The Smartest Amazon Seller

SmartScout

4.7 (145)
TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling product online, and in the podcast he shares his knowledge with you to help you become a better Amazon seller.

APR 1

Episode 299: Inside Prosper 2025: Innovations Changing Amazon Selling

Scott brings you the latest from Prosper 2025, revealing the innovations that will empower you to succeed on Amazon. Discover cutting-edge tech for listing optimization, TikTok marketing, and private label repricing, and how other AI and emerging tools are reshaping e-commerce. Episode Notes: 00:23- New Tech for Selling on Amazon in 2025 01:35 - Autopilot Brand 03:00 - Automato AI 05:12 - The TikTok Influence 08:06 - Tools and Agencies Aiding TikTok Marketing Efforts 10:05 - Pricing Innovations 11:15 - Variations and Optimization 14:27 - Prosper Show Reflections 16:25 - Conferences Comparison Related Post: The Ultimate Amazon Repricing Strategies: AI-Powered Price Optimization

21 min
MAR 25

Episode 298 - Voice of the Amazon Seller - Insights from 300+ Sellers

Ever wondered what it's like to sell on Amazon? Here’s the best damn industry report for you. The Voice of the Amazon Seller unveils insights from over 300 Amazon sellers, revealing the challenges and triumphs of navigating this vast marketplace. Scott discusses everything from competition pressures and fee structures to the impact of international sellers and the fairness of Amazon's platform. Episode Notes: 02:05 - Survey Overview 02:25 - Seller Demographics 02:55 - Amazon as Main Business 03:14 - Income statistics 03:46 - Challenges of Selling on Amazon 04:54 - Seller Suspension Concerns 07:36 - Perceptions of Fairness in Amazon Marketplace 10:05 - Impact of Amazon's AI Efforts 11:46 - Recommendation to Others 13:59 - Seller Support Satisfaction 16:31 - Business Growth and Profitability Voice of the Amazon Seller Survey

19 min
MAR 18

Episode 297 - Amazon Reseller Support and Strategic Planning

Is Amazon neglecting its sellers? Scott tackles this question head-on, brings you exclusive insights from Amazon employees and industry experts, and delves into the challenges sellers face, from navigating 1P and 3P complexities to dealing with account suspensions. Learn the truth behind the trend urging brands to switch selling models and how nuanced decisions based on product categories can make all the difference. Scott also unveils Amazon's new reseller support initiatives and strategic account services designed to empower your business. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Amazon's commitment to sellers 01:05 - Understanding 1P vs 3P 02:30 - Nuances of 1P and 3P models 05:35 - Strategic Account Services at Amazon 06:55 - New Initiatives for Resellers at Amazon 07:50 - Importance of Compliance and Advocacy 09:11 - Amazon’s Internal Complexity Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace

12 min
MAR 11

Episode 296 - Building a Consumer-Facing Brand on Amazon With Kelley Thornton

Join Scott as he unpacks the remarkable growth of Tiege Hanley with founder Kelly Thornton. From initial struggles to becoming a powerhouse in men's skincare, Kelly shares invaluable insights into building a consumer brand on Amazon. Learn how Tiege Hanley leveraged YouTube for content-driven growth, simplified its product offerings, and mastered omnichannel expansion, including significant penetration into European markets. They delve into the challenges of scaling internationally, navigating digital marketing shifts, and maintaining brand integrity across platforms. Kelly also shares his perspective on the future of brand building, emphasizing long-term vision over short-term gains. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Kelley Thornton Introduction 01:44 - Building a Scalable Brand 04:00 - The Genesis of Tiege Hanley 05:14 - Overcoming Early Challenges 07:23 - Content-Led Approach 11:00 - Content Creation Strategy 12:25 - Navigating Digital Marketing Challenges 14:10 - Amazon as a Sales Channel 18:27 - Overcoming Business Plateaus 21:57 - International Market Expansion 23:01 - Surviving the Aggregator Wave 27:00 - The Importance of Early Amazon Presence LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelleythornton-ceo-tiege-hanley Website: www.tiege.com Related Post: How To Find Amazon Sellers as an Agency Using SmartScout

31 min
MAR 4

Episode 295 - Amazon Dead Zones & FBA Fees: Maximize Profit & Avoid Pricing Traps

Are you unintentionally sabotaging your Amazon profits? Dive into this week's episode and learn about the hidden "dead zones" in Amazon pricing, particularly within high-volume categories such as Grocery, Beauty, and Clothing. Scott reveals why pricing products between $10-$12 is a critical mistake due to Amazon's intricate FBA fee structures. Learn how these "dead zones" can significantly impact your bottom line and discover strategic pricing adjustments to maximize your margins. Beyond pricing, Scott also breaks down the latest annual changes to Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees, a crucial factor for any seller looking to maintain profitability. Understand how these fee adjustments directly affect your operational costs and how to adapt your business strategy accordingly. Plus, Scot analyzes new data on Buy Box wins, revealing that nearly 40% of products now see multiple sellers sharing this coveted spot. Discover the key factors, including shipping speed and price competitiveness, that influence Buy Box rotation. Finally, get exclusive insights into Amazon's global revenue breakdown, with a deep dive into the US market's dominance, offering strategic opportunities for expansion. Episode Notes: 00:10 - Overview of dead zones in Amazon pricing 01:36 - Impact of Amazon FBA Fees 02:30 - Dead Zone Pricing Insights 04:38 - Importance of FBA Fee Structures 06:38 - Multi-Seller Buy Box Dynamics 08:41 - International Amazon Market Insights Related Post: Amazon FBA Fees Have Increased 50-200%—Here’s How It’s Changed Over the Years

