refer to. Write out “Do this first, this second, etc” as if you were teaching it to a 10-year-old. If for some reason you are unavailable, you don't want the whole ship to sink because you weren't organized.
This concept can be overwhelming. I understand that and I am overwhelmed sometimes just talking about these things, BUT you've got 15 minutes to make a list of the processes that you have. If you haven't gotten my 15-minute hustle guide, you need to download that and get the book and listen to it and pay attention to it.
The next practical step to increasing your profitability is by organizing your thoughts. How do I want to organize my day so that I'm not ping-ponging all over the place? Then I'm actually thinking about the task and focusing on the task with intention. Part of this comes with making a schedule that can be flexible and fluid, but knowing what you will be doing and how much time you plan on spending on that task or that project will help you feel less overwhelmed and more productive.
Your actions are going to follow your thought process. So here is another way to organize your thoughts. The old-fashioned way! Get a pen and paper or your phone for note-taking. I don't know about you, but when I lay down at night, I remember everything that I didn't get done and it floods my head, the moment I'm trying to lay down and go to sleep. My solution was to put a notebook next to my bed. If I feel like there's something that I really need to remember, I write it down and then I turn the light off and go to sleep.
Another thing to help organize your thoughts is to take breaks. We don't always have to be on hustle, beast, fast mode all the time. It's really healthy for you to take breaks. Five minutes of a break is not going to affect your whole day. It will actually make it better. You need to give yourself some mental breaks. It doesn't have to be a 30-minute walk. You can literally just get up out of your chair, walk to a mailbox and walk back. Just give yourself a break. When I need a brain break or I need a time out, I'll get my car and drive.
How organized are you? Do you know exactly what you're doing tomorrow morning? If you do these organizational things that I'm teaching you right now, even 15 minutes a day for this, the rest of this month I guarantee you will see the results.
If you want to make more money in your business, all you have to do is increase your efficiency. Then you'll be making the same money in less time, which means you get a raise. So congrats. I'm proud of you for whatever step you're about to take.
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Until next week…keep on bundling…
-KO
A lot of people have been coming to me lately, saying, “Oh my god, my stuff won’t sell!” and wondering what the problem is. So today, I’m talking to you guys about understanding your customer and their wants and needs so that you can sell more product to them. First, it’s important to acknowledge that Amazon customers are a little different from eBay or Walmart customers, and they have specific intents when they shop. They want speed, convenience, trustworthiness, and, most important, product selection. Amazon can carry more than any brick-and-mortar store, which means there’s room for as many products as you want to sell. In fact, Amazon’s dominance of the online shopping space is a result of its leveraging the power of two million Amazon sellers to bring new products to the table. So your focus doesn’t need to be on finding products to sell but on taking the time to figure out your customers’ problems and needs and how your products can solve them. Then, if you set up your listings right and use the proper keywords to sell something that has demand, you’re filling in the gaps and adding to the variety of products that draws customers to Amazon in the first place.
So how do we capitalize on this information and figure out what our customers want? One of the best ways is to use your knowledge bank and focus on a niche you understand—that way, you already know the problems that require solutions and can create or order products that solve them. Bundles are particularly great for this because they meet all the things your customers want—speed, convenience, variety—and can target specific problems and needs. By defining who your bundle is for, you can refine your listing with keywords and search terms specifically designed to speak to your customer and direct them to your product. And if you’re struggling to come up with ideas, I close the episode by summarizing what you need to keep in mind when choosing bundle components, from how many items to include to setting your profit point, in order to ensure you’re appealing to all of your customer’s needs while staying competitive.
You can find out more about wholesale bundling by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword BUYER to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Discovering your customers’ problems and needs
- Defining the Amazon-specific customer
- The appeal of product selection
- The who, what, when, where, and why of your customers
- What to keep in mind when choosing bundle components
“You can sell products all day long. But if you really figure out what the customers are wanting and needing, who they are, and what makes them tick, and what makes them pick up their phone and click on Amazon and make a purchase, then the sky is the limit of what you can sell.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“People are looking to buy things, and they look at reviews, trust, free shipping. But product selection, friends, don’t miss this. Other people are talking about PPC and how to do this and this strategy and that strategy. Don’t miss the simple things. Product selection is the number one reason people go to Amazon.”
“Have you ever searched on Amazon to try to find something, and you looked for maybe four or five pages, and you still didn’t find the thing that you were looking for or the exact thing like, oh, that’s kind of what I was thinking but not this. Your customers are doing the very same thing, which also means that there’s room for variety.”
“Bundles save your customers time. It’s time, money, convenience, variety. Now bundles work because when we understand our customers, we can give them the proper products we need to solve their problems and meet their needs. It’s speed and convenience, plus the variety built right in.”
“Before you even look at products, and digits, and data, and widgets, and things like that, define the who, what, when, where, why, and how of any product or any service or any anything that you’re bringing to the table. Once you understand your customer and what they want and need, it’s very easy to provide them those very things.”
Related Content:
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email question
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Bundle Ideas @MommyIncome
- 40% off MerchantWords’ Gold Package for Mommy Income students
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BUYER to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
A lot of people have been coming to me lately, saying, “Oh my god, my stuff won’t sell!” and wondering what the problem is. So today, I’m talking to you guys about understanding your customer and their wants and needs so that you can sell more product to them. First, it’s important to acknowledge that Amazon customers are a little different from eBay or Walmart customers, and they have specific intents when they shop. They want speed, convenience, trustworthiness, and, most important, product selection. Amazon can carry more than any brick-and-mortar store, which means there’s room for as many products as you want to sell. In fact, Amazon’s dominance of the online shopping space is a result of its leveraging the power of two million Amazon sellers to bring new products to the table. So your focus doesn’t need to be on finding products to sell but on taking the time to figure out your customers’ problems and needs and how your products can solve them. Then, if you set up your listings right and use the proper keywords to sell something that has demand, you’re filling in the gaps and adding to the variety of products that draws customers to Amazon in the first place.
So how do we capitalize on this information and figure out what our customers want? One of the best ways is to use your knowledge bank and focus on a niche you understand—that way, you already know the problems that require solutions and can create or order products that solve them. Bundles are particularly great for this because they meet all the things your customers want—speed, convenience, variety—and can target specific problems and needs. By defining who your bundle is for, you can refine your listing with keywords and search terms specifically designed to speak to your customer and direct them to your product. And if you’re struggling to come up with ideas, I close the episode by summarizing what you need to keep in mind when choosing bundle components, from how many items to include to setting your profit point, in order to ensure you’re appealing to all of your customer’s needs while staying competitive.
You can find out more about wholesale bundling by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword BUYER to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Discovering your customers’ problems and needs
- Defining the Amazon-specific customer
- The appeal of product selection
- The who, what, when, where, and why of your customers
- What to keep in mind when choosing bundle components
“You can sell products all day long. But if you really figure out what the customers are wanting and needing, who they are, and what makes them tick, and what makes them pick up their phone and click on Amazon and make a purchase, then the sky is the limit of what you can sell.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“People are looking to buy things, and they look at reviews, trust, free shipping. But product selection, friends, don’t miss this. Other people are talking about PPC and how to do this and this strategy and that strategy. Don’t miss the simple things. Product selection is the number one reason people go to Amazon.”
“Have you ever searched on Amazon to try to find something, and you looked for maybe four or five pages, and you still didn’t find the thing that you were looking for or the exact thing like, oh, that’s kind of what I was thinking but not this. Your customers are doing the very same thing, which also means that there’s room for variety.”
“Bundles save your customers time. It’s time, money, convenience, variety. Now bundles work because when we understand our customers, we can give them the proper products we need to solve their problems and meet their needs. It’s speed and convenience, plus the variety built right in.”
“Before you even look at products, and digits, and data, and widgets, and things like that, define the who, what, when, where, why, and how of any product or any service or any anything that you’re bringing to the table. Once you understand your customer and what they want and need, it’s very easy to provide them those very things.”
Related Content:
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email question
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Bundle Ideas @MommyIncome
- 40% off MerchantWords’ Gold Package for Mommy Income students
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BUYER to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today on The Amazon Files, it’s a tough love day. There always comes a point in business (and life and relationships) where we need to have a “come to Jesus” talk, to take stock of where we are and if it’s still where we want to be. So in this episode, I’m encouraging everybody to allow themselves a break to really consider how you’re feeling and if it’s time to make a change. First, I discuss how hard it can be to permit ourselves to take a break and how easy it is to fall into going through the motions or get distracted by the plethora of shiny opportunities out there. Sometimes it takes a major life event to get us moving and reevaluating what’s important to us and where we’re irreplaceable, which is generally not in our jobs. Acknowledging that somebody else can replace us is a bit of a gut check, but it can also free you to make choices that aren’t hindered by someone else’s standards, dreams, or priorities.
Once we’ve got that freedom, there are signs to help figure out if we’ve got stuck in a quitting attitude or if it really is time to pivot into something new. I discuss the differences between these two states and why a quitting mindset is something to work against while making an active decision to let go of something you no longer have passion for can be the next step toward getting the life you want and avoiding regret. I also explain how, if you don’t know what you want, figuring out what you don’t want can be a method of motivation, especially since people will often work harder to avoid pain or loss than to achieve success. And I close out the episode by re-emphasizing the importance of taking time to evaluate what you truly have passion for right now and leaving behind those things that no longer excite and motivate you.
You can find out more about wholesale bundling by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Allowing yourself to take a break
- Knowing where you’re replaceable and irreplaceable
- The quitting attitude vs. choosing to pivot
- Being motivated by what you don’t want
- Reevaluating what you love
“Regret is permanent. You can’t undo what you didn’t do. You can’t go back and try it again—regret is something you have to live with. So I’d rather have failure. I’d rather fall on my face twenty times than never try and wonder why.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“It is a very noisy and crowded world. We are actually replaceable, but there’s one place where you’re not replaceable. One place. Your home, your family, your relationships.”
“Quitting is an attitude, really. It says, ‘I can’t.’ Says, ‘It’s impossible for me. It’s not gonna work.’ Quitting is, ‘I’ve tried that once, and it didn’t work.’ That makes me laugh, to be honest, when I think about ‘I tried that, and it didn’t work.’ How many ways have you tried it? How many times have you tried it? Once?”
“Change requires determination to move through the difficult parts. And that determination comes from a clear vision of what you want or a clear vision of what you don’t want. A lot of times, we will work harder to avoid the pain or loss as opposed to working for something we want.”
“Life is really too short to stay with something that doesn’t serve you anymore or that isn’t working. If you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it. It’s not quitting if you’re moving on, it’s actually growth, personal growth. The caterpillar isn’t a quitter, the caterpillar transforms to a butterfly.”
Related Content:
- Merchant Words Promotion
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
The number one question I’ve been getting recently is about Brand Registry because Amazon has been changing the rules as they try to protect bigger brands. So today, I’m getting into those questions, from what brand registry does and why you as an Amazon seller need it to tips on packaging and understanding class of goods. First, though, I open the episode with an overview of what Brand Registry is on Amazon and what the requirements are to get it. These include a US trademark (Amazon will honor some international trademarks, but it’s complicated), a brand name, logo, and professional-quality packaging (no stamps or minuscule stickers), and preferably proof that your brand is already in use in commerce. I also give some advice about picking a brand name, getting brand approval (the step before brand registry), and handling multiple brands under one account.
In the second half of the episode, I answer some of your questions about brand registry, including more details on packaging requirements, when to list items, get trademarks, and register brands, and differentiating between brand names and business names (especially for those transitioning from arbitrage to bundling or private label). I also tackle how to get approval for GTIN exemptions and report trademark violations once you’ve got brand registry. And finally, I explain how class of goods works and why it’s a little different on Amazon than on other platforms.
You can ask more questions about Brand Registry by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword REGISTRY to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- An overview of Brand Registry on Amazon
- What Amazon’s looking for in packaging
- When to get trademarks, register brands, and list items
- Reporting trademark violations
- Understanding classes of goods
“If you’ve already got a logo and idea, you could have a serial number and be brand registered by the end of this week. No joke. If you’ve got your duckies in a row, you can file and get your trademark serial number same day.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Your logo, your packaging, they want it to be professional quality. You can’t buy a stamp for ten dollars at Staples, or even at Imprint or whatever, and stamp your name on it. They want permanently affixed, professional-looking packaging to make sure you actually have a brand.”
“This is new as of right now, in the last two weeks, Amazon is fully rejecting minuscule packaging. If you have a brown cardboard box with, it looks like, one little tiny sticker on it, they’re not going to approve your packaging. And they have the right to do that.”
“Once you have the serial number, you don’t have to wait until it’s actually approved, which takes almost a year. You don’t have to wait a year. File your application, pick your class of products, get your serial number registered on Amazon.”
“If you don’t have brand registry yet, but you plan to apply for that trademark, list all of your items underneath that brand approval brand now so that once you get brand registry, you can transfer those over. If they’re not spelled identically and under the actual brand registry name, you cannot transfer old listings to new brand registry.”
“Amazon does not care if you’re registered in the class of products that are paper goods or that are textiles or whatever else. They get a serial number, they verify that this has indeed been registered, and now you can sell any product on Amazon with that trademark and that brand registry.”
Related Content:
- Merchant Words Promotion
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Sticker Mule at Mommy Income
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword REGISTRY to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
This week, I welcome back Lesley Hensell of Riverbend Consulting for her quarterly update on the latest news and changes for Amazon sellers. To kick things off, I ask Lesley what the hot button Amazon topic is right now, and she explains how the account health rating found on your Amazon dashboard is about to become much more important. Despite these ratings not making much sense, Amazon is about to start using them as guidance for suspending accounts, including ones that are in the yellow. Lesley says that if the color bar moves, you’re now going to need to pay attention and appeal, and I remind everyone how important it is to have your documentation in order and accessible just in case something like this happens (possibly, as Lesley suggests, by hiring a VA). This is going to start rolling out in August and September and will likely be followed by Amazon’s usual catalog cleanup in October, so it’s particularly important to clean up your account because you cannot afford to have a merchant-fulfilled shipping problem going into Q4.
Lesley also has a great tip for getting on top of your inventory by asking Amazon to provide you with a reverse feed that will give you a filled-in spreadsheet of all the information you need. And we finish the show with some details about the upcoming Surge Summit in Tampa Bay, sponsored by Riverbend, which will cover all kinds of topics for Amazon sellers, from PPC to how to maximize the value of your brand. Plus, there’ll also be a cruise of the bay and a throwback 80’s arcade for when you’ve had enough sessioning and want to have some fun!
You can chat with others about the latest changes in the ecommerce world by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword RIVERBEND to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Account health ratings and suspensions
- Keeping a handle on your documentation
- Q4 Amazon deadlines
- How to get a reverse inventory feed
- The Surge Summit
“We really need to step out of that comfort zone, whether you have to come in hazmat gear, in a mask or not, you should really come and just listen and observe and speak to other people. Our business grows when we are networking with other people.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Super-important to start watching that colored bar at the top of policy compliance. And there are times that if you’re a small volume seller, it will only take one complaint to move you to yellow.”
“Any time that there’s high-volume sales events like Christmas, or Black Friday, or Prime Day, or textbook season, there tends to be more enforcement. And it’s just a part of the volume of the sales on Amazon. It’s not that they’re out to get people because of Prime Day, it’s just that there’s more sales, right?”
“You cannot afford to have a merchant-fulfilled shipping problem between now and Thanksgiving because they are less forgiving, and it’s harder to get them overturned. Then you can go back in January, and they’re like, sure, yeah, you can have that privilege back. But if you lose it right before Q4, they aren’t nearly as forgiving.”
“Think of it like having a backup of your hard drives, you need a backup of your listing. So if you’ve always created your listings one by one, and you don’t have this spreadsheet, you need to ask them for the reverse feeds.”
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- Merchant Words Promotion
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Brand Mastery Summit
- The Surge Summit
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword RIVERBEND to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I’m welcoming back a very special guest and expert on expanding globally on Amazon, Kevin Sanderson from Maximizing e-commerce. He’s here to talk about expanding into international sales and how doing so can up your business without a whole lot of extra work. First up, Kevin explains that expanding into Canada and the UK was one of the best moves he made in his own business and the benefits of expansion and accessing a whole new customer base. He also addresses some of the challenges of moving into international marketplaces, such as keeping up with compliance in Europe but argues that it’s worth it for the extra cash and the opportunity to apply your skills and learn new ones.
Next, Kevin discusses some of his recent moves, including organizing summits to help educate people, deciding to grow his SKU counts on Amazon, and getting into customization to add value to his listings. He also gets into the gray areas that Amazon’s recently been coming down on, like giveaways and funnels that circumvent the site’s algorithm, explaining that while he doesn’t approve of those examples, there can be benefits to figuring out how to legitimately fly under the radar while still having a good brand and presence. And speaking of branding, Kevin and I also talk about ways to build your brand, including utilizing your storefront to encourage cross-selling, making use of Amazon’s tools (like brand registry), and creating a great customer experience. And finally, we wrap things up with some details on Kevin’s upcoming Brand Mastery summit, where I and a bunch of other experts will be talking all things branding, from online growth to PPC conversion rates.
You can chat with others about global expansion and branding in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword GLOBAL to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The benefits and challenges of international expansion
- Pivoting into new areas
- Amazon’s gray areas
- Branding and cross-selling
- Kevin’s upcoming branding summit
“That’s kind of the beauty of e-commerce, is that as we’re entrepreneurs, and we’re moving into new products and different things, that we can grow and change at our leisure. And there’s always room for that.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“They also know it’s to their benefit to have more catalog of more products available across the world to people in different marketplaces. And they know it’s a growth opportunity for them, which, if it’s a growth opportunity for them, it’s also a growth opportunity for us.”
“I think if you can go after more stuff that flies under the radar and have the ability to adapt easier, you’re going to be better in the long run.”
“I’ve got my own brand. And I’ve got a trademark. And that’s what you need these days, or at least be on the path for that, to get brand registry. But if you think about it, you know, Amazon really likes the concept of a brand versus disparate things.”
“We can complain about, ‘Oh, but it was different five years ago,’ ‘It was different two years ago,’ or whenever someone started or wish they would have started. We could always look back to the good old days, but you know, you can’t control the hand that you’re dealt, but you can control how you play it.”
Related Content:
- Merchant Words
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Brand Mastery summit
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword GLOBAL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today one of my favorite clients and friends, Michelle Maple, returns to the show to talk about how she went from zero to six figures in her first fourteen months on Amazon. Michelle started her business doing retail arbitrage in September 2018, and she opens the episode by discussing how she transitioned from that to wholesale bundling (with a little help from my courses!) within six months. She describes feeling that arbitrage took up too much time with “running errands” and instead being drawn to the creative and research aspects of bundling. Michelle also talks about changing the structure of her business to a one-person operation and deciding to scale back in order to find a good work/life balance. She recommends using checklists to keep on top of all the steps needed when listing and developing a routine and a schedule to help keep you on track when you’re feeling scattered or overwhelmed.
Next, Michelle shares some of her figures from this year, during which she’s already done six figures, and her goals as we move into Q4 and holiday season. Then we discuss the importance of actively considering how you can become more excellent at your business and whether slowing down would benefit you in the long run. Michelle also advises those new to bundling and maybe overthinking things to take the step forward and put their bundles out there because your best learning only happens after you send them. And we close out the episode with Michelle’s advice to maintain a flexible mindset toward change so that you’re ready and willing to adapt whenever Amazon changes the rules.
You can hear other success stories and share your own in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword MAPLE to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Transitioning from retail arbitrage to bundling
- Becoming a one-person business and scaling back
- Staying motivated and being in the moment
- Developing a routine and schedule
- Committing to excellence and adapting to change
“Stepping back does not mean failure, it does not mean that we’re going bad or going in the wrong direction. You actually gave yourself space to figure out the next step while the numbers are dropping. And that’s perfectly okay. As a matter of fact, that’s awesome and healthy.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I was literally in Disney World when my phone dinged for the first time, and I had a sale, and it was like, ‘Well, this is cool. Here I am in the happiest place on Earth, and I’m selling something.’”
“One of the things that I’ve learned is the parts of the business that I try to just push through and force are the ones that come back to smack me upside the head and say, ‘Nope, you didn’t do this right, and that’s not gonna work.’”
“I do feel like there’s a lot of hats, and it is hard to escape. I just try to tell myself, whatever piece or whatever moment I’m in, just trying to be in that moment because I’m not going to do anything very well if I’m not.”
“I think for the new people and those that are overthinking, you have to start somewhere. You’re not going to learn all of this in your office by yourself with nothing listed. You know, you have to take the step forward.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword MAPLE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today I’m joined by the amazing Tyler Jeffcoat, accountant, e-commerce expert, and co-founder of Seller Accountant, accounting experts for e-commerce sellers. Tyler’s here to talk to us about bookkeeping, minding our business, and knowing our numbers because we can’t make profit if we don’t know what kind of numbers we’re working with. First up, Tyler shares his journey from setting up a healthcare startup to deal with his grandparents’ Alzheimer’s issues to realizing that he could use his accounting know-how to help Amazon sellers make money. He then takes us through some basic bookkeeping tips, including what accounting resources to spend money on, and common mistakes like aligning your sales with payment dates instead of sales dates.
Tyler also encourages everybody to develop good bookkeeping habits, like blocking off thirty minutes weekly to do your finances, and we both recommend educating yourself and hiring someone to do the parts of business you don’t enjoy or know nothing about. Tyler then sets out some of the services that Seller Accountant offers, from courses on subjects like basic inventory management to bookkeeping services that get through the most stringent due diligence in the world. And finally, I close the episode by asking Tyler about the role bookkeeping has when you’re looking to exit your business. Tyler responds that having your accounts transparent and in order is something that investors really appreciate and good bookkeeping, whether by you or a service you hire, is the best way to ensure that.
You can learn more about thrifting and auctions in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Tyler moved from healthcare startup to e-commerce
- Basic bookkeeping tips and common errors
- Cultivating good bookkeeping habits
- Seller Accountant’s services
- Bookkeeping’s role in exit strategy
“I’m all about education. If you don’t know, learn. Don’t hide from it, learn from it. Learn enough to not screw yourself over.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I was like, wait a second. This is not Amazon sending me and Emily this stuff every day. It’s actually these sellers. I was like, unbelievable. And it just immediately became this kind of clear hero in my mind, was like, Bezos is gonna get paid, Shopify is gonna get paid. I want the seller of this kind of one to ten million, or maybe half a million to two million brand to make money.”
“If you give yourself the gift of that thirty minutes a week to either pursue education or understand your numbers better, you’re going to be doing better than 90% of your Amazon Seller brethren out there. And so, if I could invest thirty minutes a week and become better than 90% of my competitors across the world, man, that’s a pretty good return on investment.”
“We were involved with almost $90 million in exits last year where sellers were selling to aggregators and other investors. And our bookkeeping got through the most stringent due diligence in the world to get out of that.”
“I had a client last year that had his number. We’d gone through the exercise, an investor offered him that number, but he was afraid he was missing out, and he said no. Of course, the market kind of went down a little bit at the end of last year, and he didn’t get his number. And so, if you know what you want, then you can guilt-free let it go when that number pops up.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Seller Accountant
- Seller Accountant on YouTube
- Return On Podcast
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today, I’m welcoming back one of my favorite guests, Scott Zilke, aka The Bearded Picker, an expert in Amazon FBA and eBay flipping. First up, Scott tells us what he’s been up to in the last few months, including changing his business model, reworking his eBay store, and redesigning his storage setup. Then we chat about our shared love of thrifting and yard sales, and both of us emphasize the importance of finding a balance between making money and having fun, something that’s much easier when you do what you love and delegate what you don’t (Scott recommends hiring an accountant!).
We also talk in detail about the processes involved in yard sales, estate sales, and auctions (both online and in-person) and emphasize that knowledge is a weapon you can wield to your advantage, whether that’s how the business of flipping works or what items are particularly valuable in a specific market. Scott then discusses the importance of looking forward, knowing where your audience is going, and embracing change to ensure you don’t lag behind and give yourself every profit-making opportunity possible. And finally, we wrap up the episode by focusing on the importance of surrounding yourself with a positive and supportive community and trying to push out the negative. Life is too short to be miserable, so stop waiting for the perfect time, follow your passion, and spend time with the people you love.
You can learn more about thrifting and auctions in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword PICKER to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Scott’s background and what he’s been up to recently
- Finding the balance between business and fun
- Yard sales, auctions, estate sales, and thrifting
- Using knowledge to your advantage
- Being forward-looking in business and life
“If you’re going to be an entrepreneur, you don’t do it for the money. That’s part of it, but you do it for the passion, you do it because you can’t do anything else because nothing else suits you.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I kept telling people, do what you love, do what you love, but the light never came on. It finally… I was selling some stuff, I’m like, why am I doing the dropshipping for somebody else whenever I can be making all the profit? And that was where the light came on.”
“One thing I have preached and I’ve tried not to do is never, never rule, never, never legislate out in your business the fun part. You’ve got to have fun, you got to enjoy this. There’s a reason you do this, and you made it into your business, but the accounting, all that crazy stuff can drag you down, you’ve got to have the fun stuff.”
“If you sit around and complain and moan and groan, you’re behind everybody else who’s going, ‘You know what? I can do this and that.’ These new rules, you adapt to the new rules.”
“I’m a firm believer that, you know, find the remote, find the cable, find the whatever because they’re not gonna charge you. There’s a VCR there, they’re not gonna charge you any extra with a remote or without the remote. But you sell it for a lot more money on eBay or Amazon with the remote.”
“Follow your passion, do what you love, surround yourself with positive people. You only get one shot at this go-around. Make what’s important to you.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword PICKER to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today, I’m sharing an interview I did with Dr. Amanda Barrientez—aka The Money Healer—founder of NFA Money and an expert at teaching entrepreneurs how to break through their unconscious money blocks. First up, Amanda asks me about my own money blocks, and I share how more money equals different problems and what strategies I’ve used to protect the wealth I’ve built. Amanda then asks me to share some of my tips on being time-efficient, and we discuss the importance of being aware of your hourly rate and the power of delegating so you can spend more time in your zone of genius.
Next, I share my journey into entrepreneurship and e-commerce, discussing how I moved from losing our family home to foreclosure to building a seven-figure business. Amanda then asks me to share three tips to help entrepreneurs get to six figures faster, and my advice is to hire faster, keep close tabs on your numbers, and stay away from the Comparison Monster. And we close the episode by looking in more depth at how to be intentional with your time, from using my 15-Minute Hustle model, to scheduling time to relax, to always giving yourself time to think before buying because nothing can’t wait twenty-four hours.
Come chat more about time efficiency and delegation in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword DR.AMANDA to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Money blocks and fears
- Time efficiency and delegation
- Kristin’s entrepreneurial journey
- Tips for getting to six figures faster
- Being intentional with your time
“You see other people being successful, and there’s not necessarily a code to crack. It’s keep listening, keep learning, keep doing. Keep doing because you know what? Failure’s better than regret.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Would you hire a surgeon to give you a booster shot? No, you wouldn’t. You would not hire a surgeon at their cost and level to give you a booster shot, that can be someone else. And so, every time I’m looking at a task, something that has to be done, something needs to be done, my question is, ‘Do I absolutely have to do this task?’”
“I talk a lot about the law of attraction. So it’s like, the higher your level of energy, the more easily you’re attracting easier money your way. And it’s impossible to attract your way what you love when you’re doing what you hate.”
“Don’t compare your chapters to somebody else’s, you’re at a different journey. You have different resources, you have different support, you have different hair! Like, it literally does not matter. Your journey is never going to be the same as someone else.”
“Set a timer for even one whole day, and then every fifteen minutes, it goes off, and you write down the exact tasks you did for the last fifteen minutes. It doesn’t take very long. But once you see that, I think you’re going to be completely shocked at really how you do spend your time and what you could take off of your plate in order to give yourself an instant raise.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Wholesale for the Holidays Live Class
- The Fifteen-Minute Hustle
- Roadmap to Your First Sale
- The Three-Step Formula
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword DR.AMANDA to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Happy July 4, everybody! Everything is red, white, and blue right now, but soon it’s gonna be orange and black for Halloween, so this week’s episode is all about preparing for Q4 and its set holidays and avoiding some of the common mistakes in the prepping process. First up, I discuss the importance of advanced inventory management and planning, including capitalizing on Prime Day to generate extra income you can spend stocking up for the Q4 holidays. I also advise taking advantage of wholesale terms and dating—not the Tinder kind of dating, but ways of postponing payment for inventory to buy you time and get all kinds of rewards and benefits. And, as always, make sure you have plenty of stock so you can replenish if and when necessary.
My next bit of advice is to pay attention to listing creation and shipment timing. You want to hit the sweet spot with your listings so that you can grab the algorithm and have it index and rank you for your keywords, so create new bundles early and ship new shipments ASAP. And since FBA warehouses are overwhelmed in July and August, go for smaller shipments and use case packs to help faster processing. And the last thing I recommend you guys do is to ignore the shiny objects and stop chasing the trends, which aren’t reliable and won’t pay the bills long-term. Instead, sell the boring stuff, the “rusty trusties,” the white Christmas lights and repair kits for inflatable decorations. And stay in your lane—Q4 isn’t the time to jump into new niches, it’s when you go and rake in the dough!
Come chat about wholesale, holidays, and more in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword HOLIDAYS to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Advanced inventory management and planning
- Wholesale terms and dating
- Listing creation and shipment timing
- Shipping case packs
- Selling boring stuff
“You don’t have to jump into trends. You don’t have to jump into zones that you’re not comfortable with. Stay in your lane for a while because you’re better in your lane.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“You cannot sell what you don’t have. And in order to make enough money, and in order to have enough inventory for Q4, you need to have money to purchase that.”
“If you’re launching a Christmas thing in May, you might be hard-pressed to get traffic, and then you’re losing indexing and ranking. So you want to be close to the holidays but not so close that you can’t grab the algorithm and have it index and rank you for those keywords. So getting your listings done and in and on early is really important.”
“Stop chasing the hot trends. Stop. There’s hot trends every single Christmas season, and there’s always that one thing that people are waiting around in line for. Like, years ago, it was the Speak Out game, then it was fidget spinners, the TikTok leggings… Trends, they come and they go so quickly. So many people get stuck on these. There’s plenty of profit in other things. Don’t chase the trends.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Wholesale for the Holidays Live Class
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword HOLIDAYS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
This year, Amazon is holding not one but two Prime Days, so in today’s episode, I’m focusing on maximizing your profit during this event. After a word about the live class I’m running on doing wholesale for the holidays, I dive into what you can do to prepare your existing inventory for Prime Day, including checking and updating your listings, raising your prices, and making sure you have everything in stock.
Then I take off my wholesale bundle queen crown for a minute to talk retail arbitrage and taking advantage of summer clearances to get seasonal inventory you can sell quickly and build up some cash to spend in preparation for Q4. I’ve got a whole list of items to share with you, from garden hoses to patio pillows to pool accessories, as well as back-to-school items, that can be bought at low prices and flipped on Prime Day for a quick profit. And finally, I explain why, while raising your prices before Prime Day seems counterintuitive, it’s really effective in the frenzy of getting and saving that such events provoke.
Come chat about Prime Day and more in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword primeday to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How to maximize your profits on Prime Day
- How to prepare your current inventory for Prime Day
- Taking advantage of summer clearance for retail arbitrage
- Using your Prime Day profits to prepare for Q4
“Prime Day to me is optimizing my listing so my regular items sell continuously and making sure that I have stock of those items - you can’t sell what’s not there so making sure you have the stock, and then selling the season that we’re in so that you can get the faster sales so that you can build up that money and that capital profit to spend on Q4.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I am going to teach you what to sell, where to get it, how to get it into Amazon, all the holiday action calendar to make sure you’re selling and sending in all of your items and when, so that they’re ranking for holidays, so that you’ve got all of the best holiday sales and wholesale. Why? Because these days, we cannot wait for retail arbitrage.”
“First of all, you need to know why. Why is this important? Why do you need to do this? This is not another gimmick or nothing else, it is just simply minding your business, right? You’re minding your business. I want you to mind your business. And with over 153 million Prime members globally, you’re going to take advantage of Prime Day.”
“This is why we want to take advantage of Prime Day because it gives us instantly more money to spend for the holiday season because we’re going to make fast, quick profit right now.”
“It’s really hard to find a bathing suit around here even in, like, September. They’re all gone. There’s none on the shelf, we have to turn to Amazon. So thank you for buying stuff from Target and flipping it, so I can buy bathing suits in November.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Wholesale for the Holidays live class
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword primeday to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On this episode of The Amazon Files, I’m joined by returning guest Steven Pope from listings optimization agency My Amazon Guy. Steven is an amazing Amazon expert with a wealth of information on ecommerce, and he’s here today to share his expertise on Amazon SEO keyword practices and rankings. First up, since it’s been a little while since Steven was on the podcast, he brings us up to speed on what My Amazon Guy does and the growth it’s experienced over the last couple of years. He talks about the importance of happy employees and his aim to buck the trend of high turnover by creating a supportive culture even as stress levels in the workforce climb to all-time highs. After that, we dive into SEO, as Steven explains the impact of social trends on keyword data and how keeping track of these can reveal opportunities to improve your ranking and make more money. He also points out the importance of understanding the Amazon algorithm in order to get the most out of the keyword system.
Next, Steven runs us through the four SEO phases he runs (indexing, incremental indexing, strike zone, and the search query performance report (SQPR)) and how following these will improve your ranking with minimal effort. I also jump on Steven’s point about the SQPR to once again encourage everyone to get brand registry and trademarks for all the benefits they give you, including this report. Then Steven tells us about the courses he’s running through My Amazon Guy (including one on SEO), and I encourage everybody to invest in education, especially since Amazon doesn’t always make life easy for us! We then loop back to the SQPR, as Steven gives an example from his own business on how to utilize the report’s data to find immediate activity and action tips and also explains why he prioritizes traffic over conversion. And we close the episode with some advice from Steven on how to set the meta description of your brand store to get more exposure and control over Google and how much time you should set aside each week to spend on optimization, plus a couple of tips on raising your prices when other sellers are lowering theirs.
You can talk about SEO rankings and more in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. Join our Facebook group with today’s codeword MAG to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Social trends and keyword data
- Understanding the Amazon algorithm
- SEO phases
- The benefits of brand registry and trademarking
- Utilizing the Search Query Performance Report
- Traffic vs. conversion and volume vs. margin
- How to set your brand store’s meta description
- How much time to spend on optimization
“I’d rather have margin all day long than worry about constant volume. I’m like, I don’t want to have to manage ten thousand pieces a day. How about just a hundred pieces a day at ten times the profit margin that you’re making? That’s a better deal for me.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I feel like I spend more time focused on people and their problems and what their challenges are than I do focused on trying to actually run the company, and that, quite frankly, is actually running the company, right? Like, it’s all about people.”
“If you put employees at the top of your pyramid and have clients and customers beneath the employee—because you can’t serve two masters, they can only serve one or the other—you will have happier employees, which will make happier customers and clients because happier employees do better work. It’s just bottom line.”
“If you are kind and understanding and help people feel supported and accountable, even in relationships, and marriage, and parenting, and anything like that, people naturally perform better when they feel supported and happy and feel like they can handle the task, and they feel like they can go to you as a leader if something’s going wrong.”
“I would say stress levels in the workforce are at all-time highs. And I’ve never seen so much pressure from inflation, from just overwhelmingly, you know, post-pandemic bullcrap, mental illness, you name it, and people are really just worn out right now. And I just feel for them.”
“I like to look at myself as a caveman with fire in prehistoric times, right? So like, I figured something out, I feel like I’ve got some fire, and I want to share that fire. You bring your torch over here, I’ll light your torch. What you decide to do with your torch is completely up to you. I hope you go light the world up. But what you do is up to you.”
“SEO, search engine optimization, it’s not set it and forget it, right? You can’t just do one round of research and then walk away.”
“The difference between that and the characters, as far as Amazon is concerned, is they don’t count syntax, they don’t count spaces, they don’t count commas, etc. So with that in mind, if you were only doing 250 characters, and somebody else was doing 250 bytes, they would actually be getting 20% more SEO juice.”
“When you’re first launching a product, of course, the most important thing you want to be done is get indexed by the search engine. Because you don’t want to just rely upon hardcore PPC costs, which are up, like, 35% in the last twelve months.”
“You need to really understand that brand registry and trademarking has more value than you can spend on the trademark itself because of the protection, because of these new reports, because of these exact keywords.”
“If you are doing wholesale bundling-slash-kits, and you don’t have any brand equity, you should still get a trademark and file the kits, the bundle under your own brand name. Because then you prevent hijackers, then you prevent all of these other data problems, and the other brands can’t come after you. And in addition to that, you get all the benefits that Kristin was talking about, the brand registry, the A+ content.”
“I’ll give you a little secret, the Amazon help files suck. They’re incomprehensible and incomplete and often inaccurate. And so like, I’m literally getting three messages a week from Amazon employees thanking me for actually talking about how the algorithm actually works.”
“Time is money. And if you want to get it faster, and you want to get it done now, and you want to have these tests done by the end of your day, then you take a course because education is absolutely everything.”
“You have a percentage of impressions that gets higher by clicks, which gets higher by add to carts, which gets higher by purchases—those are the four different things that Amazon tracks in the search query report—what that tells you is you need to focus on getting more impressions. Why? Because you’re converting higher than the competitors. Therefore, whenever you have high conversion, what is the activity you should do? Go get more traffic.”
“We make assumptions that most people that have Amazon go there first to look for things, but a lot of times people go to Google first. And if you’re not ranking on Amazon, you’re not gonna come up first on Google either.”
“Not only will the brand store show up on your own brand term, which gives you more exposure and control over Google, it also can rank for other keywords. So you can generate more income by setting the meta description of your brand store.”
“This meta description of your store can change your business overnight. Getting a trademark and getting your store branded so that you can use A+ content will change your business overnight because you’re doing the things that other people are too lazy to do, or they’re not interested, or they think that they can get by on just doing it on a dime.”
“If you just added SEO in as something you work on for one to three hours every month in a chunk, and then keep doing it, you will see continuous gains.”
“Number one rule of Amazon: don't go out of stock. Second rule is like the first, don’t go out of stock.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- My Amazon Guy at Mommy Income
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword MAG to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I’m talking to the amazing Cyndi Thomason, a speaker and thought leader in the e-commerce community, to talk about her brand new book Motherhood, Apple Pie, and All That Happy Horseshit and discuss the choice moms often face between continuing their career or starting their family and working from home. I start the episode by asking Cyndi where the amazing title for her book came from, and she shares a story from her corporate days when a board member used that phrase in response to a passionate speech she’d just made. She explains that the phrase stuck with her, and she eventually decided to transform its flippant negativity into something positive by using it as the title of the book. This leads her to discuss how the book originated from her desire to empower women faced with the choice between a corporate job and motherhood. Around twenty years ago, Cyndi herself left the corporate world to raise her daughter, and while it was the right choice for her, she shares that she didn’t expect how much she would miss the achievement mentality of her job and how lost she would feel without it. Her book, she explains, is about how to integrate motherhood, business, and time for oneself to avoid losing your identity to just one element.
Next, Cyndi and I get a bit deeper into her book as she introduces the concept of the sacred space. This involves finding an activity that lets you lose track of time and get into the flow without thinking about the stresses in your life, and then carving out time to stay in touch with it. Cyndi explains that finding and maintaining this sacred space will improve your ability to make decisions and feel fulfilled. We then move on to discuss Cyndi’s idea of rubber balls and glass balls (i.e. those tasks we can let bounce and the ones we can’t allow to smash) and how differentiating between the two and scheduling accordingly can be a major help in finding balance in your life. I then ask Cyndi about avoiding guilt for scheduling time for yourself, and we discuss the importance of setting boundaries, including between you and your kids. We both share stories about setting boundaries as parents to demonstrate that while it might be emotionally tricky, modeling boundaries will benefit both you and your children in the long run. And finally, we close the episode by discussing the framework Cyndi introduces in her book, especially the importance of true self-care, including real rest from stress and distractions, and of figuring out who you want on your team for your business and personal life, and reaching out to them for support and understanding.
You can come talk about motherhood, apple pie, and happy horseshit in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword APPLEPIE to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The origin of Cyndi’s book and its title
- Parenthood vs. the corporate world
- Finding your sacred space
- Glass balls, rubber balls, and time-blocking
- Modeling boundaries
- Cyndi’s framework for integrating motherhood, apple pie, and happy horseshit
- Defining and applying self-care
- Developing your personal and business support teams
“We’re not built to always serve and always work and always consume. We are built for rest in some ways. And that includes not just sleep but rest from decisions, rest from bombardment and confusion, rest from the damn phone that’s literally an attachment to our hands.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I’m like, well, what’s wrong with motherhood? And what’s wrong with apple pie? I mean, to me, it kind of symbolizes, you know, small business, and growth, and the effort and hard work. I mean, to me, it was always a good thing.”
“It’s very American to think about living our dreams, right? And when someone says something so flippantly like that, you almost want to put your hands on your hips and ‘Wait just a darn minute, let me tell you about the horseshit you’re talking about.’”
“We can have it all on our own terms, it’s just gonna be about organization, and having a certain set of boundaries, and maybe reframing our expectations.”
“Does anyone really enjoy changing diapers or cleaning up spit up? Or, you know, the piles and piles of laundry? Well, some maybe do, but there was that piece of you that ends up being missing, and then we feel guilty for longing for those achievements, for those work-related type of motivations that we have that complete us as a person.”
“Whether you’re staying at home and focusing on child-raising, or whether you’re working and trying to, you know, use a daycare scenario or trying to do a business, it’s always going to be a juggling act. What I like about the idea of being a small business owner in the mix is that you get to control all the balls, and you get to say for yourself, this is important right now, and this is where I’m gonna put my time.”
“I think that’s the key for people, in general, to stay in that place of wholeness and to be able to make good decisions. Whether it’s child-rearing decisions, or whether it’s, you know, business decisions, if you’re feeling totally depleted, you’re not in a good place to make decisions.”
“If you can just carve out a little bit of time for yourself and stay in touch with what’s really important to you, then everything else gets easier.”
“We’re required to make decisions and make money decisions and make parenting decisions and relational decisions. Going into the garden and working with horseshit really sounds like bliss because it’s one place where no one’s demanding anything from you.”
“I think, in hindsight, I wish I had felt better, more empowered, around boundaries. That’s, you know, where I wish I had done some things a little differently. Love my daughter, love to spend time with her. But at the same time, I didn’t make the time for sacred space that I should have.”
“I think that’s one of the things that we lose sight of when we get caught in that mom guilt is that our kids are watching. And, you know, if we want to be a strong, whole person for them, we have to take strong positions, and boundaries help with that. And so, if you’re finding it hard to do it for yourself, then do it for your child because they’re paying attention. And you can set a good example for them that also benefits you too.”
“I want people to understand that self-care is really not sacred space. Yes, it’s nice to get a shower, but you should have the time to take care of yourself. That shouldn’t be a bonus.”
“To achieve your goals, you have to take care of you. Much as flight attendants instruct you to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others, you need to make self-care and rest a priority. Without it, all your other activities will be harder and feel less meaningful.”
“At the end of the day, I need to get up and exit from here and have something else to do. And instead of going and sitting in another chair and scrolling mindlessly, I’m like, 'What do I need?'”
“That’s the one thing that I think everybody can do is spend, you know, fifteen minutes right now, write down who are you going to call if you need somebody. And it can’t be your spouse. Because I mean, you’re asking them for stuff all the time, right? So who else can you call if something happens? Who are you going to call? And then reach out to that person and say, ‘Hey, you know, I’ve been thinking about this, and I just want you on my team.’”
“This is self-care, people. Reading books and consuming things that are going to make you a better person is worth your time. The reason that I am the way I am is because of the books that I read, and the people that I meet, and the conversations I have. They all contribute to helping us make a better person.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Motherhood, Apple Pie, and All That Happy Horseshit on Amazon
- Motherhood, Apple Pie, and All That Happy Horseshit on Audible
- Cyndi’s website
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword APPLEPIE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints lately about the Amazon world becoming saturated and the opportunities to make money within it becoming diminished, with people getting worried that Amazon may no longer be a viable business option. If you’re in that camp, wondering if Amazon’s still right for you, today’s episode will help you navigate that question, get clear on your goals, and guide you through three simple steps to grow your business. First up, I tackle whether it’s still possible to make a decent salary at home with Amazon, the answer to which is yes. In fact, with the rise of mobile commerce (m-commerce), the opportunities to make money on Amazon are growing—the only difference between taking advantage of them or not is how much time, money, commitment, and action you’re willing to put in. I then discuss the importance of figuring out what you want for yourself and getting clear on what you want from your business. It’s easy to get stuck by our fears and avoid moving because we’re scared to make mistakes, so I emphasize focusing on the next logical step to get what you want instead of getting overwhelmed trying to leap over a cavern of black holes.
