The Smartest Amazon Seller

SmartScout

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

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#65
October 6 · 35 min
Episode 338 - The TikTok Shop Playbook Amazon Sellers Need to Understand
Jordan West, Founder of Social Commerce Club, joins Scott to explore how Amazon brands can unlock explosive growth by embracing TikTok Shop and social commerce. As traditional performance marketing faces attribution decay and rising ad costs, e-commerce brands are navigating a shifting landscape where TikTok Shop provides a closed-loop affiliate ecosystem and a massive off-platform halo effect. While entry-level sellers struggle by treating creators like ad networks or expecting instant channel profitability, established brands are leveraging coordinated "blitz" product launches, in-person creator hub days, and authentic founder involvement to drive multi-channel revenue. To build a defensible brand across Amazon and TikTok Shop, Jordan breaks down why brands must look beyond myopic channel P&Ls, how to structure high-impact creator contests, and the necessity of unscalable, human-first creator relations. Episode Notes: 00:00 - The TikTok Shop Frontier 01:15 - Jordan West’s Transition to Social Commerce 02:46 - Affiliate Win-Win: Why Retainers Are Dead 05:05 - Closed-Loop Attribution & TikTok’s Halo Effect 07:10 - Real Scale: 5x Growth & Offline Sales Impact 08:53 - Mindset Shift: Top-of-Funnel vs. Immediate Profit 12:22 - How TikTok Shop Turns Products Into Brands 13:32 - Launch Mechanics: The "Blitz" Strategy 16:43 - Creator Relations & Hosting In-Person "Hub Days" 19:58 - Authentic Founders & Cult-Leader Branding 23:38 - Leveraging Creator Events for Maximum ROI 25:33 - Structuring High-Impact Creator Contests 28:37 - The Unscalable Factor: Personal Outreaches & Voice Memos 31:20 - The Power of In-Person E-Commerce Connections 33:19 - Amazon’s New Multi-Channel Centralization Related Post: The Halo Effect Is Real, Measurable, and Immeasurable How to Reach Jordan: Website: socialcommerceclub.com | jordanwest.ca LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordan-west-marketer Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#64
September 30 · 23 min
Episode 337 - Should You Switch From Amazon 3P to 1P?
Earl Pardo, Business Development Independent Rep @ Flat River Group, joins the podcast to explore the emerging reverse trend of Amazon sellers moving from 3P (Third-Party) back to 1P (Vendor Central / First-Party) distribution models. As independent sellers face increasing Amazon fee structures, fulfillment fee creep, storage penalties, and complex cash flow cycles, many brands are leveraging 1P distributor relationships to pull cash flow forward and offload operational headaches. While entry-level sellers struggle with unpredictable net margins and managing dozens of hidden FBA costs, established 3P brands are using 1P distributor networks like Flat River Group to gain algorithm advantages, lock in predictable payouts, and eliminate ad management and storage expenses. To build a simplified and scalable business model, Earl breaks down how 1P distributors provide access to Amazon AVS support, manage drop-shipping across 30+ e-commerce retailers, and mitigate Annual Vendor Negotiation (AVN) pressure for mid-market brands. Episode Notes: 00:00 - Intro & The 3P to 1P Shift 01:40 - Chinese Vendor Account Crackdowns 02:08 - 1P Benefits: Algorithm & Cash Flow 03:42 - Earl’s Story & Amazon Fee Creep 05:54 - Flat River Group’s $250M+ 1P Model 07:45 - Why Amazon Axed Chinese Distributors 09:20 - Amazon’s Push Toward 1P Distributors 10:24 - Maintaining Brand & Price Control 11:38 - Hands-Off Ads & Operations 12:25 - 3P vs. 1P Profit Math 16:43 - Testing 1P With a SKU Subset 17:45 - Bypassing Annual Vendor Negotiations 20:08 - Preventing Out-of-Stocks 22:36 - Shopify & 3PL Cost Savings 22:47 - What’s Next for Vendor Models Related Post: Top 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands (2026 Data) How to Reach Earl: Website: flatrivergroup.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/earl-pardo-0a45b931a Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#63
September 22 · 34 min
Episode 336 - The Future of Beauty E-Commerce with Laura Meyer
Laura Meyer, Founder and CEO of Envision Horizons, joins the podcast to explore how beauty became the #1 growth driver across Amazon, TikTok Shop, and social commerce. As consumer attention shifts toward visual education and short-form video, beauty brands are navigating a complex landscape defined by strict platform programs, affiliate marketing flywheels, and private equity pressure. While entry-level sellers struggle with margin compression and trend chasing, established brands are leveraging AI agents, Amazon Creator Connections, and LLM-driven consumer research to validate product claims and boost conversion. To build a defensible brand on Amazon and TikTok Shop, Laura breaks down the necessity of brand gating through Amazon's Premium Beauty program, managing data integrity for specific product use cases, and prioritizing high-impact conversion creative over traditional ad spend. Episode Notes: 00:00 - Introduction to Laura Meyer and Envision Horizons 01:48 - Why Beauty: High Margins, Repeat Purchases, and Consumables 02:29 - Laura’s Days at Amazon Media Group in 2015 06:09 - Gating Amazon Brands: The Premium & Indie Beauty Programs 09:26 - Private Equity's Impact on Beauty & High Growth Expectations 12:26 - The Social Selling Flywheel: 42% of Amazon Purchases Start Off-Platform 13:43 - How Envision Horizons Runs Amazon Creator Connections & Affiliates 15:32 - TikTok Shop vs. Amazon Affiliate Programs 17:31 - Product Innovation vs. Message Delivery Trends in 2026 19:37 - Mapping Product Data to Trending Keywords & FTC Compliance Risks 24:46 - How AI and LLMs (ChatGPT) Influence Consumer Brand Switching 25:42 - Can You Launch an Amazon-Native Beauty Brand From Scratch Today? 