13 min
FEB 25

Episode 294 - Brand Strategy and Amazon Dynamics with Kara from High Tide Commerce

E-commerce & Channel Strategy Expert Kara Babb from High Tide Commerce joins Scott to dissect the e-commerce landscape. From navigating Amazon's vendor system to building brand strategies and launching her consultancy, Kara shares unique perspectives. Learn how viral events impact sales, how to manage brand media, and the challenges of implementing e-commerce strategies in large corporations. She also shares her framework to unlock growth, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration and the importance of focusing on business outcomes. Discover how Amazon influences broader business strategies and gain actionable insights for navigating the complexities of multi-channel sales in today's digital age. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Kara Babb Introduction 01:55 - Kara’s Journey in E-Commerce 03:00 - The Vendor Experience at Amazon 04:28 - Transition to Brand Side 06:55 - Brand Media Management 07:32 - The Role of Viral Events 10:10 - Working with Agencies 10:37 - Organizational Dynamics in Large Corporations 14:28 - Key Insights for Unlocking Growth 18:05 - Streamlining Brand Strategy 19:04 - Importance of Cross-Functional Collaboration 20:25 - Navigating Multiple Channels 23:20 - The Dual Nature of Amazon 25:50 - Why Amazon is Not the Solution for Everything 27:00 - Biggest Barriers and Impacts to Conversion 28:43 - Strategizing and Prioritizing Website: www.hightidecommerce.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karababb Related Post: Amazon Marketplace Sellers: A Look at Seller Counts and Revenue Performance

33 min
FEB 11

Episode 293 - Cracking the Amazon Buy Box Mystery & New Marketplace Insights

From Amazon's explosive growth to its evolving policies, this episode covers everything you need to know about the Buy Box. Scott explores how shipping speeds and location impact Buy Box ownership, introduces a groundbreaking new tool for regional analysis, and offers strategic recommendations for large brands and resellers. Scott also touches on Amazon vs. TikTok Shop/Shopify and the latest reimbursement policy changes. Don't miss out on these crucial insights! Listen now and start dominating the Amazon Buy Box. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Winning the Amazon Buy Box 01:51 - Insights on Amazon's Growth 05:05 - Amazon's Policy Changes 09:10 - Buy Box Dynamics 10:20 - New Tool Introduction 13:22 - Implications for Large Brands and Resellers 13:41 - Strategic Recommendations 16:00 - SmartScout iPhone App Email: scott@smartscout.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 Related Post: Stop Losing Sales: Introducing the Buy Box Map for Amazon Sellers

17 min
FEB 6

Episode 292 - The SmartScout Buy Box Map: A Game-Changer for Amazon Sellers

Revolutionize your Amazon strategy with SmartScout’s Buy Box Map! Discover who's winning the buy box in each state, at what price, and how fast they're shipping. Learn how FBA, FBM sellers, 1P Vendors, and resellers can leverage this data to optimize shipping, improve conversions, and uncover hidden arbitrage opportunities. See how wildly products can vary across states and leverage this data for explosive growth. Plus, get an exclusive discount code! Episode Notes: 00:20 - New Mapping Feature Developed for SmartScout 01:43 - The Buy Box Map and Its Unique Capabilities 02:24 - Practical Application of the Buy Box Map 04:25 - Impact on Selling Strategy 06:11 - Conversion Rate Dynamics 07:28 - Logistics and Fulfillment Insights 08:15 - How to Leverage The Buy Box Map for Analysis and Decision-Making 09:58 - Future Enhancements and Use Cases 10:24 - Reflections on the launch of an innovative tool Coupon Code: BuyBoxMap

13 min

See All (302)

4.7

out of 5

145 Ratings

Great Content from authentic Host

12/25/2021

Sbsaeed

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and hosting great guest. I learn and grow after listening to every episode. THANK YOU! Saad Saeed
The real deal

12/22/2021

DCnOK

I just updated this review from the smartest sellers first 3 (or was it 2) star review that he was longing for almost 2 years ago. (Not sure if you remember asking for that one) Nonetheless scott is a great guy, with a great product who freely shares truly valuable information. I feel he really has a heart to help people. Top notch on every level so far -Devan Culbert
Great podcast

06/04/2021

Excelerol

I higly recommend The Smartest Amazon Seller. It´s truly a Goldmine of entreprenurial ideas, tips, strategies and advice to take your business to the next level.
Poor Sound

10/03/2021

McFallFarm

Great information but many of the podcast won’t load and many have horrible sound and very poor quality. Spend some buyboxer $$ on some better equipment or get a VA to help.
Insightful

09/15/2020

cooper brunner

Learned so much from Scott and have implemented a lot of his Amazon strategies into my families businesses. Growing quickly! A must listen if you are striving to step up your E-commerce game on Amazon.
90% of episodes are interviews with affiliates

01/21/2021

EleanorPlumer

This podcast was a winner at first, but it's now mostly just Scott plugging his services or services that make him a commission. No longer worthwhile, it's a shame.
Great podcast.

09/04/2020

Shroyy

I’ve learned so much from this podcast. It’s helped tremendously in my business.
Love it!

08/28/2020

Adam Karahan

I love the podcast. I listen to it when I’m looking for new leads and Scott pushes me to do more and more!! You dont even know how much you help me Scott. And you are all real and not bs. Thank you for being real my friend. 🤗🤗
Very helpful/ great work!

08/14/2020

Yankieaz

Great listen, I have been selling on Amazon for over 10 years and I learn something new from you almost every episode.
Scott is the man! Best fba podcast... its not even close

02/24/2020

Uri Rahimi

Scott huge value. Listened to the whole show in one week, and several episodes twice. Keep it up. -Uri