To help you make that next move, I next present three simple steps you can take to grow your business, steps that helped me in my journey to making six figures on Amazon. The first step is based on my observation that no one successful does everything by themselves: hire some help. This can be intimidating, but I discuss how we’re all familiar with hiring people and point out that hiring help doesn’t have to be as expensive as you assume, plus it will bring huge dividends in the long run, both in time and money. Step number two is looking at your numbers to figure out what needs to change—because there’s always something that needs to change. This is something people tend to make excuses about—they don’t have time to look at their numbers, they’ve got too many other things to do—but if you don’t know your numbers, you’ll never know all the ways you can reduce expenses, increase margins, increase your ROI, and so on. I advise that being intentional about ensuring you’re making the most money you possibly can out of the work you’re doing and avoiding waste are crucial parts of what business owners do, so get rid of the excuses and make time for it. And finally, the third step is investing in yourself and your business through education. If you want to make more money, one of the major things you can do is learn a new skill that gives you a new expertise and will level you up. Therefore, I recommend figuring out what new skill would give you the potential to earn more money in your business and investing time and money into achieving it.
You can find plenty more advice on the Amazon FBA world in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword now to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Are there still opportunities with Amazon? (Yes)
- Deciding what you want for yourself
- Getting clear on what you want from your business
- Three simple steps to growing your business
- Step #1: hire some help
- Step #2: look at your numbers
- Step #3: educate yourself
“You deserve it, you can want it, you can have it, even if it seems so far away from where you are right now. There’s an opportunity for people to earn millions of dollars from their homes in 2022.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Can I make a decent salary at home with Amazon, like all these other people are saying that they’re doing? The answer is yes. The answer is absolutely, yes, you can do that. And it is still a viable opportunity. As a matter of fact, there are people who started after me that have surpassed me already.”
“The new normal is buying everything online, even groceries, even prescriptions, even everything. Like, if you did not want to go to a brick and mortar store ever again, I believe almost everything that you could possibly want to purchase, you can have either delivered, or you can order online.”
“The opportunities are not decreasing, they’re increasing. And the only difference between you growing and someone else growing is the time, money, effort, and energy, and action that you’re taking. Time, money, commitment, and action.”
“I know that the opportunities are increasing, but eventually, there will be a plateau. Eventually, there will be a time where we missed the boat. The boat came by several times, and we didn’t get on it. Or if we got on it, we jumped off of it because we weren’t sure if it was going to be headed in the direction that we were going.”
“Eventually, you’ve got to get clear about what you want and how it’s not dependent on anyone else.”
“Our brains are wired to have this protection mechanism called fear. And fear hinders us from taking the next step, or it shows us the big, huge steps. And we’re like, oh, we don’t know what that is. But really, the next step, not the tenth or thirteenth step.”
“These are steps that I’ve personally taken that have been game-changers. Game-changers going from $2,000 a month to $5,000 a month in your pocket.”
“Being productive and making progress is totally different. We can be busy and actually be doing absolutely nothing.”
“One of the things I’ve seen is that no one that’s successful does it by themselves. So if you’re currently listening right now, and you don’t have anyone working for you or working with you, or subcontracted or freelancing or a warehouse or something, that is one of the first moves that you need to make. Stop doing everything yourself, and stop assuming that it’s going to be too expensive for you to hire help.”
“No successful business person does all of the things all of the time. Trust me, I’ve tried. I ran myself into the ground, burned myself almost out, and almost quit everything at one point because I’m like, I’m so successful, I’m making so much money, but I don’t have time to enjoy any of my life.”
“The picture I’m trying to paint for you is that when you make an investment, it takes some time and a learning curve to try to get that out, whether it’s a time investment, money investment, whatever that is, but then it pays dividends down the road.”
“There’s always something that needs to change. There’s always something that you can look at and say, ‘Am I making the right margins on this?’ or looking at your numbers more closely. Setting aside the time, this is what people don’t do. They don’t set aside the time.”
“If you are doing something right now, and you want to make more money, one of the major things that you can do is learn a new skill that gives you a level of expertise or a level of something that will level you up.”
“You have to decide that you and your goals and your business is worth it and then invest in that. Sometimes that investment is product. Sometimes it’s service. Sometimes it’s coaching, sometimes it’s mentorship, sometimes it’s education, sometimes it’s hiring help, or a product or a service that will literally make you faster, more efficient, or smarter to be able to take care of it.”
“I’m not here saying I run a one-man show, and I’m really proud of that, and I work eighty hours a week. No, that is not what I want and need in my business. So what do you want and need in your business?”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Snack Hut’s homepage
- Graphic Rhythm Design
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword now to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
In the Amazon FBA world, there are so many Facebook groups and YouTube channels and blogs and gurus and podcasts and tools and software shoved down our throats that it’s really hard to stay focused. So, in today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how you can stop analysis paralysis forever. We’re going to stop overthinking, we’re going to stop overanalyzing, and we’re going to start taking some action. First up, I talk about the decision fatigue we all feel as business owners and how to make your life easier with a checklist you can run through before making choices about what tools you want to invest in. I also address the causes of analysis paralysis, including the fear of missing out (FOMO) and how to avoid letting it influence your decisions, before returning to the checklist with the first question: what goal does this tool help me reach, or problem does it help me solve? I then share a recent story of me not asking this question before purchasing a course on Pinterest strategy because I was sucked in by a big discount and use it to illustrate how letting FOMO guide your choices leads to waste.
The second question to ask is if this tool fits into your budget both in terms of money and time. This question is so important because it can help you set aside your emotions, focus on what your business needs right now, and act on that rather than any feelings of fear. It also makes you consider the specifics of your business circumstances, which leads me to the third item on the checklist: does this make sense for my business? Everybody’s business is different, which means the best tool for me may well not be the right one for you, so you have to do your own research into how the tools you’re interested in work and if they will fit your business. That means not relying on other people’s advice or testimonials until after you’ve looked into how the tool might fit your preferences (even down to such mundane details as color schemes!). Then I take a minute to emphasize that tools and products and services are not permanent—you can always cancel them—and that you don’t need to feel guilt for doing so. You’re not hurting anybody’s feelings, you’re just doing what’s right for your business, so allow yourself to let go guilt-free. And the final piece of the checklist isn’t a question, it’s a task: set a deadline for your decisions. Lots of people need time to contemplate before making a decision, and it’s good to think before inputting your credit card details, but setting a deadline stops procrastination, getting stuck in research mode, and allowing feelings to fester.
You can find plenty more advice on the Amazon FBA world by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword STOPAP to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Reducing decision fatigue
- The causes of analysis paralysis
- Choosing tools with your goals in mind
- Don’t fall for FOMO
- Budgeting for time and money
- Choosing the best tools for your circumstances
- Say 'no' and let go of the guilt
- Tools are not permanent or personal
- Creating deadlines for your decisions
“Ask yourself those questions, learn those processes, and then be proud of yourself instead of feeling guilty or shame or FOMO, or all that kind of stuff. Be like, I’m proud of myself that I made the best decision for my business in the moment.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Oftentimes, what happens? We get analysis paralysis, and we’re just spinning that wheel that’s loading and loading and loading, and we have 412 tabs open at a time. What we generally end up doing is procrastination and/or nothing, nothing at all. And then the next day, we spin the same wheels.”
“As business owners, we are faced with millions and millions of decisions, even from the minute to the big to the extravagant to really simple, mundane things. But as a business owner, we’re not passing the buck to someone else to make the decision, we have to make all the decisions, and decision fatigue is real, friends.”
“If you struggle with decision fatigue, and if you struggle with, like, overanalyzing and analysis paralysis and overthinking like most of us do, right? Then you need a way to start effectively and efficiently making those decisions faster and easier.”
“The reality is, you as the business owner, the person that’s putting your credit card number into anything, gets to decide where and how you spend your money and why. And FOMO is not a decision-maker.”
“I’m constantly educating myself as well. I think that’s really, really important, to grow as an individual, and as a professional, and as an expert in something. You’re constantly learning all the new things and making sure that you’re aware of them and practicing them.”
“The whole point here is, like, in order for you to not waste money on a bunch of stuff you think you might need at some point, spend the majority of your dollars for services and products and tools and coaching and education that will help you right now. Because you’re not there yet down the road. And even if the price is a hundred dollars more or a thousand dollars more next week, if you’re not ready to take action on that thing right now, you don’t need it right now.”
“No matter if you make a million dollars or a thousand dollars, you still have a budget. We can’t just spend whatever we want on whenever we want, any time we want. We all have limited time and money. No matter what that is for everyone, it all is the same, both time and money.”
“I’m trying to position you and trying to encourage you and help you understand that you are a CEO. You’re the owner, you are the business owner. No matter if you’re working two jobs right now, and this is just your side-side-side hustle, you are still a CEO and owner of a small business. And you’re going to need to learn how to make proper decisions.”
“Your business is different. Maybe you have a disability, and you’re only able to work two hours a week. And because of that, you need to be really, really efficient because of the circumstances that don’t allow you to do things other people do. Not wrong, just different. So the best tool for you might be different than the best tool for me.”
“Have you ever purchased something that you were afraid to miss out on? And then you never actually took the time to learn? Like my Pinterest course? Yeah. If you have one of those programs sitting there, tools, apps, software, maybe that’s where you need to place your focus. Ask those questions about those things right now, and then you can dismiss them and get rid of the guilt.”
“Every day that goes by that you’re not using tools that you’ve invested in, you’re wasting money. I mean, if you really like wasting money, I’ll give you my PayPal address, and every time you just feel like wasting money, just send me checks, send me digital cash, but I accept Venmo, PayPal, credit cards, cash, change, I’m even up for barter.”
“If you hear about a new product or service, and you want to know if it’s the right fit for you, then go directly to the source. Watch their tutorial videos, read reviews, watch YouTube videos on how it works. Not from friends and family and other people.”
“Remember that tools and products and services are not permanent. It’s not permanent. Sometimes you need tools in the beginning that you don’t need forever, and it’s okay to cancel them, you’re not going to hurt someone’s feelings. Well, you might be, I guess that’s an assumption. But like, it’s business, it’s not personal.”
“Sometimes tools are not a good fit for you in the moment, and they might be a good fit later on down the road. And you might outgrow some tools. You know, I’ve had some tools before that I’ve canceled because I just haven’t needed them anymore. I’ve created my own systems, or I’ve implemented something new.”
“Investing in your business and investing in yourself is very important. But overinvesting in things that you don’t need is not actually an investment. It’s a waste.”
“The final piece of the puzzle is so that we don’t overanalyze, and we don’t overthink and then become indecisive and then procrastinate and then kick the can down the road and still get nothing done. Create a deadline for your decision.”
“When you get stuck in research mode, you’re in analysis paralysis, and it’s really a struggle. Instead, get the best information possible, answer these questions for yourselves, and then put a deadline on your decision.”
“The way that you invest in your future is to do your best today. Because the results of the future come with what you’re doing right now.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Graphic Rhythm Design
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword STOPAP to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I’m joined by awesome entrepreneur Mark Davis, founder of Snack Hut, his company for wholesale bundles. Mark has over ten years of experience in liquidation, brick-and-mortar, private label, wholesale, retail arbitrage… all the things you guys are interested in. He’s actively, consistently, and profitably on Amazon, and he’s here today to share his expertise on everything from reverse wholesale to packaging decisions to having patience and not giving in too fast. Mark starts off by telling us how he got into liquidation, flipping customer return pallets before moving into retail and online arbitrage and finally deciding to focus on wholesale. He then introduces the concept of reverse wholesaling, which picks on Amazon listings that could be improved and obtains exclusive sales contracts by demonstrating how they could perform better. This has been a really successful approach for Mark, but as he explains next, he wanted to get in on what these manufacturers were doing and started researching private labels, which hooked him with the prospect of owning the buy box and being able to protect your listings. He then tells the story of watching an unboxing video, getting the idea for candy boxes, and—with his wife’s assistance—making the first order that would lead to Snack Hut being born.
Next, Mark talks us through the early days of Snack Hut, from packaging decisions to production processes, before we tackle the challenges we’ve come across in wholesale bundling and ways to overcome them. In particular, Mark emphasizes how getting your production processes in place can save you significant amounts of time per week, which can then be invested in learning how to take the next step in your business. He also stresses the importance of having patience and setting long-term goals, having seen too many people get impatient and quit before they’ve given their business a chance to succeed. As an example, he points out how many people insist that retail arbitrage is dead, despite there still being plenty of money to be made there, then we discuss how wholesale bundling bridges the gap between RA and private label without requiring twelve months and fifteen grand. We also talk about retail distribution as part of building a sustainable, sellable brand and how Mark is using Amazon as a launchpad to build up the Snack Hut brand outside of Amazon, increasing its value and making it more appealing to aggregators when it comes time to sell. And we close the episode out with the great news that Mark will be guest hosting some training in our Amazon Files Hub community in June, so all you wholesale bundle students can learn even more from him!
You can ask Mark more questions by joining the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword SNACKHUT to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Mark got into liquidation, retail arbitrage, and online arbitrage
- Reverse wholesale
- The dreaded sell-out
- What Mark likes about bundling
- How Snack Hut was created
- Making packaging decisions
- The challenges of wholesale bundling
- How wholesale bundling has changed Mark’s business
- Freeing up time to learn
- Having patience and putting the work in
- Planning your exit
- Remembering retail is an option
“One of the things I love about wholesale bundles is really that it’s poor man’s private label, and I’ve been saying that for a really long time. It’s a way to get the benefits of a private-label-style product, owning the buy box, owning a brand, owning these things but without twelve months and fifteen grand.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I joined a Facebook group called FBA Rockstars. And it was there that I first learned about Amazon. And I learned the hard way that you can’t, or you’re not supposed to sell liquidated product on Amazon.”
“Reverse wholesale is, basically, you’re gonna ignore the big guys. You want to find manufacturers’ products, that they’re not necessarily private label, so there’s going to be multiple sellers on the listing more than likely, usually three or more. But they’re going to be a lesser-known brand.”
“A lot of manufacturers, they’re good at what they do. They’re good at developing products, and they’re good at marketing their products, but they are terrible at Amazon.”
“Our first three products did great for the first two weeks, and then they tanked. We sent in, I want to say, fifteen units of each one. And within the first week, we were sold out. It took us another week to get the product and get it put together and sent back in, and we could never gain traction on those listings again.”
“I don’t care if you have $10 million in the bank, do you have six to twelve months to tie up said capital, to wait and see and launch your product? Because let’s be honest, most… right now, I wish it weren’t this way, but it is just a reality that most manufacturing and things are done outside of the US, you know, just that we have to outsource manufacturing.”
“Wholesale bundles is not just sunshine and rainbows. There are still, what we’ve said over and over in this episode, it’s a lot of work. This is a lot of work. That’s a lot of work. Guess what? Business is a lot of work.”
“It’s a short dip of investment to where, yes, it goes negative for a time. But then, from then, you see that double, triple, or dare I say, more return on your investment. So you didn’t lose money, you were just willing to invest in something that you believed in time would get you there, and proof of concept exists right because I’m holding a snack box.”
“I can tell you, my payroll has gone from having two employees working seventy-five plus hours a week combined. They’re now working maybe twenty, twenty-two hours a week each. So about forty, forty-four hours combined.”
“That’s what you’re doing, you’re freeing up time in this process so that you can learn. Why? Because when you learn more, you earn more. It’s a natural process, if you free up five hours a week, you can learn something in three of those hours, implement it in two, and now that’s gonna make you so much more money. It’s exponential growth for your bottom line.”
“I think a key element for people starting out: patience. Gotta have patience, you can’t expect to jump into Amazon, create a bundle, and make $10,000 in the next week, you know? Make long-term goals, not set short-term goals, and be patient, and take your time, and really learn and learn from others.”
“Taking the time to learn, listen to other people, and being patient, and honestly, try to enjoy the journey. Don’t hate it so much. It’s frustrating because, as sellers, Amazon doesn’t really care about us, but that’s fine. You know, they give us a wonderful opportunity, and too many times, I’ve run across people that are just so impatient, they just quit too soon.”
“Too many times I’ve heard people say, like, ‘RA is dead. You can’t make any money doing retail arbitrage.’ Well, I have a gentleman in one of my mastermind groups that does fifteen million a year in revenue, and he is strictly 100% RA and has a team of twelve shoppers that travel up and down the East Coast buying his products. So it’s not dead. It just took time to build it.”
“Last week, I was in Florida. I did a speaking engagement and then had three days off to go to the beach. Meanwhile, everything’s running smoothly. I’m not out there trying to find my next product at the store. You know, if you think about that, it’s actually ludicrous. I mean, it works, and we make money off of it. But like, Target doesn’t go over to BestBuy and say, ‘Hey, you got any TVs we can buy and mark up?”
“We want to build up the website, and the subscription side of it when it comes out, and the other products and build the brand up over time to where it’s not just on Amazon, it’s also outside of Amazon, which raises the value so that when the time comes, we can go to an aggregator and present it and sell it off to him.”
“I think that’s what’s great about wholesale bundles, too, is if you’re doing it correctly, and you’re creating your brand, and you’re creating a decent box to put it in and things like that, retail is actually an option. To go into retail stores and say, ‘Hey, is your sales team willing to carry this at a few select stores and see how it does? And if it does, we could create a relationship.’ You could be nationwide, you could be global, and not just with Amazon.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Snack Hut’s homepage
- Graphic Rhythm Design
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword SNACKHUT to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
It’s only May, so it might seem like a strange time to be talking about back-to-school season when school’s just about to be over for summer. But if you’re in the retail business, preparing for a season starts at least a quarter before the season actually hits. So if you want to get in on the short but very profitable season of back-to-school products, then right now is your opportunity, and this episode will help you with some back-to-school bundle ideas. First up, I explain what and when back-to-school season is and why it’s better to stick with a less-is-more approach to bundling, especially if it’s your first time around. Then I go through some of the classic types of back-to-school bundles and point out that, in addition to these, there’s still a lot of demand for virtual learning resources, which could be a great niche to get into. I also discuss how to find wholesale opportunities for seasonal bundles without breaking the bank and give some ideas for less obvious back-to-school bundles, including school uniforms, locker decorations, and resources for sports and after-school activities. Next, I get a bit more specific, focusing on bundling ideas for college students as they transition from living at home to life in a dorm. I also go through some ideas for high school, elementary, and preschool, including getting hold of school supply lists to see what items kids are definitely going to be looking for when they start back-to-school shopping. These include obvious items like backpacks and calculators and less obvious things like resources for teachers, crafting supplies, and snacks and groceries. And most importantly, I encourage everybody to use their specific knowledge and expertise to help find a niche you can make the most of, whether that’s as a teacher or a parent with kids in college or some other life experience. Remember to stay focused, take a less-is-more approach, and start now so that you’re ready when your customers start shopping.
You can discuss even more bundling ideas with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword BACKTOSCHOOL to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- What is the Back to School season?
- Less-is-more bundling
- Bundling for virtual learning
- Wholesale opportunities for seasonal bundling
- Thinking outside the back-to-school box
- Bundling for college students
- Wholesale vs. retail arbitrage
- Utilizing school supply lists
- Bundling for high school, elementary, and preschool
- Using your expertise to pick a niche
“Back to school is a plethora of ideas. But you’ve got to narrow it down and decide what is the easiest category for you to serve, based on your own knowledge bank.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“This is why we want to get a jumpstart on it and do it ahead of the season. So that when your customers are looking to buy back-to-school items, they just go to Amazon and find your bundles. They don’t have to go to Walmart or Staples or all these different places, Target and stuff like that that offer all this back-to-school stuff. Instead, they’re just going to Amazon, they’re picking out what they want, and they’re moving on with their lives.”
“People move directly from back to school to Halloween. It’s like the one-two punch. It’s like all of a sudden, we’re back to school, we’re getting into the swing of things, and you turn around a week later, and all of a sudden, it’s Halloween, and we don’t know what happened to September. That’s kind of what happens in the back-to-school situation. So you want to be paying attention to the fact that, yes, this is a shorter season.”
“The reality is you will never know all ten items that your customer needs. You cannot necessarily anticipate that. Unless you’re curating a bundle for a very specific event or purpose, you have to make assumptions, you have to guess.”
“You can have a virtual learning back-to-school bundle that includes some of those things that you might need in those types of environments. If your child was setting up for a virtual school situation, what are the things that they’re going to need at home that will make it easier for them?”
“You can put a five-pack of white polo shirts, size 8-10 for boys or girls or either one, into a bundle, and it will sell. Why? Because there are plenty of moms out there looking for, I just need five of these. We’re going to start off the year with five of them, at least we have one for every day. I don’t do the laundry till Sunday, we always have a backup.”
“All I have to say is ‘laptop accessories.’ And then you can go do a Google search, you can do an Amazon search, you can run it through the framework, and figure it out, what to bundle with what. And these are just ideas of where you can take the first idea and what products you have access to.”
“Transitioning from high school to college is a big transition in life. You don’t realize what you need until you don’t have it. And you don’t realize that you don’t have it because you’ve always had it in your house. And now you’re stuck in a room and like, oh my gosh, I don’t have the things I need. So stocking some of those things, even beyond the back-to-school time period, is super helpful.”
“You hope that you can get them in on time, Amazon checks them in on time, and you can still sell them. That is my nervousness about retail arbitrage bundles and seasonal stuff is timing is everything. If you don’t get them in on time, no one’s gonna buy them.”
“Your opportunity to bring bundles to specific groups of people just starts with thinking. It starts with who do I want to serve and when? And right now, we want to serve back to school people starting in July. So we’re thinking about them today.”
“Don’t even get me started on the ballet dance tights, just, we can’t even go there. I should buy stock in ballet tight companies, you know, because they rip whether they cost $25 or $5. Tights for ballerinas are a pain point. So if someone has a solution to that problem, that would be great.”
“If you just sent some kids off to college, you’re going to have more knowledge in that area of what they needed and didn’t need and listening to their pain points when they come back. You know, they’re coming back to visit for the weekend. And they say, ‘Oh, I wish we had this at school’ or ‘We don’t have this.’ Pay attention. Those are products that solve problems for college kids.”
“There’s so many different realities that we have to come to, we have a million different ideas, and we have to rein it in. And here’s how I’m going to rein it in for you: focus on just a few bundles in a few specific categories. Serve what you know most about, whether that’s clothing or grocery or a specific school or the teachers or whatever it is, just stay really focused.”
“Don’t start thinking when your shoppers are thinking. You have to think before them so that you can get yourself on the shelf, so that when they’re ready to walk in, aka, look up your stuff on Amazon, you already have it ready. So be ready. Stay ready, get ready, so you don’t have to get ready in the moment.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Graphic Rhythm Design
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BACKTOSCHOOL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Our topic for today’s episode is very simple but so important: work less, earn more. That sounds like the dream, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to be a dream—I made it happen for myself, and you can make it happen too. Just buckle in, absorb my advice, and ask yourself the important questions. The reason this is on my mind right now is a sad one—recently, my bestie’s mom was diagnosed with a rare degenerative brain disease and had only about thirty days before she passed. And it reminded me that time is precious and fleeting, and it’s the only resource we can’t purchase more of, so we have to learn to use it the best way we can. Back when I was poor, in debt, and starting a business, I thought money was the answer to all my problems, and I was willing to give up my time to make sure my business was a success. But when I finally got that pile of money, I was so exhausted by working my tail off to get it that I was too tired to actually spend it. I’d used up my most valuable resource of time, and I realized that while making the money had been so important, I now wanted to buy back my time to use how I wanted to.
So, how do you go about doing that? The first thing I did was start looking at ways I could shave time off my day, either by identifying time-sucks that I could let go of (like making the bed, which I really don’t care about!) or figuring out how to use my time more efficiently. Because if you can shave ten minutes off six things in your day, you’ve given yourself back a whole hour, and it won’t have cost you anything. The next thing was realizing that being an entrepreneur is the best way to buy your own time because you can create systems and processes that speed you up and make you more money in less time (for me, that was transitioning from retail arbitrage, which took up crazy amounts of time, to wholesale bundling, which gives me way more time freedom). And then the most important lesson I’ve learned is that we all have the same amount of time in a week—168 hours. Doesn’t matter who you are, everyone from Jeff Bezos to Elon Musk to you and me gets the same 168 hours, and true freedom is being able to do whatever you want with it. But you get there by making sure you’re using those hours in the best way possible for you. Transitioning from retail arbitrage to wholesale bundling bought me twenty extra hours a week, and I close out this episode by challenging everybody to sit down and really think about what you’d do with some extra time and what you could do to get it.
A great way to spend some of your time is chatting with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword #WORKLESS to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The precious resource of time
- Money vs. time
- Shaving time off your day
- Letting go of time sucks
- Buying your time back through entrepreneurship
- Using systems and processes to save time
- Making the best use of your 168 hours
- Happiness and time freedom
- What would you do with an extra hour a day?
“You bring value just by showing up, by being yourself, by giving it your all because effort is the difference between making or breaking it.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Working less hours and making more money sounds like the dream, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to be a dream. I used to think that it was a dream until I started making it happen, making it happen for myself. Your story does not end here. You have choices to make that will either keep you where you are or move you forward.”
“Time is precious and fleeting. Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. And once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.”
“Eventually, I got what I was hoping for, I got what I worked for, I got the pile of money that I was hoping to sit on one day. The reality was, rather than sitting on the pile of money, I was laying on it exhausted because I worked my tail off to get it, and I was too tired to spend it.”
“Now that I have some money, I just realize that money is just a tool and a resource. Something to be used, needs to be used in order to be effective. Decisions need to be made by it. But the biggest reality is there’s some things you can’t buy, even if you have a pile of money.”
“The reality is not necessarily judging your success based on how many hours you work, but how efficiently you work during those hours, and choosing to let go of things that aren’t important.”
“Can I do this better, easier, more efficiently? Why? Because if you do that to six tasks each day, you bought an hour. Now, it didn’t cost you anything. But you figured out how to give yourself an hour of your time.”
“You can have natural talent, you can have money, you can have resources, but effort is what gets you results, the amount of effort you put in. And if you can put that effort in and less time and be very focused and very efficient at all of your processes, you’re buying time for yourself.”
“If you just need money, go get a job. But if you want to buy the only thing you can’t buy, which is your own time, being an entrepreneur is the best way to do that. Because then the money that you earn, you can create systems and processes for yourself that speed that up, give you more money and time, and then you’re good to go.”
“When I realized how much time I was wasting earning this great living, I wanted to start making a transition. I wanted to buy my time back. I was ready to then trade the pile of money for a little bit more peace, and freedom, and things that I really love.”
“Time freedom is truly what makes people wealthy, in my opinion. The richest people in the world are the people who can spend their time however they want to and have the resources to. So time and money is a great combination. But if you have control over how you spend your time, you should be the happiest person in the whole world.”
“168 hours per week. Oprah, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama, Mark Cuban, Barbara Cochran, all of these amazing people, some of the richest people in the world dollar-wise, they all get the same amount. 168.”
“How do you want to spend the most valuable resource that you have? Your time. What makes you the happiest? See? That’s the reality. The happiest people in the world, they live. They live, they don’t work themselves to death.”
“What would you do with your extra twenty hours? Anything you’ve been dreaming of lately? Would you learn something new? Try another hobby, spend more time on the hobbies that you have? Would you clean and purge and organize and do all the undone projects in your house?”
“If you want to be one of the richest people in the world, buy your own time. It’s about working smarter and more efficiently. So take the time.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Graphic Rhythm Design
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #WORKLESS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On this week’s episode, we have a special guest returning to the show to talk about enhancing brand content for your listing and why it’s so, so important. Ian Bower is the owner and creator of Graphic Rhythm, a leading design agency for Amazon sellers that helps digital marketers and small businesses create their visual identity and tackle everyday design challenges. They’ve optimized thousands of Amazon listings (including mine!), and the quality of their graphics is super-impressive, plus their new Creatives platform lets you take advantage of their expertise at a lower price. We kick things off with Ian sharing his slightly circuitous career path, from training as a chef to becoming a full-time Amazon seller and ultimately setting up Graphic Rhythm (despite being a self-proclaimed terrible designer!). He then explains why people should care about adding imagery to their Amazon listings, emphasizing the link between great imagery and sales conversions and how consistent, high-quality brand imagery increases customer confidence and trust. He also sets out the four things great imagery can communicate about a product: what’s to love about it, what’s not to hate about it, how it meets expectations, and the answers to customers’ questions.
Next, Ian discusses Amazon’s increasing emphasis on visual content and why it’s now so important to upgrade your imagery to ensure you can take advantage of the opportunities they’re offering. Related to this, I ask Ian how we can increase the visual aspects of our Amazon listings without losing discoverability, and he gives some really useful advice about utilizing alt text with images to maintain searchability. Ian then introduces Graphic Rhythm’s new platform, Creatives, which offers design templates created and curated by the Graphic Rhythm team to make adding professional imagery to your listings easy and affordable. He gives us a detailed demo of Creatives and the features it offers, including a range of template choices and customization so you can put your own mark on your chosen design. And we close out the podcast with a treat for all you listeners, a special founders price when you sign up for Creatives right now.
You can discuss more about A+ brand content in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword CREATE to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Ian’s journey from chef, to Amazon seller, to Graphic Rhythm
- The value of adding imagery to your listing
- The four things you have to communicate to your customers
- Using great imagery to create seller credibility
- Graphic Rhythm’s collaboration with Amazon Creative Services
- Combining visual content with discoverability
- Graphic Rhythm’s new platform, Creatives
- Creative’s founders offer
“I like anything that improves efficiency and helps people when it’s not within their wheelhouse. Because in business, we can’t be good at everything, we have to really stay in our zone of genius to do the best at what we’re best at. But other stuff still needs to happen and be done.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Out of that FBA business really grew the design agency because I saw a need to, you know, help my fellow sellers by getting great conversion-optimized imagery for their listings and their products.”
“The moment we uploaded our enhanced brand content, within a week, people were buying, and then more people were buying. And then we added video, and we saw another 20% increase. So these numbers are, they’re not just, you know, out there. These are my numbers, my own personal case study, if you will, about how this has improved my own listings.”
“What are people asking about all the time? What’s missing? What aren’t they getting? What’s preventing them from buying? So when you answer all those questions, then ideally, you’ve produced a set of images that are going to overcome objections.”
“Listings that look bad, or look off, or look, even, inconsistent, kind of set up red flags when you’re a shopper, you know, and you start to wonder what kind of experience you’re going to have as a buyer. And so keeping your designs consistent is a big part of increasing customer confidence.”
“I’m more likely to be confident in buying a great product when the listing itself has a level of professionalism to it rather than just someone took a couple shoddy pictures of this and slapped up some bullet points, and like, where’s the trust factor in that?”
“The whole internet is going visual. And you could see that with, you know, social media networks like TikTok taking off like crazy and Instagram taking off like crazy. And so, you know, it’s not enough anymore to just have your titles and bullets and description, you have to be visually communicating.”
“The hardest part about design is laying things out appropriately. That is by far the hardest bit. It’s what we worked really hard on making sure designers that come into our company understand.”
“When I say something’s easy, I’m serious about it because I struggle even with Canva, to be honest. I mean, I see people using Canva, and I’m just like, oh my gosh, how do these people know all these tricks, I have to watch, like, five hours of video to make sure I do that.”
“That’s the magic about this. This isn’t a tool to help you create designs, this is a tool where the designs are already done. You are not designing this tool, let us design, you’re just swapping out colors and images.”
“Our big dream for Creatives is to make this more than just for Amazon sellers. You know, we want this to be the last thing that you ever need when it comes to design.”
“When someone says, ‘I got a founder price that you can lock in for life,’ I’m the first one to be like, where’s that signup sheet because things only get better over time.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Creatives at Mommy Income
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword CREATE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I want to talk to you guys about where you’ll be in six months. Sometimes, six months seems like a long time; sometimes, it feels short. It depends what you’re talking about. But most of us don’t take the time to think about where we’ll be half a year from now—we’re too busy being bombarded by shiny objects and things we should be doing to slow down and think about where we want to be rather than where the world is telling us we should be. This really struck home with me recently because I finally achieved something that I have been working toward for the last six months: I became a cornhole champion. This really became a goal of mine when a friend gave me a very special birthday gift, a totally ridiculous, Flavor Flav-style gold medallion that says “Cornhole Champion.” Now, I absolutely love this thing, but back then, I couldn’t wear it because it wasn’t yet my reality; I wasn’t yet a cornhole champion. But, instead of feeling bad about that, I used it as motivation to work a little bit harder, practice a little more, and keep my focus longer because I knew that title could eventually be mine—and six months later, it was!
So today, I want to encourage you to take a moment to really think about the benefit or reward you’re working toward and contemplate how you might move closer to it in the next six months. During the episode, I talk about the importance of believing that the reward you want is possible and using that belief to complete the steps you need to get there. I also discuss how important it is to put in the effort in order to get the results you want (just like I put in diligent practice and have now not only claimed my Cornhole Champion title but am also selling cornhole products on Amazon) and to prepare yourself to cope with frustration and embarrassment with the knowledge that it will be worth it in the end. I emphasize that part of what makes it worth it is that the process of doing the work, having the discipline, and making the sacrifices shapes us into better, happier, and more confident people with lifelong skills that can’t be taken away. And I talk a lot about cornhole since it’s what inspired this episode in the first place!
You can discuss your goals for the next six months in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- What can you achieve in six months?
- Believing your reward is possible
- Getting results from doing the work
- Using future rewards as motivation
- Deciding what reward you want
- Building character by going through the process
- Facing challenges and overcoming them
“What you do right now, today, will have future results. The results are up to you. The results are about the work that you put in today.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“In our fast-paced society these days, we’re constantly bombarded with new shiny objects and things we should be doing, and ‘Look over here, and buy this product, and come to this destination, and watch this conference, and do this business.’ But do we ever slow down enough to think about where we want to be rather than where the world is telling us we should be?”
“Give yourself a minute to think about what benefit or reward or what is it that you’re working towards right now that if you were guaranteed to have that, what would stop you? What would motivate you? What would move you forward to that?”
“Would it motivate you to be like, it’s right there. If I just work a little bit more, if I just do this and that and practice and sacrifice and become disciplined, it’ll be right there. I can describe it. I can almost touch it. I can actually touch it right now.”
“Do you believe that the final reward, that the trophy, that the championship, that the title, that the dollars in the bank with your business, do you believe that it’s possible? Do you believe that that reward is even something that you can claim?”
“The proof is that if you do the work, the results will come. And if you don’t, you will have results. They just won’t be the results that you hoped for.”
“What if today is your half-birthday? And I gave you a gift now, and I said, in six months if you do x, y, z, this will be yours. How much more motivated will you be to walk towards that knowing, hey, it’s already mine, I just have to take these steps and follow this path and continue doing what I’m doing.”
“The six months is gonna go by, what would you attempt if you knew the results were going to come? What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
“What if I put $100,000 in cold, hard cash in a see-through glass box on your desk every day and said, ‘If you take these steps, this will be yours.’ Would that not motivate you to be like, there it is. There’s my reward. That’s what I’ve been working for. That’s what I want. That’s what I need. What do I need to do to get there?”
“Gosh, a lot can happen in six months if you do the work. If you make a decision to go after whatever it is you want, and then despite all of the emotions and the setbacks and everything else, that you keep moving towards it no matter how big or small.”
“You can’t deposit excuses or regrets or list of to-dos that were never done. You can deposit what you earn. And we earn by doing the work. The passion and the motivation surrounding the benefit that you intend to gain from your pursuits drives us to do the work.”
“We’re all chasing something, just so you know. In case you hadn’t noticed. Maybe it’s peace. Maybe it’s money, maybe it’s security, maybe it is… I don’t know what it is for you. But you have to decide what you want and do the work.”
“Today is when we get the results. We don’t just all of a sudden wake up in Q4 and have a bunch of profit on the table. We gotta do the work now.”
“You have to have some discipline, you also have to have fun. You have to enjoy it. Because what’s it worth if you worked so hard and spent all of your time, money, and energy, and you got this reward, and you’re like, oh, that wasn’t worth it. It wasn’t what I wanted.”
“You have to overcome obstacles, you have to face fear, and rejection, and maybe embarrassment, and maybe a little heckling and people not believing in you. But the process is what shapes us into better people.”
“My reward wasn’t some plastic, useless trophy. It was lifelong skills that I learned along the way that can never be taken away from me. That’s what you’re after. That’s the true reward. The true trophy, I guess, is the character that you build in yourself while working towards something that you desire and want.”
“You don’t need permission. All you need is a belief that it’s possible for you and enough determination every day to do the work. Because no matter when you get the result, it means so much more. Not because of the item, because of the fame, because of the arrival but because of who you had to become in order to face those challenges and overcome them.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by an amazing special guest, Anita Mar, to answer all your questions about trademarks and Amazon. Anita is an attorney and founder of Trademark Angel, a registration agency that provides online solutions to help you with all your trademark needs. She’s been in the trademark industry since 1999, working with various law firms, but struck out on her own in 2017 after noticing potential clients asking about the brand registry requirements just introduced by Amazon.
To kick things off, Anita gives us a rundown of the benefits of Amazon’s brand registry and why she thinks it’s essential for anyone wanting to sell successfully on Amazon. She also explains how being brand registered and putting your trademark on your packaging gives you better protection against hijackers, both in putting them off in the first place and getting Amazon’s help if your listing does get hijacked. I then ask Anita about how trademarking works with bundles containing multiple brands, and she explains that what you’re trademarking isn’t the products themselves but the service you provide in putting them together in your bundle. She also runs us through some examples of trademark violations sellers might fall foul of and discusses the potential pitfalls of attempting to file trademarks yourself instead of going through an attorney or a service like Trademark Angel. We then get into specifics about trademarks, Anita explaining the difference between word marks, design marks, and combined marks, the benefits of each, and Amazon’s rule that your trademark must have some text in it to be accepted in their brand registry. She follows that up with advice on what to consider when choosing a trademark, including things to avoid (like descriptive marks), what makes for a good trademark, and the importance of a trademark search to ensure nobody’s got there before you. And finally, Anita discusses whether sellers should register for multiple classes when filing trademarks and gives us details of how to contact her and Trademark Angel for more information and assistance with questions like these.
You can find more information and ask more questions about trademarks in the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword TRADEMARKS to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Anita’s journey into trademarking
- The benefits of brand registry
- Dealing with hijackers
- Trademarking multiple-brand bundle
- Examples of trademark violations
- The pitfalls of filing trademarks yourself
- Word marks, design marks, and combined marks
- What to consider when choosing a trademar
- What makes a good trademark
- What to avoid when choosing a trademark
- Should you register for different trademark classes?
“Everybody is always trying to cut corners both with time and money and efforts. But the reality is, if you do the hard work upfront and just comply, then you will have the reward of a good, registered trademark when it comes to the end.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“To be able to have a brand gives you so much protection and so much more resources to be able to use, in the brand registry, brand-enhanced content, putting on videos, putting up even a whole entire storefront dedicated to your brand. It’s a really, really important step to take.”
“When I click the brand, and I see some random results, I know the seller doesn’t have brand registry, so it’s quite obvious. But when I click on the brand, and I see their own store, and I like what I see, I may buy two or three things.”
“To remove hijackers, you need to have a registered trademark. So most people don’t really realize this—there is a difference between being in the brand registry and being able to remove hijackers. So just because you’re in the brand registry doesn’t mean you can remove hijackers.”
“We know that Amazon encourages as many sellers as possible. So that’s why, I mean, to be able to succeed in removing the hijackers, it’s important to have a registered trademark. And it’s important to put the trademark name on the product and/or on the packaging. I mean, don’t skip that step.”
“Your trademark is what appears on the package or on the product. So that’s your trademark, your trademark is not the actual products themselves. Anyone can sell what’s inside the basket.”
“The bottom line here is using your custom packaging with your trademark name on it is extremely important to report violations.”
“When they fill out this product that they know they’re going to sell, and they just include that particular product, but then they start selling another product that is not listed in their trademark application, that’s a fatal error because you can’t really add products after the filing.”
“It’s always better to file a word mark, so just standard characters without any logo, because it gives you, like, broader protection, and it gives you more flexibility.”
“I can’t say ‘Best Tire Company’ because that’s descriptive. But then you can say, ‘Banana Tires,’ and all of a sudden, I have a very unique and distinctive brand that not only you can use, so fun marketing, but you can also set yourself apart because it is unique and different that people remember it.”
“When you just begin selling, or you start a small business, sometimes you don’t think about the unique trademark. And sometimes that causes a problem because somebody may start using a similar name, and you can’t stop them because it’s simply generic. So that’s why it’s really important to pick a name that’s unique.”
“The short answer is you should register as many classes as the budget allows, but the answer is one class is enough to get you in the brand registry, to give you minimal protection, to protect your name.”
“It’s easier to register a trademark in a single class. I mean, for some reason, the trademarks office seems to like trademark applications in a single class. It’s quicker, it’s cheaper, it will still get you in the brand registry, it will give you protection. And then, as you grow, you can always file a second trademark.”
“If you’re going to register your trademark name, always get the domain name. It doesn’t matter if it’s XYZ Gift Company, whatever, go buy the dot com.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Trademark Angel @ Mommy Income
- Trademark Angel Homepage
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword TRADEMARKS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
In today’s episode of The Amazon Files, we are going to have an honest, vulnerable conversation about the truth of what’s happening out in the Amazon world. Because honestly, I’m feeling sad and disappointed and a little bit frustrated, and it feels like there are some things I need to address when it comes to swimming around in that world. I recently had an email from someone who took a course with a so-called guru guaranteeing that they would be generating thousands in sales of their own private-label item by the end of the course. This person wound up spending $12,000 on a product that’s just sitting in an Amazon warehouse, mostly unsold, and more than another $8,000 on other costs. And they wrote to me at their wit’s end, asking for some light at the end of this tunnel they’re stuck in.
This person isn’t alone—I hear from so many people who have been burned by fake gurus promising instant, spectacular success that they can’t (and probably don’t intend to) deliver on. As a teacher of Amazon courses, and a teacher in general, this breaks my heart. So my first piece of advice today is when you come across someone whose promises seem too good to be true, do your due diligence. Everybody leaves a digital footprint these days, so do a little searching online and see if their presence matches the story they’re selling you before buying into their teaching. And my second piece of advice is that you need to understand that selling on Amazon can be hard and that it’s going to take several years for you to build a business that’s comfortable and sustainable. Nothing worth building comes quick and easy, and nobody with integrity will try to convince you it does, so steer clear of people promising get-rich-quick Amazon schemes. That said, there are courses and teachers out there (me included!) who do want to give you support and guidance; you just have to make sure that their approach aligns with your ultimate goals. So my third piece of advice this week is to spend time figuring out what your goal is, what’s the thing that you’re willing to put time and effort into, and then be persistent and consistent in pursuing it. There are lots of distractions on the way to your destination—including webinars and gurus—and every one is designed to keep you off the path you’re on and stop you doing the work to get where you want to be. It’s impossible to avoid them all, life is gonna get in your way, but if you know what you want and never give up, you will reach your goals, and it will be worth the work. And, if you’re really struggling to figure it out, take my fourth piece of advice and get in touch with me for some help and guidance in finding the right path for you. Just be careful what you wish for—I will ask the hard questions because I actually care. Which brings me to my last piece of advice for this episode: be curious and ask questions, especially of yourself. Get in touch with your inner four-year-old and ask those hard “Why?” questions to get to the bottom of what you really want and what the best path is to achieve it.
A great place to find a sense of community and belonging is the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword [CODEWORD] to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- False gurus and bully marketing
- The real keys to success
- Figuring out your ultimate goal
- Detours from your destination
- Hard work is the road to success
- The importance of being persistent and consistent
- Knowing what is worth your time and effort
- Being curious and asking questions
“The truth is no one’s going to tell you that this is hard. No one’s going to tell you that business is hard. No one’s gonna tell you that it takes several years to build something comfortable and sustainable. No one’s going to tell you that you’re not going to spend a lot of time or money upfront learning and practicing, you know why? Because that stuff doesn’t sell, right?”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I would love to say that I’m excited about today’s topic. But unfortunately, I’m sad and disappointed and a little bit frustrated. And so there’s… just feels like some necessary things I need to address when it comes to swimming around in the Amazon world right now. And I want to be upfront and honest with you like I am all the time.”
“The reality is, people want to tell you all about the results and the benefits and the transformations and all this stuff, which all can be very real. But there’s also people out there that are just trying to make a dollar. And they will literally tell you anything, truth or not, just to make a dollar.”
“Some are blowing smoke, a lot of people are blowing smoke. As a teacher of Amazon courses, as a teacher in general, as someone who desires to see people succeed, it really breaks my heart.”
“I’m not asking you to be Debbie Downer or be always skeptical of every single thing. But just literally in five minutes, I realized that the people that were giving me this presentation and wanting me to spend thousands of dollars on their course that was going to make me millions, a quick five-minute Facebook search, and YouTube search, and Instagram search showed me that this is not the truth of these people’s lives.”
“I know, you guys, I’m not for everybody. I got an email from a lady that she told me she loves my training and my teaching, but she hates my high-pitched voice. And could I make transcripts, so she doesn’t have to hear me talk? That’s literally, these are emails that I get.”
“I started as a stay-at-home mom with a hundred dollars with some thrifted books to sell on Amazon. That’s not a sexy start. After even after grossing a million dollars a year for over five years, I still don’t have a Benz in the driveway of my mansion.”
“Despite what you might think, I’m actually not here to sell you courses. My life’s purpose is really to lead people to success.”
“I like to see people reach their potential and to change their own lives and be proud of their accomplishments and move forward and have a happy, peaceful life that they deserve. And that’s gonna come with some education and learning and planning and coaching and mentorship and leadership. I’m here to guide you, if you want your life to change.”