28:31 - Subcategory Breakdown: Skincare vs. Haircare vs. Color Cosmetics 30:23 - Transactional vs. Aesthetic Design: Optimizing Amazon PDP Creative 33:38 - Weekly Horizons Newsletter & How to Connect with Laura Related Post: AI Visibility for Amazon Products: Are ChatGPT and Rufus Recommending You? How to Reach Laura: Website: envisionhorizons.com Newsletter: The Weekly Horizons LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauracatherinemeyer Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#62
September 1 · 28 min
Episode 335 - Stop Guessing: The Data Behind Amazon Images That Convert
Daniela from Mindful Goods joins the podcast to explore how New York State’s new AI image regulations are impacting Amazon sellers and forcing brands to adopt greater creative transparency. As consumer sensitivity to "AI slop" grows, brands are encountering false negatives where overly polished human photography is mistaken for AI, making human split-testing and data-driven creative execution essential. While nimble solo founders leverage one-click AI tools for quick design wins, established 7-to-9-figure brands are using AI strategically to scale catalog design templates across thousands of SKUs and bridge visual gaps in costly photoshoots. To maximize conversion and overcome these creative challenges, Daniela outlines the importance of single-message visual hierarchy and leveraging internal databases to pre-test Main Images and A+ Content before launching. Episode Notes: 00:00 - Introduction to Daniela and Mindful Goods 01:02 - New York State AI Regulations & Amazon Disclaimers 03:18 - Compliance Fines & The Shift Toward Creative Transparency 04:49 - How AI Raised the Creative Baseline for Entry-Level Sellers 06:34 - Consumer Sensitivity & "Over-Perfection" False Negatives 09:06 - How Enterprise Brands Strategically Use AI vs. Solo Founders 11:59 - Scaling Massive SKU Catalogs from Months Down to Minutes 13:38 - Leveraging 1,000+ PickFu Split Tests for Creative Strategy 17:38 - Live Amazon Listing Audit: Buzzed Honey & Premium A+ Content 22:55 - The #2 Factor in Amazon Conversion 26:45 - Daniela’s Design Proof Substack & Free Split-Testing Playbooks Related Post: AI Visibility for Amazon Products: Are ChatGPT and Rufus Recommending You? How to Reach Daniela: Substack: Design Proof Website: mindfulgoods.co LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dbolzmann Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#61
August 25 · 8 min
Episode 334 - The TikTok Shop Halo Effect
TikTok Shop does far more than generate in-app sales; it can also drive millions of impressions that boost revenue across Amazon, D2C, and physical retail. This social exposure creates real pricing power. SmartScout’s alum Michael White leveraged TikTok traction to sell his product for $65, while competitors remained stuck at $45. The data proves this spillover effect. Every million TikTok views can generate $16,000+ in off-platform Amazon revenue, with some brands earning up to $6.70 elsewhere for every dollar made on TikTok. This halo effect breaks down into three buckets: Direct (in-app sales) Indirect (immediate off-platform purchases) Untraceable (long-term brand awareness and word-of-mouth). Even major retailers such as Walmart now actively ask suppliers for their TikTok strategy because social buzz directly drives store foot traffic. Ultimately, winning brands are comfortable breaking even on TikTok Shop knowing the real margin expansion will show up on their Amazon and retail balance sheets. Episode Notes: 00:09 - The TikTok Shop Halo Effect 00:45 - The Power of Impressions 01:01 - Anecdotes from the Frontlines 02:05 - Measurable Data Points and Studies 04:13 - Categories of the Halo Effect 05:45 - The Walmart Perspective and Offline Retail Impact 06:12 - Strategic Losses and the Flywheel Effect 07:20 - Tools, Feedback, and the Road Ahead Related Post: Amazon Brands with Successful TikTok Shop Grow 5.2x faster Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#60
August 18 · 19 min
Episode 333 - SmartScout Just Added TikTok Shop Data
SmartScout is expanding beyond Amazon with new TikTok Shop data after six months of research and development. The new tools track TikTok Shop trends, top products, estimated sales, market share, categories, sellers, and product variants. Scott explains why TikTok Shop reminds him of Amazon 10 years ago and why social commerce is creating new opportunities for brands. The data also reveals major differences between Amazon and TikTok Shop. Brands that dominate Amazon aren't always the biggest TikTok Shop sellers, while newer brands can quickly rise through creators and social content. SmartScout has also connected TikTok Shop products to Amazon categories, allowing sellers to compare marketplace performance and drill down into specific products and variants. Scott also shares his biggest surprises, including the strength of women's apparel, the number of Chinese sellers, and how aggressively some established brands are embracing TikTok Shop. He then explores whether TikTok Shop could eventually compete with Amazon, how creators and GMV Max create a content-to-commerce flywheel, and why connecting TikTok Shop and Amazon data matters. Episode Notes: 01:40 - From Amazon to TikTok Shop 02:30 - The Evolution of Social Commerce and TikTok Shop 03:05 - Building Tools for Market Intelligence 03:45 - TikTok Shop vs. Amazon 04:30 - New Feature Launches for TikTok Shop Analysis 05:00 - Surprises and Key Learnings from the TikTok Shop Seller Map 06:30 - Pioneering Amazon-TikTok Shop Connections 08:40 - Launch Incentives and Community Feedback 09:19 - TikTok Shop’s Unique Brand Landscape 11:35 - Will TikTok Shop Beat Amazon? 13:30 - The Need for a TikTok Shop-Focused Conference 16:00 - What Sets TikTok Shop Apart? 18:20 - Future Directions and Feedback Invitation Related Post: Amazon Accelerate Coupon Code: Save $50 With SmartScout Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#59
