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.

DEC 10

Episode 287 - The Art of Merchandising on Amazon with John Aspinall

Scott welcomes John Aspinall from PickFu after a two-month hiatus on guests.Unlock the secrets to eye-catching Amazon listings and skyrocket your sales with John and learn how non-designers can create compelling product images that drive clicks and conversions on Amazon.John breaks down the key differences between graphic and merchandising designers, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through "hero" images to boost click-through rates. He also highlights how China's advancements in merchandising are challenging U.S. sellers and shares strategies to stay competitive.Packed with actionable insights, this episode covers innovative tactics for showcasing products effectively while adhering to Amazon’s guidelines. Tune in now to transform your listings and make your products stand out! Episode Notes: 01:30 - John Aspinall Introduction 03:00 - Graphic Designer vs Merchandising Designer 06:30 - The Clickthrough Rate Comeback 08:30 - Best Practices on Merchandising 14:10 - Optimizing for Humans and Bots 15:10 - Designing Product Images 19:45 - The Image Guidelines 22:20 - Seasonal Merchandising 24:40 - The Risk/Rewards of Merchandising Experiments LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaspinall Website: AmazonCTR.com | pickfu.com Related Post: 7 Pro Amazon Listing Optimization Tips to Send Your Sales Soaring

29 min
DEC 4

Episode 286 - Insights and Opportunities for the Amazon Marketplace

Scott breaks down the two primary types of Amazon professionals (service providers and brand owners) and discusses the potential of categories such as grocery, beauty, consumables, and pet products. He demonstrates how SmartScout can help identify valuable brands and gain insights from trade show analysis without attending in person. The podcast also explores the shift in the beauty industry from “luxury” to “premium” and the implications for resellers due to brand gating initiatives. Plus, a real-world example of how price points can influence consumer choices is shared, using the AMD vs. Intel case study. Episode Notes: 00:10 - Two Types of Amazon Professionals 01:35 - Strategies for Type 1 Sellers 06:15 - Strategies for Type 2 Sellers 10:30 - Observations and Industry Insights 13:10 - Intel vs AMD Amazon Advertising SmartScout Tradeshows AMZ United Voice of the Amazon Seller Related Post: Amazon Ungated Categories: Everything You Need to Know

18 min
NOV 26

Episode 285 - Supercharging Sales with Coupons

Amazon coupons. Scott explores their potential to significantly boost your sales.Despite recent changes in Amazon's discounting policies, coupons remain a powerful tool for sellers. Scott discusses how coupons can drive click-through and conversion rates, even if not all customers utilize them.He also explores a case study featuring a top-selling brand, Jackery, which effectively employs a dual strategy of large coupons and discounts to maximize sales. He discusses the controversial practice of price inflation before applying significant discounts, a tactic used by brands such as Jackery to circumvent Amazon's pricing policies.Furthermore, Scott examines current trends in Amazon's discounting landscape, including the declining effectiveness of Prime Exclusive Discounts and the untapped potential of traditional coupons - providing strategic insights on how to effectively use coupons to clear inventory, increase market share, and avoid potential pitfalls like Amazon-to-Amazon arbitrage. Episode Notes: 00:10 - The Power of Coupons in Boosting Sales 01:35 - Jackery Case Study: High-Impact Coupon Strategy 02:50 - Understanding Amazon's Pricing Flexibility 03:55 - The Changing Landscape of Amazon Discounts 05:05 - The Consumer Perspective on Coupons 06:55 - Coupons as a Strategic Sales Tool 07:45 - Community Engagement and Survey Initiative 09:35 - Golden Seller Awards Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025

11 min
NOV 19

Episode 284 - Helium 10 and Market Forces in the Amazon Seller Space

Scott examines the evolving landscape of the Amazon seller ecosystem. From web traffic to key tools such as Helium 10 and Jungle Scout declining by 50% over the past two years, the conversation centers on what this means for new and established sellers.He opens the discussion by exploring the sharp decline in new Amazon sellers entering the market. The pandemic-era e-commerce surge from 2020-2022 has faded, leading many new sellers to exit after facing early challenges. Despite this shift, Amazon continues to grow steadily at 15-20%, driven largely by established brands utilizing agencies and expertise to strengthen their presence.Scott also shed light on how external forces such as tariffs and policies from the Trump administration are shaping the industry while highlighting the dominance of Chinese sellers. Sellers from key cities in China remain resilient, maintaining their stronghold despite geopolitical tensions and trade challenges.Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of the trends shaping the Amazon seller space and practical advice to navigate this evolving landscape. Episode Notes: 00:10 - Market Forces and Trends 02:15 - Traffic Decline of Top Amazon Seller Tools 05:05 - Growth of Large Brands 06:45 - Analyzing The Broader Market 08:10 - Effects of Political Events on Market Dynamics 09:38 - Observations on Chinese Market Impact 10:40 - Insights on Chinese Sellers in the Amazon Marketplace Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands

12 min
NOV 12

Episode 283 - Navigating Amazon's New Bundle Policy

Amazon has recently updated its bundle policy, and this episode is dedicated to breaking down the implications for sellers of all sizes.Scott discusses the specific changes, their potential impact, and strategies to continue leveraging bundling to boost sales. He also explores successful bundling strategies, using Fender guitar bundles as a case study.By analyzing their approach, we'll uncover valuable insights into creating compelling and compliant bundles. Additionally, we'll delve into the role of software tools such as Smart Scout in identifying bundling opportunities and optimizing product listings.Join Scott as he navigates this evolving landscape and empowers you to maximize your sales potential. Episode Notes: 01:50 - Updated Product Bundling Policy for Consumables 03:35 - Example of Non-compliant Bundle 04:30 - Case Study: Fender Guitar Bundles 07:43 - The Role of Software in Bundling Related Post: Traffic Graph Update

10 min
NOV 6

Episode 282 - Is Amazon's New Low-Cost Store A Game Changer in E-commerce?

Amazon is again shaking up the e-commerce world with its latest initiative: a low-cost store designed to compete with emerging players such as Temu. This new program offers rock-bottom prices and ultra-fast shipping directly from China. Scott delves into the potential impact of this move on small private label sellers and established brands. He discusses how this strategy could affect product categories and pricing dynamics. To stay ahead of the curve, Scott also explores the use of SmartScout to identify competitive opportunities and potential threats from Chinese sellers. Join him as he navigates this evolving landscape and discusses strategies to adapt your business accordingly. Episode Notes: 00:27 - Amazon's new low-cost store initiative 02:35 - Key Aspects of the New Program 04:17 - Invite-only Nature and Sourcing from China 05:20 - Focus on Lightweight Items and Restrictions on Certain Product Categories 05:53 - Branded by Amazon 06:45 - No Returns 07:05 - Fulfillment Fees 07:55 - Impact on the E-Commerce Landscape 10:16 - Strategy and Tool for Small Private Label Sellers Related Post: How To Use a China Sourcing Agent

13 min
OCT 24

Episode 281 - Understanding FBA Calculators and Profitability on Amazon

Scott explores the limitations of popular FBA calculators and uncovers hidden costs that can significantly impact profitability. He discusses the importance of accurate accounting and inventory tracking, as well as strategies for managing high return rates.Drawing from years of experience selling over $100 million worth of products on Amazon, Scott delves into real-world examples and insights. Join him as he uncovers the truth behind FBA profitability and equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Episode Notes: 01:15 - FBA Calculators Lies 04:35 - Understanding Profitability 08:55 - Amazon FBA Calculator 10:06 - Best Accounting Methods for Amazon Sellers 12:00 - How to Have a Profitable Amazon Business Coupon Code: Smart2024 Related Posts: The Best Accounting Methods for Amazon Sellers Profit Estimations

14 min
OCT 22

Episode 280 - Transforming Your Amazon Business with AI-Driven Content Creation with Max Sinclair

In this episode, we're joined by Max Sinclair, Founder and CEO at Ecomtent, to explore how AI tools can revolutionize your e-commerce strategy.Discover how AI can help you craft product titles and descriptions that rank higher in Amazon search results. Learn why visual context is crucial in the age of AI-powered search algorithms, and how to optimize your listings accordingly.Explore innovative templates that make it easier to create stunning primary images and A+ content.Don't miss this opportunity to learn how AI can help you save time, boost sales, and stay ahead of the competition on Amazon. Episode Notes: 00:50 - Max Sinclair Introduction and Background 05:40 - AI's Impact on E-commerce 07:20 - Content Creation and the Importance of Visual SEO 08:45 - Streamlining Content Generation 13:30 - How Templates Streamline Content Creation for Non-designers 18:10 - Enhanced Brand Content 20:50 - Primary Image Optimization 25:15 - Technical Insights and Data Usage LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai Website: ecomtent.ai/ X: x.com/maxsinclair4 Related Post: How to Use AI for Successful Amazon Selling

31 min

See All (291)

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.

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.