“Just a couple of keys is persistence and consistency. But the biggest, most important thing is you have to know what you want. What is your ultimate goal here? In anything? We’re talking about business, yes, especially specifically on Amazon. The real truth about selling online and ecommerce, you have to figure out what you want most, your ultimate end goal.”
“Maybe working at Starbucks gives you peace and comfort and not as much responsibility, and you just go in and do your job and punch out and come home. And that is worth it to you. Then if that’s what you really want, what is the ultimate goal? Figure out what you want most, and be consistent and persistent in pursuing it.”
“The important thing to grasp here is that most of the distractions are designed to keep you off the path that you’re on. They’re keeping you from doing the necessary work to arrive at your intended destination.”
“I don’t care if you sell on Amazon or not. I don’t care if you decide that ecommerce isn’t for you. I care about you, as a person, as a business owner, as a friend, with or without Amazon. When I started Mommy Income nearly eight years ago, it was to help people succeed. Your success is my success.”
“Life will get in the way. But don’t miss this part. If you can define where you want to go, and you consistently and persistently keep on that journey, you will arrive.”
“The big fancy cars, the mansions, the huge numbers, the ‘Make twenty grand your first month!’ sounds more appealing than hard work and setbacks and consistency, doesn’t it? But if you see anyone, anyone who has success at anything, that’s exactly how they got there. They worked really hard.”
“Any successful person that you see, they never gave up. They had bad days, they wanted to quit many times. They had hard days, they had long hours and failed products. They started and stopped many times. But in the end, they kept moving forward to what they wanted.”
“The real truth about selling on Amazon doesn’t have anything to do with Amazon. It doesn’t have anything to do with software programs that you use, or PPC campaigns, or even the product that you’re trying to sell. The real truth is, are you consistent and persistent at pursuing what you want?”
“Now I run my business a couple days a week with a generous six-figure salary. But I didn’t start that way. I was willing to work eighty hours a week in the beginning so that I could work two days ten years from that.”
“No matter who you listen to, no matter what information you consume, it won’t work unless you do. It won’t work unless you take action.”
“Not everything is for everyone. You’ve tried things for a while, you give it your all and realize, like, I just don’t like this, I don’t enjoy it, or it’s sucking the life out of me. And there are certain things, strategies, and purposes, and plans we can put in place, some processes to lighten the load because that might be the problem. But the real problem might be I just don’t like this.”
“In order to get closer to where you want to go, there’s all kinds of work that’s going to need to be done. And it doesn’t work unless you take the action and do the work, and you will be so thankful, and it will be so worth it for you if you actually do that. So be willing to ask yourself and answer the hard questions. The ‘why?’ questions.”
“Figure out what is going to be the best path - not the easiest or fastest path - the best path, the most enjoyable path for me to get from where I am right now to that ‘In a perfect world,’ to that ultimate goal, to that ultimate feeling or destination of desire.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword [CODEWORD] to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, we’re going to dive into work-from-home success strategies, Amazon FBA style. This is not your typical WFH advice; this is the entrepreneur’s guide on how to be more successful when working from home. Because let’s be honest, there are a lot of distractions at home, a lot of things that get in the way of productivity, and with no boss to keep us in line, it can be really hard to stay on track. But I’m here with a whole bunch of strategies that can help you reduce stress and work effectively and efficiently as a home-based entrepreneur. My first strategy is to set a routine and an intention for your workdays—have set working hours and act like you’re going to the office by getting dressed (down to your shoes) every single day. This will help you differentiate between “work mode” and “home mode” and get you in the right mindset to be productive. Then, follow my second tip and structure your day, so you know exactly what you’re doing, including building in breaks to make sure you’re recharged and re-energized throughout the day.
My third strategy is to create a dedicated workspace that makes you feel inspired, motivated, and productive. That means that if, like me, your office tends to be a dumping zone for things that don’t have a home, you need to get rid of the clutter and put boundaries around your space to make sure you’re not distracted. Strategy number four, meanwhile, actually involves getting out of the house and finding somewhere different to work, even just for a few hours a week. A change in environment, whether that’s your public library or your local Starbucks, can be just what you need to find new inspiration and motivation and creative ideas that you might not have just looking at the same four walls over and over. Then my next tip is to limit your communications while working, the most obvious method of which is to make it harder for yourself to use social media. But this can also extend to limiting your availability to your friends and family, making it clear that you’re not available when you’re at work unless it’s a genuine emergency. And speaking of boundaries, strategy number six is to find your productive zone—the time (or times) of day when you’re most productive and your performance is highest—and then protect that time like a mother bear with her cubs. And if you need help to structure your life around those rockstar hours, ask for it, and make sure you can use that time properly. And my final strategy is maybe the most important one: find your community. Working from home can be incredibly isolating and lonely, so it’s vital to find people who really understand what you’re going through and can offer support and understanding through the highs and the lows of Amazon entrepreneurship.
A great place to find a sense of community and belonging is the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community. You can join our Facebook group with today’s codeword ISOLATION to learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Isolation as an Amazon entrepreneur
- Strategy #1: Set a routine and set an intention
- Strategy #2: Structure your day, including breaks
- Strategy #3: Create a dedicated workspace
- Strategy #4: Change your environment
- Strategy #5: Limit your communications
- Strategy #6: Find your productive zone
- Strategy #7: Find your community
“When you feel truly understood, there’s so much inspiration and motivation that comes from that, knowing that, hey, if these people can do it, if this person can do it, if these people can get over these obstacles and solve these problems and get through it, so can I.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“If you’re always running around like your hair’s on fire, like a chicken with the head cut off kind of thing, then there’s some things that today’s episode would really help you do even if you just narrow in on one of them.”
“When we have people that understand us, when we have people that can relate and can kind of laugh through some of the struggles together and also help each other with that, that is such a different sense of motivation and inspiration to keep moving when you know you’re not alone in this journey.”
“Y’all know I’m going to tell you the truth. I’m going to be honest, I’m going to be upfront, I’m going to be vulnerable, I’m going to be transparent. I never have nor ever will tell you that this entrepreneurship journey is the easy road. Because it’s really not. It’s not the easy road. There is no easy road.”
“Structuring your day as if you’re going to a nine-to-five kind of job will really help you to set intentions and know exactly what you’re doing. Being intentional about planning your tasks and other things throughout your day to structure your day really will help you flow through the day rather than being flexible and willy nilly.”
“If you set yourself up ahead of time to create that kind of environment that allows you to be very creative in certain moments, then you’re already pre-planning your success.”
“Making a plan based on those schedules and then setting reminders and tasks is something that has really helped me to be, I would say, a hundred percent more productive, probably, in the last two years because I have had to be more disciplined about my time, about my distractions, about my getting things done,”
“I want you to visualize right now, instantly, with no judgments, what your current workspace looks like. What does it look like? Is it a work environment that you absolutely love going into, and it’s like, oh my gosh, this makes me feel inspired and motivated and productive, and I can’t wait to get into it? Or is it a hot mess?”
“Having a calm, comfortable, ready-to-work space is really important. Because what we don’t realize is that this visual clutter around us, if you have visual clutter anywhere, also hinders our productivity,”
“This needs to be part of our happy place, not the stressful place that we’re trying to avoid. Because if that’s how you feel when you walk into your office or your dedicated workspace, wherever you have it, then that’s a problem. Because you’re going to come into your work with that mindset.”
“Working from home doesn’t mean you have to work from home, you can work remotely. And if you’re inspired or motivated, or just feeling like that, or even if you don’t know if you are, try it out, go to a different place.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of changing your environment, even temporarily, to re-inspire you to continue moving in the direction that you’re moving.”
“Nothing on Facebook, nothing on Instagram, nothing on Snapchat or TikTok or YouTube, or any other thing is urgent. It’s not urgent. If it’s there now, it will be there in three hours or five hours or at the end of your workday.”
“When you have your rockstar hours, you need to protect that time like it is, you know, you’re the mama bear protecting its cubs.”
“You’re the team. You’re the boss, you’re the janitor, and the CEO. So you have to self-regulate.”
“Community is everything. We need answers, we need support, we need help, we need a place to vent, we need a place where we know we can come and, like, this person understands the struggle that I’m going through, or this person understands the challenges that I’m facing in my business every single day.”
“Nobody else on the planet understands that first sale on Amazon happy dance that you do when you’ve created a bundle, and you’ve put all the work in to put it out on Amazon, and then someone buys it. Like, your friends, they don’t understand that. They don’t understand that kind of joy. They don’t understand how hard you’ve worked in order to get that there.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword ISOLATION to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
A little while ago, I asked you guys to submit your top questions regarding bundling, and on this week’s episode, I’m answering the ten most commonly asked of them. First up, a lot of you want to know how to start bundling when you already have wholesale accounts, and I advise that the very first thing you want to do, whether you have accounts or not, is your research. Open up your catalogs and get familiar with what’s out there, what’s available, and what products are bundleable (because not all of them are). Next, you asked about GTIN exemptions (aka UPC codes/ISBN numbers/EANs), and I explain that you don’t need a GTIN for custom bundles, so long as you’re not using branded products, and why that means you should steer clear of major brands. Our third question is on how to handle branded packaging, which I recommend having, both to meet Amazon’s standards and so that your items arrive safely with your customer. I also have some tips on how to create affordable packaging. Then you wanted to know about whether it’s possible to be successful in a niche you’re passionate about—it is, in fact, it’s much easier to be successful in an area you’re familiar with—and if it’s a good idea to order from separate vendors—yes, I recommend never relying on just one vendor for an entire bundle.
Question number six asked how much money it takes to create bundles, and my answer is that it varies—you can put together a five-dollar bundle from the Dollar Store or spend a thousand bucks at a high-end store—and what you really have to spend is time, not money. You also wanted to know what kind of ROI someone new to bundling should be looking for, to which I always respond, go for at least 100% of what you’re selling and use the rule of three to figure out your costs and profit. Next, some people wanted to know how many bundles are sufficient for an initial test run, and I advise starting with at least six, but preferably ten or twelve to make sure Amazon doesn’t mark you as having low stock. And then we have a great question about how customers find your bundles on Amazon, so I explain the various ways customers discover your products and how carefully naming your bundle can improve its search visibility. And the tenth and final question is about whether making up your own bundles is the only way to be successful. To which I say no, it’s not the only way, but it is the best way because—if you do it properly like I teach with the wholesale bundle system—you can eliminate your competition by carving out your own little piece of the marketplace that no one else can occupy.
You can chat more with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword QUESTIONS, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Wholesale bundles 3.0
- How to start bundling when you already have wholesale accounts
- GTIN exemptions
- How to package bundles when branding is required
- Can you be successful in a niche you’re passionate about?
- Using multiple separate vendors for bundles
- How much money does it take to create bundles?
- Kristin’s suggested ROI for those new to bundling
- How many bundles are necessary for an initial test run?
- How do customers find your bundle?
- Is making up your own bundles the only way to be successful?
“We need clarity to move forward. We need to be able to know that what we’re doing is right, what we’re doing is correct, that we’re on the right track, and that we’re moving in the right direction.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“First and foremost, there’s a step before having wholesale accounts. You could have a thousand wholesale accounts, but that doesn’t matter if you don’t do the work to do the research.”
“The best way to create a bundle is to solve a problem or meet a need for the customer. That means you have to know the customer, and you have to know what their problems are and what their needs are, and how you can meet them with product. The best way to do that is to look for categories of products or niches or subject matter that you are familiar with.”
“It’s not your typical widget selling, look at the numbers, decide it’s going to sell or not sell at a certain volume and then move on. It takes a lot more thinking ahead of time to create bundles, but once you do, there’s no competition. They’re second to none.”
“Amazon gives you reasons why you can get a GTIN exemption, and one of the number one reasons you can get a GTIN exemption is if it’s a custom bundle, which is what you guys are creating.”
“You’re not going to go to KitchenAid and say, ‘Hey, can you give me a UPC code to use so I can bundle your stuff together on Amazon?’ They’ll literally laugh at you.”
“Steering clear of these major brands that have restrictions like that are going to be your best bet. And never, and I mean never, never try to put something in a bundle that’s on a restricted list. They will eventually find it, and they will eventually kick you off, so do not do that.”
“You can’t just put a sticker on a box and call it your box. Amazon wants you to have as close as possible to retail packaging as you can get.”
“I actually recommend you use multiple and separate vendors for your items. Why? Because sometimes, one vendor doesn’t carry all the products that you want to have in your bundle. Number two, it’s harder for your competition to try to copy all of the things.”
“Overexplaining is better than undoing a problem that could be very costly if it’s made.”
“You can even start wholesale for less than $300 with no minimum orders, like, by tomorrow. People have these ideas that this has to be super expensive and costly. And is it time-consuming in the beginning? Absolutely. Yes. I’m not gonna lie and tell you it’s not time-consuming. But everything in business is time-consuming.”
“Pick how you want to spend your time because you’re going to spend time. So if you’d rather do it in your PJs, with your laptop in front of your favorite movie while you’re looking for wholesale suppliers, or you’d rather, you know, put on your boots and go outside and go from store to store to try to get retail arbitrage bundles, the choice is yours. But you’re still going to spend time, it’s just how you want to spend that time.”
“I would suggest with a whole-case pack of something trying out like twelve or so. Why? Because Amazon wants you to have some stock, they consider anything less than that like low stock.”
“Calling your bundle something is really, really important because that’s how people are going to be looking it up. And the way you find those items is finding what those keywords are and what the potential customer would type that in. I use MerchantWords to look at what are the top searches, keyword phrases for those attributes, all those types of things.”
“You can be successful by looking at other people’s products and listing under their products. But creating your own means that you’re carving out your little piece of the marketplace that nobody else can copy, that no one else can make, that nobody else can go that way because you did all the work.”
“Is making up your own bundles the best way to be successful? Yes. Can you be successful other ways? Absolutely. But that is the way to where you’re not worrying. I don’t have to go in and change my prices on my bundles, like ever. Because I set the price because I’m the only one selling that item, that bundle, so I don’t have to mess with price. I don’t have to worry about that kind of stuff.”
“I buy items and work with vendors that do not care what I do with the products after that. So whether I bundle them or I list them on Amazon, or I sell them in eight-packs or two-packs or nothing, they don’t care. They make their money by doing business with me wholesale. And they say whatever you do with our products after this, we don’t care.”
“Walmart plays a volume game, they sell stuff dirt cheap, and they make a couple pennies on everything. But they sell millions of products to millions of people every single day. As bundlers, we build our profit in our margin rather than on the volume. So I want to make at least ten dollars per bundle that I’m selling. Otherwise, it doesn’t feel like it’s worth it.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Sticker Mule – $10 off with this link
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword QUESTIONS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I’m joined by private label expert Ashley Kinkead, the mastermind behind thousands of third-party products sold on Amazon today. Ashley has inspired thousands of people and entrepreneurs around the world with her skills and strategies to thrive online from the ground up. Her primary business is training people like you and me in how to launch and scale winning businesses on Amazon FBA with her new product launch system, the Three By Two Method, which she shares on the episode today. Ashley kicks things off by discussing her e-commerce journey, from building up a $500,000 retail arbitrage business selling used books to becoming a private label seller and what that transition was like. Then she introduces the Three By Two Method, her system for testing and gathering data on what really sells on Amazon and diversifying your risk. She also discusses how much you should expect to invest when starting up as a private seller and emphasizes the importance of product research to find items with daily sales consistency.
Next, I ask Ashley about using multiple brands as a private label seller. She discusses her strategy of using two brands with multiple SKUs and variations underneath each one and how that gives her room to grow and respond to customer feedback. Then we discuss the potential risks you may encounter and mistakes you might make when starting out in private labeling and how to avoid them; plus, Ashley points out how well-prepared wholesale sellers are to make the leap into private-label selling. Ashley also tackles the controversial issue of pay-per-click (PPC), giving her opinion that it’s an essential part of running an Amazon business in 2022 and a hugely useful tool for getting your product seen and making the most of the data Amazon provides you with. And finally, we make the amazing announcement that Ashley will be doing a training session for our hub members and let you guys know where you can join up to be part of that.
You can chat more with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword PLM, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Wholesale Bundles 3.0
- Ashley’s e-commerce journey
- The Three By Two Method
- Private label investment
- Product research
- Multiple brands
- Using customer feedback as research
- Mitigating risk when expanding into private label
- Avoiding private label mistakes
- PPC strategies
“We can all succeed, and we can all make tons of money. But we need to understand and have realistic expectations when we’re walking into it so that we aren’t disappointed or give up too soon when things aren’t working out.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I was living paycheck to paycheck and really struggling. And so, I started looking up ways to make money online. And I’m so grateful that the very first thing that I did was starting to sell on Amazon. So my first ever business was an Amazon business on Amazon FBA.”
“I started off selling used books. And I went from one book to an entire box of books. Then I realized, wow, I can get boxes and boxes of books. So I went out and just continued sourcing and sourcing as many books as I could find. And I really grew a $500,000 used books business in the next year.”
“It took about three years from the time I first started selling on Amazon to where I jumped in and did a private label.”
“Now that I know what I know now, I would never go back to arbitrage. Although I had so much fun doing that, and it was profitable, but it wasn’t scalable.”
“The thing about arbitrage is that, like you said, and same thing for me, I felt like I was building myself a prison. I’m like, I’m working sixty to eighty hours a week, packing, shipping, prepping over and over. And I’m like, this isn’t what I signed up for.”
“It’s really simple stuff, launching three products at a time, testing them for about thirty days, picking the winners, and then moving forward with two out of the three best products after a thirty-day testing period.”
“So many people I talk to are kind of scared of private label, especially people who do arbitrage or wholesale, like coming to private labels like, ‘Ah, I don’t want to be in one product, it’s really scary to put all my money in one basket.’ If you do the three-by-two method, it allows you to kind of diversify your risk.”
“The biggest thing is just product research, I think, Kristin. People get stuck on, and they can just spend months thinking about what is the perfect product. I think just moving quickly, I’d like to research product for about seven days. You know, before I decide to sell it on Amazon.”
“Wholesale bundles are very similar to private label. You’re literally curating something from the bottom up, you just don’t have to manufacture all the parts and pieces that are in it.”
“That’s what’s so great with private label, you can just add more colors, if you decide you want to launch a different size, you can take your customer feedback into opinion, into insight for your business and be able to make new products out of them.”
“Wholesale sellers are so smart about, like, product ideas and keywords and, like, niches. They’ve got that mindset of a private label seller, they just haven’t stepped into it yet. So I think you can bring your knowledge that you’ve got from wholesale as far as, like, what are good keywords, bundles, that’s an amazing segue to private labeling.”
“You have to understand, as an entrepreneur, not all of your products are going to work out. You know, I have seven really good private label products on Amazon now, but I’ve had hundreds of products over the years that weren’t as good or as great as the ones I have now. So, just being flexible and nimble and adjustable.”
“At some point, we’re going to want to exit, and when we exit, we want to have assets in place. Trademarks are assets.”
“Yes, it costs a little bit of money. And yes, it costs a little bit of time. But guess what, those two things in combination will eventually pay dividends when you do things upfront and right the first time.”
“Pay-per-click is really important. In 2022, about 50% of our sales for private label products are coming from pay-per-click. So it’s really important that you have a pay-per-click campaign.”
“We see PPC as a way to gather data, to get some really interesting keywords that we can then use to go in and optimize our listings. And it allows us to really just find those winning products pretty quickly. So that’s the best way to basically pay for data that we’re getting from Amazon.”
“I always joke with people, you’re not an iPhone, you’re not going to instantly have people pre-ordering, lining up out of your door. You’re going to have to have an amazing listing, great product, and maybe a few dollars or a few hundred dollars in PPC to kind of kickstart your new product.”
“The more we learn, the more we earn. That’s just how it works.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- $100 off the Wholesale Bundle System - Coupon code: 100NOW
- Ashley on Facebook
- Amazon FBA Breakthrough (Ashley’s Facebook Group)
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword PLM to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I know that a lot of you out there are still doing retail arbitrage (even though I’d love for you to get into wholesale bundling, which is more sustainable, less risky, and will put more money in your pocket!), so on today’s episode, I’m talking about some of the common mistakes people make in retail arbitrage and how to avoid them. First up, mistake number one is that a lot of people focus way too much on the Amazon Best Sellers Rank (BSR), using it as their only point of data for making buying decisions when they should also be looking at things like the length of product history and the price history. Mistake number two, meanwhile, is an overreliance on Be On the Lookout (BOLO) lists. People waste a lot of time, money, and energy searching for these items without ever finding them, just because they don’t want to do the work. BOLO lists are fine as a jumping-off point, but you’re better off putting in the effort and creating your own process and system that works for you. And mistake number three is buying top-branded, highly ‘counterfeitable’ items, which can get you into trouble if you’re asked for proof of authenticity and can’t provide it. Mistakes four and five kind of go together: being overly picky and not having a plan. Instead of ping-ponging around a store and cherry-picking items, go with a plan of choosing a specific section and scanning everything there. That way, you’re learning about your market, and by being systematic and organized, you’ll become more efficient and more skilled at knowing the products that’ll sell well. Next, mistake number six is not looking for replenishable items and avoiding seasonal items. Some of these come with added responsibility, especially consumables, but they’re also low-hanging fruit and can be real moneymakers, so think about bringing them to the table when you have the opportunity. And finally, mistake number seven is actually the number one mistake to avoid: not diversifying your business models. By which I mean, if you’re doing retail arbitrage, try diversifying into a little bit of wholesale or private label or something else and give yourself the chance to grow and adapt and get to the next level.
You can chat more with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword RAMISTAKES, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Retail arbitrage vs. wholesale bundles
- Common retail arbitrage mistakes
- Mistake #1: focusing too much on the sales rank
- Mistake #2: relying on BOLO lists
- Mistake #3: buying top-branded, highly ‘counterfeitable’ items
- Mistake #4: being overly picky
- Mistake #5: not having a plan when you do arbitrage
- Mistake #6: not looking for replenishable items
- Mistake #7: not diversifying your business models
“You are smart, you are intelligent, you’ve come this far already, you know how to find products. So go do the work and stop trying to have shortcuts all the time. Sometimes there is no shortcut, you just do the work.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I am not a hater of retail arbitrage or online arbitrage. As a matter of fact, it’s a really great place to get started and kind of get your feet wet without spending a lot of money on Amazon. But all work-from-home business models come with their share of pitfalls. And, as an Amazon business, this is no different.”
“Reality is, I don’t really want you doing retail arbitrage. I would love you to do something that’s more sustainable, less risky, and puts more money in your pocket for a lot less work.”
“I don’t just preach about retail arbitrage being kind of a second-hand type of way for no reason. It’s because I really want you guys to not only build and grow a legitimate business, but then when you’re done with it, or you’re sick of it, or you’re just tired, or some life happens, and you decide to go in a different direction, you have something to sell.”
“I know some of you are still doing retail arbitrage, and you’re not into wholesale bundling yet, and that’s okay because you got to just bloom where you’re planted, and that’s where you’re planted right now.”
“I know that time is money, and people want to do things fast, fast, fast. But you know what happens when you do things fast? Mistakes. Retail arbitrage mistakes. Mistakes happen when you’re doing it too fast.”
“If you’re just going in trying to find all the diamonds in the rough, mining takes a long time. But if you already know how to find them based on scanning and putting stuff in your cart, based on your guidelines and data points, then you don’t need a BOLO list.”
“If you do not know how to identify a counterfeit purse even if you’re buying it from TJ Maxx, leave it behind. It’s not worth your account.”
“Avoid those really high, expensive brands because otherwise the burden of proof is going to be impossible, and you’re going to get strikes on your account, and you don’t want that.”
“Keep your notes. What did you find? What didn’t you find? What were you looking for? Be deliberate and focused. That’s really what you need to do. You have to have a plan.”
“Make sure before you start throwing in the excuses, that you had a system, a process, and a plan. And even if you came out empty-handed, then at least you knew you did your best.”
“Don’t make that mistake, don’t be that guy or girl that walks in and doesn’t have a plan and sort of just randomly, you know, it’s like shooting a basketball blindfolded. It’s like, you might have the skills to throw a great free throw. But if you’re not standing at the line with your eyes open, you’re just aiming at the wind.”
“A lot of times, people will steer away from seasonal. They’re like, I just want evergreen items, I don’t want to worry about seasonal, but there’s big money in seasonal stuff.”
“Most of you guys could probably have, you could have wholesale catalogs in your hands by the end of today. It’s not complicated to start wholesale. If you have a reseller certificate, you could literally get wholesale catalogs by the end of today.”
“I’m always telling you guys about 80/20. Meaning, do what is working really well for you eighty percent of the time, and you have to incorporate ‘new’ into twenty percent of the time. So if you’re spending ten hours a week on your Amazon business, spend eight of those hours on your retail arbitrage and two hours of that on something new and different.”
“What got you here won’t get you to the next step. You’re going to have to learn and change and grow and adapt in order to get to that next level. The next-level stuff starts now.”
“I’ve come from there to where I’m at now, and I’m just trying to bring you guys along with me because I’ve been there and done that and know that retail arbitrage is great for a time. But it’s time to grow up. And to get into regular wholesale at least, and then start bundling because that’s where really the money is.”
Related Content:
- 50% off the Wholesale Bundle System for 3 days only! - Coupon code: HALFOFF
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Inventory Lab
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword RAMISTAKES to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
This week, I’m joined by our resident Amazon policy and compliance consultant, Lesley Hensell. Lesley is co-founder and co-owner of Riverbend Consulting, an organization that helps people with suspensions, policy issues, and account management. She’s an Amazon expert and has also been a seller for almost a decade. She’s here today for her regular update on what’s going on with Amazon, what’s new, what’s changing, and what’s going to affect you and your business. The first part of her update is on the rampant suspensions of linked accounts that Amazon’s going in for right now. Lesley tells us that Amazon is using AI to crack down on people who have more than one account without good reason, and we discuss how to follow the rules and avoid suspension. Another big issue happening with Amazon recently is a surge in bogus IP complaints, and Lesley explains the importance of protecting yourself with brand registration and making sure your paperwork is organized and accessible. Related to this, I talk about some problems I’ve had recently with bad players selling counterfeit versions of our products, and Lesley provides some reassurance that Amazon has started really enforcing its brand registry rules and suspending people who abuse them.
Next, Lesley has some good news about getting suspended ASINs reinstated—it seems that Amazon is now giving the option (in some cases) to get your ASIN put back up in exchange for taking a training course. This is a faster option than the usual process and has the added benefit that you can learn something important to help you with your Amazon business. Lesley and I then spend some time discussing the bad things that can happen in the Amazon warehouse, including expired or used products being put back into rotation, and Lesley has a tip for managing your SKUs to avoid that nightmare scenario. I also ask about Amazon’s PPC rules, and Lesley tells us about how some sellers are using meta-tags and back-end information to get past those rules, another bit of rule-breaking that Amazon is really cracking down on. Then I ask Lesley to describe the services Riverbend provides and how they can help you with your Amazon problems and guide you in making more money before we close out the episode with some details about SURGE Summit, the conference that Riverbend is sponsoring. It’s taking place in Tampa Bay, Florida, over September 6-8 and features power sellers and experts from all over the industry, including a keynote from the CFO of Pharmapacks, one of the biggest sellers on Amazon (plus a cruise and a retro 80’s arcade!).
You can chat more with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword RIVERBEND, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Linked account suspensions
- IP complaints and brand registration
- Counterfeit products
- ASIN reinstatement via training
- Problems in the Amazon warehouse
- PPC issues
- Riverbend’s services
“At the end of the day, you are playing on their playground, and it’s best to play by their rules because they will very swiftly boot you out if you don’t do it right.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“You can have more than one seller account if there’s a really good reason to. So, if you have two private label brands, if you use one account that you’re selling lawnmowers and the other one you’re selling greeting cards, you want to have different accounts. So if you have a good business read on it, you can have more than one account.”
“Amazon uses a lot of artificial intelligence, and AI, as you know, what makes it kind of creepy but effective is that it learns over time. And so they programmed it early on to match things like who has two accounts that have the same bank account.”
“It can be very useful, if you are legitimately running more than one account, if you use a VPN, so they don’t think you’re on the same IP address and think for some reason you’re doing something you’re not supposed to.”
“If you have two companies selling the same ASIN on the same listing, you’re competing with yourself, and then you’re pricing against yourself. So arguments can be made that there’s price-fixing.”
“Amazon has done a really bad job in its new brand registry. We were all so hopeful that Amazon brand registry 2.0 is gonna solve all of our problems! And really, it’s just like everything else, they built it for Amazon, they didn’t build it for sellers.”
“You do need to be brand-registered because you at least have a shot. But it is by no means a panacea and the answer to all of your problems.”
“Here’s the problem, the law requires Amazon to act on these complaints. They don’t have a choice. They can’t say, ‘Oh, I think that looks bogus’ and just ignore it. Because once someone files an IP complaint, they have to do something about it. Even if these are garbage, and even if they don’t make any sense.”
“Get brand registry, get trademarks, get your own custom packaging. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s just doing business legitimately. And then that protects you.”
“People respect their Amazon account enough to watch the training, maybe answer some relevant questions. And then, now at least you’re educated. So next time, you can’t say I didn’t know any better because then you have a record that you did the training.”
“You cannot assume that they will do any work for you, ever. They won’t.”
“If you’re making thousands of dollars a month on an ASIN that gets suspended, you’re screwed for that amount of time until you can fight with them to get back, which we know takes weeks, if not months for them to even, you know, give you an answer.”
“Bad things happen in the Amazon warehouse.”
“Amazon’s not going to hand it back to you just for fun. The struggle is real.”
“When you’re trusting someone else with your inventory and your money, there’s going to need to be accountability, some way or another, whether it’s on your end or their end. And we all knew it ain’t on their end. So we might as well take care of it.”
“Most of the time, they’re not just picking on random people. You’ve done something wrong, knowingly or unknowingly, and they’re not just randomly scooping up a bunch of people, there’s not some mean dude that’s having a bad day going, ‘Let’s pick on Lesley today and let’s see if her account’s doing anything wrong!” No, it’s automated, it’s artificial intelligence. It’s all bots.”
“We have people who did do the wrong thing all the time, and we help them, you know, get right. We have our little 'come to Jesus' meeting and ask you why it happened and say this is how we fix it, and we help them fix it.”
“Honest to goodness, that’s just the reality of this all, you guys, it’s just, like, doing business with integrity. Stop trying to circumvent the rules, stop trying to get around them.”
“We just did our final year-end taxes or whatever, and I wanted to give you the number that Riverbend has gotten back for us, for our company for reimbursements, damages, irreconcilable issues that we have on Amazon, and it was, like, over $3,000 last year.”
“What we are shooting for is to have the best content of any Amazon conference because we’ve all been to conferences where people sell from the stage. I don’t like that. That’s not my style, it makes me uncomfortable. I want to hear from people who are real sellers.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Riverbend homepage
- Lesley on LinkedIn
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword RIVERBEND to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today I am frustrated, and I am going to be upfront: today, we’re going to talk some dirt. My inbox is flooded with messages from people complaining because they received bad education and wound up suspended from Amazon because they didn’t check the rules. So today’s episode is about honesty and truth and clearing the air about what bundles are, why they work, and how to execute them properly.
I open with the very important truth that there are people out there who want to swindle you by lying and teaching concepts that will get you kicked off Amazon and that you need to go into every learning opportunity (including mine) with your eyes and ears open. Then I discuss what bundles actually are and emphasize that your very first priority when creating bundles should be adding value for your customers to make yourself stand out and let your customers know you care about their experience. I also give some examples of good and bad ways to bundle, including mismatching consumable and non-consumable items, annoying customers with unwanted extras, and using custom packaging to add value. After that, I go deeper into the philosophy behind successful bundling, which is that products exist to meet a need or solve a problem, and introduce the 'who-what-where-when-how' framework for understanding how your bundles can do that for your customers. Then I emphasize how you can’t automate creativity and have to put the work in, and finish off by sharing one of the most important things my dad ever taught me: you should do your best to do things right the first time so that you can avoid stress and mess and get on with being successful.
You can chat more with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword SUCCESS, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Bad education and following Amazon’s rules
- Clearing up bundling misconceptions
- What bundling is and how to create value in your bundles
- The importance of treating your customers well
- Examples of good bundles
- Making your bundle stand out
- Mismatched bundles and how not to pair consumables and non-consumables
- Meeting your customers’ needs and solving their problems
- Choosing complementary products
- The Who-What-Where-When-Why of your bundle
- Packaging as a value-add item
- What you can and can’t automate
- Doing it right the first time
“I’m the one telling you right now, it’s not about you, it’s about your customer. But it will eventually be about you and your product and your profit and your bottom line if you do it correctly.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“That’s why we’re in business. We’re in business so that we can do better for ourselves. So you can have freedom and flexibility and financial security and things like that.”
“Just because somebody is making money and making success at something does not mean they’re doing it correctly, properly, above board, and without crazy Blackhat strategies. So let me just, let’s just be honest about that. There are people out there that are swindling, that are lying, that are teaching concepts that could get you kicked off of Amazon in a minute.”
“Guess what? Jim Bob over here in another Facebook group who says this is allowed isn’t an expert. He’s just working on maybe his own experience or something he’s learned from somebody that told somebody that told somebody.”
“All I want you to do is be aware that there are people out there that are teaching the wrong things when it comes specifically to bundling, when it comes to dropshipping, when it comes to some of these concepts that you are and aren’t allowed to do.”
“Bundles are highly complementary items packaged together in a convenient way.”
“When you’re creating a bundle, the very first question you should ask yourself is, 'What is the value I’m bringing to my customer?”
“Did you know that if you think about your customer first and think about enhancing their experience and helping their experience go better, they will come back to you and buy from you specifically? Because you treated them so well, because you had their best interest in mind, not just your bottom line.”
“As a consumer, you understand when someone’s put time, effort, and energy into something upfront in order to create a great experience for you as a buyer. You remember that. If a store clerk remembers your name the next time you come in, you’re going to remember that.”
“They think they’re enhancing the brand services but guess what? I’m buying bathroom towels for my bathroom that I just remodeled and updated, and I don’t want your coffee mug, and that does not enhance my experience. As a matter of fact, it gets on my nerves.”
“Bringing value is enhancing their user experience, making it memorable, making it more convenient, making it easier. Something that’s adding value to them, not as a way to get around the rules, to get around product restrictions, to get around brand restrictions, to get away from hijackers, to just try to sell more product outside of that. Because anybody who tries that doesn’t succeed for long.”
“If you created your bundle just to get hijackers off of your listing, and you randomly added something there that doesn’t bring value to the customer, it’s not going to go well.”
“Correct bundles are successful when they have things in common.”
“That is what bundles do, they meet a need or solve a problem.”
“Items have to be highly complementary and make sense together. Just because it’s all used in the kitchen doesn’t mean it’s used together.”
“The best bundlers can answer who, what, when, where, why, and how of their bundle. And if you can define that for your bundle, the chances of you being successful are ten times more than people who don’t have that.”
“I’ve never met a person who has never heard of Walmart, or Starbucks, or Nike. Why? Because these brands and companies have taken the time and energy to take care of their customers, listening to their customers, understanding what their customers want and need.”
“The creation process and the research process for creating things cannot be automated.”
“It’s not going to be automated. You’re going to have to set up your systems and processes, you’re going to learn how to do the proper research and do it right and do it correctly and do it for the right reasons. And when you do all of those things, just watch the money roll in.”
“The choice is yours. You can struggle, you can literally drive the struggle bus up the mountain if you want, that’s totally up to you.”
“We know that bundles work. And they work when you do them correctly. And you can do them successfully. But there is a right way and a wrong way. And there’s a right motive and a wrong motive. So just ask yourself those questions.”
“I am still a wholesale bundle seller. That is how I make my primary income. So I’m in the trenches with you. I am not teaching from some random sideline when I don’t know what’s going on. Y’all, I have had 412 correspondences from Amazon in the past two weeks with, you know, dealing with the same problems and same issues that you guys are as well.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword SUCCESS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
My guest today is Joe Valley from Quiet Light Brokerage, who has had his hand in buying and selling—get this—over a billion dollars of businesses online. He’s the author of The EXITpreneur’s Playbook, and he joins me on this episode to discuss his journey with building up, buying, and selling businesses and how you can best set up and maintain your business so that when you’re ready to exit, it’s a very streamlined process. We start the episode with some info about the tradeshow experiences and workshops we’ve got coming up before diving into Joe’s background as an entrepreneur, from his childhood business selling nightcrawlers to selling his last e-commerce business and joining Quiet Light. Then I ask Joe to explain how to begin thinking about whether your business is sellable, and he discusses the importance of setting goals for what you want out of selling your business and reverse engineering a path to those goals. He also talks us through The Four Pillars of Value, markers that potential buyers look at to figure out the value of your business, which will dramatically influence the offers you receive. We then turn to some more technical details of selling a business, with Joe explaining how to deal with discretionary earnings, the different types of buyers (including aggregators and private equity firms), and the benefits of setting SOPs. He also goes through some of the dirty tricks aggregators can pull and advises that having a trustworthy broker in place can help you avoid these and have a smoother exit. Then we wind things up by talking about the emotion involved in selling a business and how going through an honest and understanding broker like Quiet Light can help manage those emotions and expectations. And last but definitely not least, Joe shares how you can get your hands on a FREE digital copy of The EXITpreneur’s Playbook.
You can chat more about how to successfully manage your FBA business with the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword EXIT, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- There are a few spots left in the tradeshow experience we have coming up in Grand Rapids
- Joe’s first entrepreneurial experience
- How Joe broke into and got out of the e-commerce world
- Knowing your business is sellable and setting goals for the future
- The Four Pillars of Value in today’s FBA business world
- Built-in paths to growth
- Risks for buyers
- Owner-operators and discretionary earnings
- The difference between aggregators, private equity firms, and private individuals as buyers
- The benefits of setting up SOPs
- The dirty tricks aggregators play and using brokers to avoid them
- Add-backs and the mistakes people make without representation
- The emotion of selling a business
- Quiet Light and honesty about the salability of a business
- Joe’s book The EXITpreneur’s Playbook and how to get your FREE digital copy
“Always have your exit in mind because you just never know what’s going to happen.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I’ve got a question for you. Are you selling wholesale? Have you had issues with wholesale? Are you scared? Are you nervous? Do you not know what the heck you’re doing wholesale? If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, I would love to help you navigate wholesale.”
“This is where you want to be able to continually set up and maintain your business so that if and when you decide to exit, it can be a slam dunk for you.”
“Came out of that five-year stretch, tired and worn out, woke up one day and said, 'I wonder if I can sell this thing?' Didn’t plan it, necessarily, just woke up and needed to move on as an entrepreneur as we often do.”
“Now we’ve got a team of fifteen advisors, about ten support staff, we closed just under $250 million in total transactions in 2020, all online business transactions.”
“As entrepreneurs, we seem to have short attention spans, whether that’s three years, five years, ten years. We’re always wanting to pivot and change.”
“Every business is sellable. It’s just a matter of what it’s worth to the buyer and what it’s worth for you to go through that sale process.”
“I mentioned documentation. If you want to reverse engineer the path to your goal, you have to figure out the value of your businesses today. If you do not have profit and loss statements with a monthly view, you’re not even going to get out of the gate.”
“Your CPA is a tax-mitigation specialist, and they file your tax returns. Don’t let them be your bookkeeper, too, because they will just screw it up.”
“Growth, they love to see growth trends and built-in paths to growth.”
“When it comes to pure risk, the larger, more established businesses are less risky than the younger, smaller, less-established businesses.”
“Risk, growth, transferability, and documentation is what buyers look at.”
“The more they trust and like you and believe in you and what you’ve built, the better deal structure and the higher value of the company. So that’s one reason to set up SOPs. The other is if you get hit by a bus, your spouse can take over or your employee fairly quickly. Or, you know, if you just want to go on vacation and not be bothered by anybody, not check email, SOPs are great.”
“The aggregators are well-educated, charming, likable, they’ll heap lots of praise on the brand that you’ve built in your business and say that they’ll buy your business for all cash and close in thirty days and then they’ll slide in there, ‘Avoid the broker fee.’ If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
“The advisor is somebody that should be in the middle, helping you first understand the value of what you have, what levers to push and pull to increase the value of that. And then eventually, when you’re ready, exit it for maximum value.”
“We consider ourselves an education firm, first and foremost. And then we happen to do M&A deals as well.”
“You need to be able to feel really comfortable about handing your baby off to someone else who’s going to be able to take care of it. Regardless of the check that they wrote you, you still want to be able to feel comfortable and confident that what you’ve built isn’t just being, you know, tossed to the wayside.”
“These are very emotional processes. You’re a week, two weeks away from life-changing money for the baby that you built, and you know, you need somebody on your side that’s going to support you and help you through that process.”
“If it’s a situation where it’s not sellable in its current environment or current state, we’ll tell them why. And if it’s a situation where it’s a great business, but it’s not sellable by us, then we’ll tell them why.”
“Let’s be real, we all don’t want to work for the rest of our lives forever, all the time. Retirement, whether it’s at fifty or seventy or thirty-two, you want to be able to have a plan and be prepared, and this is the best way to get that done.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Quiet Light homepage
- The EXITpreneur’s Playbook on Amazon
- Get your FREE digital copy of The EXITpreneur’s Playbook
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword EXIT to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
This week I have two amazing guests, Dave and Laurie Bilyeu, who run eBLISS, a storage and fulfillment center for eBay and Poshmark sellers. They’re here to talk about how their fulfillment service can boost your reselling business by reducing the time and stress of dealing with your back-end. I kick things off by asking how Dave and Laurie got into e-commerce and eBay, and Dave shares how he started out flipping items he found in Goodwills before Laurie came on board, and they grew into a full-time business. They then talk about scaling up by hiring staff, setting up dedicated space, and setting up systems and processes to help manage your business and any new people you bring on board. Next, Dave and Laurie go into more detail about eBLISS and the gap it fills by providing fulfillment services for eBay, something that resellers have been sorely lacking. They explain their process and pricing structure and how eBLISS removes the storage bottleneck that is such a major hurdle to eBay sellers growing their businesses. We also discuss the eBLISS philosophy, which is to restore the joy in reselling by giving you back the freedom to go out and source treasures to resell. And finally, we talk about one of my favorite subjects, time as money, and break down how outsourcing your back-end will give you more time to spend on the money-making aspects of your business.
You can find out more about running an eBay business from the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group, (this week's codeword: EBLISS) where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Mommy Income is coming to a city near you, including Grand Rapids and LA, with workshops and tradeshow walkthroughs
- How Dave and Laurie got started in e-commerce and eBay
- How to scale up your eBay business by hiring people
- Setting up systems and processes for your business
- Dave and Laurie’s eBay fulfillment service
- The process of eBay and Poshmark fulfillment
- The storage bottleneck
- Fulfillment and freedom
- eBLISS’ pricing structure
- Dealing with long-tail items and handling inquiries
- The challenges Dave and Laurie have experienced
- The benefits of outsourcing your back-end
“This is such a needed thing in this world, to be able to grow and scale.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I love wholesale, and wholesale just makes life so much easier. It’s not complicated. It’s not scary. It’s not hard, you can do it.”
“I found myself going to Goodwills and finding North Face jackets in Colorado for $4 at a Goodwill and flipping them on eBay for like $50 or $60. And I was hooked.”
“We hired a couple part-time listers and shippers so that we could fully source 100% of the time and really built our inventory up from when, I think I started, you might have had twelve hundred listings, we quickly almost tripled that in probably a year-and-a-half or so.”
“The whole managing of people is very daunting because it takes a certain kind of personality and skill set to be able to manage other people well.”
“It comes down to systems and processes. You need to map this out for yourself and for anyone else that would want to come on board and help.”
“I think everybody should have their processes in their brain written down.”
“I think the biggest bottleneck for a lot of eBay sellers is they love the treasure hunt. They love the buying part. And then they have what I call the death piles or the, you know, overflowing eBay closet where they love to buy it and got it for a great deal. But then it’s not being listed because that’s the time-consuming part.”
“We allow them to free up anywhere from three to five to seven hours a week because they no longer have to ship. And they use that time to source more and list more, and they get their death piles done, they get all that stuff lifted and sent into our warehouse. And when it sells, we ship within the same or next business day.”
“It’s so fun to me to source with other resellers because they have knowledge over here, and I’ve got knowledge over here, and between that, like, we’re all making a lot of money.”
“The level of genius that a lot of sellers have is in their eye for the thrift, their eye for the treasure, realizing this is going to make money. And that could just be a wealth of knowledge someone has about a specific category, or they could be like a freak of nature, which I’ve been called when it comes to thrifting.”
“I think our clients really appreciate the time they save, the fact that they can scale without worrying about cluttering up their own home. Because I mean, let’s be honest, everybody has some space limitations at some point.”
“At the time, there was honestly no fulfillment service, and I think there still isn’t, that caters to this kind of reseller, the reseller who buys one-off, used, thrifted items of many sorts, whether it’s clothes, books, games, electronics.”
“We love to restore the joy in reselling to all of our clients.”
“We don’t have spikes in storage like Amazon FBA. We’re not going to gate people from selling anything.”
“Basically, the higher your ASP, average selling price of your items, the less our service is going to cost you as a percentage of your overall sales.”
“I’m going to resurrect the eBay business that I have because of you guys. And now I know that I can have the location freedom that I want to not have to ship those things, that’s going to kind of resurrect that.”
“Since we are resellers, we understand that there’s value in long-tail items.”