August 11 · 35 min
Episode 332 - Alexa Shopping Is Changing Amazon SEO
Scott sits with Christian, founder of Autopilot, about his extensive study on Amazon's AI shopping assistant (Alexa / Rufus) and how generative recommendations are fundamentally changing how products get discovered on and off Amazon. Christian explains that AI-driven shopping isn't just a replica of traditional search results, it also represents a distinct "third shelf" alongside organic search and paid advertising. Through a study analyzing over 110,000 search listings and 13,000+ Alexa recommendations, Christian discovered that 64% of Alexa's suggestions actually fall outside the top 10 organic search results. While top organic spots hold an advantage for the primary recommendation, deeper AI suggestions heavily favor long-tail products backed by strong star ratings (4+ stars), high sales velocity, and concise titles optimized for AI truncation. Furthermore, running PPC ads offers only a tiny chance of forcing an AI recommendation if the listing lacks strong underlying signals. The big takeaway is that AI discoverability operates as a holistic 360-degree ecosystem. Off-Amazon content on target sites, D2C stores, and deal forums heavily feeds engines like ChatGPT and Google AI. To win in the long run, brands must optimize their data infrastructure and create "agent-friendly" D2C content that AI bots can crawl, validate, and convert into citations and recommendations. Episode Notes: 00:00 – Christian’s background 01:30 – How analyzing 15,000+ brands led to founding Autopilot 03:00 – Amazon unifying Rufus and Alexa under one shopping brand 04:30 – Why AI recommendation is Amazon's "third shelf" 06:00 – Methodology behind the 13,000+ Alexa recommendation study 07:30 – Alexa picks 09:30 – PPC reality check 11:00 – Category variations: Apparel vs. Health & Supplements 12:30 – What signals drive AI picks (ratings, sales velocity, title length) 14:30 – ChatGPT & Google Shopping 17:00 – Optimizing off-Amazon content for AI crawlers 19:00 – Tracking AI visibility using tools like Gumshoe, Peek, and Profound 21:00 – The scale of AI shopping: Over 100 million daily product searches 22:30 – How to connect with Christian and access the study report Related Post: Amazon Accelerate Coupon Code: Save $50 With SmartScout How to Reach Christian: Website: autopilotbrand.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/umbach Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#58
July 14 · 22 min
Episode 331 - How to Turn Amazon Videos Into a Sales Machine
Scott talks with Michael from Social Motion and Video Science about why sellers need to manage video the same way they manage keywords, bids, and listings: with testing, data, and a clear performance goal. Michael explains that the best Amazon videos start with search intent. A shopper looking for an “air purifier” may care about pets, allergies, bedrooms, or odor, and each use case can need a different hook. Instead of running one generic video across every keyword, sellers can build video variants around buyer intent and test which angles drive stronger clicks, CPC, ROAS, and conversions. The big takeaway is that video can become a sales machine when it is refreshed and optimized over time. AI can make the process faster and more affordable, but the strategy still comes from research, scripting, storyboarding, testing, and knowing when to refresh winning creative before fatigue sets in. Episode Notes 00:00 – Why Amazon Video gets ignored 01:00 – Michael’s e-commerce and video background 02:30 – Video must drive results 04:00 – The PPC creative gap 05:30 – Amazon video placements 07:00 – Search intent matters 09:00 – One video is not enough 10:30 – What can lower CPC 13:00 – Video fatigue is real 15:00 – Why sellers avoid creative 16:30 – Start with top sellers 18:00 – Build videos by intent 20:00 – Testing needs enough clicks 22:00 – Use a 12-week test window 24:00 – How AI helps 26:00 – AI is not the strategy 28:00 – Refresh winning videos 30:00 – Amazon vs. social video 32:00 – Brands still move slowly 34:00 – Performance-first creative 35:00 – How to reach Michael Related Post: TikTok as a Growth Channel for Amazon Brands How to Reach Michael: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelarking Website: socialmotionfilms.com Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#57
June 2 · 25 min
Episode 330 - Amazon 1P vs 3P: Which Model Wins in 2026