“We love the fact that we deal with all types of clients, those that just want those items out of their house and don’t plan on growing and those that want to grow. And we have the ability to accommodate them if they want to scale.”
“We’d like to speak to everyone prior to signing on with us because we are resellers. We want to hear about their goals, their objectives. And if we’re a great fit, awesome. If not, not a problem.”
“We wanted to be able to provide the service for resellers. We’re not really interested in housing people’s items who just want to source, and they don’t want to do the work of actually being a reseller. So that’s why it’s called reseller solutions because we feel like we are a solution for a lot of these issues that resellers have, not the casual thrifter-flipper.”
“You guys are just innovators. You’re, like, ready to solve the next problem before people even ask the questions.”
“That’s business. You have to adapt whether you’re a reseller or someone like us with eBLISS, you have to adapt, and it’s okay to adapt.”
“I suggest you outsource, if anything, you outsource the back-end of that first, which is the storage and the shipping. Because there’s no money to be made in there.”
“You can’t write off your own time that you’re doing this yourself on your taxes, right? But if you outsource it, that is an expense that you can write off. So you’re actually even saving money even more by having somebody else do it.”
“Reselling is our first entrepreneurial experience ever. And it’s been the most fulfilling experience in my life. Fulfilling, no pun intended.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- More info about eBLISS
- eBLISS on Instagram
- eBLISS on YouTube
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword [CODEWORD] to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today on the Amazon Files, I’m joined by a very special guest, Michelle Love, to talk about the not-so-sexy but very important subject of insurance. Michelle is an insurance expert who’s worked in the field for almost thirty years and specializes in ecommerce accounts. She’s also been an e-commerce seller since 2003, and she and her daughter have been private label Amazon sellers, so she speaks the languages of both e-commerce and insurance.
Following an update about our 2022 workshops, Michelle and I kick things off by talking a little about how she got into e-commerce before discussing the benefits of insuring your business and the nightmares that can happen if you don’t. Then we move on to specifics, as Michelle explains Amazon’s insurance requirements for third-party sellers and what kind of protection Amazon gives your FBA products in their warehouses. I also ask Michelle about insurance for private label products and higher-risk products like supplements or medical devices and your liability for these. Then we wrap up our conversation with some advice about how much the average business owner should invest in insurance and how having insurance in place is a tremendous relief should the worst happen. Tune in today to learn how insurance allows you to protect your business and show it the love it so richly deserves.
You can find out more about insurance from the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword LOVE, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- New workshops are available for 2022, including a tradeshow walkthrough in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- There’s also a Mommy Income retreat coming up this year
- How Michelle got started in e-commerce
- The benefits of having insurance coverage
- Amazon’s insurance requirements for third-party sellers
- Does Amazon protect your FBA products?
- Insurance for private-label products and high-risk products
- How much to invest in insurance for the average seller
- Shipping insurance and workers comp
“I do know that there’s a lot of sue-happy people, in at least our country, and because of that, good insurance and a good lawyer is always something every business should have on hand.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I know it’s not a sexy topic, no one likes to hear about insurance. As a matter of fact, most of you are probably already trying to swipe off of this podcast and listen or watch something else because you’re like, 'Ugh, who wants to talk about insurance?'”
“We think, 'Oh yeah, well, wouldn’t Amazon just protect our stuff because it’s in their warehouse?' The truth might shock you and surprise you, and also the affordability of insurance.”
“If you’re considering coming to a workshop, I’d love to meet you, I want to meet you, I would love to be able to raise a toast and talk the talk with you and have a drink with you and teach you all about wholesale bundles so that you can have a rockstar year.”
“There’s going to be a special Mommy Income retreat coming up this year. Why? Because we all need a retreat after the few years that we’ve had. We need a rest, we need a recharge, we need a retreat.”
“We’ve seen commercials on TV, you can cue the eye roll here for like, you know, all the different commercials that are out there about, you know, insurance and protecting your business and protecting all of your assets and things. But I think it’s just one of those things that people don’t like to think about and talk about or spend money on until it’s too late, until it’s necessary. And then it’s like, by then, it’s too late.”
“One of the biggest benefits with having insurance in place is it covers your legal fees.”
“This is typical Amazon, you know, we’ve been around the block almost two decades now, we understand that Amazon always has a lot of these policies and then when they get sued for something, then they realize they need to start enforcing these policies.”
“The general rule is if you are a seller and you send your things to the fulfillment center, if you’re doing FBA, then Amazon has your products in their care, custody, and control, and they have coverage for those products.”
“If you are, you know, in that baby, pet, ingestibles, topicals, anything medical device, even, you know, an ice pack, you wouldn’t think that’s a medical device, but that is. Anything that’s durable medical equipment, even as moderate as a blue ice pack you would put on your arm, all of that is higher risk, and we have to go to the other markets.”
“A lot of people ask me, are there any categories I stay away from, and they think more of like, Amazon competition and profit margin, and I always think of liability. Like, I literally do not want to be sued for anything.”
“I want to support people’s ideas, but at the same time, I’m like, 'Oh, I wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole.' If somebody is ingesting something, like, I’m scared.”
“In general, whether you’re starting or you’re well-established, I just want to help you be protected. I don’t make a tremendous amount of money off of these policies, I do it because I really, truly care.”
“Whether you’re being sued or whether the roof is ripped off of a warehouse and all your stuff flies away, it’s still a very difficult time in life or business to be able to deal with a loss like that and to have proper insurance just brings so much more relief.”
“You know me, and I’m tough. And I’m just telling you, you are required to have insurance because you signed the Terms of Services to sell on Amazon.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- FBAQuotes.com
- EM Ford homepage
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword LOVE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by ecommerce expert Kevin Sanderson, who’s here to share his expertise in global business expansion. Kevin is the organizer of the Convert More Clicks Summit, which will be taking place on 1-3 February, so we kick the episode off with a chat about what the summit will cover. Kevin is bringing in some of the best experts from the Amazon world (including me!) to talk about driving sales, getting more traffic, and making more conversions. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to get advice and knowledge from successful business owners and entrepreneurs, so make sure you book your ticket!
In the rest of the episode, Kevin talks about his journey into the world of ecommerce, from working in the hotel industry to dabbling in retail arbitrage to running a successful international business. He shares how he began expanding into international markets, using his knowledge of Amazon to try out different markets and see which worked for him and which didn’t. Kevin also gives some advice about one of the scarier aspects of global expansion—dealing with other countries’ tax systems—and suggests some questions to ask your CPA or other financial advisors. Then we discuss the value of summits and the high-quality education they offer from experts in the field, with some tips about scheduling and how to get permanent access to presentations for later viewing. Finally, I ask Kevin for his thoughts on what not to do when expanding internationally, and Kevin discusses the importance of understanding the culture of the markets you choose to expand into.
You can get more advice on expanding your business globally from the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword INTERNATIONAL, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Brand new workshops for 2022
- The Convert More Clicks Summit
- Kevin’s e-commerce background
- Creating a global expansion
- How to deal with international taxes
- Questions to ask your CPA
- The value of summits and ongoing education
- What not to do when expanding internationally
- Understanding the culture in your marketplaces
“The more we know, the more we grow.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“We hear the term, you know, when you work for someone else, you’re working really hard for their dreams. I was living that. And so I was friends with these people, and I’m happy for their success, and they’ve done very well. And I’m happy for that. But it was like, I need to go carve my own path.”
“I’m a hustler. So I understand, like, anywhere you can make a dollar, you should make a dollar.”
“One of the things I learned very quickly was, it doesn't matter if you’re coming in with, you know, a couple thousand bucks or a million dollars in this business, everyone gets to a cash flow crunch at one point.”
“By and large, if people in the US are buying it, chances are someone in Canada is looking for it right now, as we speak, and someone else is getting the sale over the course of the time you’re listening to this, that you could have gotten if you were offering your product there.”
“Anytime you hear the word 'taxes', everyone gets real nervous.”
“If you don’t have one, please pause this and go look for a CPA. Be a real business owner, have a CPA to do your taxes.”
“Let not taxes be the reason that you don’t sell internationally. Because really, it’s about those products, right, finding the products that our international friends cannot get their hands on very easily locally and meeting that need for them with the products that we have access to.”
“The beauty, though, of a summit is that, number one, you’re in the comfort of your own space, and you can kind of come and go. You can eat your popcorn or drink your coffee in your pajamas and still get high-quality education.”
“I think it’s so important to, especially with entrepreneurs, to be able to have ongoing education because that one thing that you learn in one session of even one of these could change your business for life.”
“We get caught in the weeds, and we’re just doing our business, and we’re selling products and doing all this, and we don’t make time for education. And then we wonder why we’re not growing or that we’re hitting a plateau.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or, you know, you’re a seven- or eight-figure seller, you’re going to find something that you can employ into your business to really take things to the next level.”
“I feel like I always level up when I learn from other folks.”
“The first Friday of every month, I have a three-hour block that I use, personally, to watch other people’s trainings, other people’s things, to educate myself, because I don’t know everything. Because I am the wholesale bundle queen and expert at that, but I am not an expert on other things.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Convert More Clicks Summit tickets
- Maximizing Ecommerce homepage
- Maximizing Ecommerce on YouTube
- Email Kevin
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword INTERNATIONAL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
As business owners, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed by how much there is to do in a day and wind up procrastinating or getting distracted. You can find yourself sitting down at your desk without any idea what to tackle first and never actually managing to do anything. But there are ways to avoid this! In today's episode, I’m discussing how to manage your to-do list, blast through procrastination, and make your work life easier and more productive. First up, I’ve got some advice on organization and planning, including how to figure out the best organizational methods for you, whether that’s sticky notes (my favorite), paper planners, or phone notifications. I also discuss the importance of setting out your daily tasks, especially the ones that make you money, to reduce the time wasted on figuring out what needs to be done. Following that, I talk about being flexible but organized with your schedule, grouping similar tasks together and creating steps to follow while giving yourself the freedom to stick with inspiration when it hits. Then I tackle procrastination and distractions, with some tough love on self-managing our attachment to screen time and digital notifications. And finally, I wrap up the episode by discussing one of my favorite ways of avoiding procrastination: the 15-Minute Hustle, a fantastic tool for getting over the fear of starting tasks you’ve been dreading and getting them done in fifteen-minute bursts.
You can get more advice on managing your FBA business from the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword BEGINNER, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The rest of the workshop locations for 2022, including a virtual option
- How to organize your to-do list
- Setting out your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and master task list
- Figuring out your money-making tasks
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Time blocking (including breaks throughout the day)
- Managing distractions
- Blasting through procrastination
- The 15-Minute Hustle
“If you own your own business, you are a business owner, you are a CEO, you are an entrepreneur. And so you can own any or all of those titles. This isn’t just some little, small side gig you’ve got going on. This is a big deal. You started a business, most people don’t do that.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“People that come to workshops usually find the most success when it comes to wholesale bundling because they feel supported. They feel like they have these ‘Aha!’ breakthrough moments where the course was great, but they got the questions asked, they got to build a bundle together with other people and kind of fail and try again and work through things, and realize how normal that process really is when you do it yourself.”
“That’s entrepreneurship, you know, you’re the one in charge, you’re CEO and janitor, you’re going to have to do all the hard things and the easy things and all the things until you can hire help.”
“The reality is, you have to figure out what works best for you that you are actually going to follow through on. Yes, we can create new habits, that’s absolutely true, but you also have to be a hundred percent committed to creating new habits and giving it, you know, six weeks of practice every single day to make a new habit.”
“That’s a lot of where time is wasted and lost when it comes to an entrepreneur, that we’re responsible for so many things that we sometimes sit down at our desk and know that we have a boatload of stuff to do. But we don’t really know what to do.”
“CEOs and business owners and entrepreneurs face decision fatigue all the time, every day, probably. We’re constantly making small and big decisions, and it’s exhausting.”
“Sometimes, we can’t wait for inspiration. We can’t wait for the time to be right where we’re feeling creative. Sometimes we've just got to do it.”
“If we’re constantly trying to handle things while we’re doing our tasks, we’re gonna be all over the place, and all over the place is not where we want to be.”
“Life is all about the miscellaneous, right, so we want to make sure that we have space on our calendars in order to handle this miscellaneous stuff that just randomly comes up.”
“We can regulate our kids, we can put parental controls on there, and we can, you know, block certain things from their phones, but what are we doing to protect ourselves from ourselves?”
“Procrastination is part of everybody’s life. It is. It’s a symbol of a bigger problem, a symptom really of a bigger problem, most likely a combination of fear, ignorance, overwhelm, being uncomfortable.”
“If you only have room for four 15-minute hustles, and you commit to that, you will see your productivity skyrocket. Because you’re being intentional, because you’re planning, because you put it on a thing, and because you wrote it down,”
“Most of the problem is starting the task.”
“We spend more than fifteen minutes scrolling on our phones in the bathroom, let’s just be real about that. You have fifteen minutes. You have more than fifteen minutes.”
“I didn’t feel like it was this big, long, overwhelming Saturday where I had to spend the whole day putting Christmas away. Instead, I just did fifteen minutes at a time. And I knew I had a plan for that. And I knew I was gonna continue executing that. It was freedom. That’s what it felt like.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BEGINNER to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
In today’s episode, I’m talking about wholesale—specifically, how to find wholesale products and find them legitimately. I get a lot of messages from people asking about wholesale and saying that they haven’t been able to make a success of it, but what strikes me about all these people is that they quit too early. So first up today, I discuss the need for hard work and perseverance because you’re not going to knock it out of the park on the first try. You have to be willing to put the effort in and try everything—and if you really have, and it’s still not working, you can come talk to me, and we’ll work things out.
Moving on, I debunk some of the myths surrounding wholesaling on Amazon, including the idea that it’s better to start with products instead of distributors and manufacturers, and that you should go after big brands. Then I share with you the best ways to find wholesalers, like looking at a product’s retail packaging to find details of their distributor and manufacturer, going to trade show websites, or signing up for industry newsletters and trade publications. I also talk about common excuses people use for giving up on wholesaling, like being rejected by vendors who don’t work with Amazon or believing wholesale is too expensive or competitive. Finally, I wrap things up with some advice about the importance of doing your research in order to have the best chance of success at wholesaling.
You can get more advice on wholesaling from the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword VENDORS, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Quitting too early
- Debunking the myths about wholesaling on Amazon
- How to find wholesalers
- Common excuses for giving up on wholesaling
- How to avoid middlemen and illegitimate wholesalers
- Price tiers and increases
- Do your research
“We see the result, we see a win or a loss, or we see the different plays come into action when we’re watching football. What we’re not looking at and not seeing is all of the work that these people have put in over and over again, week after week after week, to get that result.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“The reality is most people start, really, to slow down. They quit before they actually get the result they want. They try two or three different things. They say, ‘Well, I’ve tried this, I’ve tried that.’”
“Guess what, you’re gonna have to grow a little bit of thick skin. You’re going to have to keep doing some things over and over again in different ways because you don’t always get to knock it out of the park the first time.”
“Do you want this to work or not? Because if you do, you’re going to have to put in some effort, some consistent, quality effort. Like, no half-assed work here.”
“Like the needle in a haystack. One of my favorite things about hearing that thing is, the easiest way to find a needle in a haystack is to bring a big, fat magnet.”
“Most product-selling businesses are built on really good solid research and good products. So let’s do research. That’s what we’re going to do, we’re going to be research experts.”
“If you have no idea what to sell, and you’re just trying to get some wholesalers, you’re just trying to get some ideas, and you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s even better. You know why? Because there’s way more options.”
“The last time we went to Atlanta, I really tried to get someone to say ‘no’, I couldn’t sell their product on Amazon. And I couldn’t get anyone to say ‘no’ to us.”
“This isn’t personal at all. It’s all about business. They are in the business of selling products, you’re in the business of selling products to the end-user via brick and mortar, your email, your Facebook marketplace, your Etsy shop, your Amazon store, wherever it is that you’re selling all these products. They want to sell products to you, and you want to sell products to your customers, and everybody wins, and everybody makes money.”
“Being a wholesale customer is one of my favorite things about this business. I get free products, I get catalogs, I get reps calling me, telling me all about their discounts and their deals. They want your business really bad, so give it to them.”
“Working long-tail with specific vendors is always going to be a great idea. Because the longer you do business with someone, the more trust is built, the more they realize that you’re a regular client customer, they can count on you for regular purchases, and they’re more apt to give you incentives.”
“Nobody’s gonna look through that catalog for you. No one’s gonna do that research for you, unless you hire them to.”
“If you feel like you’ve done absolutely everything you could, and you still haven’t found one vendor or one product to sell, hit me up. I will have a chat with you, and we will find you something that really, really works.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Video Tutorial on Finding Sellers
- Mommy Income’s Vendor List
- Wholesale Central
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files , the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword VENDORS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today I'm going to tackle one of the things that this podcast is all about—growing your business. These will be your 2022 business growth strategies for your Amazon and your product-based business. In e-commerce, everything is changing so rapidly that it's tough to keep up. Just when you think you've got it nailed, something changes. But guess what? There's nothing new under the sun. So if you're in business, you better be ready to make changes regularly because that's what's going to be required of you.
I begin this episode with a timely reminder that this is the last week that you can sign up for the in-person bundle-building workshop, and that we also have a virtual workshop available. This, then, brings me to the discussion today about business growth strategies. You don't have to be a billion-dollar global brand to get the lion's share of the market for your products and for the competitors around you. What you need is just an unstoppable business growth strategy. This episode touches on five strategies you can implement in 2022 to grow your business. These include minding your own business, where I stress that you need to know where you are and where you want to go to grow and stop chasing someone else's finish line or climbing someone else's ladder. I emphasize that you must know your business numbers, such as cost of goods, operation costs, sales, and your breakeven. Other strategies I explain in detail include marketing, diversification, meeting a need unmet by all the other products in the marketplace, and strategic partnerships. Finally, I give real-life examples and stories to show the practicability of these strategies. As we begin 2022, today’s episode will go a long way toward helping you ensure growth for your FBA business not only this year, but every year.
You can be part of the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group using code word GROW, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you're ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- This is the last week to sign up for the in-person Competent Wholesale Bundlers Workshop.
- 2022 business growth strategies for your business
o Strategy #1: Mind your own business
o Strategy #2: Marketing
o Strategy #3: Diversification
o Strategy #4: Meet a need unmet by other products in the marketplace
o Strategy #5: Strategic partnerships
- Why you must know your business' numbers
- Things to troubleshoot before you put PPC on your listing
- What A/B testing is, and why you need it
- Off-Amazon marketing strategies you can implement
- Why you should think twice about Facebook ads
- The shortcomings of retail arbitrage
- Margin-based versus volume-based business. Which is better?
- Why you should consider diversifying into brick-and-mortar stores
- Case Study of Dollar Shave Club's strategy.
- Case Study of the Taco Bell and Doritos partnership for Doritos Locos Tacos
- The value of documenting
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. And if you're trying to grow, you're going to have to do things differently."
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
"Don't spend time chasing someone else's finish line or climbing someone else's ladder."
"You can make a really decent profit without having a huge business."
"You need to know where you are and where you want to go to grow."
"The money is made in the numbers. The money is made at the end of the day when you actually sell that product and then see how much you're making on it."
"You want to make sure that you're minding your business and who's doing what, when, and why are they doing it."
"Marketing does not start with PPC campaigns."
"In reality, if you're not offering what a customer wants, then more visibility isn't going to help you."
"Sometimes it takes time and energy and a little bit of love and a little bit of work to make the listing the best it can possibly be."
"If your listing is more than six months old, it's time to look at it."
"High quality, high-resolution images are going to sell your product. The title, optimized title will bring someone in via search. And once they get to your search, then they're going to be using the images to kind of decide if your listing is even worth looking at."
"A growth strategy can be what's already working and how can we enhance what's already working. That's called working smarter, and not harder."
"Get uncomfortable because that's where growth happens. It happens when we're uncomfortable. When we're chilling, and we're comfortable and whatever, we're living a life of ease - usually, there's not a whole lot of growth that's happening."
“You don't have to be a billion-dollar global brand to get the lion's share of the market for your products… what you need is an unstoppable business growth strategy."
"Don't pigeonhole or box yourself into just Amazon. If you've got great products that are selling well, it's time to expand them."
"Bundles disrupt. And why do they disrupt? Because they're bringing something new and relevant while saving people money, saving them time, saving the environment, all these different things."
"Disrupt by using bundle strategies that are different than anything else."
"You need to know your customers' pain points or their desires, and satisfy their needs. And all you have to do is do it slightly better than your competition."
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword GROW to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don't forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Happy New Year! We've gotten through a lot these past two years, and finally, breathing the air of 2022 is enough to be thankful for and to celebrate. In this first episode of the year, I want to talk to you about the comparison between the wealthy, rich, and broke. I’ll highlight what it means to be broke and also speak in detail about what separates the wealthy and the rich - the most striking being that the wealthy have or aim to have financial freedom. Along the way we’ll also look at some other differences including the wealthy's humble lifestyle, where most are not flashy, and they spend more on things that earn money while they sleep.
I kick it all off with a timely reminder that there are only 10 days to our very first workshop of the year, and also that there are only a couple of seats left. I then delve into the topic for the day - Wealthy, Rich, or Broke – beginning with the example of financial responsibility that Shaq O'Neal sets, being a former basketball superstar and a business genius, and how he teaches his kids that his money is his own, not theirs. I also share my son's perspective of the rich versus wealthy, and how the rich person's wealth doesn't last very long as they go into massive debt for their flashy, glamorous lifestyles. We’ll also examine how the wealthy, on the other hand, generally live a humble lifestyle. Finally, I discuss ways to become wealthy, including increasing income, reducing unnecessary expenditures, staying healthy, investing in stocks, and savings. I am so excited to start this new year with you all and to continue our journey to wealth, happiness, and health together.
Another great way to start the year is to become part of the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group using code word WEALTHY, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you're ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The Competent Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming up in 10 days, and there are only a few seats left!
- Financial responsibility – case study of Shaq O'Neal
- What the wealthy tell their children
- My personal story of getting out of debt and the journey to being wealthy
- Comparing the rich, the wealthy, and the broke
- What sets the wealthy apart from the rich
- You can become wealthy by
o #1: Increasing your income
o #2: Saving
o #3: Investing in stocks
o #4: Reducing unnecessary expenditure
o #5: Staying healthy
- Health as a critical component of being wealthy
"Wealth has nothing to do with how much money you earn; it has everything to do with how you spend what you earn. So whether you earn $30,000 a year or $300,000 a year, it's all about how you spend that money, how you invest it, how you care for yourself and for others."
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
"'My kids are older now, and they're kind of upset with me because I tell them all the time, ‘We ain't rich, I'm rich.’ Shaq said that."
"He wants to change people's lives. So that, my friends, that is the definition of wealthy."
"When you take what you have, and you invest it into someone else or something else that you can see and help and shepherd, grow, or even just hands-off invest in them, that is wealthy."
"If you have a Tesla in the driveway and a Rolly on your arm, and you're wearing Gucci head to toe, awesome. Do you have debt? Better not. Because at that point, it's just a facade."
"Most people that are rich spend more than they earn…but if you wanted to peel back the layers of somebody's bank statements, then you could know that net worth, creating a positive net worth, is spending less than you earn, period."
"You can be rich and on the verge of bankruptcy."
"Rich is more about showing off your money than building long-term wealth."
"What does it actually mean to be wealthy? In a short definition, it is just achieving financial freedom."
"When you're wealthy, you get to decide when and where and how you work because you have the luxury to walk away if you don't enjoy your job."
"Wealthy people focus more on income-producing assets, things that make money for you, passive income, real estate investments, things like that, that make money while you sleep."
"You can have all the money in the world, but you can't buy health. It's something that you have to take care of and curate. It's one of your assets.”
"It all comes down to how you spend your money, how much you save, how much you spend, how much you invest."
"If you're not making that much money, you can increase your income. How do you do that? Invest in a business, start a business, start a side hustle. Stop buying stuff you don't need. Focus long-term. The rich quick gain will never get you long-term sustainability."
"Wealth is about taking care of yourself because if you're the main earner in this wealth cycle, you need to be healthy enough to continue earning."
"I've already saved like 12 grand automatically by just saving a little bit a month and investing into little stocks here and there. I think it's really fantastic. And that's only been like a year, a little bit of automatic saving."
"There's not some crazy secret formula. It's what do you want more than you want right now? What do you want more long term, and forever, more than what you want in the moment. That's called discipline. We want the result more than you want the temporary fix."
"Take a note from Shaq. He makes investments not for monetary reasons but because it will change people's lives. That hit home for me. And that is something that I totally align with. Because that's what I do."
"That's the only way I got to where I was. I didn't save $50,000 and just pay it all off at one time. But, little by little, I chipped away at it.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- mommyincome.com/robinhood
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don't forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword WEALTHY to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don't forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
The year is coming to an end, and on this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, I’m encouraging you to take a moment and review the year that’s just passed before planning for 2022. Being aware of what we’ve achieved over the last twelve months—and recognizing where we’ve made mistakes—is crucial for understanding where we want to go in the future. Today, I’ll guide you through some ways to make your yearly review effective and motivating so that you can head into the New Year with clear goals and confidence.
First up, I recommend taking the Marie Kondo approach and getting rid of—or at least minimizing—anything in your life that doesn’t spark joy. Ask yourself if you’re still excited by your business and figure out if you need to make changes based on what you’ve learned and experienced over the past year. Then I suggest four stages for reviewing your year—data collection, recognizing milestones, allowing space for mistakes, and setting reasonable goals—which will give you a framework for understanding and celebrating where you are in your business and where you can go in the future. I also revisit the “Start. Stop. Continue” technique as a method of taking stock of your business behaviors and how to manage them to improve your happiness in your work. Finally, I dare all my listeners to choose one goal to focus on for a year, making it the core of their decisions and actions, so that you can see how reviewing and restating our goals can help us bring them to fruition.
You can be part of the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword REVIEW, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The importance of taking time for reflection.
- Ask yourself if you’re still excited by your business and being mindful of your mindset.
- Paying attention to what inputs you’re allowing into your life and yourself.
- Get to know your natural rhythm and arrange your day around the hours when you hit your stride.
- Marie Kondo’s ‘sparking joy’ approach.
- Stage #1 of reviewing your year: data collection—decide what aspects of your business you want to review and collect the numbers relating to them.
- Stage #2: recognize milestones—go back through your calendar, note down what you achieved over the past year, and celebrate the milestones you’ve experienced, both big and small.
- Stage #3: allow space for mistakes—make a list of three things maximum that went wrong during the year, think about why they happened, and write down a suggestion for how you can change it or prevent it from happening again. And don’t judge yourself for it - own it.
- An example of stage #3 from my own life.
- Stage #4: set reasonable goals—when you’re thinking about your goals for the next year, think about if you have the resources to reasonably achieve them before writing them down.
- Revisiting your perfect world, making changes based on your current needs and desires, then figuring out what you need to do to make this world a reality.
- How to use the “Start, Stop, and Continue” technique.
- Setting one goal for your business this year and following it to completion.
- Remembering why you set your goals and figuring out what you’re willing to sacrifice to meet them.
- The accountability that comes with sharing your goals with others.
“Whatever you put in, in your mind, in your heart, in your emotions, in your body - that’s what comes out. That’s the kind of energy that comes out of your body and out of your mouth and out of your heart and out of your soul.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“We need someone to give us what I call the ‘slug and a hug,’ or the ‘kiss and a slap,’ where you need the tough love, but you also need the gentle forgiveness of yourself and others.”
“We do need to open our eyes, and be aware of our year and see where we want to go next year.”
“If you’re in a state of mind where things are heavy and hard and overwhelming and stressful, and maybe that’s affecting your sleep or your mood or things like that, the last thing we want to be doing is putting more negative energy into that space.”
“Let’s be real, paying bills does not bring me joy. And I can’t just get rid of them because I don’t like them. However, you can make the experience of doing something that you don’t enjoy more enjoyable by just being aware of it, getting it out of the way, doing it at a time in your day that is the best time for you.”
“If you’re not much of a data collector, you need to become one because this is a business skill that we all need. If we want to grow our profit, we need to know what our profit is, in order to grow it, do we not?”
“We are hard-wired to look at the negative most of the time and not celebrating all of the great things that we’ve done. I mean, most especially women tend to point out all of the things that we’ve done wrong, or the bad things, or the things we’re not good at. We’re not really great at walking up to the plate and saying, ‘I’m great at XYZ.’”
“We look at what went wrong so that we don’t repeat mistakes, so that we don’t lose money, so that we don’t run in fear all of the time and say, ‘Oh, I’ll never do that again.’”
“We all should be in growth mode.”
“I made some mistakes. They weren’t pretty. But that doesn’t have to dictate the rest of my life or the rest of my business.”
“If you want to make more revenue, you’re going to have to increase either your profit margin or the capital that you’re spending on set inventory in order to increase it. It’s just, you know, some basic simple math.”
“You don’t always have to make tons of money off your first bundle, it’s just getting used to the process. And once you know how to list, once you know detuned exemptions, once you get your bundle brand, things like that, then you can get all the logistics out of the way and then start to be creative.”
“That’s my purpose. That’s my ‘why’. That’s why I sit in front of this camera and this microphone every single week, because it brings me joy to see all of you succeeding, even if it’s baby steps.”
“You’re ten times more likely to hit a goal that you write down and share with someone else.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword REVIEW to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today I’m tackling an issue many of us deal with - perfectionism - and how to overcome it. Perfectionism can feel like a necessary part of becoming successful, but in fact, it’s an obstacle that stops us getting what we really want. Instead of focusing on our own goals, perfectionists can get distracted by unrealistic expectations, procrastination, and anxiety about how others judge us. In this episode, I’ll take you through five daily ways to resist and overcome perfectionism and make your path to success clearer and easier.
After a quick reminder that there are still seats left for the workshop in January, I start things off by going through some of the characteristics perfectionists tend to display. These include black-and-white thinking, chronic procrastination, and people-pleasing, all of which create a toxic feedback loop that prevents the perfectionist from ever achieving their goals. In order to combat these toxic tendencies, I suggest a list of five daily ways to overcome perfectionism, including setting reasonable expectations instead of impossible standards, not making assumptions, and learning to handle feedback and criticism. Finally, I recommend online therapy as a great resource to help you deal with some of the issues I talk about today.
You can be part of the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group using code word ‘TALK’, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The Competent Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming up in a few weeks, and there are only a few seats left!
- The first step to handling perfectionism.
- Some characteristics that perfectionists tend to display.
- Chronic procrastination.
- How perfectionism gets in your way and causes you to give up on your dreams.
- Comparing high achievers and perfectionists
- Five daily ways to keep perfectionism at bay:
o #1: Set realistic expectations
o #2: Focus on small accomplishments
o #3: Stop making assumptions
o #4: Learn to handle feedback and criticism (with parameters
o #5: Enjoy the process
- Social media’s impact
- Online therapy
““I’m going to get tough with you. And I’m going to say some hard things. Why? Because I care. Because I love you. Because I care, because I want you to do your best, be your best, but not be perfect because none of us are. We never will be.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“’If I make a mistake in front of others, I will not be able to recover from the humiliation. I can’t handle somebody being upset with me.’ Have you ever thought about those things? Those are real good indicators that you struggle with some perfectionism.”
“Procrastination is a sign of fear. And why are we afraid? We’re afraid of the impossible standards that we set for ourselves.”
“Would you rather quit something big or grand or build small sustainable habits over time?”
“Most perfectionists are fueled by results, and they’re fueled by a successful result. Well, if that is the gas that you put in your tank to keep moving, wouldn’t you want more, more often? Would you like to put gas in your tank every single day to push you a little bit more forward?”
“Find your success in the process. Enjoy as much of the process and the journey as possible.”
“Some of you are probably thinking, ‘Oh, those small steps are just not good enough, I must perform at an XYZ level way up here.’ My question to you is, ‘Or what?’”
“You don’t owe anybody an explanation for your goals. You don’t need anyone’s permission, you don’t need their approval. You could have whatever goals you want, for whatever reasons you want them, and you don’t need anybody’s permission or approval in order to do that.”
“Mistakes make us better. We can’t learn if we’re always putting out perfection.”
“Do not accept or acknowledge feedback or criticism from somebody who’s not in the game. Their opinion does not write you a check, it doesn’t pay your bills, so it’s not relevant.”
“You can accept feedback from a professional who knows exactly what to do and how to change and tweak your ideas, and try again, and get better, and try again after that and get better.”
“Yes, those things hurt. It’s just a bruise. It’s not a tattoo. You don’t have to wear it for the rest of your life. Bruises heal. Criticism kills nothing but our ego and our self-esteem.”
“Excellence is not perfection.”
“I think it’s so necessary every year to look back, to reflect, to see what you want in the future, but also see how far you’ve come. Progress, not perfection.”
“Twenty years ago, that was never a thing. You weren’t striving to impress somebody who lives in Arizona 3,000 miles away from you because they like to comment on all your Facebook stuff.”
“We all have this, like, negative thing, or some people do, around therapy, like, ‘Oh my gosh, she needs therapy,’ right? Heck yes, I do. Thank you very much. I wouldn’t be in the place I am right now without it.”
“Send it, ship it, list it. You’re not going to die.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword [CODEWORD] to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today’s episode is all about the characteristics of successful people—what they are, and how we can adopt them in our own lives. It’s no secret that, if we want to grow and change and be the kind of person we want to be and be successful at what we do, not just in business, but in life and everything else, there are certain characteristics that are instrumental in making that happen. Based on reading, research, and my own experience, today I’ll take you through some of the things successful people do, why they’re so effective, and how they can work for you.
First, I take a moment to talk about the recent school shooting in Oxford, Michigan—a community right next to my own—and to pay testament to how the people of Oxford have come together to support and love each other in the wake of this enormous tragedy. This leads me on to how being part of a community is an important part of success, the first of ten characteristics of successful people I discuss on the show today. Other characteristics I cover include determination, optimism, and patience, and I share some advice on developing these values in your own life, and how they will contribute to your journey to success. Finally, because I know life is pretty overwhelming right now, I encourage you to pick just one of these characteristics and work on implementing it in your life over the next month.
I would also encourage you to become part of the Amazon Files and Mommy Income community by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword AWARE where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, and how communities can come together even in the worst of circumstances
- Characteristic #1: Community—being part of a community is a huge factor in becoming successful, as they offer vital support along your journey to success
- Characteristic #2: Courage—to be successful, you have to face the unknown by putting aside your fear and finding your courage
- Characteristic #3: Determination—successful people have grit and drive and don’t waver in their purpose
- Characteristic #4: Discipline—to be successful, you can’t just do whatever you want; you have to take action and be consistent and self-sacrificing
- Characteristic #5: Commitment to Learning—you can’t improve and change if you aren’t willing to learn and study new things
- Characteristic #6: Optimism—to be successful, you must believe that the work you put in will give the results you want
- Characteristic #7: Good relationships—successful people are aware of the value of their relationships and foster good personal interactions
- Characteristic #8: Patience—worthy and long-lasting success doesn’t come fast; it’s the result of cumulative effort and consistent action
- Characteristic #9: Integrity—do the right things for the right reasons, be trustworthy in business and worthy of success
- Characteristic #10: Servanthood and Generosity—give back to other people, share your success and your joy, and don’t give in to the hoarding mentality
“Be patient, friends, be patient with yourself, be patient with others, be patient with your business. Do the work. The results are going to come, you just have to be consistent at it.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“No one does anything great alone. You need help. You need someone to bounce ideas off of. You need support on good days and bad days. You need a coach, a mentor, a therapist, a community of people to support you. And if you don’t have that, your success is probably going to take a lot longer.”
“You’re doing something new, and because of that, you have to be brave enough to face it.”
“Dedicated, successful people are determined. They will accomplish a goal. They might have some timelines, they might have some things that they do that lack this and that, but they are determined to reach the goal.”
“Even though you’re an entrepreneur, even though you don’t have somebody standing over your shoulder telling you what to do and how to do, you can’t just do whatever you want and expect the results. You must take action, you’re going to have to give something up in order to obtain something better.”
“You can’t improve and change if you aren’t willing to learn and study new things.”
“We have to be constantly learning because the moment that you get to the top of whatever mountain you’re climbing, you know what you’re going to see? The next mountain in the distance.”
“New mountains equal new opportunities to learn.”
“Confidence comes with practice. Confidence comes with doing something over and over and knowing that you’re getting it right. And that does not come right away.”
“Small habits are the sum of our lives, our lives equal the small habits, and the small, consistent actions we have every day is something to pay attention to.”
“To be successful, you need to be honest, you need to have high integrity, you need to make sure that what you say you’re going to do is what you do. You need to be trustworthy.”
“Scarcity is bogus. Abundance is everywhere. Success is unlimited. Your earning potential can be unlimited. But you need to be serving and giving in some form or another.”
“When you learn something, when you discover something for the first time, and it just lights you up, it is not fully complete until you at least get somebody out in the world to understand and enjoy it as much as you do.”
“The rising tide raises all ships, meaning the more that you give, you not only lift others, but you lift yourself as well.”
“It’s an overall development of the person that you are and the person that you want to be.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword AWARE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On this week’s episode, I’m talking about Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) and why everybody’s quitting it. While this might look like bad news on the face of it, another perspective is that your competition’s walking away so it’s actually opening a door to grow your business. Today, I’ll take you through the pros, the cons, and the potential benefits of this trend, so that you can turn it into an opportunity for success.
To start things off, I’ll share with you some data demonstrating that joining Amazon is easy, but developing a long-term, sustainable business takes care and effort, with the majority of new sellers quitting before they ever get that far. To ensure that you don’t become one of those sellers, through the rest of the episode I look at eight reasons why people walk away from Amazon—including not understanding the rules, not allowing yourself time to learn, and not having a solid motivation—so that you know what to avoid when developing your business. Finally, I’ll wrap things up with a reminder that there are still seats available for the workshop in January, and some advice to commit to your business and put in the kind of consistent effort that gets results.
You can always learn more about Amazon FBA by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword BYE, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- People walking away from Amazon can be an opportunity to be capitalized upon
- Some data about Amazon and new sellers
- Reason #1 why people quit Amazon: not understanding the rules
- Reason #2: focussing on the negative
- Reason #3: not finding profitable products to sell
- Reason #4: not knowing their numbers well enough
- Reason #5: giving up too soon instead of giving themselves time to learn and develop
- Reason #6: lacking a driving reason to motivate them
- Reason #7: starting with Merchant Fulfilled and nott making the switch to FBA
- Reason #8: underestimating the workload of an online business
- There are still some spots available for the workshop in January
“Don’t quit because you gave in when it was hard, because the next thing you do is going to be hard too. Choose your hard.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“If your competition gets up and walks away from the game, you can double your business, right?”
“Learn the dang rules, read research, ask questions.”
“Excuses aren’t deposits. Excuses cannot be deposited into your bank account.”
“Don’t focus on what you can’t do. You’re shooting yourself in the foot before you even start if you’re focusing on all the things that you can’t sell.”
“If you can’t find profitable inventory to sell on Amazon, you haven’t put the work in.”
“If this was easy, every single person would sell on Amazon and make millions, and we’d all live happily ever after, the end. But the reality is it takes a little bit of work.”
“Your numbers are the difference between a hobby and a business. A hobby is something that costs you money. A business is something that makes you money.”
“The first place to start is doing some research - calculated, intentional, consistent research. That’s how you bring products to the marketplace.”
“Building a legitimate, sustainable business is going to take time. It’s not a get-rich-quick income thing. If you’re trying to make your rent this month, you don’t need a business, you need a job.”
“It’s not just another job you’re building, you’re building a business and a legacy.”
“The people I see have the most success are the people that take the most consistent action, not big steps.”
“Your reason needs to be so motivating that no one has to tell you to go sit down and do some research.”
“What is your reason? What is your ‘why’? Because that is what’s going to keep you going during hard times.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Marketplace Pulse
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BYE to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Do you ever feel like something’s in your way, blocking you from getting out of debt and generating wealth? From not having clear goals, to lacking connections, to poor time management, there are lots of ways we block our own path to success. Often, we even do it unconsciously, out of habit or an unwillingness to confront harsh truths. In today's episode, I’m talking about these wealth blockers and how to bust through them, breaking down ten forms of behavior that may be keeping you at a plateau.
I’ll kick things off with a quick discussion of Cyber Monday and a reminder that there are still tickets available for the workshop in January. Then I’ll move on to the main discussion, pointing out that everybody, regardless of their financial situation, can benefit from assessing themselves for blockers holding them back. Throughout the show, I’ll go through ten wealth blockers—including skepticism, isolation, and having a short-term mindset—and offer constructive ways to move past them and achieve greater success. I’ll wrap things up by encouraging you to invest in yourself and believe that you’re worth all the work and effort of breaking through these barriers.
More great lessons can be found by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword WEALTH, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Seats are still available for the workshop in January
- Wealth Blocker #1: Not Having Goals
- Wealth Blocker #2: Comparison
- Wealth Blocker #3: Consistent or Constant Skepticism
- Wealth Blocker #4: Isolation
- Wealth Blocker #5: Constant Consumption
- Wealth Blocker #6: Avoiding Failure
- Wealth Blocker #7: Short-term Mindset
- Wealth Blocker #8: Not Being Aware of Your Financials
- Wealth Blocker #9: Relying on One Income Stream
- Wealth Blocker #10: Not Controlling Your Time
“What you want is worth it. You're worth it. You're worth the work.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“3% of people actually have written down goals.”
“Successful people also take full responsibility for their successes and their failures. So don't look outside of yourself. If something isn't working, you need to get super honest with yourself and to be accountable because honestly, no one's going to reach your goals for you.”
“Just be you. Walk your journey. The only comparison you're allowed to make is you v. you. You versus yourself.”
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is unless you validate it.”
“Skepticism always blocks creativity, which then also blocks your wealth. You could be saying ‘no’ to an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Your network is your net worth.”
“The side-lines are not where the magic happens. The magic happens on the court. The magic happens when you're in the game and you're playing. Even if you're falling and you're stumbling and you're hurting yourself and you're looking like the biggest idiot out there, you're in the game.”
“Healthy wealth building is slow and steady.”
“If you have more time than you have money, then use your time to make money. If you have more money than you have time, then let your money work for you by investing in it and getting interest or dividends or capital gains on your money.”
“168 hours a week, that's all you get. That's all any of us get anytime, anywhere, anyplace. 168 hours. What are you doing with yours? Because time is money.”
“We can control what we say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to. ‘No’ is a complete sentence.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword WEALTH to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Do you worry about failure, about the things that get in your way when you’re trying to succeed? Is there a “what if?” monster living under the bed in your head? I know I’ve felt like that at times in my life, when I’ve let my emotions take control, but there are definitely things we can do to overcome our fears. Today we’re going to talk about that monster and how to fight it using the weapons we all have at our disposal.
After a quick reminder that there are still a few tickets available for the workshop in January, I’ll kick things off by talking about the common fear of “what if?” and how it prevents us from making progress in our businesses. I’ll show you how facts—measurable, verifiable facts—are the best weapon in the fight against the What-If Monster. Instead of listening to your emotions, I’ll encourage you to look at your facts and data so that you know you’re making the right decisions to move forward with your business. Then I’ll discuss how to take those decisions and put them into action with confidence so that you can see the other side of the “what if”—what happens when you succeed. Finally, I’ll wrap things up with a look at how to stay motivated to keep going on your path, even when you’re scared, and there are obstacles in the way.
You can keep fighting the What-If Monster by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword WHATIF, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Seats are still available for the workshop in January
- Why using the framework is important
- The What-If Monster and how it magnifies our fears
- How do we define failure?
- Using facts as a weapon against fear
- Facts vs. feelings
- Making decisions and taking action
- What if you succeed?
- What motivates you to keep going?
- You’ll never know if you don’t take the trip
“What do you want your legacy to look like? Because those decisions are made today. Build something of value and longevity, for you, for yourself, for your family, for your children, for generations to come.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“This monster kind of lives within all of us, in our heads one way or another. It’s called the What-If Monster.”
“The What-If Monster can be taken out completely - there are weapons - just like any other enemy that comes against us.”
“We all feel fear, all feel inadequate, we all feel not enough at some point or another. And that’s human, and that’s natural. But there’s stuff that can be done about it because this What-If Monster is standing in the way of what you really want.”
“Facts are extremely powerful against the What-If because they’re what’s true and right and what can be measured.”
“Hug that monster and then stab him in the back with these facts, right?”
“The great news is, you don’t have to trust you. You can trust the facts.”
“We’ve got to learn how to snuggle up to both facts and emotions, and make really good, solid decisions based on those facts and also based on what you really want most.”
“The only way to kill a monster is by telling him that you’re putting your faith in real facts and then take action.”
“If you’re constantly practicing and improving and trying to tweak little things to get better at something, and you refuse to give up, the results that you’re going to get will reflect your efforts.”
“You’re on a journey.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword WHATIF to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today, I am just so excited to bring to you all an incredibly inspiring story of success. Trudy Armand and her mom, Pam, are the founders of Her-Mine, a woman-owned business that is driven by their mission to support women in as many ways as they can. The details regarding the inspiration behind their noble work, and exactly how they maintain such a high level of integrity as they go about it, make for a fascinating and instructive conversation here today, filled with wisdom that we all need to hear.
Starting with information about registering for the upcoming workshop, we then go on to learn about Trudy’s entrepreneurial background, the story behind the creation of Her-Mine, what you can expect from one of their boxes, and some of the challenges that she and her mom have faced throughout their first year of business. Trudy also shares some of the transitions she has made from regular e-commerce and into their growth phase, and discusses moving forward regardless of competition, their product selection process, and finding balance between quality and cost. I’ll finish things off by reviewing how to become a partner with Her-Mine, and an invitation to stay tuned for my live unboxing once my first Her-Mine box arrives. While describing the inspiration and processes that make Her-Mine such a success, Trudy delivers first hand lessons that we all need to learn (or relearn) as we pursue our own roads to success as well.
More great lessons can be found by joining our Facebook group with today’s codeword HerMine, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Registering for the upcoming Workshop
- Trudy’s background as an entrepreneur
- The story behind the creation of Her-Mine
- What to expect from a Her-Mine box
- Some of the challenges Trudy has faced in Her-Mine’s first year
- The transitions she has had to make from regular e-commerce
- Transitioning into a growth phase
- Moving forward regardless of the competition
- Their product selection process
- Finding balance between quality and cost
- Becoming a partner with Her-Mine
- Kristin’s upcoming live unboxing
“You deserve to give yourself a gift every month, that can just be for you, for no other reason than you need to take care of you. “
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“We want to buy inspiration, we want to buy something that we know is supporting something that's important.”
“Her-Mine is actually named after my favorite aunt, my mom's baby sister, Hermine…she was a trailblazer, she was the ultimate feminist.”
“It is our central mission to support women in as many ways as we can. Not only support our subscribers, our sisterhood of subscribers is what we call them, but also the vendor partners that are in the box.”
“That is just such a beautiful thing about you starting something that's got so much passion and love behind it.”
“We curate around the themes to remind women to care for themselves, to love themselves, and to celebrate each other.”
“These things seem small, but they can really boost our spirits and can really boost our mental health.”
“There is an inherent risk sometimes with working with smaller businesses, but we are committed to doing that.”
“I think the biggest thing is to make sure that we have processes in place.”
“We try to create bundles that are evergreen bundles that, once they're successful, we are able to continue to curate.”
“You know who packed your box, whether my mom packed it or I packed it, and we want that to continue.”
“I operate from a space of abundance, not lack.”
“We are unique in what we're doing and how we're doing it, and I'm comfortable in that.”
“There's room for everybody's business because no two people do the same things.”
“The more that we share our ideas with people, the more everybody benefits. The rising tide raises all ships, so why not all of us raise everyone's ship up at the same time.”
“One of the things I think that makes us a little bit different from some of the other subscription boxes is my personal mission is to build relationships.”
“These boxes are so amazing.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Mommy Income Her-Mine Box
- Her-Mine Homepage
- Her-Mine YouTube
- Her-Mine social media: myherminebox
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword HerMine to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Are you feeling stuck these days? At some point in all of our businesses, we all hit a plateau where we just don’t seem to move past a certain level of success. I can tell you it’s definitely happened to me over the course of my career and I’ve picked up some wisdom along the way that I want to share with you all. On today’s episode, let’s take a look at these plateaus that are simply a fact of doing business, and explore the ways we can bust right through them to reach that next level of success.
First things first, though, I want to remind you all of the workshop coming up in January that we’re all so excited about. Then we’ll dive into this common experience of plateauing, and I’ll share some of my valuable tips for busting through them. Along the way, I’ll discuss such aspects as looking for holes in your bucket, establishing processes, my true feelings about wholesale products and retail arbitrage, and the value of using Merchant Words. We’ll also review some of the lessons you can learn through our Hub training, and finish up with a look at both dealing with debt and AccrueMe, an Amazon funding method. Plateaus are a fact of life – we’re all going to experience them – so let’s work together to identify and break right on through the other side of them.
One surefire way to work your way through plateaus is to join our Facebook group with today’s codeword BUSTED, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The upcoming workshop in January
- The common experience of plateauing
- Tips for plateau busting
- Holes in your bucket
- Establishing processes
- My perspective on straight up wholesale products and retail arbitrage
- Merchant Words
- Hub Training
- Dealing with debt
- AccrueMe
“We're all in this together. We're all doing this together. We're all suffering together in some way or another but we're also profiting in some way. So, I want to just have more profit, more money, in your pocket.“
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Everyone who has come to a January workshop really has loved how it's given them the positive momentum to start their business off right in that year, and just hit the ground running.”
“Whatever it is you're trying to manage right now, your persistence and your ability to change is going to get you a desired result.”
“In order to get what we've never had, we've got to do something we've never done.”
“Examine what your sourcing guidelines are.”
“Just try to move your parameters just a little bit and see if that helps you kick start into a little bit more of sales.”
“Pick up your calendar right now and plug in ‘Examine my numbers’ on the calendar somewhere, even if it's like one hour three weeks from now.”
“Many times businesses fail because people only do the stuff that's fun and exciting.”
“Processes simplify things.”
“It's really easy to let some of these things slide and then kind of wonder why your business isn't doing what you want it to do. Chances are, it's our fault, and we just have to own that.”
“If you're doing one method of sourcing right now, maybe pepper in a little bit of other things to see what's really going to work for you.”
“There's still nothing instantaneous about business.”
“You've got to be willing to be patient. You've got to be willing to be persistent. You've got to be consistent and keep going after what you want.”
“I am not against straight up wholesale products, like, at all. I'm not against retail arbitrage, although I think it has many risks in different categories we need to be aware of, but I'm not against these things.”
“I'm pro protection of your account, protection of your hard work, pro working smarter, not harder.”
“Are you utilizing all of the resources that you're already paying for?”
“Use your business to pay off your debt, and then start talking about bootstrapping your business because you'll take it a lot more seriously.”
“Everything that you are working for and deserve is on the other side of your procrastination and your overthinking and maybe just your busyness. So let's get accountable, and let's move the needle.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
-
The Amazon Files Hub
-
mommyincome.com/money?
-
Small Business Administration Homepage
- AccrueMe Homepage
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BUSTED to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Are you prepared for the biggest weekend of the year? Here in America, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday form a huge weekend for us as resellers, and this year, it’s going to be record breaking. Now, this is all great if you’re prepared for it, and, given the supply chain issues we’re experiencing this year, preparation is more important than ever, so listen in today to learn exactly what you need to do to make this crucial weekend a success.
I’ll begin by reviewing just how important it is to be ready for business at all times, and especially for this Q4 holiday season, and how The Reseller's Guide to Black Friday is the perfect resource to show you how to make the most out of this special weekend. I’ll share with you some tips that will guide you to success, especially this year, and we’ll finish by looking at some current trends, and the role that merchant fulfill can play this year. A lot of factors have combined to make this a year like no other, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make it as profitable as ever. Now is the time to buckle down, get scrappy, and make sure you are ready for this biggest weekend of the year, and today I show you how to do just that.
Even more valuable information is available if you choose to join our Facebook group with today’s codeword word BLACKFRIDAY, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Being ready for the Q4 holiday season, especially this year
- The Reseller's Guide to Black Friday
- Black Friday, Cyber Monday, 2021 holiday tips for resellers
- Some current trends in purchasing
- Merchant fulfill
“I want you to go out and take some of these tips and use them because you will be rewarded when you do the work. Because, you know what? You can finish this year with results and good sales and pat yourself on the back for doing the work and working hard and putting in the time.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“You have to stay ready, so you don't have to get ready. That's the whole point.”
“Even though I don't love doing arbitrage, I do it now because it's supplementing the stuff that I have not received from my suppliers that I ordered.”
“The supply chain issues are a real problem.”
“Anything that has a computer chip in it, you're going to struggle to get any quantities of.”
“What we need to look for as resellers is stuff that's already available.”
“Sign up for the email list for your favorite retailers.”
“Another thing that you want to pay attention to is shipping stuff in immediately.”
“Join their rewards programs and get every and all discounts that you can possibly get.”
“If that store doesn't have that anymore, then all of a sudden, your item becomes more valuable, and you can raise the price a little bit because the supply and demand are not meeting up.”
“Outdoor stuff is still extremely popular.”
“The time to get it and list it is right now because the world is kind of in a panic about this whole supply chain issue.”
“I would look at some of the close out companies and see if they have any last year goods that you can buy if they don't have any sitting around.”
“If you're a Hub member, review the q4 class.”
“Just keep your finger on the pulse of the supply chain issues and things like that, because those things are going to come up regularly.”
“I'm going to be doing some merchant fulfill because there are things that just won't get to Amazon on time.”
“Get your stuff in early, ship it out early. The faster you list it, the more it can sell.”
“Everything's kind of wackadoodle right now. So just try all the things.”
“I have listed things on Black Friday standing in line to check out the things that are in my cart, and have sold them on Amazon before I even hit the checkout.”
“You can make a boatload of money between Thanksgiving and Christmas - that's, like probably, the biggest 30 days of the year for a lot of us as far as sales and things like that. But you've got to have the stuff ready to sell.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- The Reseller's Guide to Black Friday - Coupon code: bfsale
- Full-Time FBA Homepage
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword BLACKFRIDAY to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
In my 18 years of experience, I have never seen the kind of disruption and interruption in supply chains and getting products as I have this year, particularly during the current Q4. The bad news is that we are definitely in an emergency situation when it comes to having products available for our customers. The good news, however, is that demand never goes away, and also that I’m here with you today to run through some ways we can work around this situation to still enjoy success in our businesses despite these unprecedented times.
More good news can be found in the fact that workshops are coming back, and I start today’s episode by sharing some details about them with you all. Then we dive right into the current supply chain emergency and what we can do on our end about it. We’ll look at questions for you to ask when looking for products from a variety of sources, I’ll run through a demo of how to find products online, and we’ll review the importance of going wide, not deep, and paying attention to your pricing, especially in these unusual circumstances. No one wants to end up having a slow Q4, and I want to prepare you all so that doesn’t happen to you – this is yet another episode of Amazon Files that you literally cannot afford to miss.
Even more valuable information is available if you choose to join our Facebook group with today’s code word EMERGENCY, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Upcoming workshops
- The current supply chain emergency
- What we can do about this emergency
- Questions to ask when looking for products
- Kristin’s live demo about finding products
- Canva
- Going wide, not deep
- Paying attention to pricing
“Get a little scrappy, put on your big girl pants and get ready to work really hard this Q4. It will be worth it, but you might have to do things a little bit differently.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“People have breakthroughs and their ‘aha moments’, and I just absolutely love workshops.”
“Most companies are experiencing some sort of supply chain issues, and because of that, it's really important to think about how you're going to stock your shelves if your wholesale stuff doesn't come in.”
“We're going to have to get a little scrappy, we're going to have to get a little creative.”
“The major issue is there's no products. The products are out there somewhere, but we're not going to get them in time.”
“If you've got the supply and the demand is still up and no one else has a supply, that means you can control the market with your prices and everything else.”
“I feel like we're in desperate times, especially right now for the holidays when the products seem to be scarce.”
“It's time to do some research, it's time to do some digging.”
“Lower supply and the same demand equals higher prices. This is just the nature of the beast.”
“If you can't get products from your wholesalers, get it from the stores, get it from online websites.”
“If you have a high selling product that you can't get from your vendor anymore, look up where they sell their products in retail and see if you can get a handle on some of them.”
“I still create bundles with my retail arbitrage stuff.”
“We're in kind of the state of emergency and it's time to do a little bit of arbitrage.”
“Don't forget about liquidation and closeout.”
“If you're doing single wholesale items or you're jumping on someone else's listing or bundle at that point I would be paying attention to your pricing.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Canva
- ASD Hompeage
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword EMERGENCY to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today marks a very happy 7th birthday for Mommy Income, and I couldn’t be more excited to have you all join me in celebrating it. Hitting such a momentous milestone has got me thinking about how it all started, how we have progressed to where we are now, and what traits are necessary to achieve such a level of success, and that’s exactly what I want to share with all of you here today.
We’ll begin at the beginning by reviewing my own business journey and especially how Mommy Income got started and has grown over the years. I’ll then run through some of the most important character traits that are necessary to build a successful business, and look at the importance of knowing your ‘why’ and having realistic expectations. The dangers of comparing yourself to others, the concept of pivoting rather than quitting, and the shining example provided by Roger Crawford are also discussed. This is a very special day for Mommy Income, and I want to thank you all for making it possible by sharing not only some information and advice but, as you’ll hear, a very special gift as well.
Even more valuable information is available if you choose to join our Facebook group with today’s code word birthday, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Kristin’s business journey
- Mommy Income got started
- The character traits necessary to create a successful business
- The importance of your ‘why’
- Kristin’s special gift for listeners
- The dangers of comparing yourself with others
- Realistic expectations
- Roger Crawford
- Pivoting vs. quitting
“I see you participating, I see you there, and I want you to know that you are seen and heard and loved. You are the reason that I do what I do every single day.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“It's not some step by step formula that you can follow, that you can just give somebody a blueprint, because everybody's journey is going to be different and everybody's journey into whatever they consider as success is going to be different as well.”
“You always need to take action steps. There's always something practical to do. There's always a solution. There's always something to move towards.”
“You absolutely must know why and be passionate about the ‘why’, in order to start or grow something that big.”
“Is your passion or your purpose strong enough to get up and do it again, even on your worst day?”
“I also feel like it's a huge disservice when you have the keys to unlock someone else's prison, and then you just stand there and hold the keys, but you don't unlock that door for someone.”
“Comparison will kill you every time.”
“What you're going to have to emulate is the journey.”
“If your goal this month, or this year, or in 10 years, is to generate a million dollars in revenue, then you need to be consistently taking steps that lead you in that direction. That also means you're going to have to consistently sacrifice other things that don't align with that, or adjust your timeline.”
“If you cannot handle constant change, if you can't define the purpose and the passion that you have to achieve that purpose, and you are really good at giving up when things get hard, entrepreneurship is not for you.”
“No matter how long it takes. I am going to reach my goal.”
“Be consistent, be persistent, persevere through the hard things...you will see your results.”
“Defeat really only happens when you give up, when you stop trying, when you quit. It's completely up to you.”
“There's strength in numbers, and we can always have something to learn from someone else.”
“All of your efforts have an exponential effect. You just don't always get to see the result right this second.”
“Wherever you are in life, this minute, your goals are possible. Your million dollar business, your ‘how you get there’ is all up to you.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us - Coupon code: birthday
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword H to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Q4, the fourth quarter of the year and the most wonderful time of the year for us as sellers, is upon us once again. Thanks to the many holidays that occur during these months from October to December, Q4 ends up being the biggest selling season of the year, and with the statistics, insights, and tips I share with you here today, it can end up being a huge success for you as well.
Once again this week, I’ll start by sharing some exciting information about the upcoming workshops, and then we’ll dig into the details about Q4, especially some statistics regarding it, which you know I love. Along the way, I’ll review a number of product ideas for the 3 major Q4 holidays as well as my 3 key tips for the season, its top spending categories, and the importance of understanding your customer. We’ll finish off by looking at the top 5 reasons people purchase from Amazon. Whether this is your first Q4 as a seller or you’re a seasoned veteran, today’s episode gives you all you need to know to ensure this one is massively successful for you and your business.
Even more valuable information is available if you choose to join our Facebook group with today’s code word Holiday 2020, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Upcoming Workshops
- Q4 and some statistics about it
- Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas product ideas
- Kristin’s tips for Q4
- Top Q4 spending categories statistics
- Understanding your customer
- The top 5 reasons people purchase from Amazon
“What kind of speed and variety and convenience are you going to bring to the table this holiday? Because you don't want to miss out on all of that holiday shopping, right?”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“What happens in October, November and December? Holidays, holidays, holidays, and lots of online shopping. And it's the biggest selling season of the year for resellers and retailers, especially for e-commerce, Amazon.”
“Things are coming back. People are going to have Halloween this year, they're going to be trick or treating, they're going to be decorating, they're going to be wearing costumes, they're going to be dressing up their pets. What does that mean for you? It means product, product, product, and more product.”
“A lot of people right before Halloween do home improvements because everybody's coming in from out of town and families are coming in and seeing them.”
“There are people that never go to the store, they buy everything online. Either they're busy or they're homebound or they don't feel like it or the store’s too far away or they don't have the selection that they want and they're a little small town or they just don't care to go to the store, period. Those are all your customers.”
“You need to know what people are spending money on on a regular basis.”
“These are the things that they buy for themselves in this order: food, clothes, shoes, books, and health and beauty stuff.”
“Even 18% of households who do not currently have Amazon Prime memberships make purchases on Amazon during holidays.”
“So think about it, $50 bundles gifts for men, women, children, bosses. All kinds of different types of products with bundles are everywhere.”
“You want to go wide and not deep. Buy a vast variety of products but don't go super deep in all of them.”
“Speed is everything in this time of year, speed is everything,”
“It's Q4 - you're going to work a little bit more, but you're also going to earn more. So it really does work out.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Statista
- Digital Commerce 360
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Holiday 2020 to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Back once again for her quarterly update is our good friend, Lesley Hensell, of Riverbend Consulting. As many of you will remember, Lesley joins us here every few months to fill us all in on what we need to know about Amazon policies, plans, and news that can affect us as third party sellers. This time around, her update includes information that can really change everything for Amazon, our role in working with them, and, actually the global economy itself - this is one episode you literally cannot afford to miss.
First, I’ll start by sharing some exciting news about workshops that will be coming your way in 2022, and then we will spend the rest of the time picking Lesley’s brain for everything we need to know. She begins by delving into the newest insurance issues and her compliance recommendations, the current proposed antitrust bill and the impact it can have upon all of us, as well as the importance of contacting your congressperson about it. Lesley also offers her perspective on printed material regarding your company both within and on your bundle brand packaging, the Amazon Vine program, getting responses from Amazon, and the Amazon Captive Team. She brings the episode to a close by describing the services her company provides and how you can get started working with them. It is vitally important to all our businesses that we remain up to date on all things Amazon, especially these days, and Lesley, as always, brings the goods here again, along with a call to action that we all absolutely need to follow. Listen in today and let’s all do our part to protect our livelihoods.
Another valuable action you can take is to join our Facebook group with today’s code word rules, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- 2022 Workshops
- The newest insurance issues and Lesley’s compliance recommendations
- The current proposed antitrust bill and the impact if could have upon Amazon and its sellers
- The importance of contacting your congressperson about this bill
- Including printed material about your business inside of bundle brand packaging
- What is allowed on your custom printed packaging
- The Amazon Vine program
- How to get timely and effective responses from Amazon
- The Amazon Captive Team
- Riverbend Consulting and how to start working with them
“Lesley's always bringing the truth because she doesn't care about if people like her or not. She cares about the truth. She cares about the integrity of business and cares about those types of things. So it's not a popularity contest, it’s a ‘let's get stuff done, and let's get this done in the good and right way so that we all can continue living our best lives.’”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“If we're going to be doing business with Amazon, there's all these changes and updates and policies and compliance and all these sexy words that we have to constantly talk about.”
“Because if someone can eat it, or put it on their body, like topical, I'm away from that, because I don't want anybody getting sick or getting you know, dead, because they put something on their arm that then you know swole up and who knows. So I try to stay away from those things.”
“If you're an authorized reseller, actually on just about anything, try and get that in your contract that they will indemnify you.”
“If you didn't read your Amazon Terms of Service, good luck with that, because there's a lot of things you can't do or won't be able to do.”
“Every business needs to have insurance for one reason or another.”
“Amazon's not a monopoly - grow up - it's not a monopoly.”
“This is really important stuff, and we need to be aware and proactive about what we support and don't support in our Congress because it affects your bottom line.”
“The reason that I find it so frustrating is because there is legislation in place right now that all of the issues that they have with Amazon could be addressed under that legislation.”
“They could literally eradicate us as third party sellers, and just take over the entire online retail world, like you said, creating a bigger monster.”
“If you're doing stupid things like telling third party sellers how to price their products, which is price fixing, which is illegal, then you're asking for regulation.”
“What's really sad is that I know where it leaves the American public - it will stifle innovation in a way that people do not even comprehend.”
“A lot of advocates, a lot of people, need to stand up and talk about it and get their congressmen and women to understand the impact of what could happen if this comes to the table.”
“These are things that greatly impact not just us, but our global economy.”
“It cannot direct them off the platform, you cannot direct them to your Shopify store, to your website to your customer service person. None of that.”
“The best way for you guys to own your own customers in this way is provide a phenomenal product and customer experience and people will look you up and they will find you and they will want to find you in other places.”
“Where there's already three or four competitors that have 1000s of reviews, your two or three Vine reviews aren't really going to get much.”
“A lot of times we have issues that have been resolved by Account Health.”
“We're actually getting some pretty rapid answers right now from the executive seller relations team through the jeff@amazon email.”
“It's super important that you show, according to their escalation protocol, that you've already done all the things.”
“riverbendconsulting.com is the place to go - I fully and highly recommend them and their team.”
Related Content:
- 2022 Workshops - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Amazon Seller Central Sign-In
- Riverbend Consulting Homepage
- Lesley's LinkedIn Page
- Riverbend Consulting's LinkedIn Page
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword rules to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Jordan West is the founder and CEO of Mindful Marketing, and host of The Secrets to Scaling Your E-Commerce Brand Podcast. Today he joins the show to tell the story of buying his first business at age 22, tripling the sales within 5 years, then selling the store and starting a successful clothing line, “Little & Lively” with his wife, Carmen. Jordan talks about persevering through challenges as an entrepreneur, growing his brands, and launching his own digital marketing company, Mindful Marketing.
Jordan breaks down the advantages of digital marketing over retail, and shares how he’s found so much success in e-commerce without using third party platforms. He also talks about coupon code tracking, owning the entire customer experience, and building a community around your brand. Next, Jordan walks us through his brilliant “gated launch” marketing strategy, as well as how to create a VIP customer-base from the ground up, and how to use social media to effectively target and advertise to the right demographic. Finally, you’ll hear Jordan’s best tips for using SMS to connect with your customers, and he explains why exclusive products are so psychologically appealing to shoppers.
Whether you are looking to build your brand on Amazon or otherwise, today’s interview is packed with incredible strategies to help grow your business and take your marketing to the next level.
For more information about Jordan West and Mindful Marketing, visit MindfulMarketing.co or check out @mindfulmarketingco on Instagram for daily tips and stories! You can also find Jordan on LinkedIn, or shop at his clothing line, Little & Lively here.
Join our Facebook group with today’s code word #marketing, where you can learn more about bundling, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Jordan’s story of buying a Taco Del Mar restaurant at age 22, starting a clothing line with his wife, and launching his e-commerce company, Mindful Marketing
- How Jordan discovered his passion for Marketing and Sales
- Digital marketing is much easier than getting people into retail, and you can better track the data of your customers to see what’s working and what’s not
- Owning your traffic and your customers versus renting them - it’s important to think about diversifying to other platforms and building a community around your brands
- The “gated launch” and why it’s such a helpful strategy
- Five traffic levels of customer engagement
- Using social media to advertise and target the right demographics
“Email works really well alongside SMS. So think of SMS as - that's your notification arm that you're going to let people know something is going on. Email is more of a communication tool to communicate more to your customer. I'd say if you could only build one of them, build SMS. All day long, build SMS.”
- Jordan West
Quotes:
“I was always really good at the marketing side. And I'm like, I'm going to just start a marketing company that helps our brands.”
“If you're not that sales person or marketer, don't be depressed. Find that person. If you're an Ops person, find the marketer and salesperson, because you have to do that - sell. You have to sell.”
“The one thing I was good at was getting people in the door right, figuring out...What do people need to get in here and purchase burritos?”
“Digital marketing is way easier than getting people into retail.”
“I learned a lot owning a franchise. And the one thing I learned is that I do not want somebody to control whether somebody is going to buy something from me or not, and control my product, control my supply chain.”
“What I'm obsessed with is building brands and communities. So every brand that we acquire, or build, has community based around it.”
“We really want to own that entire experience with our customers. And that's been our main reason to stay off of the third party plus platforms. That doesn't mean that that's right for everybody. But for us, and the brands that we're building, that's the right move.”
“Putting impediments in people's way, somehow gets them to buy more… We're really trying to create that buzz and that hype, and it works. It works every single time. ”
“In my mind, SMS and the Facebook VIP community- that is the golden ticket in 2021.”
“Building the VIP community is a labor. It takes a long time. So one thing that we did for a long time is, every single new customer who would order, we would send a personalized video to them, inviting them into the VIP community.”
“That's a big red flag - when I look at a brand and people only purchase once, there is a huge problem with that brand. I want people purchasing over and over and over.”
“Facebook, Instagram - always. That is where your customers are… TikTok, awesome. TikTok influencers is incredibly cheap traffic right now.”
“If somebody stays on that list, they are worth a lot of money to you. That is what I would build first is SMS, and then next, email.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Q4 Jumptstart 2021
- BrickSeek
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #marketing to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I don’t think anyone’s going to be surprised to hear that the past couple years have been, let’s say, unusual. The global pandemic and economic crisis have set off a number of unexpected events in our world, and today I want to share with you something you may not have expected from me. For this upcoming Q4, I will be participating in retail arbitrage. There are a number of reasons for this decision, and some valuable strategies to employ in this – not my favorite – mode of selling, and I want to fill you in on all of them here today.
To start off, I’ll go through my reasons for participating in retail arbitrage this year including the supply chain nightmare and the impact it’s had throughout the world, and we’ll look at the typical makeup of Q4 and how it looks a little different this year. Next, I’ll give you some ideas of what you need to do for this year’s Q4, review retail arbitrage, my feelings about it, the risks involved, and my recommended strategies when working it. Yes, the world has changed, and yes, there are some disruptions out there that make things more challenging, but, no, this is not a time to sit back and opt out of Q4. This is a time where we do what we do best, assess, adapt, and put in the work to achieve the success we deserve.
Navigating this unusual Q4 is yet another reason to join our Facebook group. Use the code word #retail to join in and learn more about Q4 2021, getting started with wholesale, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why Kristin will be participating in retail arbitrage this year
- The supply chain nightmare and its impact
- Q4 and how it will be different this year
- What sellers need to do for Q4
- Retail arbitrage and Kristin’s perspective on it
- The risks involved in retail arbitrage
- Kristin’s strategies regarding retail arbitrage
“We make it by living in community. We have a community that you can rely on to talk to each other about these different strategies and you know, contribute, because as part of a good growing community, we need people to ask questions and we need people to answer questions.“
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“This year calls for additional money making strategies to help because of the supply chain issue.”
“Prices are rising, things are not arriving as often and as much as people want them to, there's a shortage of even manufacturing raw material.”
“I love Q4 because I usually triple and quadruple my sales in the last three months of the year, because of all the different holiday based products and just the simple fact that people buy more and spend more during these times.”
“Put your patience on and double and triple check that your vendors are delivering on time, that you're still going to get your goods.”
“Right now, some of the actual brick and mortar stores out there are the only places that actually have inventory.”
“So when it comes to those restricted products, restricted brands, potential issues for bigger brands to do that, again, there's no control that you have over it, you're just going to have to take the risk and hope that that doesn't happen to you.”
“Sometimes people report it as inauthentic. And then you have to go through the proof of authenticity of your items.”
“The good news is there's millions of products to be able to be sold on Amazon via retail arbitrage or any sort of sourcing methods. So fear not, there's plenty of opportunity there, but don't always go after these big expensive brands, because those are the most risky involved.”
“You're a third party reseller, and that's actually perfectly legal as long as your item is, in fact, authentic and not some sort of fake that you created or bought as a fake.”
“Look for items that you're already carrying, are already selling online, at brick and mortar retail stores - they have stock.”
“We're always looking at those items in the food and grocery. That's something that kind of never goes out of style.”
“Take notes on the things that are empty in the shelves around you, and then you go to different areas and see if you can find those products.”
“The reality is there are so many products that are just not available right now, and that's a good sign for you if you can find those.”
“When and how to shop is right here and right now and locally to you.”
“We're talking about toy luxury items or luxury items that, like, we can all live without, what people really want for the holidays. So throw your guilt out the window when it comes to that - people who really want it will pay the going rate.”
“So pay attention to the supply and demand looking around in your area and fill the gaps.”
“Go wide and not deep, and do it more often.”
“And I really wish you nothing but success this q4. Change your strategies and feel free to come to the Facebook group and share your ideas of different things.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Q4 Jumptstart 2021
- BrickSeek
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #retail to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
With all the things going around out there these days about Amazon and saturation and antitrust laws, and whatever else, I want to take today’s episode to clear the air and give you all a clear picture of precisely why Amazon customers aren’t going anywhere any time soon. There is a load of facts and statistics that prove this fact, and I want to share them with you here today so you can understand your customer better, capitalize on this knowledge, and improve the lives of both your customers and yourself in the process.
We’ll begin by examining why people shop on Amazon, the success that Amazon has achieved, the role that third party sellers play in it, and how we can get people the products they want and need. I’ll also delve into the top revenue categories on Amazon, ways we can all profit from this data, and finish up with an in depth look at the remarkable success that bundles bring, and how you can enjoy that success for yourself. Fully supported by current data, today’s insights into understanding your customer and using that information to make their lives easier are key components to finding success for yourself as well, and I walk you through it all here today.
One really important step in this journey to success is to join our Facebook group with the code word #ideas where you can learn more about getting started with wholesale, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why people shop on Amazon
- Speed, variety, and convenience
- Amazon vs. Walmart
- Third party sellers
- How can we get people the products they want and need?
- Joining the Facebook Group
- The top revenue categories on Amazon
- How to profit from this information
- Bundles and why they work so well
- Knowing the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your bundle
- Looking at your own purchases
- Kristin’s 4 mini-courses about bundle ideas
“Amazon provides the speed, and they provide the convenience of purchase and the convenience and the trust of returns and reviews and things like that. So what can you do? You bring the variety, you bring new products to the table, specifically bundles, to Amazon.“
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“When you understand your customer, you can sell better products, more products, and you can meet their needs faster and easier when you understand what they are.”
“What you need to know are the basics about why people buy and shop on Amazon, it makes it so much easier to choose products that they want and to sell to them when you understand their mindset or the reasons why.”
“I buy on Amazon for many reasons. But mostly it's the speed and the variety and the convenience of all of it.”
“They said the number one reason people shop on Amazon is product selection.”
“I don't know about you, but I want to do business with a company that I can trust, that is fast and easy to work with, and has the products that I'm looking for.”
“Amazon captures 41 cents of every dollar spent online in the United States.”
“This is why Amazon has ascended to the top so quickly because it opens the website for people like you and me - third party sellers - to list products alongside Amazon.”
“It means that you're dealing with customers who like speed, variety, and confidence and convenience, they have confidence because of reviews and return policies. So they're not scared to buy from you.”
“This is the proof that you don't have to have the best price in order to have 56% of the sales happening online be in your pocket. It's not about price, friends. It's more about the variety, the product selection, and the convenience of it all.”
“Time is money, and we're willing to pay a little extra for something at Amazon, because of the speed and convenience and variety.”
“So a bundle brings speed and convenience to the customer by basically pre-packaging things they already buy together…to make it easy and convenient - one click purchase.”
“This is why bundles work so well because we understand our customer. We're bringing a combination of products, new variety, to the table for your customers.”
“The most important thing to remember about bundles is solving a problem or meeting a need.”
“If you can't find a specific style or variety on Amazon, it's time for you to bring that to the table because someone else hasn't already.”
“Bring product selection to Amazon and customers will thank you with dollars.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Bundle Ideas Revealed - 4 Course Bundle
- Adlucent's 'Why Consumers Pick Amazon and What You Can Do About It'
- NYT's 'People Are Now Spending More Money at Amazon Than at Walmart'
- Statista's 'Amazon - Statistics & Facts'
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #ideas to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
As exciting as I know the life of an Amazon seller can be, I’m also fully aware that it can, at times, be isolating as well. Family members may not understand the ups and downs involved in the work we do, and their eyes just might begin to glaze over when you try to explain it all. However, there are people out there who will enthusiastically listen, understand, and support you in the work that you’re doing, and that’s what I want to talk to you all about today.
I’ll begin by highlighting the importance of having someone or some group to talk to about your business, the incredible opportunity that the Bundle Workshop provides for this, my absolute favorite part of them, and some major takeaways from our most recent one. We’ll also review our overarching goal as Amazon sellers, the value of an abundance mentality and being a giver as much as a receiver, and I’ll share the stories of some of my new friends from the most recent workshop. Perhaps most importantly, I’ll finish by sharing 3 ways you can really connect with other like minded sellers. No one was meant to have to do this highly rewarding work on their own, so please don’t suffer alone or in silence. Listen in today, and discover the many effective ways that we can all support each other to achieve the success that we all deserve.
Of course, one of those ways is to join our Facebook group with the code word #friends where you can learn more about getting started with wholesale, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Having someone or some group to talk to about your Amazon business
- The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop
- Our overarching common goal
- Kristin’s favorite part of the workshops
- Major takeaways from the recent workshop
- Having an abundance mentality
- Being a giver as much as a receiver
- The stories of some of Kristin’s new friends from the workshop
- Connecting with like minded sellers
- The Mommy Income Facebook Group
- Meetup groups
- The Amazon Files Hub
“I love to meet you in person and learn about your life and your business and your goals, and this is why I do what I do. I love people and I love when they have breakthroughs and see their own vision for themselves.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“People give up because they don't have these - they don't have friends, support systems or real people to turn to so they can be heard and understood and supported.”
“They understand the ups and downs of Amazon and the excitement when you talk about retail arbitrage or when you really nail your first bundle.”
“The show must go on. We must continue to move forward, no matter what's happening, and connecting in person is so much more important now than ever.”
“But when you connect with other people who are doing the same things that you're doing - selling on Amazon, trying to build bundles, trying to build a business, trying to break free from whatever has been holding them back - it's such a refreshing relief to talk to other people who just understand.”
“We have this big overarching goal of increasing our freedom to earn income from any location - from a place where we can serve the globe with our products and services - without having to leave our location for whatever reason.”
“What we have proved in the workshop is that the processes work, the framework and research process works.”
“Remember that it's all a process - your growth, your research, your development of new products and bundles is all a process.”
“We can do anything when we have each other to be supportive and to uplift and to encourage, and to provide good healthy feedback, which doesn't always mean sunshine and rainbows, friends. Sometimes it means the good hard truth and feedback that we give to one another.”
“We all need a support system in our lives.”
“I have seen people form, like, lifelong friendships from going to Meetup groups. I have seen new businesses come to play because of Meetup groups.”
“We were not meant to do any of this alone.”
“It's really a great place to not only get the support you need from community members, but also get the specific training that you need to continue growing.”
“We thrive in an environment where people understand us, where we feel seen, where we feel heard, where we feel understood, and where we feel supported.”
Related Content:
- Trade Show Stocking Video
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Amazon Files Hub
- Meetup
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #friends to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
On today’s episode, I break down the five main excuses people give for not jumping on board with wholesale, beginning with the idea that it’s too expensive. I explain why wholesale is actually extremely affordable, and offer plenty of great strategies to help keep costs down when placing your orders. Next, I bust the myth that people can’t find wholesale vendors, suppliers and distributors by sharing a handy tool that lets you find thousands of legitimate wholesalers within an hour. I also explain why most vendors are highly motivated to sell to Amazon sellers, and how to get around wholesalers who may not deliver to a residence (although most of them will if you ask). Finally, my favorite excuse is that you can’t find profitable products to sell with wholesale suppliers. I go into the many reasons why this isn’t true, and detail how you can take advantage of bundling, niche products, and working with small vendors to maximize your wholesale success.
Remember to join our Facebook group with the code word Yes You Can to learn more about getting started with wholesale, ask questions, and participate in the conversation with other sellers. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Busting myths and excuses that people can’t afford wholesale or find vendors
- Five main excuses why people don’t want to jump on board with wholesale:
-
- It’s too expensive
- Can't find wholesale vendors, suppliers and distributors
- Vendors won't sell to Amazon sellers or third party sellers
- Residential delivery - wholesalers will not deliver to a residential address
- Can't find profitable products to sell with wholesale suppliers
- Wholesale is extremely affordable
- Most wholesalers do not require minimum orders - the only thing they require is that it’s business to business
- Volume discounts can also help keep costs low when ordering wholesale
- Stop assuming and start asking - there are always discounts to be had
- Wholesalers often offer discounts and deals if you sign up for their newsletters
- Trade shows are an excellent way to locate wholesale vendors, suppliers, distributors, dealers
- Visit MommyIncome.com/100 to find a step-by-step guide on how to find legitimate wholesalers
- Local distributors are also faster, easier, and fun to work with
- Industry newsletters can also help you locate wholesalers
- You can also look at the back of the box to find the manufacturer of a product
- The key is doing your research and finding profitable products - from there, selling is easy
- Some vendors may not want to sell to Amazon sellers, but most of them do - they do not want to turn business away and leave money on the table
- Many wholesalers will deliver to a residence, but if they don’t, you can always use prep centers for a fee or get a PO Box or a UPS Store mailbox, then rent a truck to pick up your orders
- Wholesale is less expensive than retail, but it’s a myth that it’s 50% cheaper - it’s usually 40%
- Sometimes you can find products on sale in a store that are less expensive than wholesale - that’s something to keep an eye on
- Wholesale price sheets do not take into account additional Amazon fees that you have to pay
- Big box stores can order huge quantities and receive competitive pricing as a result
- Don’t try to compete with huge retailers and instead focus on selling products that you can’t get at those retailers
- Do research on niche products that no one else is selling
- Don’t sell anything with an end date or anything that’s too trendy
- You can also bundle products to help with thin margins
- Don’t get discouraged that you can’t compete with big retailers - there are millions of Amazon customers and millions of products to sell
- Consider working with smaller vendors because they’re more motivated to make sales
“When you bundle things together, you're creating an opportunity not only for your customer, for speed and time and convenience, but you're also creating bigger margins for yourself because you're paying one Amazon fee, you're using one package to ship - things like that.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Wholesale is the most legitimate thing. Every retailer in the universe does wholesale… We're going to talk about how you can get rid of your fear, have some confidence to be able to move forward and do some wholesale.”
“You have no idea how much I hate the phrase, I can't afford it.”
“If you can't find suppliers, it's because you're not looking or you're not looking in the right places.”
“There's no minimum price order, there's no minimum quantity order. You can come in and buy one thing or 10 things - the only thing that they require is that it's business to business. You're not just a customer off the street wanting to buy one thing.”
“The reality is, stop assuming and start asking.”
“Guess what? Being in business is pretty much all research. After you do all the research, selling stuff is the easy part.”
“Vendors are aware that e-commerce is bigger than ever, and that brick and mortar stores are becoming less and less of their customers.”
“Don't get so worried about people saying no to you. Keep looking, keep going.”
“I've worked with many, many vendors who literally will deliver to my back woods janky driveway.”
“If it's a once-in-a-while kind of thing where you're getting a pallet delivered to your house, then there's ways around it.”
“Sometimes you can get a better discount buying something on sale at a store than you can from wholesale.”
“Don't get your price sheet and expect it to be the best prices that you've ever seen.”
“My advice is to not compete with that, and go look at products that aren't competing directly with these big box retailers.”
“Dig a little bit deeper. Do some research on specific niches that want specific products.”
“You'd be surprised at how little competition there is when you move down the road a little bit from all these big, best-selling, brand new, trendy-type products.”
“What happens is you take Product A, Product B, and Product C that all work well together. Create a bundle pack. And now you've also created a margin for yourself.”
“Watch the trade show video. You will be surprised at how many vendors you have at your fingertips.”
“Don't get discouraged, because you don't have to sell everything to everyone. There are millions of Amazon customers. There are millions and millions of products to sell.”
“You do not have to sell top-selling products on Amazon and the top 10 categories to make a living on Amazon.”
“The truth is that you don't have to sell big branded, name brand items to sell items.”
“You can find profitable products, you should learn to bundle because that is the best way to profit from wholesale in a way that not everyone is doing.”
Related Content:
- Trade Show Stocking Video
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Yes You Can to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I can’t tell you just how excited I am today to check an item off my bucket list as I welcome Trav Bell, The Bucket List Guy himself, to the podcast. As a self-appointed ʻBucket Listologistʼ, Trav has obsessively studied the Bucket List phenomenon and blended the worldʼs best Positive Psychology principles to create his own unique Bucket List Life Philosophy. He has designed his life around his Bucket List and now he helps Bucket Listers all over the globe create and cross off theirs. In today’s episode, he explores bucket listing in general and how it can be applied to your business as well.
Trav begins by sharing how he got started in bucket listing, and then introducing his book and why he wrote it. From there he describes the different categories of items for the list, the need to get a sense of ‘hurry up’, the importance of writing your list down, and how your reticular activating system works. Trav also discusses the benefit of separating your business bucket list from your regular one, putting yourself first, creating multiple bucket lists within your family, and the bucket snowball effect. He finishes up by detailing the 5 items on his own list that he is currently working on, the importance of your ‘why’, and the benefits of practicing self-leadership. As you listen in, you will quickly discover why Trav has become one of the most sought after speakers in the world, and you will undoubtedly be inspired to take action now on your own bucket list items as well.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Trav got started in bucket listing
- Trav’s My BucketList Blueprint and why he wrote it
- The different categories of bucket list items
- Kristen’s Dad
- Getting a sense ‘hurry up’
- Writing your bucket list down
- Your reticular activating system
- Separating your business bucket list from your regular one
- Trav’s thoughts on putting yourself first
- Bronnie Ware’s The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
- Creating individual, couple, and family bucket lists
- The bucket snowball effect
- The 5 things on his bucket list that Trav is doing right now
- The importance of your ‘why’
- Practicing self-leadership
“This is your permission granted. You have permission to do whatever it is that you want to do, but do it with intent, and don't keep putting it off.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“The fact that I get to run around the world, inspire audiences, write books, speak from my heart, and hopefully help people live a regret free life rather than a regretful life is really the holy grail.”
“What it's done for me since I was 18 is, before it was a bucket list, it's always been my compass.”
“I created the My BucketList Blueprint because we live in a world of delayed gratification.”
“It's about helping people experience more meaning, more purpose, and more fulfillment, and more gratitude in their life...the pillars of positive psychology - more happiness.”
“Intention is created by actually writing stuff down.”
“I'm doing my bit to change, hopefully, the narrative and to give people real tools to be able to self-manage out of sad patches, like I was in…to live a life, you know, to wake them up, stop living by default, live by intention and desire.”
“People are dying at 40, and being buried at 80.”
“And I know you love your work and love to help people. But also that's part of being your holistic self, is being able to take care of you and have you be inspired so that you can inspire other people. And that's what I love most about being the best version of me.”
“A bucket list is a tangible life plan.”
“You're not guaranteed retirement, do it now while you're young.”
“I would rather have failure than regret.”
“We need to trust...that the universe will provide.”
“I don't call it work life balance, I call it work life blend.”
“There's a lot of people that sacrifice for other people, only to try and get back that time later on in life.”
“The reason I work is so that I can do the things that I want to do that are the most fulfilling for me, as well helping people, but then also enjoying the fruits of my labor.”
“It's about who you become in the process because you do have to challenge yourself.”
“The cumulative steps over time is how you get where you want to go.”
“So all the moms out there, or dads or parents or people caring for other people, what you're doing is teaching other people how to live your own life and live your legacy and live your dreams. And they will follow suit because they see the results of it from you.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- The Bucket List Guy Homepage
- My BucketList Blueprint
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Bucket List to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
If you have ever wondered what it takes to succeed as an Amazon seller (and, really, who among us hasn’t?), today’s episode has the answer for you: practice. I have found over the years that there is a common thread running through situations where sellers seem to hit roadblocks on their path to success, and that is a lack of thorough, consistent, and intentional practice. So, get ready for a dose of tough love today as I go through the need for, benefits of, and strategies around building practice into your business in order to work toward the success I so very much wish for all of you.
I’ll start off by reminding you of our Facebook group and the many great ideas and tips that are routinely exchanged there, and then it’s all about practice – intentionality, setting realistic goals, learning to do things for yourself, taking assessments, and how the Wholesale Bundle Framework is the perfect vehicle for all of this. We’ll also examine what practice actually looks like, including breaking goals into small steps, getting started, practicing the most important skills first, practicing intentionally, and the role that motivation plays throughout this entire process. Unfortunately, too many people seem unwilling to take the proper action in a consistent way to move forward, and I really don’t want that for you, so I hope you accept today’s tough love in the spirit in which it is offered - tough love gets results, and if you want results, you have to practice.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Joining the Facebook group
- The value of practice
- Practicing intentionally
- The biggest problems people have in achieving success
- Setting realistic goals
- Learning to do things for yourself
- Taking an assessment of where you are at right now
- The Wholesale Bundle Framework
- Breaking down what practice looks like
- The 20 Hour Rule
- Breaking your goal into small steps
- Getting started
- Practicing the most important skills first
- Intentional practice
- Your motivation
- Taking assessments
“I'm just asking you to practice the process thoroughly, and intentionally, and consistently. I know that's a lot to ask, right? But y'all want to know how do you get faster, more efficient, at creating bundles? This is how - it's practice.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“We are all in control of our own actions, our own excuses, our own time, our own efforts.”
“There are solutions to almost all problems. It's just a matter of execution and intentionality.”
“Practice is the only thing that's going to give you tips on how to move forward.”
“The one thing that can kill your goals and your motivation and give you the most fear and anxiety is having such a big goal, and then setting yourself up for failure.”
“You have to start with the basics and the fundamentals of doing anything.”