Scott is with Matt Snyder, founder of Brands Excel, to discuss one of the most misunderstood transitions on Amazon: moving between Vendor Central (1P) and Seller Central (3P). After years of third-party sellers gaining share, Amazon’s first-party retail business appears to be growing again. Matt explains how tariffs, inventory challenges, margin pressure, and operational complexity have made life harder for many mid-sized sellers, while larger brands continue capturing more market share. The result is a marketplace where the biggest players keep getting bigger. He details the transition from 1P to 3P, including the internal roadblocks that can prevent brands from gaining control of listings, content, and catalogs. Matt also shares how Amazon’s New Seller Success team can sometimes help brands navigate these challenges. Scott and Matt also look at the reverse trend. These are brands moving from 3P back to 1P. In categories like grocery and consumables, Amazon may subsidize pricing and logistics in ways that make the vendor model attractive. There is no perfect model. As ecommerce evolves through AI, social commerce, and changing marketplace economics, brands that know when to shift strategies and navigate the messy middle will be best positioned for growth. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Amazon retail (1P) begins gaining share again relative to 3P sellers 01:54 - Why larger brands are capturing more market share 03:12 - Pattern and the rise of large marketplace operators 04:58 - Common reasons brands consider moving from 1P to 3P 06:53 - Vendor agreements and the challenges of opening a Seller Central account 08:16 - Using Amazon leadership principles to gain internal support 10:32 - How Amazon's New Seller Success team can help transitions 12:02 - Why 1P to 3P transitions remain difficult for large brands 13:40 - Content ownership, listing control, and vendor contribution issues 14:54 - The emerging trend of 3P brands moving to 1P 16:12 - Categories where the vendor model can still outperform 3P 17:20 - Amazon Fresh, grocery expansion, and basket-building products 18:48 - Pricing subsidies and how Amazon protects customer loyalty 20:16 - The trade-offs between different Amazon business models 22:14 - Looking ahead: AI, social commerce, and future marketplace shifts 24:12 - AI agents and the next wave of ecommerce complexity 24:55 - Building a collaborative Amazon seller community Related Post: How to Use Amazon Ad Data to Find New Product Opportunities How to Reach Matt: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-snyder-amazon Website: https://www.brandsexcel.com/ Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#56
May 26 · 29 min
Episode 329 - Inside the Digital Shelf Institute: The Future of Online Shopping
Lauren Livak Gilbert, lead of the Digital Shelf Institute, joins the podcast to explore how agentic commerce and AI tools like Amazon’s Rufus are transforming product discovery. As the industry shifts from traditional SEO keyword stuffing to natural language and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), sellers must optimize their Product Detail Pages by directly answering consumer Q&As to feed context-driven AI recommendations. Currently, nimble challenger brands are capturing market share by adapting quickly and building off-site trust signals, while large legacy brands are often bogged down by massive SKU counts, messy data taxonomy, and regulatory hurdles. To overcome these challenges and safely scale AI content generation, Lauren emphasizes the critical need for strict E-commerce hygiene and a single source of truth for product data using Product Experience Management platforms like Salsify. Episode Notes: 00:00 - Introduction to Lauren Gilbert and the Digital Shelf Institute (DSI) 01:48 - Defining the "Digital Shelf" and the Data Explosion 03:51 - What is Agentic Commerce? 08:12 - Amazon Rufus, Natural Language, & Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) 14:16 - Why Challenger Brands are Winning Market Share 18:01 - The Core Data and Taxonomy Problem for Large Brands 21:40 - Solving Content Chaos and Workflows with Salsify 24:42 - Legal, Compliance, and the Importance of Trust Signals 28:08 - How to Join the Digital Shelf Institute Related Post: How to Build a Repeatable Amazon Competitor Analysis Workflow How to Reach Lauren: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurenlivak Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#55
May 19 · 35 min
Episode 328 - This AI Shift Feels Different… And It’s Moving FAST
Scott is with Brett Bohannon to talk about the fast-moving shift from basic AI chat tools to agent-driven Amazon workflows. They discuss Claude, OpenClaw, MCP servers, APIs, and how sellers can connect private catalog data, public marketplace data, and advertising insights into one AI-powered operating system. Brett shares how he uses AI agents to reduce repetitive Amazon tasks, audit catalogs, connect tools like Keepa and Data Dive, and build workflow automations for ads, inventory, and listing optimization. They also shed light on what this means for Amazon software, why unique data still matters, and how sellers can start using AI to solve specific operational problems instead of chasing every new tool. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Intro to Brett Bohannon, Claude, and AI agents 01:40 - From custom GPTs to faster AI workflows 02:37 - Why recent AI progress feels different 02:55 - OpenClaw, AI agents, and business context 06:28 - Data Dive adapter for Claude and API data 07:18 - Three AI user levels: LLM users, builders, and MCP users 08:13 - How MCPs connect Claude with hosted or local data 09:49 - Combining Amazon tools under one AI workflow 12:33 - Using catalog data, Keepa, and niche analysis together 14:05 - Automating daily Amazon workflows 16:18 - Skill Create, GitHub, and open-source Amazon tools 17:45 - Replacing software with custom AI tools 19:31 - Maintenance tradeoffs with DIY AI workflows 20:08 - What stays valuable in Amazon software 22:57 - Talking to Amazon data inside Claude or ChatGPT 25:16 - Combining profitability, ads, and marketplace data 27:22 - Using agents to scale as a solo consultant 29:08 - Brett’s Amazon background and catalog expertise 30:34 - Catalog audits using category listing reports 31:17 - Rufus scoring and listing data quality 33:38 - Helm and layered MCP workflows 34:25 - AI agents and the future of Amazon software Related Post: How to Sell on TikTok Shop 2026 (Guide For Beginners) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-bohannon-1992329/ Website: https://voartex.com/ Scott’s Links LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#54