“I have this whole free video that shows you exactly step by step how to find 1000s of vendors in one day. And yet people still come to me and say I can't find vendors.”
“You won't appreciate the end result as much if you didn't put the work in the middle.”
“Practicing the skill, looking at intentional places to improve is how you get better at something, period.”
“In the beginning, we're talking about committing to 20 hours of practice for just research.”
“The great news about learning how to wholesale bundle is the fact that it's already broken down for you in small steps.”
“At the end of each practice session, you need to adjust things in order to get better. Adjust your execution, adjust your focus, adjust the tabs that you have open up, making notes of what do you need to do the next time to improve this.”
“Knowing where your weaknesses are, that's not a bad thing. That's an excellent thing.”
“What is the way to get better? Learning, practicing, correcting, learning, practicing, correcting. Because in practice, that's the whole point.”
“The single biggest factor to practice and keep practicing, it's your motivation. Without sustained motivation, practice loses focus.”
“Your purpose and your long term value of learning this skill need to coincide with why you want what you want.”
“Let the success be the learning of the skill.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Practice to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Whatever stage your business is at these days, having an exit strategy is always super important, and today we have an expert in the field to not only explain why this is, but also to share his valuable advice on how to go about it successfully. Serial business entrepreneur, Thomas Smale, is the CEO of FE International, an industry-leading firm that offers technical, diligence, and negotiation advice to business owners to help ensure successful exits for them. This is such an important aspect of your business that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but we’re definitely putting it under the spotlight today.
Thomas starts us off by explaining a bit about his company and what they do, and then sharing his background and how he got to where he is today. Together, we then look at the importance of starting with the end in mind, growth rates, how long you should be in business before considering selling it, and the perspective that buyers have regarding a business’ revenue growth vs. their actual profit. We also explore the help that FE International provides business owners in getting the price they want for their business, what buyers are looking for today when acquiring Amazon FBA businesses, and the steps involved in preparing for an exit. I can’t stress enough that you are building a sellable asset as you run your business, and it’s crucial to keep this fact in mind as you progress. It is undeniable that Thomas Smale and his team have a vast amount of expertise and experience to share in this critical area, making this episode, truly, a ‘must listen’ for everyone.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- FE International and the work they do
- Thomas’ background
- The importance of starting with the end in mind
- Key things to do now to ensure a successful exit
- Growth rates
- The length of time in business before considering selling it
- Buyers’ perspective on revenue growth vs. actual profit in the business
- How FE International helps business owners get their desired price for their business
- What buyers looking to acquire Amazon FBA businesses are looking for these days
- Preparing for an exit
“If you are taking care of your business, running it like a business, have some procedures that you can at least pass on to someone else and start documenting that,
you have or are building a sellable asset.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“We primarily work with people who want to sell their business, and we will help them prepare the business for sale, increase the value and then, ultimately, what we get paid for is physically selling the business.”
“I'd be buying a domain for like $50, and then maybe putting a website on it or doing various things, and then maybe at the end of the month, I'd sell it for $200.”
“When you're first starting something, you have no idea what you're doing, and you just keep doing it and keep improving upon it until you can turn it into something,”
“So if you think of it like that you're making 250,000 a year, you also have an asset worth seven figures. If we think about that from the start, then you're always thinking about what you can potentially do with that sort of money.”
“That's definitely the way to go into it looking. It's not just the cash that you’re making, it’s the asset value building as well.”
“What I love about building a business is that at the end, whatever that is...I can sell this business and invest that into my next endeavor, or I could retire or I could pay off my mortgage, or whatever it is.”
“Buyers only want to buy a business that's consistently making money.”
“I would say, rule of thumb, at least for me, businesses should be making about a 20%. net margin or, or better, on average.”
“We'll figure out where you are now and where you need to get to.”
“Almost any business making over a million dollars in sales is probably going to be popular at the moment.”
“There's a huge amount of demand out there at the moment for Amazon FBA businesses. There's never been a better time in history to launch an FBA business. There's so much demand out there.”
“Your business does not have to be making seven figures to sell it. Your Business has to be profitable. It has to have some profit in there and you have to have some pretty plain and simple procedures for someone who is going to take it over for them to follow so that they can keep this same growth that you have.”
“Say you want to exit in six months, now is the time to get your books in order and start writing down the different procedures that you do so that when you present your business for a potential sale...it's very appealing to someone who wants to acquire it, because you have all of your duckies in a row.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- FE International Homepage
- FE International Blog
- FE International Facebook
- FE International Twitter
- FE International LinkedIn
- FE International Instagram
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Exit Plan to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
It’s time to talk all about trademarks and brand registry for your Amazon store again, and not just because we tend to get a lot of questions about this topic in general, but also because Amazon has changed some of the rules recently. As always, we have our resident trademark expert, attorney Ben Becker, on hand to lead us all through the changes and to respond to some of the more frequent questions that come our way.
Once again, I’ll begin by reminding you of our incredible workshop that we have coming up – I just can’t wait to see you all – and then Ben will bring us up to date on some of his own news. From there on, it’s all about the trademarks – their importance, incorporating other brands into your trademarked brand, getting them done yourself or with an attorney, and a comparison of ‘intent to use’ and ‘use in commerce’. We then go on to discuss best specimen submission practices, things to avoid doing when filing, the value to be found in asking questions, and what’s involved in enforcing your trademark. We’ll finish up by looking at what happens in a ‘cease and desist’ situation, and how to make Google Alerts work for you. Trademarks and brand equity are always going concerns among those of us in the bundling industry, especially now with the changes that Amazon is implementing, so you really owe it to yourself and your business to listen in and soak up the valuable information and advice offered here today.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The upcoming workshop
- What’s new for Ben
- The importance of trademarking
- Trademarking a brand that also incorporates other brands
- Trademarking on your own or with an attorney
- Intent to use vs. use in commerce
- Best practices when submitting your specimen
- Things to avoid doing when filing for a trademark
- Asking questions
- Enforcing your trademark
- What happens in a ‘cease and desist’ situation
- Google Alerts
“Having a trademark is that investment that kind of shows your credibility - that you're serious, that you take your brand and your business seriously.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Amazon has now allowed us to, once you register for your trademark - even if it's not approved - they let you use that registration number to file for brand registry.”
“The purpose of a trademark is to protect your brand to help you grow and develop your brand, your goodwill, and allow clients to identify you as a source of a product or a service.”
“I'm constantly preaching the gospel of business assets and how you build your business for long term, you know, sustainability or exit.”
“It's like insurance almost, except...you have it for five years.”
“The people who are creating bundles are creating an entirely new product out of third party products, and then advertising them as they are legally able to do, and accurately describing what's in those packages.”
“My answer to whether or not an attorney should help you is: it depends.”
“So when you're looking at a mark, you want to try to stay away from descriptive terms. Try to stay away from your own last name plus descriptive terms. You also want to avoid being confusingly similar...to any registered mark.”
“The USPTO does not allow your trademark to become registered until you are actually using it to sell your products or services.”
“If you're risk averse, filing an intent to use ensures that you get the trademark before you spend any money and doing branding and marketing and labels and all those types of things.”
“If you're actually doing bundles of your own branded products, your best bet is going to be get your brand name on those actual products.”
“So if you're doing a gift basket, then the packaging would be the branded product, not the things inside.”
“If you are deemed to be infringing upon somebody else's mark, they can take all of your profits.”
“Put on your big girl pants because it's going to be a while.”
“If you get to a point where you're starting to have misgivings, stop and talk to somebody.”
“Once you have a trademark, it is your responsibility to police the trademark. The USPTO will not do that for you.”
“I would be cautious when dealing with the products and services of larger brands because they are more invested and more likely to be aggressive in their measures.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
- Email Ben
- Google Alerts
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword Trademark to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Continuing with our series about the very exciting and fun Q4 holiday season, today I’ll be discussing some of the mistakes I’ve made in Q4 so that you can learn from them and avoid leaving money on the table like I did. I start with not ordering enough inventory, and share the story of my first Christmas tree bundle kit. I ordered conservatively, and of course, they sold out in three days! I lost a ton of profit because it was too late to order more supplies. Other mistakes to avoid are not preparing your seasonal products early enough, shipping late, focusing on toys, not selling on multiple platforms, and lowering your prices in a panic. Join me as I go into each of these blunders in great detail, and offer plenty of tips and tricks for what you can do instead to maximize your sales and profits in Q4, including using Amazon price alerts, paying attention to the numbers, focusing on evergreen items, and so much more.
One of my favorite mantras is that failure is better than regret. Remember that it’s always better to take that leap and see what happens than to sit back and wonder what could have been. But luckily today’s episode gives you all the tools you’ll need to avoid common mistakes your competitors are not even aware of, and get the Jumpstart on your most successful Q4 yet!
If you want to learn more about exactly what to sell in Q4, and gain access to selling strategies, holiday action calendars with important dates and shipping deadlines, and join the Live Q&A session with me, the Bundle Queen, register for our Jumpstart class on July 28 at 8pm at MommyIncome.com/Jumpstart. And if you’re ready to take your business to a whole new level, visit MommyIncome.com/Coach to schedule your one-on-one coaching call today. Finally, don’t forget to join our Facebook group with the code word #JUMPSTART, where you can learn from sellers helping sellers and participate in the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
This week on the Amazon Files:
- We’ve got another Q4 episode for you in this series
- It’s a crazy, busy time, but it can also be very stressful and today I’ll share mistakes I’ve made in the past so that you can learn from them
- Join our Facebook group with the code word #JUMPSTART, where you can learn from sellers helping sellers and participate in the conversation
- You can also register for our live Jumpstart webinar, which takes place July 28, 2021 at 8pm
- One of the first mistakes I’ve made in Q4 is not ordering enough inventory
- Failure is better than regret - I would rather jump in and see what happens than sit back and wonder what could have happened
- My story about a small Christmas tree bundle - no one else was selling these, and we were not sure whether they were going to be successful
- We were scared and only ordered 24
- We sold out in 3 days and couldn’t order more supplies
- Don’t be afraid to order plenty - even if you have inventory left over, you can still sell them next year
- Look at the data and trust the facts
- Tip: Tablecloths and centerpieces sell very well for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- My second mistake was under-ordering inventory for a tablecloth and centerpiece set
- We took a chance on ordering retail arbitrage, and it arrived December 27 - we were stuck with it until the following season
- Ship early and order enough inventory to get you through the season
- Timing of specific inventory is essential
- As things open up after the pandemic, events will start again, which opens up a whole world of products you can sell
- Another mistake to avoid is focusing on toys - we think because it’s the holidays, that the biggest sellers will be toys for kids, but most products people buy in Q4 are not for children
- Tip: Don’t forget about New Year’s Eve as a holiday people will want to shop for as well (new clothes, decorations, party supplies)
- Another mistake is not selling on multiple platforms - open your sales up to Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark
- Sometimes people pay more on eBay than they would on Amazon because they’re not checking other platforms, especially when it comes to “new old stock,” items that have been discontinued that someone has just rediscovered
- Avoid chasing trends and focus on evergreen items
- Pay attention to pricing - if you have the only luxury item left, people will pay whatever you’re asking and it’s okay to mark up your price slightly
- This is not price gouging - it’s business
- Use an automatic repricer, check your prices regularly
- Do not lower your price - many people panic in Q4 if items are not selling and they end up selling them at a loss
- Hold out for the big spenders - there will always be someone out there who is willing to pay what you’re asking if they want that item badly enough
- Raise your price when it comes to supply and demand
- Pay attention to little details that your competitors are not keeping an eye on
- If they run out of supplies, you become the only one with that inventory and you can control the price
“If you have inventory left, you have an asset you can sell, even if it's a breakeven. So a mistake to avoid is to look at the data, do the research on the comparables, trust the facts.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I wanted to share with you some of my mistakes that I've made during Q4 that I don't want you to make because they cost money.”
“I honestly believe that failure is better than regret. That is really just my mantra right now.”
“We're like, Okay, we're not going to spend that much, we're not going to break the bank on these things. It's a new bundle. We sold out in three days. And we couldn't get more.”
“So mistake to avoid - don't be scared to pony up. Because here's the other thing: Not only did we have two full months of Q4 left, but we could have sold them a year afterwards.”
“Sometimes the reward is better than the risk.”
“There's always ways to get rid of inventory, but you can't sell what you didn't buy.”
“Numbers tell the truth. And if there's not a whole lot to compare it to because you're doing a fresh new bundle, then trust all the numbers surrounding it and make a good decision. Never spend more than 20% of your budget on any one thing.”
“The moral of that story is ship stuff early and buy enough inventory to get you through the season. Make an educated guess, based on the data.”
“It's one of those things where you’ve got to get that stuff in early, thinking about when the customer is going to use it and how long do you have to send it in? So timing of specific inventory is essential.”
“Early on in my Amazon selling career, I specialized in toys… I left so much money on the table because I just didn't pay attention to other products. I was just all about the toys, all about the trends, all about the characters, all about those different things. And it took me several years to realize...most of the stuff I personally buy for the holidays are not for children.”
“Don't think for a second that if you don't sell toys, you're somehow missing out on Q4, because there's a boatload more things to sell than that.”
“If you have things to sell that you're trying to get rid of, or just even used items, if you're not cross-listing popular or rare items on multiple platforms, you could be losing a lot of money.”
“Make sure that you're cross-listing, cross-promoting and giving yourself an opportunity to sell wherever you can.”
“You don't price gouge on gasoline, or hand sanitizer during a pandemic, or food or toilet paper, those kinds of necessity type items. But when you're talking about a luxury toy item, there's no such thing as price gouging. It's called Supply and Demand. If you have the only inventory left, it's called Name Your Price.”
“It's Supply and Demand. My price goes up when the demand goes up and supply goes down. So if you have the lion's share of the supply, you get to control the price.”
“Set up pricing alerts and keep up with pricing alerts on Amazon. So something that’s like, Notify me when this goes out of stock.”
“Most people in Q4 panic and they start lowering their prices thinking, Oh my gosh, I have a hundred of these left and I'm not going to sell them, and they start lowering their prices. And all of a sudden, they sell them all at a loss when you don't have to.”
“Hold out for the big spenders.”
“So people will pay. And people pay big money and spend big money during Q4, because sometimes that's the only time a year they really ever give gifts to people, and they want to be high rollers.”
“I raised the price of that item 10 more dollars than what I was selling for before. Why? Because Supply and Demand. My other competitors didn't order enough inventory. They ran out. They didn't anticipate this supply issue. And I got to make 10 more dollars.”
“Y'all, I don't want to make a quick dollar. I want to make a slow million.”
“So again, upping your prices, not panicking and lowering prices, selling on multiple platforms, not focusing all on toys for Q4. You don't even have to sell one toy. Don't get late shipments and don't chance it or risk it when it comes to that.”
Related Content:
- Q4 Jumpstart Class
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- MerchantWords
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #JUMPSTART to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Today I dig into one of my very favorite topics - Q4! This is the biggest selling season of the year for online retailers, and it accounts for at least one-third of our annual sales. Q4 is the holiday season, and it runs from October right through to December. On this episode, I break down how to prepare for Q4 so that you can maximize your profits and have a competitive edge over other retailers, who are busy lounging by the pool right now.
Of course, the first thing you can do to prepare for Q4 is join our Facebook group using the code word #Q4PREP. Next, you’ll want to register for our Q4 Jumpstart class, which I teach every year in July. This is going to help you prepare for your Q4, know what to sell, learn strategies for inventory planning, access a holiday shipping calendar, and plan for important dates and deadlines. You should also make sure to place your supply orders as soon as you can so that you’re ready to ship come October, and make sure you order enough to cover three months’ worth of inventory as these supplies are guaranteed to sell out closer to Christmas. Generally speaking, it’s better to order too much than not enough, because you can still sell the extra next year, liquidate, or bundle it - but you can’t sell what you don’t have. You can also take advantage of dating with wholesalers (no, not the Tinder kind), as well as buyback options.
Today I’ll go through these, and so many other tips to help you prepare for a successful Q4, including not jumping on trends, keeping a schedule, and doing your research on last year’s top sellers. Remember, this is your business and no one else can do this prep work for you. You can’t start Q4 in Q4, and today’s episode will lay out exactly what you need to do now to make sure you have your most lucrative Q4 yet!
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Q4 is one of my favorite topics - it’s the biggest selling season of the year (October, November, and December) and accounts for at least one-third of our yearly income
- Yes, it’s only July, but preparing for the holiday season now will give you an advantage over your competitors as they lounge by the pool
- Today is all about Q4 - how you can maximize your profits, and prepare for the holiday season
- Now is the time to place your supply orders to be ready for Q4
- The first thing you can do to prepare is join our Facebook group using the code word #Q4PREP
- Second, you’ll definitely want to register for our Q4 Jumpstart class, which I teach every year in July
- Inventory management is crucial - you need to prepare your inventory ahead of time because Q4 is very busy
- Order enough supplies to cover three months’ worth as you can’t place another order in the middle of Q4 - everything will be sold out
- 2021 is going to be different as Amazon has implemented storage and quantity limits
- Pay attention to your shipping schedule
- Look at one month’s worth of sales and add about 10-20%
- It’s better to order too much inventory than not enough, because you can save it for next year, liquidate or bundle the extra
- Save enough money for additional inventory
- Take advantage of dating with wholesalers - place your Christmas order now, and make your payment in December
- Many wholesalers also offer a buyback option - if you have not sold out your inventory by a certain point, they will buy it back from you at cost
- Remember that Q4 is in addition to your regular inventory - don’t neglect those evergreen items
- Shipping will be very busy this year, and it may take longer for your orders to arrive - shipping early is important
- Create new bundles and listings early, and give them time to index
- Example of Halloween items selling year round - Businesses like haunted houses need to stock up early, and that’s where you come in
- Ordering early can also offer advantages like an early bird discount
- Retail stores like Costco typically order their seasonal items on a one-and-done basis, so pick up your supplies as soon as they become available as they’ll be sold out later
- Pay attention to which racks are empty, which items are hot sellers during the regular season, as they’ll be even more in demand over the holidays
- Be aware that shipping is going to take longer during the holiday selling season
- Avoid jumping on trends as they come and go quickly, and are unlikely to provide consistent, reliable profit
- Don’t panic and start lowering your prices too soon
- Pay attention to data points, do your research on last year’s top sellers, keep a schedule
- Don’t let fear stop you from ordering a little extra inventory
- If you don’t take a risk, there’s no reward
“If you make homemade anything, I'd be having all that stuff made and ready before October 1. So then all you have to do is ship, ship, ship.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“Q4 is literally the biggest selling season of the entire year. And so it needs much attention. Now I know what you guys are like, It's July. Why are we talking about Christmas? Well, because you're an online retailer. And when you're an online retailer, you order products earlier than even now for Q4!”
“Your competition are at the beach. They're boating. They're hanging out at the campground. They're vacationing. They're not preparing for Q4. And that's what you're doing, right? Because you're here.”
“If this is your first Q4, you can't miss Q4 Jumpstart. It is the class that you want to be able to take in order to kickstart your Q4! And yes, we're talking about it early. Because you can't start Q4 in Q4 - you have to do it now.”
“2021 is different than previous years because Amazon has implemented storage limits and quantity limits. So if you're anticipating selling a couple hundred [units] a day and Amazon's not increasing your limits, you need to manage your inventory properly. That means be ready.”
“Pay attention to your shipping schedule. Because as things start to sell, Amazon's going to lift the limits and let you sell more.”
“You don't have to sell as many units to make a good profit if you're selling based on margin.”
“You can’t sell what you don’t have!”
“It's better to have slightly too much than not enough inventory because not enough means you're losing money.”
“That's a great thing that you want to pay attention to using dating - ask your wholesalers if they offer any sort of dating for Fall and holiday items, and most of them will say yes. Also, don't forget to ask your wholesalers if they have a buyback option.”
“Shipping this year is going to be a hot mess, just going to be honest… Because of the pandemic more and more people who weren't really shopping online, are now shopping online even more. And so that has increased the time it takes for your stuff to arrive. So shipping early is really important.”
“If you have Halloween stuff, send it now. No joke, send it now. Because while everyone else is waiting to the last minute, you're going to get the early sales. Order early.”
“Look at those catalogs, pay attention to the early ordering deadlines because there's advantages to ordering early. It doesn't mean you can't order now. It just means that some things might be sold out. And they usually offer an early bird discount.”
“This is about being prepared. This is your business. No one else is going to do this prep work for you. So you need to get on it and do it soon.”
“Pay attention to where the empty racks are and say, Oh my gosh, if this toy or this product or these things are trending now, they're going to be even bigger for the holiday selling season.”
“Be aware that shipping is just going to take a little bit longer, and it's always longer during the holiday selling season.”
“You don't want to stake all of your claim on a trend.”
“Shiny objects won't pay the bills long-term. So you just have to pay attention - trends are trends, they come and they go as quickly as possible. So look for steady, consistent profits and not necessarily trending.”
“Don't panic and lower your prices. Items sell after holidays. They also sell right up until the holiday. So don't be stuck with that - there's a lot of people that are last-minute, they will actually pay whatever price is available, because that's the item that they need.”
“There's something worse than having extra inventory leftover. It's called selling out and losing money that way.”
“Regardless of how free-spirited you want to be, your business still needs attention. That means schedule a plan. Because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
“Running out of stock is like the worst Q4 problem.”
“And you know what, schedule yourself a little break in January, when all the hoopla has died down and your sales are great. You'll probably have a little bit of extra jingle in your pocket. So maybe January is a time that you can then, I don't know, come visit me at one of my workshops because I usually do several in January.”
Related Content:
- Q4 Jumpstart Class
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- MerchantWords
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Q4PREP to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Last week, I promised that we would have another ‘question and answer’ session, and here it is! So many really excellent questions have come in, and keep coming in, that I just didn’t have enough time to cover them all in one episode, so we’re going to devote another one to it here today. They are, I am sure, questions that so many others would like to have answered, so please keep them coming so we can continue to build our community of success.
I’ll begin by reminding you of the incredible workshop coming up, and how I am just dying to see you all there, and then we’ll get into the meat of the show – your questions. We’ll cover a number of bundle topics such as the pictures to use, jumping on someone else’s bundle, buy box details, using Alibaba, and the growth potential. I’ll also share tips and insights into choosing winning bundles, making them unique, researching products and manufacturers, preparing for seasonal bundles, and how to create higher sales velocity bundles. I am the Bundle Queen, if I do say so myself, so check out today’s episode to learn about the world of bundles, and how you can find success in this highly lucrative world.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The upcoming workshop in Las Vegas
- How do you get pictures made for new bundle listings that you make?
- How do you take pictures for your items when you're sending to a prep center?
- Can you jump on someone else's bundle listing?
- I created a bundle listing and I'm the only seller, so how come I don't have 100% of the buy box?
- What criteria do you use in selecting a manufacturer on Alibaba to do business with? What kind of questions do you have? How do you negotiate with them?
- Is there room to grow with bundling?
- Can you sell from Pakistan or from overseas?
- How do you choose a winning bundle?
- What's your favorite category to bundle in?
- What's your average selling price for bundles?
- I find when I take the time to create a dollar store bundle someone is quick to jump on it and take the price. What can I do to make my bundles unique to avoid this?
- What specific criteria for products do you need to add a product to a bundle?
- How do you research seasonal products for bundles?
- Is Amazon still allowing us to do GTIN exemptions, and do the products have to be only generic or unbranded?
- Which keyword helper do you use for bundles?
- Is the Merchant Fulfilled Prime badge worth it?
- When I started I concentrated on retail arbitrage for Amazon, but with the pandemic I lost the ability to get inventory. What should I do?
- How do I create higher sales velocity bundles?
“I love you, and you're important to me, and I want you to succeed. I want you to reach every dream that you've ever had.
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I've been bundling on Amazon since 2014, 2015, and I love bundling and never want to look back because it sets me apart from my competition.”
“You don't necessarily have to take all of these photos yourself. However, if you do, in the Wholesale Bundle System, there is a whole module about taking your own pictures.”
“If you're going to jump on someone else's bundle listing, the item needs to be identical down to the packaging - identical.”
“We hope that you're going to follow the Wholesale Bundle System, and you're going to create bundles that no one can jump on, and therefore you get the lion's share and you get the buy box.”
“Quality of product is more important than cost.”
“Most of my experience with Alibaba has been very positive.”
“I was building myself a prison and not a business.”
“It's way better to build a sustainable business. And I found that bundling wholesale products is the easiest way to scale the fastest.”
“The more replenishable inventory you have, the more sustainable your business is going to be.”
“Choosing a winning bundle is this: meet a need or solve a problem for a customer, find the holes in the marketplace, and fill them with product.”
“Making kits for home decor is my absolute favorite right now.”
“You've got people that have millions of dollars and people that have a few pennies, but everybody is shopping on Amazon, so there's something for everyone.”
“Make $5 or more at least per bundle, please. Otherwise you're just running yourself into the ground.”
“The first thing you need to do is take the Wholesale Bundle System because it teaches you how to set your bundles apart from other people.”
“If you’re first, you’re best.”
“I use MerchantWords all the time. That's my best, my favorite keyword research tool.”
“We don't sell volume, we sell profit margin. We make our money on margin.”
“Compare your bundle to what other bundles are out there. And if there's none, then there's room for yours.”
“We provide all the training that you need right here at Mommy Income because we want you to succeed really, really bad.”
“I would love to be able to meet you and jumpstart your Q4 - even with starting to bundle.”
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Wholesale Bundle System
- MerchantWords
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
- Coaching
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #PART2 to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
This week, I am so excited to have a chance to answer some of the tons of questions that have been coming my way. Whether through email, our YouTube videos, or our Facebook group, so many of you have reached out to us looking for more information, insights or advice, and, as you know, I am only too happy to share it all with you. I also really love the fact that the questions range all the way from beginner to intermediate to advanced topics, so you can be sure that there will be something for everyone here today.
We’ll begin by looking at the upcoming workshop in Las Vegas, which leads right into a question about figuring out what to sell, followed by whether or not FBA is oversaturated. I’ll also talk about the benefits of Shopify stores, becoming an LLC, recalling individual items to bundle them, and trademarking as well. Vetting possible bundles, the range to look for, dropshipping from Amazon to other platforms, restricted categories, and the biggest reasons for people failing or quitting this business model are also discussed. I can’t thank you enough for these remarkable questions, many of which I’m sure so many others are wondering about as well, so please keep them coming, and we’ll answer even more of them in future episodes.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The upcoming workshop in Las Vegas
- How do you know what to sell?
- Can you get started with FBA in 2020 2021 or is it oversaturated?
- What are the benefits of having your own Shopify store or website?
- If you are a sole proprietor and want to get into wholesale, how important is it to become an LLC?
- If you have individual items at Amazon, and want to recall them and bundle them, what do you do?
- What should you trademark and how does it work?
- When you're vetting a possible bundle, does rank carry a higher priority than number of relevant listings, and what range should you be looking for?
- Can you dropship your bundles from Amazon to eBay, Etsy, etc.?
- What would be good advice for people who are starting out selling in restricted categories?
- What is the biggest reason that people fail or quit at this business model?
“I want your success story to be the next one I tell on this podcast because you're knocking it out of the park.”
- Kristin Ostrander
Quotes:
“I have had bundler after bundler come to a workshop, go to a trade show, and leave with a million bundle ideas. They’ve actually already ordered their bundles, and they're sending them into Amazon within a couple weeks of the workshop because they've learned how to do it properly.”
“I don't do a volume based business, I do a margin based business.”
“There are so many things to sell on Amazon, it can't possibly be saturated.”
“Pick categories that...seem, like, boring and unsexy, yet people buy products every day in these categories.”
“They want to see you have a presence besides Amazon, because Amazon's this big, bad wolf to a lot of vendors.”
“You want to get an LLC eventually, because it protects your personal assets.”
“There's this Amazon category where you can sell anything you want, as long as you're registered with that brand on Amazon. And then there's the government that says, ‘Well, you have to register in all the categories, otherwise you're only protected in the one category.’ ”
“So the range is going to be thinking about supply and demand…what is the actual supply and demand of the bundle that you're going to create?”
“Single unit items and bundles are not the same comparison.”
“People that are doing merchant fulfilled only, they're missing out on all of those Amazon Prime customers, which is like 92% of the population.”
“I'm 100% FBA.”
“Getting ‘ungated’ is as simple as buying a wholesale quantity of something from a legitimate wholesale distributor, and making sure that your credentials match, submitting that to Amazon to get approval to sell in that category.”
“The number one reason people fail is because they're not consistent.”
“It's not a quick fix.”
“People quit or fail because they don't commit and they don't realize that they're building an asset and they need to shape it as such.”
Related Content:
- Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
- Email questions
- Learn With Us
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword ANSWERS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
What is success? What does success mean to you? I know that this is a term that can have different meanings for different people, but I also know that there are some common threads among those elite who have achieved incredible success in their lives. Superstars like Oprah, Beyonce, Patrick Mahomes, and Tom Brady have all enjoyed huge success, and research reveals that there are some common traits that they possess, and which you can possess as well.
So what are these common threads and how can you build them into your own business and personal life?
Today, I’ll begin by sharing with you the findings from my research unearthing these common traits, and challenging you with some thought provoking questions to help you determine what success means to you and what you are currently doing, and are prepared to do, to achieve that success. I’ll discuss the importance of taking small, consistent steps, learning to practice well, giving yourself permission to be a beginner, and conclude by inviting you to undertake the ’15 Minute Hustle Challenge’.
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Common threads among super successful people
- What do you want to be successful with?
- Kristen’s challenges for listeners
- Small, consistent steps
- Learning to practice well
- Kristen’s questions for listeners
- Permission to be a beginner
- Your non-negotiable 15 minutes/day
- The 15 minute Hustle Challenge
“When you know what you want, and you know what you're good at, you consistently seek to improve those skills.” - Kristin Ostrander
Related Content:
- 15 Minute Hustle
- Dream Big, Step Small
- Workshop - Coupon code: workshop50
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon sellers along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword CONSISTENT to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Time is universally limited: we’ve all got 168 hours a week. It’s the same for me, the same for you, the same for every single human being on this planet. It’s even the same for Beyonce. So, with limited time in your hands, how do you run and scale an online business like an Amazon store? Running a business - whether it’s a brick-and-mortar or an Ecommerce store - seems to come with an endless list of tasks and to-dos.
How do you get it all done?
Does anyone ever get it done?
In this episode, I discuss how you can get everything done for your business and scale it through 15 Minute Hustles. I explain what a 15 Minute Hustle is and share an overview of how it works. I share how I came up with the 15 Minute Hustle as I juggled my time between my kids, the household, and my first business. I also highlight why taking small, consistent steps toward your dream business is so impactful and underscore the reason that holding on to your goals and dreams plays an essential role in achieving them.
“To scale your business forward 15 minutes at a time, first you have to know where you want to go. Your goals are important for your stability.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Last-Minute Lucy and the organized chaos
- Getting discouraged by your business’s endless to-do list
- The 15 Minute Hustle and how it can help you move your business forward
- How and why I conceptualized the 15 Minute Hustle
- Getting wired for success and why taking small, consistent steps is so effective to reaching your goals
- Dreaming up your ‘In a Perfect World’ scenario and the importance of setting goals
- What it takes to run your Amazon business successfully
- Executing your 15 Minute Hustle to help you move toward your business goals 15 minutes at a time
- How to prioritize your tasks using the the 15 Minute Hustle Chart
- The importance of getting and making time for self-education
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshops 2021
- 15 Minute Hustle
- The Master Tasklist
- Dream Big, Step Small
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #FOCUS to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
It’s important to be legitimate on Amazon, and to do this, you need the correct codes. You need to understand the difference between GTIN, UPC, and EAN codes and how they affect your Amazon business. To help me explain these codes, I have brought in an expert to share everything you need to know to help you fully understand these codes, how Amazon uses them, and why it’s important that you’re using the correct codes in your Amazon listings. Michelle Covey leads the partnerships team at GS1 US and does a lot of advocacy for the GS1 standards that many Amazon sellers use. She is also responsible for the external partner relationships programs that support accurate GS1 Standards implementation for companies of all sizes.
Today, Michelle reveals the differences between GTIN, UPC, and EAN codes on products and why each product variation needs a unique GTIN. She shares why you can reassign product identifiers and why old GTINs are not reused. We explore the issues you may run into when buying codes from third parties that are not registered to you and why buying GS1-certified codes will ultimately save you money. Michelle explains the pricing structure for GS1 US codes and the information you need to provide when registering your codes on their website. She also shares how Amazon verifies your product identifiers and why it is crucial to get your brand name right when listing on Amazon.
“Your GTINs can be assigned to different brands; they all come into that umbrella of your company.” - Michelle Covey
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The difference between GTIN, UPC, and EAN
- Why product variations need to have their own GTIN
- Why you can’t reassign product identifiers
- Why old GTINs are not recycled or reused
- Why you will run into problems if you buy codes that aren’t registered to you
- How using GS1 for your codes saves you money
- The pricing structure GS1 US offers for GTINs
- Expected new Amazon policies on bundle exemptions
- What you need to consider when choosing which GS1 location to use
- The information you need to be able to register your code on the GS1 US website
- How Amazon verifies your product codes
- Why it’s vital to get your brand name right when listing on Amazon
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop 2021
Connect with Michelle Covey:
- GS1 US
- GS1 US on LinkedIn
- GS1 US on Facebook
- GS1 US on Twitter
- GS1 US on YouTube
- Michelle Covey on LinkedIn
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #GS1 to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Visual representation and professionalism are essential when it comes to listing products on Amazon. Someone that lands on your page is usually already aware of what they want; now, it’s your job to close the deal. Your images and copy are going to do that for you, so listing optimization is vital. Expert help is on hand from Ian Bower and his team at Graphic Rhythm Design. His agency helps Amazon Sellers with their visual identity by producing conversion-optimized images and brand-focused graphics. He and his team help sellers stand out from the competition and successfully launch hundreds of products on Amazon.
Ian joins me today to share how he used his experience as an Amazon seller to launch a graphics design agency to help other sellers optimize their listings. He reveals why the images you use are so important and how you can make sure your listing has the information that the customer needs to make the buying decision. He shares how his team optimizes Amazon images for conversion and the importance of transformational imagery in a product listing. He also shares how videos affect conversion rates and the ROI you can expect when using a graphic design company for an Amazon listing.
“The images are really where conversions happen.” - Ian Bower
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why Ian went from being an Amazon seller to helping other sellers with their branding
- How Ian used his experiences as a seller to create the services of his design agency
- How Ian’s design services are helping sellers move products
- Why the imaging on your listings are so important
- How to make sure you use your listing space for the most critical information
- Why graphics are so crucial in Amazon listings
- How Ian’s team optimizes images for conversion
- The importance of transformational and lifestyle imagery in your listing
- How important A+ content is to the consumer
- How videos affect conversion and tips for your videos for Amazon listings
- What you need to know about your products before approaching a graphic design agency
- The ROI you can expect from using graphic design services for Amazon listings
- Opportunities on Amazon to engage with your customers
Related Content:
- 2021 Confident Wholesale Bundler’s Workshop
- Wholesale Bundle System
- com/graphics
Connect with Ian Bower:
- Graphic Rhythm Designs
- Graphic Rhythm Designs on LinkedIn
- Graphic Rhythm Designs on Instagram
- Graphic Rhythm Designs on Facebook
- Ian Bower on LinkedIn
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media and join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I have been talking about brand registry on Amazon for some time now; OK, it’s been over two years. I am going to say I told you so, but also follow that up with a hug. I have been branded on Amazon since 2015. I genuinely believe it helps protect your account, brand, and everything else as an Amazon seller. I know some of you will be thinking, ‘I don’t want a brand; I don’t want to sign up for that.’ So, let’s talk about what having a brand registry means and why it’s important to you, especially if you use Amazon bundles as part of your business model.
It’s not something you need to be scared of... but it’s something you should be aware of.
Today, I talk about the current issues many of you are having when trying to list bundles with your GTIN exemptions. I explain what is happening regarding the brand registry on Amazon right now and what we can expect to become part of their policy. I explore the differences between brand approval and brand registry and what Amazon is currently accepting for you to be considered brand registered. I share why these brand registry requirements are great for your business and how you can create your brand bundles. I also share some good news coming from GS1 about UPCs as well as some great resources you can use for affordable custom packaging.
“What Amazon wants to verify is that you’re a legitimate brand; and legitimate brands usually have trademarks and custom packaging.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Current issues with listing bundles on Amazon if you have a GTIN exemption
- What is happening right now on Amazon regarding brand registry
- The difference between brand approval and brand registry
- What Amazon is currently accepting for you to become brand registered
- Why Amazon has these brand registry requirements in place, and how that helps you
- What a bundle brand is and how you can create your own
- Good news about UPCs from GS1
- Resources for affordable custom packaging
Related Content:
- Wholesale Bundle System
- Guide to Trademarks with Ben Becker
- 2021 Confident Wholesale Bundler’s Workshop
Resources Mentioned:
- Royal Trademark Law
- Sticker Mule
- Pack Lane
- Packola
- Custom Boxes Now
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Branding to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I know a lot of you are using the retail arbitrage business model to build your Amazon business. I used to do it, too. It was the foundation of my business for many years and there is certainly profit in it. However, when you go to a store, there is no guarantee that you will find products to fill your cart. There are some pitfalls, most notably: time and business limitations. Things have changed for 2021 and some new policies coming from Amazon that you need to know.
So let’s talk about retail arbitrage and how this can, should, or shouldn’t fit into your business model so you can build your business in the best way that suits you.
Today, I share how my journey with Amazon started in retail arbitrage and some of the successes I have had with it. I explore the art of retail arbitrage and some of the challenges I faced when using this business model. I highlight the main limitations of retail arbitrage and why it can take up more of your time as your Amazon business scales. I reveal how you can get yourself out of the retail arbitrage trap and explore some of the new Amazon selling rules on cash register receipts and brand restrictions. I also share why we moved our Amazon business into wholesale bundling and how you can find wholesalers to partner with and build your own Amazon bundles.
“If you are doing all the work and doing all the things all the time, then you’re just building yourself a different job.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How I started with retail arbitrage
- What retail arbitrage is and how you can do it
- The challenges I faced when using the retail arbitrage business model
- How you can get yourself out of the retail arbitrage prison
- Why retail arbitrage eats up more and more of your time as you grow
- The main limitations of retail arbitrage
- New Amazon rules regarding cash register receipts for your products
- Brand restrictions you need to know
- Why we started wholesale bundling in our Amazon business
- How you can find wholesale partners
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop
- 100s of Wholesalers
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Prison to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Around seven years ago, Stephen Somers started his path towards building an amazing Ecommerce business by Googling “how to build an online business.” What he found was an abundance of terrible courses. Real knowledge on expanding an Amazon business later came when he met his mentor and eventual business partner, Robert Rickey, with whom he co-founded Market Superheroes, an online education and services company.Robert and Stephen have sold over $12 million in products and have helped over 8,000 people start, run, and grow their Amazon businesses by selling products worldwide.
Stephen joins me today to explore different private label options with Amazon. He discusses how an Amazon entrepreneur can earn a large income by selling niche, non-brand items on Amazon. He defines the “Amazon iceberg principle,” explains the Rule of Five and how to apply it in an Amazon business, and describes his unique product research process. He also underscores the value of diversifying an Amazon business and highlights the importance of being part of an Amazon community.
“There are many ways to sell on Amazon. But more importantly, whether you’re doing wholesale bundling or private label, look at what you want to get from your business.” - Stephen Somers
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Stephen’s background, from trying to become a rockstar to becoming an Amazon entrepreneur
- The beginnings of Marketplace Superheroes and Superhero Freight
- The role of patience when it comes to building a business and entrepreneurship
- The Amazon iceberg and the Rule of Five
- Where in the Amazon iceberg lies long-term business sustainability
- Stephens’s product research process to figure out the sweet spot between niche and high-demand products
- What “segway searching is” and what it means to emulate the customer
- The roots-scoring system and why selling seed boxes is better than selling bento boxes on Amazon
- The importance of putting customers head-on when conducting product research
- Building a well-rounded Amazon empire and why sellers may want to consider diversifying their business
- Considering long-term sustainability and why I call wholesale bundling the “poor man’s private label”
- Why I started making wholesale bundles instead of creating a Private Label product when I started on Amazon
- The most challenging parts of starting an online business and the importance of being part of a community of Amazon sellers
- How college isn’t the only place to learn and the impact of investing in self-education
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be: The 25 Principles of Success by Jack Canfield
Connect with Stephen Somers:
- Marketplace Superheroes
- Marketplace Superheroes on Facebook
- Stephen Somers on LinkedIn
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Hero to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
We make a lot of excuses just to put off the thing we said we’re going to do to reach our goals. We say things like, “I don’t have the time!” But in reality, what really makes many of us procrastinate from taking the next step to our dreams are fears and assumptions. We fear that, because we failed the last time we took a risk, we’re going to fail again. We assume how our stories are going to go. We keep old labels that hinder us from achieving our success.
It’s time to change the narrative.
In this episode, I discuss the overwhelm that we feel and how we put off our goals and dreams. I share tools to help you overcome fears and assumptions and explain how writing your In a Perfect World scenario can help you move towards your goals. I describe our tendency to take care of everyone and everything else - our families, homes, businesses - but never ourselves. I also underscore the importance of taking care of our physical, mental, and spiritual health and highlight the role of practice in achieving our dreams.
“It’s time to put aside the excuses, put your feet to the fire, and take some action. Your goals are worth it. Your ‘In A Perfect World’ is worth it.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The ups and downs of quarantine and how the pandemic changed our lives
- The importance of being in a community of fellow Amazon sellers
- My favorite part of being an entrepreneur
- Bringing back the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop for 2021
- Facing the “New Normal” and getting used to 2021’s changes
- The “I don’t have the time!” mantra we carry around
- Why things don’t get done and why we feel so overwhelmed
- The importance of taking care of our physical, mental, and spiritual health
- Wasting my precious time with a half-broken printer and my fear and challenges around technology
- How our assumptions prevent us from taking the next important steps towards our goals
- Old labels and the importance of being brave enough to suck
- The value of practice and how better practice creates change in our lives
- How avoiding pain and mistakes makes us miss out on living
- The difference between “accepting” and “acknowledging” fear and mistakes
- The “You vs. You” comparison and how to use it to help you take risks
- Creating your In A Perfect World scenario and crafting the life you want
- My In a Perfect World and a reading from my book, Dream Big, Step Small
- Your next steps towards your dreams and the perfect life you want
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small
- The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop
- The PLAN Blue Print to Your “In a Perfect World”
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #It’sTime to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Throwback to 2010: A week after I had my third child, my husband got injured at work. The only income that we had was my eBay and Amazon online businesses, and they certainly weren’t enough to feed a family of five. Soon enough, we ended up losing our home because of foreclosure. Fast forward to today, I run a seven-figure online Amazon business while working from home.
But how did I get from foreclosure to millions of dollars in Amazon revenue?
What’s the secret sauce?
In today’s episode, I share how I went from losing what I thought was our forever home to earning over $1-million in Amazon revenue. I explain how taking small and consistent steps can yield significant, powerful results, and why not all consistent steps are beneficial. I underscore the importance of planning for your business and describe how change can pave the way for business growth. I also discuss how fear prevents us from growing, both in life and business, and share some questions you can ask yourself to help you overcome these business fears.
“Growth is not possible without change. You have to be willing to pivot and not quit.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- My story: from foreclosure to a seven-figure Amazon online business
- Why change is possible no matter where you currently find yourself
- The impact of taking consistent steps, no matter how big or small they are
- The importance of planning when running a business
- The brick analogy and why not all consistent steps are beneficial
- Why business growth is impossible without change and why you need to be willing to pivot and not quit
- The fundamental changes I made in my life and business that enabled growth
- Why it’s essential to connect with other Amazon sellers, ecommerce business owners, mentors, and coaches
- Why I was fearful of outsourcing tasks and getting a prep center
- Understanding fear and how it stops us from growing our businesses
- How to conquer your fears to make room for business growth
Related Content:
- Ask Me Anything Webinar Registration
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Gratitude to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Let’s be real: Amazon can sometimes be a mean, crazy beast, but it also allows us to create, run, and grow a long-term sustainable online business. And how do we keep our businesses safe from the beast? By knowing its policies and being compliant. Lesley Hensell, co-owner and Partner at Riverbend Consulting, is our favorite go-to person when it comes to dealing with the whims of everyone’s favorite frenemy, Amazon. Lesley and her amazing team of consultants at Riverbend Consulting help Amazon sellers resolve all kinds of problems on the Ecommerce platform, from everyday issues like account suspensions to fighting off Russian hackers on Amazon.
Lesley joins me today to advise us on the newest changes to Amazon’s policies. She discusses restrictive product notifications on Amazon, why many sellers are getting them despite not selling restricted products, and how those notifications can be resolved. She explains some guidelines on selling hazmats and policies on selling cannabis, CBD, marijuana, and other related products. She also underscores the importance of writing product safety disclaimers on your listings and packaging and highlights why it’s worth fighting for reinstating your Amazon account and listings.