May 12 · 29 min
Episode 327 - The Reality of Running a Business on Amazon Right Now
Cajua and Josh have been selling on Amazon since 2017. They started with private label and also tried each of the popular models, including Retail Arbitrage, Online Arbitrage, and Wholesale Distribution. Now they focus on being a brand-direct growth partner (aka an Accelerator) for small brands. They've generated millions in revenue for their brand partners, host the Ecom Unlimited Podcast, and help run The Wholesale Network. A community for people growing their wholesale businesses on Amazon. You can connect with them on their social platforms here. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Meet Kaja and Josh from E Comm Unlimited 01:30 - Starting with eBay flips, YouTube, and private label 02:38 - Early private label lessons from a crowded product launch 03:20 - Finding a better opportunity with bat boxes 04:27 - Early sales, COVID inventory issues, and bootstrapping limits 05:31 - Moving into retail arbitrage 06:19 - The Goodwill book flip that proved arbitrage could work 07:16 - Shifting from arbitrage to wholesale 08:09 - Why online arbitrage was hard to scale 08:55 - How supply chain issues led to brand direct 09:56 - Why smaller brands create strong Amazon opportunities 10:16 - Using SmartScout to find overlooked brands 11:26 - Expo West and trade show opportunities 13:15 - Finding brands with clear Amazon pain points 14:40 - Common brand objections to Amazon sellers 15:42 - Building relationships at trade shows 16:46 - Why timing and follow-up matter 18:24 - Educating brands on Amazon supply chain issues 20:18 - DTC brands and Amazon confusion 21:30 - Why smaller brands may need brand-direct partners 22:06 - Why consumables remain exciting on Amazon 23:24 - Why Amazon is still growing despite seller fatigue 24:37 - The skills sellers need to win today 25:40 - Why trade shows keep sellers excited 27:04 - The Wholesale Network and brand-direct education 28:32 - Where to find E Comm Unlimited Related Post: Top 5 Ways to Increase Reviews on Amazon Products Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ecom.unlimited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomunlimited.io/ Cajua: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CajuaRobinson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cajuarobinson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cajuarobinson/ Josh: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Joshua_Dambman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshua_dambman Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#53
May 5 · 29 min
Episode 326 - Inside Amazon Arbitration: What Every Seller Needs to Know
In this episode, we have Mario Simonyan of ESQ Go, an attorney who brings a rare operator-first perspective to the table. Having built and sold his own brands, Mario understands the high stakes of the Amazon ecosystem in a way most lawyers don't. He frames arbitration as the "car crash" of the business world. It is a situation most sellers hope to avoid but must understand before a crisis hits. His dual background as a former seller and a legal expert allows him to ground complex strategy in the operational realities of running a high-revenue brand. A major takeaway is that arbitration isn't reserved exclusively for account suspensions. Many cases involve active sellers who are still trading but facing serious issues like missing inventory or frozen capital. This shifts the focus from simply keeping an account live to protecting the assets and cash flow that keep a business solvent. Because the process is long, expensive, and can take over a year to resolve, Mario positions it as a definitive last resort. It is a path to be taken only after standard appeals, executive escalations, and pre-arbitration efforts have been completely exhausted. Looking ahead into 2026, the discussion highlights the necessity of proactive risk management as enforcement around compliance and authenticity tightens. The cost of mistakes is rising, making it vital for sellers to understand their legal pathways before they are forced to use them. Whether through better documentation, channel diversification, or a clearer grasp of the arbitration process, preparation is the best defense. Ultimately, the sellers who treat legal strategy as a core part of their business rather than an afterthought will be the ones best positioned to survive a major dispute. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Introduction: Amazon Suspensions and the “Afterlife” 01:00 - Why Arbitration Matters for Amazon Sellers 01:41 - Mario’s Background as an Amazon Seller Turned Lawyer 02:24 - Arbitration as the Last-Resort “Nuclear Option” 02:49 - Is Arbitration Only for Suspended Seller Accounts? 03:28 - Lost Inventory, Damaged Inventory, and Held Funds 04:06 - Scott’s Example: Missing Inventory and Monthly Storage Fees 06:23 - How the Arbitration Process Starts 06:37 - Demand Letter, AAA Filing, and Amazon’s Response 08:03 - Arbitrator Selection and Preliminary Hearing 09:55 - Discovery, Documents, and Settlement Signals 10:57 - Pre-Hearing Briefs and Zoom Arbitration Hearings 12:12 - Cross-Examination and Amazon Risk Department Witnesses 13:35 - Policy Questions Around Reselling and Inauthentic Claims 14:28 - Arbitration Timeline and Confidentiality 15:11 - What Sellers Should Do Before Arbitration 15:44 - Plan of Action, Appeals, and Escalations 16:28 - Pre-Arbitration Demand Letters 17:25 - Appealing for Fund Release Instead of Reinstatement 18:31 - Why Arbitration Often Doesn’t Make Sense Under $50K 19:39 - 2026 Trends: Resellers, Inauthentic Claims, and Marketplace Pressure 22:20 - Walmart Marketplace Growth and Seller Suspension Issues 23:41 - Walmart Account Access, Category Suspensions, and Seller Center Challenges 26:21 - Private Label Risks: Listing Suspensions, Trademark Issues, and Compliance 27:01 - Closing Thoughts on Arbitration and Seller Risk 28:41 - Final Takeaway: Staying Prepared in 2026 Related Post 10 Jungle Scout Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid, Tested) How to Reach Mario: EMAIL: mario@esqgo.com Website: www.esqgo.com Phone: (424) 363-6233 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mario-simonyan-a26927176 Scott’s Links LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#52
April 21 · 30 min
Episode 325 - How Brands Grow Beyond Amazon With TikTok Shop and Multichannel Commerce
Scott talks with Maciej Stanski, US CEO of Base.com and a former Amazon logistics operator, about what growth looks like now that Amazon is no longer the only serious game in town. Maciej's Amazon middle-mile logistics background gives the episode an operational focus. He explains how inventory movement, consolidation, and shipping speed built Amazon’s FBA advantage, while Scott ties that to today’s reality where FBA is still powerful but harder to depend on as a single-channel strategy. The conversation then shifts to the 2026 commerce environment. Amazon still leads, but fee pressure, cash flow friction, and rising complexity are pushing brands to look harder at Walmart, TikTok Shop, DTC, and other channels. TikTok stands out as a real growth engine, especially for smaller brands that can earn attention instead of just outspending competitors. The core takeaway is that multichannel success is not just about opening more storefronts. It depends on operational discipline, catalog hygiene, clean product data, and a single source of truth, especially as AI-driven discovery and contextual shopping keep evolving. On AI, both take a balanced view. They see its value, but reject hype for hype’s sake. Their message is clear: use AI to solve real business problems, but focus first on fundamentals. Brands that get their operations in order will be better positioned to win. Episode Notes 00:09 - Introduction: Expanding Beyond Amazon 00:58 - Insights from Amazon Logistics 03:31 - The Omnichannel Shift & Changing Marketplace Dynamics 04:45 - Pressure Points for Amazon Sellers 05:48 - TikTok Shop: Social Commerce in Action 08:14 - The Rising Complexity of Multichannel Operations 10:52 - Agentic AI and Evolving Discovery in Ecommerce 15:41 - Operational Discipline: Fundamentals Over Fads 22:24 - Who Benefits Most from Multichannel Management Software? 25:31 - Planning for Multichannel from the Start 27:09 - The Surprising Demographics of Social Commerce 28:12 - Closing Thoughts and Industry Outlook Related Watch “Death of the Amazon Seller” How to Reach Maciej: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maciejstanski Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#51
March 10 · 12 min
Episode 324 - Trend-Driven Opportunities
Scott shares a few 2026 updates shaping the Amazon landscape... plus a key reminder that opportunity is still real, but it’s shifting. He challenges the “Amazon is dead for new sellers” narrative. Michael White (a longtime SmartScout teammate) left to launch his own Amazon brand and has already crossed $1M in revenue after launching in August. This was driven by patient sourcing and a clear trend thesis. From there, Scott zooms out to the more sobering macro view behind his YouTube documentary “Death of the Amazon Seller”: fewer new sellers are entering, and incremental marketplace growth is increasingly captured by large brands, large sellers, and Chinese sellers. using creatine as the example, Scott leans into what he’s most bullish on: trend-chasing done intelligently. While the overall creatine market is booming, the real edge is spotting sub-trends inside the trend (like gummies, Creapure, and women-focused positioning) that are growing faster than the broader category. He closes with a data point on Chinese sellers shifting their “country of business” (often to Hong Kong or the U.S.) and a new research tool he’s excited about: ECDB, a global e-commerce database founded by a former Statista leader, aimed at mapping retail and marketplace performance worldwide. Episode Notes 00:31 - A real-world counterpoint to “Amazon is too hard now”: a SmartScout teammate launches and hits $1M+ revenue fast 01:48 - Why Scott’s documentary argues Amazon is consolidating: fewer new sellers, more share captured by big players 03:00 - Why Scott is still bullish on trend-based product selection, especially in fast-moving categories 03:55 - Creatine as the case study: macro growth is strong, but sub-trends are where the outsized opportunity lives 05:00 - Practical takeaway: “find a trend inside the trend” and build positioning around the faster-growing slice 06:45 - New data insight: large Chinese sellers changing business location (often Hong Kong or U.S.) 07:50 - Why: conversion optics and rising pressure around revenue reporting and compliance 09:25 - Tool spotlight: ECDB and what global marketplace data reveals about Amazon vs. China-based giants 11:08 - Scott’s outlook: Still optimistic on growth, but the game is changing Related Watch “Death of the Amazon Seller” Related Post Top 10 Chinese Sellers That Have Changed Countries Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#49