“If you have a safety issue, disclaimers help you get the listing back up.” - Lesley Hensell Demond
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Restrictive product notifications on Amazon and why you may be receiving them
- Words that may trigger restrictive product notifications and how to address these flags
- The importance of having clear product disclaimers and instructions on your listings and packaging
- Regulations, rules, and suspensions based on cannabis, CBD, marijuana, and their related products
- Fighting Russian hackers and why Lesley discourages selling supplements
- The hazmat nightmare and why Amazon sometimes holds funds
- The impact of “snowballing” on Amazon’s Seller Central
- How to get noticed in Jeff Bezo’s inbox and the power of making a business case
- Why it’s worth fighting for your products and listings
Related Content:
- Protect Your Amazon Account with Lesley Hensell
- Can You Suspension Proof Your Amazon Business?
- Top Reasons Amazon Accounts are Suspended in 2020 & How to Avoid Them
Connect with Lesley Hensell Demond:
- Riverbend Consulting
- Riverbend Consulting on LinkedIn
- Riverbend Consulting on Instagram
- Riverbend Consulting on Facebook
- Riverbend Consulting on Twitter
- Riverbend Consulting on YouTube
- Lesley Hensell Demond on LinkedIn
- Lesley Hensell Demond on Facebook
- EMAIL: lesley@riverbendconsulting.com
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Riverbend to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Bookkeeping and accounting are the two things that freak people out when it comes to running their Amazon businesses. In fact, they are some of the most frequently asked questions at Mommy Income. Well, who wouldn’t dread the tedious and confusing task of keeping track of numbers? Abominable as the task might be, staying atop our numbers is essential to the growth of our businesses. Thankfully, there are people like Kris Loveless and his partners at LWT Services, a full-service bookkeeping firm. Kris is a successful Amazon bundler and Mommy Income workshop alumnus who’s passionate about supporting Amazon sellers & their businesses by helping them with their bookkeeping needs.
Kris joins me today to discuss the importance of tracking your business’s numbers and having a bookkeeping system. He shares his background, what led him to the wonderful world of Amazon and Ecommerce, and describes his first ventures into wholesale bundling. He shares different stories of Amazon sellers who lost money because they failed to track their numbers and reveals some of the worst-case scenarios in starting a business. He also describes the different indicators you should monitor to avoid losing money in your Amazon business and underscores the power of having a great bookkeeper by your side.
“The role of a good bookkeeper is to take a look at your receipts and classify them in your Quickbooks. It takes time but it’s necessary to catch your errors.” - Kris Loveless
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Kris’s background and what led him to sell wholesale bundles on Amazon
- Kris’s first ventures into doing retail arbitrage for his Amazon store
- Why retail arbitrage is not a sustainable business model
- The first wholesale bundle Kris ever created and how it turned out
- The story of a retiree who was losing money because she hadn’t been tracking her returns from Amazon
- The importance of knowing your numbers and bookkeeping for your Amazon business
- Why Amazon sellers need to hire accountants who have experience in inventory-based, Ecommerce business
- An old bookkeeping client who had overstated income
- The reason there needs to be a human element that handles bookkeeping and accounting for your Amazon business
- Why there are different tax rules for different purchases
- How the LWT Services helps Amazon sellers manage and track their bookkeeping and accounting
- Why you need to open separate business accounts for separate companies
- The reason you need to avoid making personal purchases on a business bank account
- The role of a great bookkeeper and the impact of having an Ecommerce dashboard for your business
- The difference between having inventory apps like InventoryLab and having an Ecommerce dashboard
- What an ‘inventory turn ratio’ is and how to know if your business is losing money
Related Content:
- InventoryLab
Connect with Kris Loveless:
- LWT Services
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Kris to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Getting trademarked and brand-registered for your Amazon business can be a little bit tricky. I hear you: Why should I go through all the trouble? It’s because having your Amazon wholesale bundles trademarked has amazing benefits that could scale your business. If you want to build a long-term sustainable business that can earn money whether you’re hustling or sleeping, you need to put in the work of branding.
And trust me - it’s all worth it.
In this episode, I share a few tips and advice on creating your brand name on Amazon. I share the steps you need to take to get brand-registered and trademark and explain why you need to accomplish them as soon as you can. I discuss the advantages of creating a brand for your wholesale bundles and describe the role of custom packaging in trademarking. I also highlight why you shouldn’t try to circumvent Amazon rules and underscore how trademarking can protect your Amazon account, wholesale bundles, and product listings.
“You don’t have to sell well-known brands to profit on Amazon, but getting brand-registered can set you apart from competitors and protect your product listings.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How to correct Amazon error codes by creating your bundle brand and custom packaging
- Why you need to get your products trademarked and brand registered as soon as you can
- A few reasons brands get rejected
- Steps you need to take to complete brand registry
- How to name your brand and why you may want to create a “generic” brand name for your Amazon products
- The advantages of using an acronym as a brand name
- The role of custom packaging in the trademark and brand registry process
- Why I recommend hiring the services of a lawyer when going for the trademark process
- What makes wholesale bundling unique and what makes it worth it
- Amazon’s definition of a brand
- What “brand registry” means and how it’s different from “brand approval”
- The difference between rebranding and wholesale bundling
- What to do if you’re still getting error codes despite having a brand
- Using the “compatible with” clause on Amazon to use big brand names
Resources Mentioned:
- Royal Trademark Law
Related Content:
- Amazon FBA Selling Strategies
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Brand to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
While getting a college degree is great, it’s not what it takes to be successful. Take Noah Bindschatel. A self-made entrepreneur at 22 years old, Noah is busting through the “traditional” pathway society pressures young people to take: the path that forces the young generation to go to college, incur student loans worth hundreds and thousands of dollars, and get jobs that shackle them from doing what they find meaningful. Today, Noah is the Head Ambassador for Customer Service at MyPrepCenter, an Amazon prep center that he runs with his family. Noah - armed with grit and faith - is proof that you don’t have to have a college degree to be successful in life - or to be successful in running an Amazon business.
Noah joins me today to share how he realized he wanted to pursue entrepreneurship. He discusses his experiences with the pressure to make big purchases and the stigma around entrepreneurship. He reveals one of the most challenging parts about being self-employed at a young age and describes how the idea of freedom motivates him. He also underscores the role of faith in business and entrepreneurship and highlights what it means to become a servant-leader.
“Understand that your role and everything you do is to benefit somebody else, and that having God on your side is like having true north.” - Noah Bindschatel
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Noah’s first job at a pizza shop and what it’s like to grow up in an entrepreneurial family
- The first time he flipped an item and how he realized he wanted to become an entrepreneur
- How the sense of freedom can be the biggest motivation to pursue entrepreneurship
- Lessons from Dave Ramsey on money and freedom
- Withstanding peer pressure and the stigma about entrepreneurship
- The difference between being able to choose to work and the need to go to work
- How Noah’s parents impacted his work ethic and perspective on entrepreneurship
- The role of faith in Noah’s business and entrepreneurship
- The importance of bringing servant-leadership into business
- The first Mommy Income refund I had to do and how to let go of people-pleasing
- Using your gifts and talents in service of others
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small Book Signing
Resources Mentioned:
- Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud
Connect with Noah Bindschatel:
- My Prep Center
- My Prep Center on Facebook
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #NOAH to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Selling on Amazon isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. Every Amazon seller has definitely wanted to pull out their hair at some point. Luckily, there’s one of my favorite tools in the world: InventoryLab. It lifts so much of the stress and helps us focus on growing our Amazon business. And while Amazon’s seller support can be a nightmare, InventoryLab’s customer service is the total opposite. InventoryLab listens to its customers so much that, in fact, most of the software’s updates come from the customers, says Jeff Campbell, who acts as the Customer Engagement Coordinator at Inventory Lab.
And I know that’s true: I’ve made suggestions myself that turned into features in the program.
Jeff joins me today to share the hidden gems that make InventoryLab such a great software and service for Amazon businesses. He discusses how InventoryLab helps Amazon sellers focus on the profit-making tasks of their online businesses. He shares some exciting updates from the InventoryLab team and explains why they try to keep the software at a reasonable price. He also reveals the software’s biggest strength and underscores how the program’s most underused feature can help Amazon sellers grow their business.
“InventoryLab listens to customers and takes user suggestions seriously. We listen to everything customers say and take it to the developers directly.” - Jeff Campbell
This week on the Amazon Files:
- A few of my favorite things about InventoryLab
- Jeff’s background and how he became part of the InventoryLab team
- Why InventoryLab was created
- The biggest strength of InventoryLab
- The most underutilized InventoryLab tool
- Why the prep centers we use require Amazon sellers to have InventoryLab
- The power of InventoryLab’s “Profitability-by-Supplier” report
- Printing headaches and other sticking points people have with InventoryLab
- Jeff’s recommended printers for InventoryLab
- InventoryLab’s “Unlist Inventory” page and how it can help you manage selling on other marketplaces on top of Amazon
- One of the most frustrating things for wholesale bundlers
- Why my accountant approves of me using InventoryLab
Related Content:
- InventoryLab
- Mommy Income Tradeshow Walkthrough
- Amazon Files HUB
Connect with Jeff Campbell:
- Jeff Campbell on LinkedIn
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Inventorylab to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
People have limiting beliefs about money and personal finances all the time, and Amazon business owners are no exception. For instance, if you do retail arbitrage on Amazon and are thinking of pivoting to wholesale for the first time, you might already be thinking the words “I can’t afford that.” Starting wholesale on Amazon can be overwhelming, but stopping yourself from trying because of a limiting belief kills your Amazon business’s potential to succeed even before you try.
It’s time to flip the script on wholesaling and change “I can’t afford that” to a powerful mindset that will take your Amazon business to new heights.
Today, I discuss how limiting beliefs hinder you from growing your Amazon business and how you can change your money mindset. I explain why wholesaling on Amazon is way more affordable than you think and share a few tips to help you make smart business decisions. I reveal why many online businesses fail and the reason people give up their businesses at the first sign of a setback. I also describe how you can deal with different challenges on Amazon, including market competition, and underscore the power of taking small but consistent steps towards your dreams.
“How you think about money is the key to having more or less of it.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Our limiting beliefs about personal finances and common myths about money
- How limiting beliefs sabotage our success
- Deciding to grab the steering wheel and take control of your finances
- How to flip the script and reset your mindset about wholesaling on Amazon
- Why Amazon sellers feel overwhelmed when they come to wholesale for the first time
- The importance of knowing your business’s numbers and how much you’re spending each week on inventory
- The relationship between time and money
- How wholesaling can really impact your business
- Where to find wholesale vendors and how to do business with them
- The reason you shouldn’t bother selling big-brand items
- Dealing with competition and market saturation in Amazon
- Why only one in 10 online businesses succeed
- The power of taking small, consistent steps towards building and growing your business
Related Content:
- Mommy Income Tradeshow Walkthroughs
- Helium10
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #300 to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I receive a lot of emails and private messages from new Amazon sellers about what it really takes to build a successful Amazon business. During the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were laid off from their corporate jobs or had their work hours drastically reduced and were trying to decide what they should do to earn a livable wage, many people turned to starting an Amazon business.
Now, as things begin to open up and more businesses are slowly starting to hire or call their former employees back to work - many of us are faced with the decision: Should I return to my 9-5, or should I turn my side hustle into a full-time career?
In today’s episode, I discuss the nuts and bolts of turning your Amazon side hustle into a successful, 7-figure business. I share my own experience with running an Amazon business and discuss the realistic expectations you should have if you’re thinking about taking your side hustle to the next level. I dig into the real numbers of how much revenue my business earns each year, our average profit margins, and how much I actually pay myself.
I explain how to ‘do the math’ to figure out how much you need to sell to earn enough to quit your 9-5 job and the things you need to consider when crunching the numbers. I highlight other factors - beyond money - that you should consider when deciding to turn your side hustle into your full-time career and how your “In a Perfect World” scenario can help you make this decision. I explain why it’s important to ask yourself what working from home could do for you, the sacrifices you’d need to make to be able to work from home full-time, and identifying your biggest fears about quitting your 9-5 job. I also share a blueprint you can follow to turn your Amazon side hustle into a full-time income.
“Staying stuck is hard, and changing is hard. So choose which ‘hard’ that you want.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Digging into the numbers - how much my Amazon business makes in annual revenue, our profit margin, and my salary
- What it takes to replace a $60,000 job to work full-time on your Amazon business
- Using your In a Perfect World scenario to help you decide if working full-time on your Amazon business is right for you
- Ask yourself: “What will working from home do for me?” and “What would I need to give up to work from home?”
- The importance of managing your time well as an entrepreneur
- Setting realistic goals and expectations
- The value of creating a plan for success
- Budgeting, planning your finances, and creating a master list of your expenses
- Planning for taxes and healthcare costs
- Why it’s critical to be organized and self-regulated
- Getting the support you need to be successful
Related Content:
- AF173 - The P.L.A.N Blue Print to your “In a Perfect World”
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: The 15-minute Hustle: A Simple Way to Get EVERYTHING Done
- The Amazon Files HUB
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2021 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #quitday to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I have proven throughout the years that, through smart listing optimization, you can direct buyer traffic to your products without leveraging Amazon ads. But let’s face it: sometimes, Amazon takes time to pick up on your listings and keywords. So, if you’re someone who wants to kick start your bundles and make things speed up a little, you really need to make use of PPCs and some helpful advice from Amazon advertising & PPC marketing expert, Joe Shelrud. He is the founder and CEO of Ad Advance, an Amazon Advertising Management Agency. Joe shares my passion for helping people. By developing strategies and tools - in addition to creating The Ad Project podcast - Joe guides Amazon business owners through their journey towards success.
Joe joins me today to discuss how he transitioned from his career in project management and engineering to start an Amazon business and, eventually, Ad Advantage. He shares the different kinds of Amazon ads and the various ways to approach them. He highlights simple advertising strategies for new Amazon business owners and reveals the perfect time for sellers to outsource to an advertising agency like Ad Advantage. He also outlines the three stages of building a business and reveals the two crucial elements new Amazon sellers should focus on.
“Amazon is a marathon, not a sprint. With advertising, you’re building that foundation for your listing.” - Joe Shelrud
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Joe pivoted from his chemical engineering background to sell on Amazon
- Joe’s beginnings in retail arbitrage and how he transitioned to private labeling
- Using your expertise to your advantage and turning it into a product to sell on Amazon
- How Joe came up with the idea that soon became Ad Advance
- The vast, confusing world of Amazon PPC and the Ad Advance strategies for Amazon beginners
- What new Amazon sellers should focus on before they start running ads
- The role of listing optimization in an effective Amazon advertising strategy
- Why sponsored Amazon ads get the majority of ad spend
- What makes “sponsored brands” different from sponsored ads and why it’s a great way to build brand loyalty
- The power of customizing your storefront on Amazon
- What dynamic bids are and how to utilize them
- Why suggested bid amounts are a great way to start with Amazon PPC
- The advantages of product reviews over advertising
- An Amazon ACOS strategy for beginners and the key goals for getting Amazon ads
- How often Amazon ads should be tweaked and adjusted
- What attribution windows are and what they mean for sponsored ads
- A basic advertising campaign funnel structure for Amazon sellers
- The three stages of building up a business
Connect with Joe Shelrud:
- Ad Advance
- The Ad Project Podcast
- Ad Advance on LinkedIn
- Ad Advance on Instagram
- Ad Advance on Facebook
- Joe Shelrud on LinkedIn
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2021 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Joe to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
There is a serious issue in the Amazon community that we need to address: fake “gurus” and fraudulent “experts.” You’ve seen their webinars, flashy Ferraris, and lavish lifestyles. You’ve heard of leaving the 9-to-5 life to live in Hawaii and earning $20,000 a month. There’s nothing inherently wrong with all these things. But if you’re someone who’s ready and willing to invest what little you have left in the hopes of getting a better, brighter future, it’s easy to get caught in the illusions of grandeur conjured by dishonest people who’re only after your money.
And what’s the first illusion they’ll try to sell you? It’s that you can set up an Amazon business, forget about it, then earn lumps of money while doing nothing but enjoying a glass of coconut juice on a sunny beach somewhere in the Pacific.
In today’s episode, I discuss how fake Amazon experts lure would-be entrepreneurs into their deception and explain what you can do to avoid them. I share the story of a person whose attempts at private labeling fell flat because of a dishonest Amazon “guru.” I describe my Amazon journey and reveal what it really takes to build a successful online business. I also discuss why you need to think about your “In A Perfect World” scenario before you start your Amazon business and underscore the power of taking small, consistent steps towards your dreams.
“Amazon is not a get rich quick scheme. It takes skills that you’ll have to learn and practice. But if you continue on, it will get easier.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How a new Amazon seller got stuck with $12,000 worth of private label products
- The lies that some Amazon “gurus” spread to hook people
- Bully marketing and how fraudulent gurus force you into purchasing their courses
- Why some Amazon gurus have to lie about their success
- Doing due diligence to avoid the traps of dishonest experts
- How I got turned down for speaking opportunities because of my Amazon business’s income
- The beginnings of my online business journey with Amazon and why it’s not a get rich quick scheme
- The hard work involved in running and growing an Amazon business
- What I realized about success after 17 years of being in business
- The two characteristics of a great entrepreneur
- The reason you need to think about your goals and dreams before starting an Amazon business
- Painting a picture of your In A Perfect World scenario
- The difference between pivoting and quitting
- The power of taking small, consistent steps towards your dreams
- Working more to eventually work less
Related Content:
- The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop
- Wholesale Bundle Success Story
- The P.L.A.N. Blue Print to Your “In A Perfect World”
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #TRUTH to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Being an Amazon business owner can be incredibly isolating. No matter how much we love the people closest to us, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can understand what we’re saying when we talk about wholesale bundling or the latest terrors from Amazon. You might as well be speaking Greek.
Then there’s the pandemic. COVID-19 flipped the world upside-down when it hit a year ago. For some business owners - myself included - the pandemic made being an online entrepreneur even more isolating. But there’s hope: we don’t have to wait for vaccines to roll out to safely and genuinely connect as entrepreneurs.
In this episode, I contemplate the impact of isolation on our lives, businesses, and wellbeing due to the pandemic. I recall how our world looked before COVID-19 struck and how it changed the way we physically interact. I discuss how isolating it may feel when you run your own business and share what I learned from my own experiences with isolation from the past 12 months. I also highlight the power of finding a community of like-minded individuals where you elevate one another and help each other succeed.
“Being an entrepreneur can be extremely lonely, even if you prefer being alone. Everyone needs someone who understands them; to be heard and understood is at the core of our being.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The world before COVID-19 and how the pandemic has changed how we socialize
- Introverts and extroverts in isolation
- The relationship between loneliness and entrepreneurship
- My experiences with isolation and what I learned from them
- The etymology of the word “island” and the importance of communities
- Being a “T1D” and the joys of finding the people who speak your language
- Why I encourage entrepreneurs to find a supportive Amazon business owners community
- The power of intentional connection and supporting others to succeed
Related Content:
- Mommy Income Virtual Workshop
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #ISOLATION to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Writing an Amazon listing can be a real challenge. Even the best Amazon sellers can struggle with coming up with an effective title, interesting bullet points, and compelling product description that not only satisfy Amazon’s search algorithm but also entice customers. Luckily, there are people like Karon Thackston, a copywriting and listing expert. Karon is the founder of Marketing Words, through which she and her team have been training entrepreneurs and Amazon business owners on how to create impactful copy and amazing listings that make customers buy.
Karon joins me today to share her advice on how Amazon business owners can write a proper listing that attracts and sells. She discusses what makes a potent listing title and describes the “element of exact match” in Amazon’s search algorithm. She explains the best way to write the bullet points and reveals the right word count for the description section. Karon also shares tips on testing keyword phrases, reveals how long a seller should wait before they make listing changes, and underscore the value of understanding customers.
“Understanding who your customers are and what they’re going to do with your product helps with copywriting and keyword research.” - Karon Thackston
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The most important thing when it comes to creating an Amazon listing
- Writing effective titles for your Amazon listing
- Understanding your product’s best features and benefits and writing them in the title
- The power of using the thesaurus and finding synonyms
- Choosing highly ranked keyword phrases and finding the perfect balance between relevance and search volume
- Creating product listings for wholesale bundles
- The element of exact match in Amazon’s search algorithm
- The importance of bullet points and how to make them enticing
- The role of research in building product listings
- The right word count for your product’s description
- How to write a powerful description for your product listing
- Writing for products with big brands and retail arbitrage
- Why you shouldn’t bother with selling big brands on Amazon
- Utilizing the subject matter field and other sections in the listing
- The plumb line for testing different keyword phrases
- How long an Amazon seller should wait before making a change on their listings
- What session views are how to find them on your specific listing
Related Content:
- Marketing Words Bootcamp
Resources Mentioned:
- Helium 10
Connect with Karon Thackston:
- Marketing Words
- Marketing Words on Instagram
- Marketing Words on Facebook
- Marketing Words on YouTube
- Karon Thackston on LinkedIn
- Karon Thackston on Twitter
- Karon Thackston on Pinterest
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Bootcamp to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
When some people think about running an Amazon business, they think of sunbathing on a beach in Miami. They think they can just set up a seller account, leave it alone, then reap their reward. Let me get this straight: an Ecommerce business is not all sunshine and rainbows, and it’s definitely not for everybody. It needs time, investment, and dedication if you want to grow a real, sustainable business online. But think about what you can do in your life if you had more time and money - because if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and do the work, your Amazon business will expand and profit.
And yes, that Miami beach dream can come true.
In this episode, I share the real benefits of wholesaling and its different methods, especially wholesale bundling. I describe the various challenges of wholesaling and illustrate how to manage them. I highlight the importance of having conversations with wholesale vendors and explain why it’s okay to admit to them that you’re a beginner. I also explain how wholesale bundling can help you keep competitors away while growing your Amazon business and reveal a question you should ask yourself before starting your Amazon journey.
“If you can send an email, you can run a wholesale business.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How I shifted from eBay to Amazon and from retail arbitrage to wholesale bundling
- My Ecommerce story, from financial ruin and foreclosure to a seven-figure Amazon business
- Why selling on Amazon is not for everyone and how to determine if it’s right for you
- The biggest, most prevalent myths and lies about wholesaling on Amazon
- Familiarizing yourself with wholesale terminology and how to have conversations with wholesale vendors
- Preparing yourself for the usual questions from wholesale vendors
- Why I don’t sell popular brands on Amazon
- Starting wholesaling on Amazon with $300 or less
- Finding profitable products and setting realistic expectations on retail pricing
- The importance of having a research strategy to find profitable products
- Wholesaling with a residential address and no warehouse
- No-touch options for inventory solutions and the benefits of prep centers
- A word of caution on private labeling
- Why I cut out retail arbitrage and thrifting from my Amazon business
- How wholesale bundling supports long-term inventory planning and buying evergreen products
- What ‘dating’ in wholesaling means and why it’s beneficial for wholesale bundlers
- Expecting backorders and planning for lead times
- The pros and cons of wholesale bundling and the many different methods of wholesaling
- How wholesale bundling lets you increase your profit margins and eliminate your competition
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #startwholesale to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Amazon communities all over the interwebs have been abuzz about creating private label products. Private labeling on Amazon can be lucrative, but there’s a reason I created my first full-on, authentic private label product only after ten years of running an Amazon business online. Building private label items is risky and involves large investments of time, energy, and money. While risk, investment, blood, and sweat are indeed part of running an online business, it definitely doesn’t have to cost you your entire life savings and two years of your life to see success in your Amazon journey.
Today, I discuss the ups and downs of private labeling on Amazon. I define what private labeling is, differentiate it from “white” labeling, and explain whether it’s really the Holy Grail of Amazon. I enumerate the average time and cost of investment related to building a private label item as well as describe how long it takes to launch a private label product off the ground. I also illustrate some of the risks involved in private labeling and reveal a strategy I’ve used to implement private labeling in a more profitable and less risky way.
“Amazon is its own beast. You need to understand how it works before you can launch a private label product.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- What private labeling means and how it’s different from white labeling
- The average wait time to get a trademark
- The challenges of developing a brand and making yourself stand out in the market
- Why private labeling is time-consuming and expensive up-front
- My first full-out private label item
- The importance of market research
- How long it may take before you can see the ROIs on your private label item on Amazon
- Different costs and expenses involved in private labeling
- What ‘minimum order quantity’ means and its relationship with creating private label items
- Red tape, customs nightmare, and the risks of developing a private label item
- The “Poor Man’s Private Label” and wholesale bundling
- How wholesale bundling works and why it’s a great alternative to private labeling
- Keeping list hijackers away by creating custom packaging
- Building wholesale bundles from retail arbitrage items
- The power of product research and due diligence
- Creating value-add to your wholesale bundles
- Your next step to the Poor Man’s Private Label
Related Content:
- Wholesale Bundles System 2.0
- Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshops
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Poorman’sPL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Whether you want to be a household name or a small Amazon business, trademarking and brand registration with the US PTO is essential to your business’s success. Benjamin Becker, a trademark attorney and founder of the Royal Trademark Law Services, is passionate about educating business owners from all walks of life on growing their brands and hitting new business milestones. Ben stresses that, like with any other kind of businesses, an essential part of keeping your Amazon business going and growing is through trademark registration and protection.
Ben joins me today to discuss the process of having your brand registered and trademarked. He describes what Amazon business owners need to have their products trademarked and reveals how long the process takes. He explains why it’s better to hire a trademark attorney than to go through the process by yourself. He also shares the many benefits of having your products trademarked and underscores how you can make the brand registration process easier.
“A trademark is a good asset to have. It shows your customers you’re somebody they can trust.” - Ben Becker
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why you need a US trademark and brand registry for your Amazon business
- How registering your brand to Amazon protects you and gives you more privileges
- Ben’s recommendations on do-it-yourself US trademarking
- How long it takes to process trademarks and why it’s better to hire a trademark attorney
- The basic requirements of applying for a wordmark
- Why Ben recommends using standard characters for wordmarking
- The difference between use-in-commerce versus intent-to-use applications
- Increasing your chances of getting approved through conflict research
- How getting trademarked gives you peace of mind
- How getting brand registered made everything easier for my Amazon business
Connect with Ben Becker:
- Royal Trademark Law Website
- Ben Becker on LinkedIn
- EMAIL: bbecker@royaltrademarklaw.com
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #trademark to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Dr. Travis Zigler is an optometrist-turned-ecommerce expert and entrepreneur. Three years into his practice as an optometrist, Travis felt that something was missing in his career. He soon took a course on how to sell on Amazon and began an Ecommerce journey that would later support his mission of healing millions of people who suffer from dry eye syndrome around the world. Travis has grown his Amazon business through leveraging Ecommerce advertising techniques and cultivating a community, and has made it his goal to help others scale and expand their Amazon businesses.
Travis joins me today to share how he began his Ecommerce journey and how he found his Amazon niche. He explains how he transitioned from his optometry practice to running his Amazon business full-time. He discusses his ventures on Amazon’s Pay-Per-Click advertising program and illustrates how Amazon business owners can apply the 80/20 rule. He also underscores the value of cultivating a community and highlights the power of listening to your customers.
“80% of your Amazon advertising sales come from your search terms. If you focus on what works, your profits, revenue, and organic rankings will soar.” - Dr. Travis Zigler
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Travis’ background and how he got started in the Ecommerce world
- The value of using your knowledge bank and how Travis created the Eye Love product line
- How Travis realized that he wanted to cover the dry eye niche as an Amazon business owner
- How to build a connection with your Amazon customers
- Why you need to read Amazon customer reviews on your products
- Playing in Amazon’s playground and how Travis ventured into PPC
- Applying the 80/20 rule to Amazon advertising
- Why you don’t need to advertise all your Amazon products
- Figuring out how to “deluxify” your top-selling product
- Using PPC ads to scale on Amazon
- What “discovery” campaigns are and why you should transform them to “exact match” campaigns
- Why Travis is a huge believer of single keyword ad campaigns
- Integrating automation on your Amazon ad campaigns
- Cutting loose ends and how much you should spend on Amazon PPCs
- What ‘ACoS’ means and why it’s key to organic rankings on Amazon
- The value of word-of-mouth marketing and customer loyalty
- Hitting the perfect balance between organic sales and advertising sales
- Travis’ charity and mission work
Related Content:
- Amazon PPC Masterclass
Connect with Travis Zigler:
- Sales Funnel HQ
- Profitable Pineapple
- Amazon PPC Pros on YouTube
- Amazon PPC Pros on Facebook
- Eye Love Cares
- Travis Zigler on LinkedIn
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #PPCHelp to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Do you want to be better than you were in 2020? If you do, merely reading self-help books will not magically improve your life and business. Putting into practice the knowledge you’ve gathered is critical to personal growth. That is why the next step of the P.L.A.N Blue Print - Apply - follows Learn: because if we don’t do anything with the new information we receive, we’ll forever get stuck in research mode. Not taking action in response to learning is wasted time and energy.
In this episode, I recap the P.L.A.N Blue Print and discuss how we can apply the new knowledge we’ve gathered from our Learn stage. I reveal the common denominator between successful people and underscore the value of practice. I explain the importance of letting yourself be a beginner and how you can avoid the pitfalls of the perfectionism-procrastination cycle. I also highlight how documenting and tracking your progress impacts your improvement and illustrate how you can apply the principles of the P.L.A.N Blue Print to your Amazon business.
“If we don’t apply the insights we learn into our lives, we waste time and effort. Applying newfound knowledge is the way we can improve ourselves.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The learning-but-not-applying pitfall
- The common denominator between successful people
- The importance of ‘Application’ in the P.L.A.N Blue Print
- Avoiding the traps of perfectionism and comfortability
- The vicious cycle of perfectionism, procrastination, and quitting
- How to avoid perfectionism and the power of taking small, consistent steps
- What it means to practice and the importance of tracking your progress
- My next goals for my cornhole game, business, and life
- How documenting small improvements helps us identify when it’s time to move forward
- Taking the next step to expand your Amazon wholesale bundles
- Getting comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and the value of enjoying practice
- Why you should focus on incremental improvement over mastery
Related Content:
- The P.L.A.N Blue Print to Your “In a Perfect World”
- The P.L.A.N Blue Print Part 2 of 4: Prepare
- The P.L.A.N Blue Print Part 3 of 4: Learning
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Resources Mentioned:
- Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Make the Most of your Keyword & Product Research with MerchantWords!
Are you tired of spending hours on keyword and product research and not seeing the results you wanted? Trying to find a unique product in your next Amazon bundle in a sea of products?
Well, relax and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.
MerchantWords is the largest database of Amazon shopper search trends with tools that help you discover the next product niche. Since 2012, MerchantWords has provided sellers with the complete view of the Amazon marketplace. Amazon sellers use MerchantWords tools and services for product research, competition analysis, SEO and PPC.
But wait, there's more.
For new subscribers, save over 50% on your new MerchantWords subscription.
Visit www.merchantwords.com/mommyincome and use the offer code MommyIncome at checkout.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Apply to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Welcome to 2021! If you’re like me, you’ve probably heaved a sigh of relief the moment the calendar hit January 1. As we leave 2020 behind us, it’s important that we take its lessons with us. Learning, after all, is part of growth - and it’s also the second step in the P.L.A.N. Blue Print. After we designed our ‘In a Perfect World’ scenario and planned for the trip towards it, it’s time to equip ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to help us realize our dreams: because when we dream big, it’s our responsibility to arrive prepared.
In this episode, I highlight the role of learning in your journey towards your ‘In a Perfect World’ scenario. I explain why you don’t need to master a skill right away and underscore the importance of letting yourself be a beginner. I share some experiences - and bad memories - with sports and how I strove to be better at cornhole despite some embarrassing moments with it. I also share some tips and platforms to help people with different learning styles and reveal the two defining factors of self-education.
“Each step of your journey toward your goals for your life and business requires you to learn more.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The importance of learning and practice
- The difference between learning and mastering
- Giving yourself the permission to be a beginner
- The impact of consistent practice
- Pressuring ourselves to be our best on our first try
- My first and last team sport and how I received my black belt
- The moment I decided to improve despite moments of embarrassment
- Beating my husband in cornhole and what it takes to learn a new skill
- The two rules of learning and self-education
- The power of 15-Minute Hustles and tracking the progress of your incremental efforts
- Different learning platforms for different learning styles
- How coaches and mentors can help expedite your growth
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
- 15-Minute Hustle
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #IAPW to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
If there’s anything we’ve learned - especially after going through 2020 - it’s that anything unexpected can happen at any given time. Adapting to change is super difficult, especially when it’s forced upon us by something external. The next step of the P.L.A.N. Blue Print after creating an In a Perfect World scenario is preparation, an essential piece of weathering through change and achieving goals. Though not a plan-ahead-of-time person myself, preparing and planning for change has allowed me to transform my life from financial ruin to a flourishing seven-figure business.
In this episode, I discuss how you can take the next step of the P.L.A.N. Blue Print - Prepare - after designing your In a Perfect World scenario. I reveal the mindset shift you need to develop to succeed in your Amazon business and life. I explain why I created the P.L.A.N. Blue Print and illustrate how preparing and making a plan can help you focus and get excited about your major goals. I also underscore the need to expect not only the worst, but also the best that could happen in your life and highlight how you can prepare for positive growth.
“We create our successes through our actions: opportunity favors the prepared.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The fundamental difference between “easy” and “simple”
- What the P.L.A.N. Blue Print is and how it helps me grow my Amazon business
- Adapting to change and laying the foundations of the P.L.A.N. Blue Print
- How handling change is a skill we learn throughout life
- Expecting the best, planning for the worst, and capitalizing on what happens next
- The importance of preparing for the worst and why I hate the word “luck”
- Preparing for opportunities and why I created the P.L.A.N. Blue Print
- How preparation keeps your mind focused on your goals
- Why business owners need to develop the ability to pivot quickly
- The importance of having a plan B
- How being risk-averse can lead to inaction, and how preparation avoids delayed action
- The value of maintaining a list of alternatives to everything in your business
- The master business task list, what it is, and why you need to create one
- Creating an alternative list of companies who carry products you sell
- Anticipating and preparing for positive growth and how creating a list of daily tasks can help you outsource them
- Things to include in your master business task list
Related Content:
- Mommy Income Tradeshow Walkthroughs
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
- Mommy Income HUB
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Prepare to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
2020 has been crazy, to say the least. While some look forward to better days in 2021, the challenges of this year may have dampened the hopes and dreams of many of us. We all need a reset, a refresher - something that could give us a new perspective and enkindle our spirits. And what’s a better way to inspire us for the new year than to design an 'In a Perfect World' scenario? As the year (finally) comes to a close, I invite you all to create a blueprint of your life, for the sky's the limit when you dream big and step small.
In this episode, I discuss the importance of creating an 'In a Perfect World' scenario and how you can design one for your business, finances, and life. I explain what BHAG means and how it’s different from the 'In a Perfect World' concept. I share some 'In a Perfect World' scenarios for my work and life and share some guiding questions to help you design different scenarios for different areas of your life. I also highlight the importance of looking at previous successes and underscore the power of taking small, consistent steps towards your dream life.
“The secret to getting everything you ever wanted is to dream and hope for it, then plan and take the next small step towards it.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The benefits of joining trade shows
- The impact of creating your 'In a Perfect World' scenario
- The hard part about the Big Hairy Audacious Goal concept and why it feels unobtainable
- The difference between the Big Hairy Audacious Goal and the 'In a Perfect World' scenario
- Painting a picture of your perfect day
- My perfect world scenario for a perfect day
- Designing an 'In a Perfect World' scenario for your work and business
- Planning the next steps and closing the gap between today and your 'In a Perfect World' goal
- The beauty of taking small, consistent steps
- Creating an 'In a Perfect World' scenario for your finances and health
- Troubleshooting the things that prevent you from achieving your perfect world
- 'In a Perfect World' scenarios as a lifestyle and mindset shift
Related Content:
- Mommy Income Tradeshow Walkthroughs
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Plan Blueprint to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
As an Amazon business owner, I know that building a legitimate online business doesn’t happen overnight: through sweat and tears, I’ve worked hard over the years to see my business grow. That’s why I want to protect my Amazon business with insurance. But the first time I called an insurance agency, they clearly had no clue about what I do. Luckily, there’s Ashlin Hadden, the founder of Ashlin Hadden Insurance who’s dedicated to educating her clients and guiding them in protecting their most valuable assets. Ashlin and her team specialize in helping Amazon sellers of all experiences, from beginners getting started with wholesale bundling to experienced Amazon sellers looking to expand to offer their own private labels.
Ashlin joins me today to explain why Amazon sellers need insurance providers who specialize in working with Ecommerce businesses. She discusses why Amazon business owners need insurance and describes how “general” liability is different from “product” liability. She reveals the best time to buy an insurance policy and the kind of insurance Amazon sellers need. She also illustrates how easy it is to apply for an insurance policy and highlights how and why insurance companies protect businesses from loss.
“The best time to buy insurance is before you even ship your first item.” - Ashlin Hadden
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Ashlin’s previous life as a banker before starting her Ecommerce insurance business
- Why you and your Amazon business need an insurance policy
- The best time to buy an insurance policy
- The kind of insurance products Ecommerce sellers need
- The difference between general and product liability
- Why Amazon sellers need insurance agents who specialize in Ecommerce
- The importance of getting your business and personal property protected
- Adding transit coverage to your insurance policy
- Why buying insurance means buying peace of mind and how having an insurance policy sets you apart from other Amazon sellers
- Documents to prepare when getting an insurance policy for your Amazon business
- Anticipating sales for your insurance policy
- How long it takes to complete an application with Ashlin Hadden Insurance
- Insurance policies on copyright infringement and Amazon account suspensions
Related Content:
- Tradeshow Walkthrough
Connect with Ashlin Hadden:
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance on Instagram
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance on Facebook
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance on Twitter
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance on YouTube
- Ashlin Hadden Insurance on Pinterest
- Ashlin Hadden on LinkedIn
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Ashlin to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Analysis paralysis is real. It can hinder everyone, from beginners about to take their first step to veterans expanding their Amazon businesses. Even during our first Virtual Wholesale Bundlers Workshop, we noticed a common problem: that we tend to overthink every little thing. And while many of us know that overthinking isn’t quite productive, many of us aren’t even aware of our habit to dwell on what could go wrong. Being aware of our tendency to overthink is one of the most challenging parts about it - and one we must do to break into our success.
In this episode, I reveal the tell-tale signs of overthinking and what you can do to overcome your habit of ruminating on a problem and come up with creative solutions instead. I explain what “ANTs” are and share concrete steps you can take to retrain your brain to move from negative thought patterns to a neutral thinking mode. I highlight the value of seeking help and venting out your problems, not to gripe, but to gain perspective and move past your worries. I also underscore the importance of moving out of your comfort zone and understanding the world for what it truly is.
“The number one antidote to overthinking, worrying, and fear is taking action. No matter how small it is, take action.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The signs of overthinking and how it doesn’t add quality to our lives
- Why it’s easier to overthink difficult decisions
- Overthinking about the “what-ifs” and things you have no control over
- Mental strength exercises to retrain your brain to think more productively
- What Automatic Negative Thoughts are and how to manage them
- Acknowledging previous successes in business and life and the power of handwriting memos to yourself
- The difficulty of owning our strengths and the things we are good at
- The power of staying present in the moment and scheduling your worries
- The importance of trusting facts, not feelings, and evaluating the worst-case scenario
- The value of approaching coaches, mentors, and therapists
- “Punch buggies” versus “slug bugs” and why perspective is king
Related Content:
- Amazon Files HUB
- Tradeshow Walkthrough
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Overthinker to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Lesley Hensell is the co-owner and Partner at Riverbend Consulting, an amazing team of consultants who help Amazon sellers with problems ranging from everyday issues like dealing with account suspensions, to odd and strange things such as Amazon linking your seller account with the account of your fourth cousin thrice removed. Lesley and her team are like Amazon therapists: people who could support you in facing Amazon’s challenges. And honestly, she’s truly a well of insight whom I love talking to about the things we don’t love about Amazon.
Lesley joins me today to share her advice on protecting your account on Amazon. She explains why “linked account” errors occur and how you can manage them. She reveals how you can protect your products to reduce the number of complaints you get and discusses the power of checking your FBA returns report. She describes what the Voice of the Customer is and why you need to monitor it continually. She also highlights the impact of creating an excellent buyer experience in preventing future errors and issues with Amazon.
“Amazon only cares about the customer. If you can provide a great buyer experience, Seller Performance will not come after you.” - Lesley Hensell
This week on the Amazon Files:
- A brief history of “linked accounts” on Amazon, the two kinds of action they’re taking on it, and what to do about them
- What “hydra” accounts are and the nightmare of reinstating linked accounts
- The oldest suspended account Riverbend Consulting got reinstated and why old suspensions are easier to overturn
- Keeping Pandora’s Box tightly closed and the power of keeping your invoices
- The best way to contest an error you did not commit on Amazon
- Getting “Used Sold As New” complaints and how to prevent them
- Packaging your items properly to avoid getting flagged as inauthentic
- Knowing your numbers and how providing a great customer experience can prevent Amazon from killing your profit
- The value of investing in custom packaging and how to deal with fraudulent returns
- Legitimate invoices and proving product authenticity
- The importance of being proactive to protect your account
- The benefits of having virtual assistants and outsourcing work
- The Voice of the Customer section and why you need to monitor it
- The power of pulling up and sorting your FBA returns report and working on your worst ASINs
Related Content:
- Top Reasons Amazon Accounts Are Suspended in 2020 & How to Avoid Them
- Can You Suspension Proof Your Amazon Business?
Connect with Lesley Hensell:
- Riverbend Consulting
- Riverbend Consulting on Facebook
- Lesley Hensell on Facebook
- EMAIL: lesley@riverbendconsulting.com
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Protect to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
What is the number one question every new Amazon seller asks? It’s how they can find the best products to sell online. Isaac Kuhlman has been an Amazon Brand Developer since 2013. He is the co-founder of REAL Coaching who has helped over thousands of Amazon sellers grow their businesses to fuel their lifestyle. Throughout his years of experience with running his own business and coaching others, Isaac has uncovered the relationship between one’s passion for solving problems and the performance of products that Amazon business owners sell.
Isaac joins me today to share different ways Amazon sellers can develop product ideas. He illustrates his background and describes how his experience with working in a go-kart facility led him to start an Amazon business. He discusses how most sellers appeal to Amazon’s algorithms and explains why he uses humor when writing his product listings. He also discusses how you can develop product ideas by looking at your immediate environment and highlights how products, brands, and businesses come from a passion of finding solutions to problems.
“People think that the way to get product ideas is by looking on Amazon. But you get product ideas from everywhere around you. Then, take those ideas and look them up on Amazon.” - Isaac Kuhlman
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The first step of the Wholesale Bundle System
- Isaac’s background, his experience running an indoor go-kart facility, and the key to bundling products
- How we grow as entrepreneurs whenever we experience challenges
- The horrors of starting an Amazon business with private labeling
- How Isaac decided on the first product he wanted to invest in
- Tapping into your knowledge bank to think about what products to sell on Amazon
- The passion for solving problems and why starting a business or brand isn’t for everybody
- The tendency of Amazon sellers to not think of themselves as entrepreneurs
- The importance of thinking about your ideal customer
- Getting away from saturated markets and the power of writing with excitement and humor in product listings
- Why products don’t need to have brands for them to sell on Amazon
- Steering away from trends and the value of selling boring products
- Speaking to ideal clients and using customer reviews on popular product listings as references for product ideas
- Relatability and why it’s essential to start with the things that you know
Resources Mentioned:
- Sprint
Connect with Isaac Kuhlman:
- REAL Coaching
- REAL Coaching on Instagram
- REAL Coaching on Facebook
- REAL Coaching on YouTube
- Isaac Kuhlman on LinkedIn
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Isaac to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Over my almost two decades of experience in Ecommerce, I have always looked forward to the Black Friday weekend. And this year, pandemic notwithstanding, is no exception. It’s a holiday-selling kickoff where people look for deals and start buying gifts for their family (or themselves). And you know what that means for us: big selling opportunities and loads of money to be made. Though 2020 has changed consumer behavior, Amazon business owners can adjust to the evolving market and continue to meet customers’ needs.
In this episode, I share tips and advice on how you can best prepare for the big Black Friday weekend. I discuss why you need to consider arranging your Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant templates and set up expedited shipping for your customers. I reveal a recent poll on consumers’ buying preferences this Q4 and explain why you may want to get in your favorite retailers’ email lists. I also underscore the value of keeping an eye on trends that may go beyond Q4 and highlight the importance of adapting to market changes.
“You want your shelves stocked for Black Friday.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Black Friday and Cyber Week are going to be different in 2020
- Capitalizing on Black Friday weekend and Cyber Week
- Why I do retail arbitrage for the Black Friday weekend
- How shoppers feel about shopping in-person at stores
- Why “Merchant Fulfill” is going to be the Amazon word for the rest of Q4
- The reason you need to send your inventory to Amazon as early as you can
- Adjusting your shipping time, Merchant Fulfill templates, and creating expedited shipping
- The role of your risk tolerance this Black Friday season
- The importance of adapting to market changes and how people are buying bigger, bulkier items from Amazon
- Athleisure wear and other “at-home lifestyle” items gaining popularity
- The advantage of signing up for your favorite retailers’ email list
- Going beyond Q4 and paying attention to January
- Looking at last year’s Black Friday ads and why retailers are encouraging early buying
Related Content:
- 2020 Holiday Prep Guide for Amazon Sellers
- The Reseller’s Guide to Black Friday
Resources Mentioned:
- blackfriday.com
- ARTICLE: Black Friday 2020: Everything We Know About the Best Sales & Deals So Far
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #BlackFriday to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
The holiday season is upon us! 2020 has been quite a year, and many of us wonder if sales will skyrocket as it did this time last year. COVID-19 has impacted how people shop and will certainly influence how they will spend their money on the holidays. Still, Q4 is the biggest shopping season, and adaptation is key to thriving in the ever-changing marketplace that is Ecommerce: people have been buying different things, and as an Amazon business, we’re here to meet customers’ needs. So make a list, check it twice, and be ready for the busiest shopping season of the year.