February 24 · 44 min
Episode 323 - Amazon Listing Optimization Just Changed — Here’s How
Amazon sellers are entering a new era of product discovery, and AI visibility is becoming part of the playbook. In this episode, Scott sits down with Yona, founder of Amazon Growth Lab, to break down how brands can improve visibility across both Amazon’s ecosystem (Rufus, Cosmo, organic search) and external LLMs like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Yona explains why traditional keyword stuffing is fading, how Amazon is evolving toward context and use-case relevance, and why listing content now needs stronger sentiment alignment across titles, bullets, A+ content, and images. They also dig into the difference between Amazon visibility and LLM visibility. Since LLMs often do not scrape Amazon product pages directly, Yona shares why off-Amazon signals like press, community mentions, and helpful content can influence whether products get recommended in AI answers. The conversation also covers a practical conversion playbook for 2026, including CTR optimization, image testing, PickFu workflows, conversion benchmarking, reviews, and iterative A/B testing for infographics and A+ content. If you want a clear breakdown of what’s changing in Amazon search, AI discovery, and conversion strategy, this episode is packed with actionable ideas. Episode Notes: 00:09 - Intro to the 2026 AI visibility conversation and guest intro (Yona, Amazon Growth Lab) 02:32 - The core question: how brands show up in LLMs for high-intent prompts 03:19 - Why LLM visibility is easier for DTC/Shopify than Amazon 04:30 - Robots.txt explained in simple terms and why it matters for AI indexing 04:50 - Why Amazon blocks LLM scraping and the threat of agentic commerce 06:48 - How Amazon products still get recommended via off-Amazon sources 08:32 - Why old Amazon SEO tactics are fading (keyword stuffing vs relevance) 11:56 - Images, A+ content, and infographics as SEO/AI signals 12:31 - Underused Seller Central tools: Search Query Performance and Product Opportunity Explorer 14:14 - Using customer sentiment language in content to improve Rufus indexing 15:32 - Why CTR and conversion rate are still the strongest Amazon visibility levers 18:03 - Amazon platform visibility vs LLM visibility: different strategies 18:49 - Off-Amazon visibility drivers: press releases, Reddit, Quora, and brand mentions 24:27 - Amazon’s long-term concern: customer control and ad dollars shifting to AI 26:30 - Why blogs still matter, and how visuals/structured content help brands stand out 29:24 - AI visibility tracking tools (Profound, Surfer, Scrunch AI) and why using multiple tools helps 31:45 - 2026 conversion strategy: building a funnel for CTR and conversion improvement 32:09 - PickFu testing workflow for improving main images and click-through rate 36:28 - Conversion levers: pricing, reviews, creator content, infographics, A+ content, and split tests 41:03 - Enterprise scaling: automating creative production and localization across thousands of listings 43:43 - Yona’s closing advice and where to connect with Amazon Growth Lab Related Post AI Visibility for Amazon Products: Are ChatGPT and Rufus Recommending You? Guest Link Amazon Growth Lab: AmazonGrow.com Scott’s Links LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#50
February 23 · 19 min
Episode 322 - Amazon AI Visibility, Cosmo, and the New Rules of Product Discovery in 2026
AI is changing how shoppers discover products, and Amazon sellers need to pay attention now. In this episode, Scott breaks down the rise of AI-driven product discovery through tools like Amazon Rufus and ChatGPT, and explains why visibility in AI answers is becoming a new layer of competition for sellers. He unpacks Amazon’s Cosmo framework, including the key product-understanding questions AI systems use to evaluate listings, and introduces SmartScout’s new tools built for this shift: the Amazon AI Scorecard and the AI Visibility Monitor. Scott explains how the scorecard audits your listing content across bullets, A+ content, and images to measure how well your product answers AI-relevant questions. He also shows how the visibility monitor tracks how often your products appear in ChatGPT recommendations over time, even when AI responses are inconsistent. Scott also shares how sellers can improve AI visibility through better listing content, stronger online presence, and a more intentional long-term strategy for LLM discovery. If you want to know whether your brand is winning the AI visibility race in your category, this episode lays out the framework. Episode Notes: 02:00 - Amazon Rufus adoption and what it could mean for product discovery 03:10 - ChatGPT shopping behavior and why AI shopping queries still matter 04:06 - Why AI shopping accuracy is not perfect yet, but still important 04:34 - Amazon Cosmo and the product questions AI systems use to understand listings 07:00 - The shift from keyword-only thinking to AI-ready product content 07:32 - SmartScout’s Amazon AI Scorecard and how it evaluates listing quality 08:10 - How the scorecard creates a feedback loop for continuous improvement 10:23 - SmartScout’s AI Visibility Monitor and tracking LLM recommendation share 12:40 - Why ChatGPT results are non-deterministic and how visibility percentage helps 14:53 - Creatine example: measuring AI visibility by niche and query type 16:23 - How to improve AI visibility through listing content and off-Amazon signals 17:44 - Why this matters for sellers, brands, and teams in 2026 Related Post Top 10 Amazon FBA Reimbursement Services to Recover Your Funds Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up • • Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#48
January 27 · 19 min
Episode 321- Amazon’s AI Agent and the New Rules of Selling for 2026
Amazon’s new AI shopping agent could reshape how people discover and buy products online. Scott breaks down Amazon’s “Buy for Me” initiative, which is an AI-driven shopping flow that can surface off-site products and redirect shoppers to external stores. He unpacks what it could mean for conversion, attribution, and Shopify seller economics. Learn how it works in practice, and why it matters for sellers who rely on traditional storefront traffic. If the shopping experience starts on Amazon and finishes elsewhere, the rules around discovery, trust, and conversion can shift fast. Scott also explains agentic commerce, where AI drives more purchase decisions, and why the impact will vary: small businesses can adapt faster, while larger organizations face more friction. Zooming out to 2026, Scott weighs bearish risks, such as white-collar layoffs, against bullish tailwinds that could keep demand strong and create new e-commerce opportunities. Episode Notes: 00:40 - Amazon’s Buy for Me AI Agent 04:51 - Agentic Commerce & Human-in-the-Loop vs. Human-Out-of-the-Loop 05:59 - Widespread AI Adoption and Its Impact 10:45 - Amazon Reviews: Policy Update 12:31 - Bear Case for Amazon & E-Commerce in 2026 15:13 - Bull Case for Amazon & E-Commerce in 2026 Related Post: Top 10 TikTok Marketing Agencies for DTC and CPG Brands Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#47
Nov 18, 2025 · 18 min
Episode 320 - AI Visibility in the New Era of Amazon Selling
Scott returns from a month of trade shows to break down what he’s seeing on the front lines of e-commerce, and why we’re entering a new era of “AI visibility” for Amazon sellers. He shares how the largest brand client his team has ever signed actually found them through ChatGPT, and what that means for agencies, software tools, and brands trying to stand out online. Scott walks through the major eras of selling on Amazon, from early booksellers and repricers to retail and wholesale resellers, the private label boom with Jungle Scout, the rise of Amazon advertising and analytics tools, TikTok Shop’s rapid growth, and now AI business agents and shopping assistants. He explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini already influence which Amazon products, agencies, and software tools get recommended, and why strong written content, clear bullet points, and smart keyword strategy matter more than ever. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Signing Up a Large Corporation 01:30 - The Evolution of Amazon Selling: Era by Era 06:50 - The Dawn of AI Visibility 07:29 - Understanding AI Visibility on Amazon 10:05 - Building Amazon Visibility 11:19 - Amazon vs. AI Shopping Agents 13:47 - Content Optimization for the AI Era 16:02 - Keyword Ranking by State 16:55 - SmartScout’s Feedback Tool Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Amazon Selling Tools (and How to Choose the Right One) Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog
#46
Oct 30, 2025 · 33 min
Episode 319 - Simplifying Success & Finding Your Fit with Scotty O.
Discover why simplicity might be the ultimate Amazon strategy. This is straight from an industry veteran who’s seen it all. In this episode, Scott sits down with Scotty O. of Quickfire and Always Off Brand podcast to unpack decades of experience navigating Amazon’s third-party marketplace. From working with iconic brands like Columbia Sportswear and North Face to building agencies and embracing straightforward solutions over flashy tech, Scotty O. shares practical wisdom for sellers at every stage. They dive into the realities of ad management, finding your ideal client fit, surviving category competition, and why Amazon Business is suddenly a hot topic. Episode Notes: 00:11 - Scotty O Introduction 03:08 - Scott Ohsman's Retail Journey 05:15 - Entering the Agency World 06:22 - Life at Quickfire 09:51 - Tech, Tools, and Agency Value 10:40 - Audience Awareness and Communication Styles 13:43 - Niche Services and Transparent Relationships 15:49 - The Realities of the Amazon Marketplace 17:39 - The Seller's Dilemma: Guarantees and Incremental Wins 21:15 - Pricing and Competition: Can Small Brands Win? 26:00 - Chinese Sellers, External Traffic, and Ad Tech 27:54 - Amazon Business: The Sleeping Giant Related Post: How to Know Amazon Market Share by Category: What Brands Are Winning on Amazon and Why How to Reach Scotty O: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6 Website: quickfirenow.com Always Off Brand Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcast Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

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