Today, I share some advice and ideas on how you can prepare for the holiday season this 2020 on Amazon. I illustrate how COVID-19 may change the holiday shopping season and list some products you might want to include in your inventory to adapt to how customers have changed their spending behavior. I explain why you may want to consider doing Merchant Fulfillment instead of Amazon FBA this holiday season. I also discuss how offering expedited and upgraded shipping when doing Merchant Fulfillment can be beneficial and emphasize the importance of business adaptation.
“Learn how to sell different things in categories that may have been previously uncomfortable to you. There’s always something to sell, even in this crazy time.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Getting ready for the biggest shopping season and Black Friday
- How holiday shopping may look different in 2020
- Why you need to ship your holiday inventory to Amazon faster and as early as you can
- Planning to do Merchant Fulfillment and shipping the same day as much as possible
- The importance of stocking up on shipping supplies
- Setting your shipping charges and offering upgraded and expedited shipping
- Having double listings and splitting FBA and Merchant Fulfillment inventory for double the sales
- Adapting what you’re selling to how customers are adapting to COVID-19
- Items that have skyrocketed in sales during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Products impacted by supply chain interruptions
- Exercise equipment and other items you may want to include in your inventory
- The best thing about doing Merchant Fulfillment on Amazon
Related Content:
- The Reseller’s Guide to Black Friday
- Mommy Income Recommended Resources
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #HolidayPrep to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
From researching keywords and sourcing products to bundling and managing your finances, there is a lot to learn when it comes to running an Amazon business. This, in addition to the constant policy changes Amazon makes, can keep beginners in perpetual research mode and away from taking their first step. It’s definitely challenging for everyone to scale their online stores, but once you lock in a process that’s right for you, the sky is the limit for how many successful bundles that you can create.
In this episode, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions about starting an Amazon business. I share some of the best tools for product and keyword researching and discuss some of the steps involved in the keyword research process. I discuss branding matters, explain changes to GTIN exemption, and describe the newest changes on Amazon’s bundling policies. I also discuss how long it takes to get an Amazon bundle idea off the ground, from conceptualization to listing, and reveal what I think the future holds Amazon bundlers.
“The value of bundling is in working upfront and continuing to set yourself apart by creating products that solve problems for your customers.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The value of bundling and how it has enhanced our Amazon business
- How I discovered that I’ve been building a sellable business
- The minimum amount of capital to get started with bundling on Amazon
- Changes to the GTIN process and new requirements to get a GTIN exemption
- Having UPCs on bundle products and some great news on creating pre-packaged kits
- How to prevent other people from jumping on your bundle and how to set yourself apart
- The most important thing to think about when creating a wholesale bundle
- Giving your customers a unique experience by creating custom packaging
- Why you need to rely on keyword researching over PPC campaigns
- The only time I utilize PPC ads
- The average number of items to include and cautionary measures in bundling
- The bundle research process and making your bundle ideas happen
- Whether you should do the wholesale method versus online arbitrage method
- The benefits of picking a niche and focusing on that category
- Product life cycles and how often I create new bundles
- How long it takes to get a bundle off the ground, from conceptualizing to selling
- Why MerchantWords is my favorite tool to use to do keyword research
- Finding wholesale vendors in the COVID era
- Creating your own bundle brand and making bundles that are not brand-centric
- Amazon’s policy on bundling products from different brands
- Why trademarking and brand registry are the way of the future for bundlers
- Amazon’s IP Accelerator program and the investment it takes to get trademarked
- Doing the hard work upfront and why copycats never win the race
Related Content:
- Amazon Friendly Vendor List
- Wholesale Bundles System
- The Amazon Files Hub
- MerchantWords
- Helium10
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. Wholesale Bundle System™ gives you the exact framework & strategy I use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Updates to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Getting error codes on Amazon isn’t something new. Receiving error notifications with listings is a regular occurrence, but with Amazon’s recent changes to their policies, error codes have been surging. While the company is making these changes to protect both their bottomline and Amazon customers, the drastic changes can feel stressful and confusing. But don’t pull your hair out just yet. While the solutions are not as fun and exciting as one might think, there are certainly steps you can take to fix these Amazon error codes and make your business thrive.
Today, I outline both short-term and long-term fixes to those dreaded error codes everyone keeps receiving on Amazon. I explain the Amazon error codes 5661, 5664, and 5665 and describe how they impact the way you list your bundles. I define and differentiate ‘brand registry’ from ‘brand approval’ and emphasize why you need to start pursuing brand registry for your Amazon business. I also discuss Amazon’s bundling policy and underscore the importance of having the willingness to do the hard work and creating a long-term sustainable Amazon business.
“Amazon has officially changed the rules, and the best way to fix these errors is to create your own bundle brand and custom packaging.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Changes in Amazon’s listing policies and how they increased the instances of error notifications recently
- Why you should take steps towards getting brand registry
- The reason you need to decide what you want out of selling on Amazon
- Other eCommerce platforms you can sell on if you want to make quick cash
- The importance of having the willingness to do more challenging things
- How I transitioned from doing online business for quick cash to running a long-term, sustainable Amazon business
- Realizing that retail arbitrage isn’t sustainable and why wholesaling didn’t work for me
- Appraising the value of my Amazon business and the power of having a sustainable business model
- Why you’re getting error code 5665 when listing and how to fix it
- The difference between brand registry and brand approval
- The costs of getting a US Trademark for your brand registry
- Fixing 5661 errors by listing items as ‘compatible with…’
- Listing generic items and encountering error 5664
- Amazon’s bundling policy and the fastest way to get suspended on Amazon
Related Content:
- Mommy Income Workshop Success
- Wholesale Bundle System
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2020 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Error to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
If you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while, it can feel like they’re trying to bully sellers into submission. Not only do they make drastic changes, they sometimes don’t even bother telling you beforehand. But don’t get discouraged: with over 80% of U.S. households joining Amazon Prime in 2020, it’s no doubt it’s still the best place to sell. You certainly don’t have to be afraid of big bad Amazon, either, as there are action points you can take to stand up to Amazon and hold them accountable for their policies.
In this episode, I discuss how you can proactively prevent Amazon from bullying you. I illustrate some drastic changes they have made on the Seller Central homepage and reveal why they’re making those changes. I advise how you can persistently file your cases and explain why you need to answer the polls and surveys Amazon offers. I also describe how hiring virtual assistants can help you manage the cases you file against Amazon and underscore why voicing your thoughts matters.
“No one’s going to fight for your business except you. If something violates policy, hold Amazon accountable as much as you can.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Proactive steps you can take to prevent Amazon from bullying you
- Why Amazon created drastic changes on the Seller Central homepage
- The horrors of Amazon’s customer service and seller support
- The difference between feedback and reviews on your Amazon store
- Amazon’s feedback policy and why you would want to keep your seller metrics nice and clean
- How to file for a feedback removal and how many times you should attempt it
- How holding Amazon accountable for their policies can help every seller
- Receiving price alerts and why you shouldn’t hit the “update price” button
- The importance of answering seller polls on Seller Central
- The value of taking short surveys when Amazon responds to your case
- Hiring and training virtual assistants as your Amazon business’s case managers
- The power of advocating for the good of your business
Related Content:
- Top Reasons Amazon Accounts are Suspended in 2020 & How to Avoid Them
- Can You Suspension-Proof Your Amazon Business?
Resources Mentioned:
- Riverbend Consulting
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2020 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Bully to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
When was the last time someone used the dreaded s-word on you? Did they tell you that you should do or be something, whether you should be farther in your Amazon business or should be doing an Ecommerce business model that everybody’s doing? Who told you that you should? Chances are, if it’s not your mother-in-law, it’s you. And if it’s you, you may need to check why you’re “should-ing” yourself into doing something: because should can be as bad as can’t.
In this episode, I discuss the dangers of the word “should.” I describe how it can stem from the fear of being judged or embarrassed and how it can take us away from the things we want to actually do. I discuss the only times it’s okay to consider an s-word situation and reveal an alternative to doing a should. I also discuss the value of creating your “In a Perfect World” scenario and emphasize the importance of cultivating the beginner’s mindset.
“If you use the s-word, make sure you’re analyzing it all the way down to its core: that you “should” do something because it’ll get you to where you want to be.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- “Don’t you should me!” and the biggest problem with the word should
- How should can come from a place of fear, guilt, or self-comparison
- When is it okay to consider a should that someone tells you to do
- The importance of thinking about our priorities instead of our shoulds
- How crafting your ‘In a Perfect World’ scenario can help you avoid doing something out of guilt
- Putting the “pro” in procrastination and what happened when I decided to stop being bad at something
- The power of being humble enough to be a beginner
- The value of getting better by challenging yourself
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2020 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #should to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Running a business could be challenging, but running one this year can be significantly more difficult. And in times of doubt, we need someone to look up to for inspiration and encouragement. While the struggle of running an Amazon business in 2020 is real, so are the Amazon success stories. After double-hustling since he started selling on Amazon 2017, Eric Moore left his corporate job in July this year to work on his Amazon business full time. Today, Eric enjoys the benefits that running an online business offers: time, freedom, and fulfillment.
Eric joins me today to share how starting, running, and scaling his Amazon business has changed his life. He describes the different models he implements and demonstrates how he employed the services of prep centers in his business. He illustrates how he pivoted from working on his Amazon business as a side-hustle to quitting his 9-to-5 job to work on his online business full time. He also shares the most fundamental lessons he learned about growing his Amazon business and achieving dreams.
“Work hard; don’t give up. Take it one day at a time. Think about how you can expand, grow, and scale, and that includes asking for help.” - Eric Moore
This week on the Amazon Files:
- What motivated Eric to start selling on Amazon
- Eric’s story of double-hustling a 9-to-5 and running an Amazon business to quit corporate America for good
- How Eric eventually realized he needed to hire help for his business
- The benefits of hiring a prep center and how it impacted Eric’s business
- Reaching Eric’s Quit Day and how running an Amazon business became the key to his financial freedom
- The “Pinch Me” moments and the impact of Eric’s business on his life
- A breakdown of Eric’s business model and how he manages risks through data
- How running an Amazon business became the key to Eric’s financial freedom
- Growing other segments of Eric’s business, adding wholesale bundles, and further plans for his business
Related Content:
- What Wholesale Bundles Can Do for You | Amazon Success Stories with Special Guests
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Resources Mentioned:
- MyPrepCenter
The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop Goes VIRTUAL!
It’s time to take your Amazon business to the next level, meet other great Amazon sellers, and gain fresh, new ideas, skills, and strategies to consistently create Amazon bundles that sell like hot cakes!
This year, the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is going virtual! No need to pack your bags. No need to budget for hotel or flight expenses. The Confident Wholesale Bundlers Workshop is coming to you LIVE - right to your living room or home office.
At the Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, you receive hands-on training on:
- What wholesale bundles are and why they work
- How to create a successful bundle - from start to finish
- How to find and properly communicate with vendors
- How to organize your wholesale research
- Pricing strategies for your wholesale bundles
- PLUS: All of the recordings of your training sessions and up to 10 new bundle ideas you can start right away
So if you’re ready to eliminate your competition and turn your research into a profitable revenue stream - the Confident Wholesale Bundle Virtual Workshop is for you.
To reserve your spot at the 2020 Confident Wholesale Bundlers Virtual Workshop, visit MommyIncome.com/Virtual
Spots are limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait - reserve your spot today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Eric to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Whether it’s because they got laid off, want to work from home, or do a side hustle, many people want to start an Amazon business. Yet, they doubt doing so because they feel like it’s an unsafe venture. After all, it’s been a long, arduous year we’ve all had. With all the crazy stuff that’s been happening, is starting an online business on Amazon still viable? And if it is, what kind of investment do you have to make to succeed? What are the challenges of running an Amazon business and how do you overcome them?
In this episode, I discuss why selling on Amazon is still a great business opportunity in 2020 and beyond. I reveal the essential changes in Amazon’s policies this year that beginners need to watch out for. I explain the steps Amazon is taking to protect both buyers and sellers and discuss brand and category restrictions. I also highlight the value of giving yourself the beginner’s learning curve when starting on Amazon and explain why you need to ask yourself why you want to start your online business.
“Any business - whether it’s direct sales, drop-shipping, or an Amazon business - it all requires hustle, time, and money.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why more people are buying from Amazon in 2020
- Why Amazon is the best place to start a product-based business
- A deeper level of security and verification process for new sellers
- Why you would want to get a UPS or a PO box
- Starting your Amazon business for as low as $500
- Why Amazon is restricting more categories and brands in 2020
- GTIN changes and extra verification processes on products and brands
- Investing in an IP accelerator and why you need to do brand registry
- The reason it’s necessary to research categories before selling on them
- IP claim issues with retail arbitrage items and the best categories for Amazon beginners
- The importance of thinking about the reason you want to sell on Amazon and giving yourself the beginner’s learning curve
Related Content:
- Create Custom Packaging for Bundles & Private Label Products
- Coaching Call with Kristin Ostrander
- Roadmap to Your First Sale
- Amazon Files HUB
- Start FBA Today
- Shopify
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. We give you the exact framework & strategy we use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #YES to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Are you new to Amazon? Thinking of opening up your online business but don’t know where to start? Are you overwhelmed with all the information from YouTube and Facebook? It’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis when you’re new to selling on Amazon (or to Ecommerce in general), but that’s okay. While the struggle is certainly real, starting an Amazon business is a legitimate way to find financial success and achieve your goals in life.
Today, I discuss five things you need to know to help you get started selling on Amazon. I share my story of getting started in Ecommerce and how I transitioned from selling used books to selling wholesale bundles on Amazon. I reveal how you can start selling online for as low as $500 and how you can budget your initial investment. I also discuss what an inventory-based business means and explain why you need to think about the reason you want to begin your Amazon journey.
“Commit to yourself. Commit to the results you want. An Amazon business takes time and consistency, just like in any other businesses.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The reason you need to think about why you want to sell on Amazon
- My Amazon business story and how I transitioned into doing wholesale bundles
- Starting an Amazon business for less than $500
- Getting an EIN, a business bank account, and other legitimate business practices to keep in mind
- Why you don’t have to be an LLC and instead opt to be a sole proprietor
- Deciding on the best Amazon business model for you
- Sourcing methods and ways to find inventory to sell
- What an inventory-based business is and the importance of learning how to source
- Paying attention to the condition of your items when thrifting inventory
- The minimum requirements you need to start an Amazon business today
Related Content:
- Start FBA Today
- The Smart Sourcing Guide
- MerchantWords
- InventoryLab
- Helium10
Jumpstart Your Amazon Business Today!
Are you ready to jumpstart your Amazon business but don’t know how? We can guide you step by step through easy-to-understand video instructions for your Amazon business must-haves. We’ve got everything you need in one place -- from setting up your Amazon account to shipping your items to Amazon fulfillment centers. Go to Start FBA Today to start your exciting Amazon journey.
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #SFT to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
I thought it was going to be the best year when 2020 started. Everything was going great: I had a vacation with my family in Puerto Rico, my Amazon business was booming, and we had a remodeling in the house. Then, the pandemic hit - hard and fast. Like many people, I was impacted by the quarantine, the uncertainty, and the struggles of COVID-19. But someone inspired me out of my recent rut. Someone who, despite life’s challenges and physical limitations, strove to reach his dreams. That someone is high school football coach Rob Mendez.
In this episode, I share the story of coach Rob Mendez, how he aspired to become a football coach despite having the Tetra-amelia syndrome, and the four key lessons I learned from his life. I underscore the importance of refining your skills and capabilities to the best of your ability and illustrate how some of the words we use can limit us. I describe how Rob Mendez uses love as a tool to coach his team and why you need to commit to loving and honoring yourself. I also explain how having coaches and mentors can help you develop yourself and discuss how life’s challenges and hurdles can teach us to be better.
“The sign of a true champion is trusting your abilities and greatness without being complacent. Always seek to improve as a person and as a business owner.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The story of Rob Mendez and his determination to become a football coach
- Why “can’t” is a bad word in our house and how our minds handicap us the most.
- The power of focusing on what you are capable of instead of your shortcomings
- The value of having coaches, trainers, and mentors
- The importance of running a team from the perspective of love
- The impact of accountability and seeking support from other people
- Waiting for happiness and why we shouldn’t hope for an instant solution to our problems
- Dreaming big, stepping small, and the number one sign of a true champion
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #WhoSaysICant to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Sometimes, people get this impression that coaches, business leaders, and mentors are impervious to mistakes and always have it together. So, let me be a bit vulnerable here. From worrying about the future of Amazon due to Antitrust Laws to doubting the performance of my Amazon business because of the global pandemic, I struggle too, just like you. Still, I pick myself up and dust myself off. And whether you’re new to selling online or are an Ecommerce veteran, if you are struggling, I encourage you to join me and keep pressing on.
In this episode, I dispel the myth that business leaders don’t struggle and share some of the fears and challenges I face as an Amazon business owner and educator. I share some of the lessons I have learned over the years and discuss how we can face the biggest stumbling blocks in our lives. I also explain why you need to think about what you desire in life, the reason regret can be worse than failure, and underscore the importance of taking small, consistent steps.
“Staying focused is a choice. Defeat is optional.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The difficulty of admitting struggle, challenges, and fears
- My worries about the future of Amazon and the Antitrust Laws
- The lessons I have learned throughout my life and while running my Amazon business
- How privilege begets responsibility and why all kinds of struggles are valid
- The inevitability of challenges in life and how not to be defeated by them
- Finding solutions to the hurdles that hold you back
- A recent challenge I’ve had to face and how I resolved it
- The value of writing your ‘In a Perfect World’ scenario
- The power of taking small, consistent steps towards your ultimate goals in life
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. We give you the exact framework & strategy we use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword NOT OK to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Have you ever come across a product on Amazon that would have sold so much if it weren’t so terribly listed? Those listings are actually potential gold mines, according to e-Commerce Specialist Todd Welch. Todd is the CEO of Welch Products, creator of Entrepreneur Adventure, and host of the Amazon Wholesale Podcast. Todd - whom I call the Listing Whisperer - and his “Mine and Refine” method can help you scale your profit by locating bad Amazon listings, taking control of them, and revitalizing them to your advantage.
Todd joins me today to share the process involved in his Mine and Refine method. He shares his experience in e-Commerce and explains how he got started with his Amazon business. He discusses how and why he changed his business model from retail arbitrage to wholesaling and describes how he kept going despite his challenging experiences with Amazon. He discusses the software he uses in his Mine and Refine method and the filters he uses to search for potential listings to revitalize. He also reveals the steps you can take to improve your sales and return on investment once you locate an Amazon listing to improve.
“Mine and refine. Listings with no recent sales but have four or five-star reviews are gold.” - Todd Welch
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Todd got started in Ecommerce and how he began selling on eBay and Amazon
- What kept Todd growing his Amazon business despite beings thousands of dollars in debt
- Todd’s private label failures and why he pivoted from doing retail arbitrage to selling wholesale on Amazon
- The benefits of selling wholesale on Amazon
- The “Mine and Refine” method for revitalizing listings and finding gold on Amazon
- Common issues with wholesaling on Amazon
- What makes a terrible product listing
- The software programs Todd uses to search bad listings
- Why Todd prioritizes filtering with reviews when looking for listings to refine
- The next steps to take to double your Amazon sales after finding a bad listing
- Amazon’s new requirements for changing listings and how to work around them
- Things to update to make a bad listing sell more
- Why you need to fill up a listing’s subject matter area with keywords
- Working with listings to increase sales on product variations that don’t sell
Related Content:
- The Amazon Mine & Refine Method
- Amazon Friendly Vendor List
- Fiverr
Resources Mentioned:
- Tactical Arbitrage
- AMZ Analyzer
Connect with Todd Welch:
- Entrepreneur Adventure
- Amazon Wholesale Podcast
- Entrepreneur Adventure on Facebook
- Entrepreneur Adventure on YouTube
- Todd Welch on Instagram
- Todd Welch on Twitter
- Todd Welch on LinkedIn
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. We give you the exact framework & strategy we use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Todd to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
It’s easy to get discouraged and de-motivated these days. After all, 2020 has been nothing like any of us have ever imagined. From pandemic to racial injustice, there’s a lot of issues that force us to adjust to a new normal - even when it comes to running our online businesses. But while the struggle is certainly real, a few reminders of the Dos and Don’ts of growing your Amazon business will help you balance yourself and tread the waters of an uncertain time.
In this episode, I discuss some key points about selling on Amazon that we need to remember, no matter our level of experience. I describe how, like in any other business, you’d need to invest time, money, and energy into your Amazon business and why it isn’t a get rich quick scheme. I explain why you need to narrow down your sources of information about starting an Amazon business and underscore the role of research in growing your Amazon store. I also highlight the benefits of wholesaling and explore why you need to think about your goals and anchor into them.
“What is it that you want out of your Amazon business? Keep your eye on that. Don’t compare yourself to others and avoid analysis paralysis.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Remembering what motivated you to start selling on Amazon
- The value of unsubscribing from sources of negative energy and discouragement
- Why I have a 15-minute limit on social media
- The reason you should avoid buying BOLO lists and how they can distract you from long-term progress and success
- Setting realistic expectations about selling on Amazon
- Learning how to find profitable products to sell on Amazon through research
- Using your knowledge bank and apps to find Amazon bundle ideas
- How tactical arbitrage can increase your competition and crush prices
- Narrowing down your sources of information and how to figure out who truly inspires you
- What ‘Stupid Tax’ is and how analysis paralysis can kill your Amazon business
- The benefits of selling wholesale on Amazon and why I no longer do retail arbitrage
- The importance of bookkeeping and tracking your numbers on wholesale bundles
- Making decisions based on your goals and what’s truly important to you
Related Content:
- The Key to Seven Figures on Amazon is NOT Bundles
- Mommy Income Coaching Call
- Wholesale Bundles System
- MerchantWords
- Helium10
- Find 100s
- TaxJar
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #STOP to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Are you thinking of throwing in the towel on your Amazon because it’s been hard, confusing, or overwhelming? Do want to get started but don’t know where to even begin with the wealth of information out there? Or do you want to continue running your online business on Amazon but are scared because of these trying times? Whatever you’re doing on Amazon, don’t call it quits just yet. There are benefits to rolling up your sleeves and pushing through - and they’re benefits you won’t find anywhere else.
In this episode, I explain why you need to get started on Amazon and, if you already have, why you need to keep it going. I reveal the many benefits of selling and the best ways to get started on one of the world’s largest Ecommerce platforms. I share my background, how I got started on Ecommerce, and how long I have been running my Amazon store. I explain how selling on Amazon gives you freedom of time and location and underscore why it’s not an automated business or a “passive” source of income. I also reveal the best and most stable business model you can do on Amazon and highlight why you need to hold on to your goals when running an Amazon business.
“You have to be consistent, but you don’t have to trade dollars for hours. There’s no limit to how much you can sell and make on Amazon.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- An overview of my journey in Ecommerce and Amazon
- What I can and can’t teach you about selling on Amazon
- Why running an Amazon business isn’t a source of “passive” income
- The reason I don’t recommend private labeling to Amazon beginners
- Why you need to keep your goals in mind when starting and running an Amazon business
- The two jobs I did before doing Ecommerce and why I love selling on Amazon
- Why selling on Amazon is a huge benefit for introverts
- How starting an Amazon business gives you freedom of location
- The advantages of having worldwide visibility on your products and not needing to advertise
- Amazon’s FBA warehouses and why you don’t need to spend time and money to store inventory
- How much customer service is involved when selling on Amazon
- Selling multiple products on multiple categories and the importance of choosing a product niche
- How you can mix and match different business models on Amazon
- Why I don’t suggest doing retail arbitrage in the long-term
- Why selling books on Amazon is a great way to start
- The downsides of wholesaling on Amazon
- What wholesale bundles are, how you can make them, and why they work so well
- Holding on to the benefits of selling on Amazon
Related Content:
- The Key to Seven Figures on Amazon is NOT Bundles
- Coaching Call with Kristin Ostrander
- Wholesale Bundles System
- Start FBA Today
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #SAHM$ to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
When you’re running an Amazon business, you want to make the best choice to grow and earn profit. But it’s easy to get struck with analysis paralysis, especially if you have no one to ask questions or bounce ideas. You may start feeling like you want to go back in time, where it was easier for you. It’s okay to feel that way. It doesn’t matter if you’re earning eight figures a year or just starting to sell on Amazon as a side hustle - everyone feels stuck somewhere once in a while. The good news is: there is help.
In this episode, I share advice and tips on scaling your Amazon business and getting started with wholesale bundling. I answer questions about preparing for Q4 2020 and explain why you need to diversify for this year’s holiday season. I share tips on researching products and advice on how to price bundles. I also reveal the best tools and apps I use in my business and explain why wholesale bundling is still the best way to reap profit on Amazon.
“Hire help as soon as possible. You’ll scale your business faster when you’re not putting tape on boxes.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- The learning curves involved with using MerchantWords and Helium10
- Scaling your store from a small Amazon business to earning $500,000 a year
- Borrowing money from small trading and business associations during COVID-19
- Sourcing products from Alibaba and overseas
- How to research seasonal and holiday products for Amazon bundles
- The best categories to start on wholesaling and bundling
- Using your knowledge bank and reading reviews to get bundle ideas
- Getting reseller rights to wholesale vendors and becoming their sole representative on Amazon
- The best way to find wholesale suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers
- How to price your bundles and the number of items you should combine into a bundle
- Why there’s room to grow in wholesale bundling and why they’re the best way to scale on Amazon
- My work week, how I structure it, and how you can structure yours if you’re working on your business in-house
- Diversifying products, preparing for Q4 2020, and how different it will be from 2019
- The three-foot-drop test and protecting your inventory when shipping to Amazon
- What you should do when you’re barely making profit from selling single-unit items
- How much prep centers cost
Related Content:
- The Roadmap to Your First Bundle
- Bundle Ideas Revealed
- MerchantWords
- InventoryLab
- Helium10
- Find 100s
Resources Mentioned:
- Alibaba
- MyPrepCenter
- Workflow Impact
- Amazon Seller Central
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #AMA2 to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Running an Amazon business isn’t a get rich quick scheme. It’s an actual business. And whether you’re running an Ecommerce business or a brick-and-mortar store, all legitimate businesses have a learning curve. You’ll definitely encounter some confusion here and there or some hurdle you don’t know how to jump over. But that’s okay! While the struggle is certainly real, so is growth and profit - and asking the right questions about overcoming challenges is part of what will lead you to success.
In this episode, I answer some of your most pressing questions about starting, running, and growing your Amazon business. I reveal how much money you need to get started on Amazon and discuss the other requirements you’ll need to meet to start your online store. I discuss bundling strategies, including vetting components and monitoring your competitors’ products. I also discuss getting the process of GTIN exemptions, brand registry, and trademarking, describe the benefits of setting up a store for your Amazon business, and explain why today is the perfect time to start selling on Amazon.
“Start by not expecting money but learning the process. As soon as you’re comfortable shipping to Amazon and you know the process, then start wholesaling.”- Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Vetting components and how to identify bundle opportunities on Amazon through extensive research
- Tracking sales, profit, and loss using Amazon Seller Central and InventoryLab
- Starting strategies for Amazon and the minimum requirements you need to meet to start a legitimate business
- Why wholesaling is still the best way to source inventory and how to identify a great wholesale vendor
- Getting GTIN exemptions from your brand name and the value of getting your brand registry
- The process of private labeling and trademarking products
- A quick and easy way to buy GS1 barcodes legitimately
- The best time to outsource your business and calculating how much you should pay employees
- Tips for affordable small-run custom packaging
- Why you don’t need big, brand-names to sell an Amazon bundle
- Addressing the error code 5665 on Amazon
- The benefits of setting up a website for your Amazon store
- The risks and dangers of doing retail arbitrage on Amazon
- Why Amazon is not oversaturated and why you shouldn’t sell on top categories
- The biggest reason people quit or fail their Amazon business
- My number one advice for people who are just getting started on Amazon
Related Content:
- Mommy Income
- Mommy Income Coaching Call
- Wholesale Bundles System
- Start FBA Today
- InventoryLab
- MerchantWords
- Helium10
- StickerMule
Resources Mentioned:
- PlaceIt
- Pirate Ship
- Amazon Seller Central
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #AMA to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Everything changes - for good or bad. While changes can make room for opportunities and growth, the adjustments that come with them could be challenging. They’re not always the same, and they can cause stress, time, and money. If change causes you overwhelm - I hear you. I’m pretty change-averse myself. But change is frequent in online business - especially on an Ecommerce platform like Amazon. The best thing we can do is to know and prepare for what’s coming.
In this episode, I discuss an overview of Amazon's major changes and how they’re going to affect every seller. I share some facts and statistics that show how Amazon has grown and dominated the Ecommerce space and the antitrust lawsuits filed against them. I also reveal the new policies Amazon has put in place for inventory thresholds and listing restrictions and share some advice on what you can do to comply with these new rules.
“Amazon has moved a couple of steps closer to being a third-party supporter. They realize how important it is to take care of us who sell on their platforms.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Amazon’s investments in more fulfillment centers and how it can save you time and money
- The impact of opening up several new fulfillment centers on processes and shipping
- Antitrust class action against Amazon and what that means for third-party vendors
- Why there’s still plenty of room to sell on Amazon despite having two million registered users
- What an Inventory Performance Index is
- New policies on Amazon’s IPI minimum threshold and what you can do for your IPI score
- When to send removed inventory back to Amazon
- New listing restrictions specific to Amazon wholesale bundlers and private-labeled products
- What it means to use attributes when listing products and why you should do it
- Conflicting policies about UPC and GTINs and how to get a GTIN exemption
- Amazon’s IP Accelerator Program
- The importance of being a legitimate business on Amazon
- Why I believe Amazon will enforce brand registry for third-party vendors
- How and where to get custom packaging for your Amazon store
- The difference of an EAN from a UPC and how to get it
Related Content:
- Start FBA Today
- Mommy Income Custom Packaging Class
- StickerMule
- Fiverr
Resources Mentioned:
- Amazon Seller Central
- Bloomberg Law
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Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Changes to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Change is inevitable in any business. And sometimes, in order to grow, you have to let go. You need to let go of things that are no longer serving your growth, whether that’s in your Amazon business or life. That’s a key insight from Lori Tomonto, a savvy entrepreneur who has had so much success not only with wholesale bundling on Amazon but also in her other businesses. But to find the freedom and prosperity she enjoys today, she had to make one critical decision in her business.
Lori joins me today to share how she began her flea market business and her experiences while running it. She discusses how she started selling on Amazon and why she decided to change her online business model from retail arbitrage to wholesale bundling. She shares her recommendations on wholesale bundling and reveals the benefits of focusing on niches when doing so. She also shares her “time-money” scale, the challenges she faced in her Amazon business, and her advice to people who want to find success in their life but are afraid of change.
“You’re not going to be good on Amazon if you’re trying to do too many. If you want success with bundles, you have to pick a niche.” - Lori Tomonto
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Lori’s beginnings in the flea market business and how she pivoted to starting an Amazon business
- The importance of researching and teaching yourself how to grow a business on Amazon
- Lori’s first year and a half in running an Amazon business and challenges she faced
- Starting Amazon retail arbitrage and how Lori sourced products to sell
- Getting ungated on Amazon and the pros and cons of selling in different product categories
- Wholesale bundling as an answer to price tanking
- How Lori realized that retail arbitrage was not sustainable in the long-term
- Why Lori recommends focusing on a niche or two when doing wholesale bundling
- The opportunities and challenges in wholesale bundling on Amazon
- How to make your Amazon wholesale bundle difficult to replicate
- Lori’s “time-money scale” and why she decided to liquidate her flea market business and focus on her Amazon business
- Why Lori didn’t liquidate her flea market business into Amazon and how she’s reinvesting the capital from it
Related Content:
- Find Wholesale Suppliers Today
- Amazon Files HUB
- What Do You Want 2020 to Look Like?
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
- Book: The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey
Connect with Lori Tomonto:
- Lori Tomonto on LinkedIn
Get Ready for the BIGGEST Selling Season EVER!
Are you ready for the biggest holiday selling season EVER? Join the Q4 Jumpstart training program to get a jumpstart on your competition. Learn what products you need to keep in your inventory this year to explode your holiday sales, capitalize on the increased holiday spending, and develop a plan to DOUBLE your pre-Q4 sales.
Seats are limited so if you’re ready to exponentially boost your Q4 sales this holiday season, visit mommyincome.com/jumpstart to save your seat today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Lori to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
To beat your competition, you’ve got to work smart. And part of working smarter is using the tools at your disposal to their greatest advantage. In running your Amazon business, using keywords to their maximum potential can help you rank and index your products and, ultimately, scale your business. Steven Pope is the Founder of My Amazon Guy, an 18-person Amazon Seller Central agency, through which he helps his clients grow and scale their Ecommerce businesses through PPC, SEO, Design, and Catalog Management. Steven - who sold his first item on eBay at age 12 - truly understands the power of utilizing keywords to increase the visibility of his products on Amazon.
Steven joins me today to discuss how you can rank your items on Amazon using keyword best practices. He highlights why you need to look at your competitors when creating keywords and reveals his favorite keyword research tool. He shares best practices on working with keyword search, title creation, and the A+ and description sections on Amazon. He also explains why you should add misspellings and Spanish translations, as well as discuss why it’s crucial to update your keyword listings on Amazon.
“Capitalize the first phrase, massage in the keywords, and make sure the features are mentioned. If you do that, you’ll get some indexing love from Amazon.” - Steven Pope
This week on the Amazon Files:
- How Steven transitioned from his career as a tv reporter to being My Amazon Guy
- What My Amazon Guy is and the services they provide
- The importance of creating the right keywords and listings on Amazon
- Why you should start looking up your competition when creating listings
- Strategies, best practices, and language use for the ‘intended use’ section
- Using competitor brands and trademarked phrases on search term fields, listings, and description sections
- How to create the best titles that will optimize your listings
- Categories affected by Amazon’s title character limit
- The best and worst categories to sell on Amazon and the value of getting insurance for your Amazon business
- Transferring your Amazon listings to Wayfair and other Ecommerce platforms
- The role of creating brands and trademarks when scaling on Amazon
- Working with the A+ and description sections and why you should add misspellings and Spanish translations on them
- Why you need to update your keyword listings every 3 to 6 months on Amazon
- Utilizing Helium 10 to track your keyword use
Related Content:
- Amazon Files HUB
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
- Sticker Mule
- Helium10
Connect with Steven Pope:
- My Amazon Guy
- My Amazon Guy Podcast
- My Amazon Guy on Twitter
- My Amazon Guy on Facebook
- My Amazon Guy on LinkedIn
- My Amazon Guy on YouTube
- Steven Pope on LinkedIn
Get Ready for the BIGGEST Selling Season EVER!
Are you ready for the biggest holiday selling season EVER? Join the Q4 Jumpstart training program to get a jumpstart on your competition. Learn what products you need to keep in your inventory this year to explode your holiday sales, capitalize on the increased holiday spending, and develop a plan to DOUBLE your pre-Q4 sales.
Seats are limited so if you’re ready to exponentially boost your Q4 sales this holiday season, visit mommyincome.com/jumpstart to save your seat today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Keywords to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
No matter how experienced, new, or something in-between you are, whether you’re reaping seven figures a year or just thinking of starting an online business on Amazon, you’ll find yourself in need of clarity and directions. I know, because even I still ask for guidance despite all my experience in e-commerce. As entrepreneurs, it’s important to reach out and ask questions. In fact, it’s the first step you need to take if you want to grow and expand your online business.
In today’s episode, I answer some of the questions that were asked during our Ask Me Anything Amazon event. I discuss how the pandemic affected people’s buying behavior and explain why it’s a great time to start selling on Amazon in spite of the coronavirus. I explore how you can scale and grow your business through diversification and changing your Amazon business model and share how you can rank your products on Amazon. I also describe how you can find wholesale vendors, explain why I started wholesale bundling, and reveal the amazing benefits I received when I started to outsource my business.
“Anybody can benefit from coaching. If you have questions that need answers, no matter the level you’re at, ask for help.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why more people will be shopping online this year
- Different ways to troubleshoot low-ranking bundles on Amazon
- Why you need to visit your bundle listings on Amazon every day and ask for reviews from your customers
- How to get your bundle and product listings to rank and how to price your items competitively
- What getting ungated means and how to do it through wholesaling
- Handling Amazon sales tax and why your tax professional should be knowledgeable on e-commerce
- The best websites that support keyword searches
- Finding reasonably-priced wholesale items to sell on Amazon and why I created wholesale bundles
- Amazon’s rules on drop-shipping, what you should be wary about, and why I don’t think drop-shipping is worth it
- How to start wholesaling on Amazon and researching profitable products to sell
- Why I think it’s a great time to sell on Amazon despite the pandemic
- The best way to create custom packaging for Amazon bundles and how to start creating your bundle brand
- How to scale your Amazon business through outsourcing and hiring a prep center
- The best way to diversify on Amazon
- Why I don’t do retail arbitrage on Amazon anymore
Related Content:
- Confident Wholesale Bundler's Workshop
- Amazon Files HUB
- Start FBA Today
- Find 100s of Wholesalers by Noon Today
- Coaching Call with Kristin Ostrander
Resources Mentioned:
- TaxJar
- MerchantWords
- InventoryLab
- Helium10
- MyPrepCenter
- Sticker Mule
- Feedback Genius
Get Ready for the BIGGEST Selling Season EVER!
Are you ready for the biggest holiday selling season EVER? Join the Q4 Jumpstart training program to get a jumpstart on your competition. Learn what products you need to keep in your inventory this year to explode your holiday sales, capitalize on the increased holiday spending, and develop a plan to DOUBLE your pre-Q4 sales.
Seats are limited so if you’re ready to exponentially boost your Q4 sales this holiday season, visit mommyincome.com/jumpstart to save your seat today!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #Answers to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
One of the things that holds us back when it comes to growing our business is fear. And while we fear many things, it’s often the fear of failure that hinders us from achieving our dreams. Yet, Bill Wooditch - entrepreneur, leadership coach, and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Fail More: Embrace, Learn, and Adapt to Failure as a Way to Success - believes that fear can empower us and that failure is an essential ingredient to success. Through determination and the “Always Forward” mindset he developed, Bill overcame his life’s challenges and forged his way to building a multi-million-dollar company.
Bill joins me today to discuss why failure is key to success. He reveals the biggest regret that he faced in his life and explains how he overcame it. He describes how you can avoid regret and how action is a salve to failure and an antidote to fear. He discusses how a person has the power to learn and grow from their mistakes and explains why being risk-averse is part of being human. He also underscores the difference between dreams and fantasies and highlights why you need to define what success means to you.
“Change that narrative. Do the work, take risks, and fail. But fail forward.” - Bill Wooditch
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Bill’s journey from working a dead-end factory job to CEO of a multi-million-dollar company
- The biggest regret Bill has ever experienced and how we can learn from regret
- Taking small steps to bounce back from failure and why taking action is the antidote to fear
- The role of humor in Bill’s life
- Identifying the difference between fear and danger
- The importance of approaching mentors and seeking others’ perspectives when overcoming fear
- Avoiding the pitfalls of societal expectations of success by defining what success means to you
- The difference between the growth mindset and the fixed mindset
- Flipping the script on negative self-talk and transforming the energy of fear and worry into self-improvement and success
- Planning to fail and the difference between dreams and fantasies
Related Content:
- Dream Big, Step Small by Kristin Ostrander
Connect with Bill Wooditch:
- Fail More: Embrace, Learn, and Adapt to Failure as a Way to Success by Bill Wooditch
- Always Forward! Discover the 7 Secrets of Sales Success by Bill Wooditch
- Bill Wooditch
- Bill Wooditch on Twitter
- Bill Wooditch on Instagram
- Bill Wooditch on YouTube
- Bill Wooditch on Facebook
- Bill Wooditch on LinkedIn
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #FAIL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
With the coronavirus persisting in the country and around the world, there’s a lot of questions from Amazon business owners on whether creating bundles for the back-to-school season is a worthwhile investment. And if it is, how much do you invest? How can you be cautious about investing, considering the on-going pandemic? What school supplies and products should you invest in? These are all important questions because they are factors that can affect your bottom line as Amazon sellers.
Today, I discuss wholesale bundling for the back-to-school season. I explain why investing in back-to-school products is feasible despite the coronavirus pandemic and reveal the best time to start preparing for the back-to-school season. I share some of the best products to bundle for college, high school, elementary students, and teachers. I also discuss why you should check out retail store patterns and how they merchandise as well as share some steps you can take to prevent money loss in creating bundles for the back-to-school season.
“Virtual learning students still need those school supplies at home.” - Kristin Ostrander
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why it’s still a good idea to prepare for the back-to-school season despite the pandemic
- How to not lose a lot of money when investing in back-to-school bundles
- Why you should follow store patterns and pay attention to retail merchandising
- Back-to-school bundle ideas for virtual learning students
- Dorm supplies, organizer sets, and other back-to-school ideas for college students
- Locker items and other products to bundle for high-school students
- Elementary school supplies list and bundle ideas for teachers’ supplies and decor
- Bundling grocery items for the back-to-school season
- Breaking up larger variety packs from retailers into smaller bundles
- The perfect number of items in a bundle and how many bundles you should create for each back-to-school category
- Why your bundles need to solve problems for your buyers
Related Content:
- Amazon Bundle Ideas Course
- Find 100s of Wholesalers by Noon Today
- MerchantWords
- Helium10
Want to Learn More?
It’s time to discover our Wholesale Bundle System™ that is your roadmap to bundling success! This course is packed with valuable information & tools to help you maximize your Amazon profits. The destination: freedom to spend less time sourcing products and to spend more time with your family. We give you the exact framework & strategy we use to create and sell wholesale bundles with massive success!
To learn more, visit: http://www.mommyincome.com/system
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword SCHOOL to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.
Kevin Sanderson was once working in the corporate world. After realizing that he was working hard for somebody else’s dream, Kevin decided to work hard for himself, so he created his ecommerce business and focused on Amazon. Today, most of the sales in his Amazon business comes from nine different countries, including the US and it has been his mission to help people achieve similar results. Through his Expand to Canada Course and Maximizing Ecommerce Podcast, Kevin shares his wisdom with online business owners to help them grow their Amazon businesses internationally.
Kevin joins me today to share his strategies on expanding your Amazon business internationally. He explains why he recommends expanding to Canada first and describes the difficulties and challenges he faced in entering markets in other countries. He discusses the benefits of opening an Amazon.CA account and illustrates the potential problems that can occur when doing Amazon Fulfilled By Merchant (FBM) in Canada. He also shares how selling internationally has benefited him and his business, especially during a pandemic where nonessential items were restricted in the U.S.
“Every country reacted differently to the pandemic. If I weren’t selling internationally, I wouldn’t be getting these extra sales in Canadian dollars or Euros while my U.S. sales were down.” - Kevin Sanderson
This week on the Amazon Files:
- Why Kevin started selling in Canada first when he expanded his Ecommerce business
- The strategies Kevin came up with when he expanded his Amazon business internationally
- The difference between merchant fulfilling from the US to Canada versus opening an Amazon.ca store
- How expanding his Amazon business internationally helped Kevin earn more income consistently amid the coronavirus pandemic
- Why expanding their online business into other countries scares some people
- The biggest challenges Kevin had to overcome when he started expanding his Amazon business in Canada
- The reason Kevin recommends starting in the UK when expanding your Amazon business into Europe
- What product listing and research looks like when selling in other countries
- How you can benefit from Kevin’s Expand to Canada course and done-for-you services
Related Content:
- Maximizing Ecommerce International Checklist
Connect with Kevin Sanderson
- Maximizing Ecommerce
- The Maximizing Ecommerce Podcast
- Expand to Canada
- Maximizing Ecommerce on YouTube
- Maximizing Ecommerce on Twitter
- Maximizing Ecommerce on Facebook
Join the Amazon Files HUB Community!
Are you excited about starting Amazon wholesale bundles, but find that it’s a lot harder than you thought? You may have thousands of ideas, but without a firm, clear direction on how to turn those ideas into profits - it can be challenging to see true success from your efforts.
Friends, you don’t have to do this alone.
I want to personally invite you to join the Amazon Files HUB community. The Amazon Files HUB community is a member-driven training center specifically designed for Amazon wholesale bundle sellers.
In the Amazon Files HUB community, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive training videos
- Over-the-shoulder demos
- Live monthly Q&A sessions
- On-Air coaching calls
- PLUS additional community support
If you’re ready to take your Amazon wholesale bundling business to the next level, then join me and thousands of others in the new Amazon Files HUB community!
See you there!
Grow Your Amazon Business!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Amazon Files, the show to help Amazon seller along their business journey one step at a time with Amazon expert and your host, Kristin Ostrander. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show and leave us your honest review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media! Use the codeword #International to join us on Facebook. Each week, Kristin hosts a live discussion on how to grow your Amazon business. Don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list for even more resources.