Amy’s expert skills have aided in our customer’s success, and she’s weighing in to help Amazon Sellers ordering product from China in this month’s Staff Spotlight. 

Sourcing Superstar: Amy in Action

Amy has been our team’s lead sourcing agent in China for more than 6 years., She keeps up with the help of her team in Shenzhen, and will soon be expanding to YiWu.

YiWu is a hotspot for the manufacturing of common use products, making this a perfect choice for their expansion.

What does a typical day look like for you as a Sourcing Agent?

My main task is offering the full line for Amazon sellers once they have idea of what to sell online. We help:

• Locate the top 3 right suppliers
• Arrange samples (including free inspection) 
• Customize packaging and boxes
• Arrange order and shipments
• Conduct pre-shipment inspections
• Factory audits etc.

[We’re involved in everything] from the first sample, to when the finished products arrive at the Amazon warehouse.

What is the best part about what you do?

[The] best part of my job is helping Amazon Sellers make their own business booming. Most sellers are doing this as a part- time job, so once they give us the idea or product specifications they need, we can take over from there. That way,  clients just need to spend time on the selling part --- no need to worry about the supply chain in China. 

What’s The Toughest Part of your Job?

The toughest part is time. Time is always the problem. There’s just not enough for me to help more sellers

What’s Your Advice to Overseas Amazon Sellers?

Try to spend more time on the product research. Once a sellers confirm which product has a promising future and will profit, we can help them to achieve it 

What’s One Thing Amazon Sellers Can Do To Make your job easier?

One thing that could make my job easier? Trusting us, and sharing  more information with us from the beginning. As much as possible: product details, target price or budget

How has COVID-19 affected business for you in China?

It seems like, by the end of April, all the factories should be back to normal…. 100% of our Chinese factories started to work now, but 80% of them have less materials, so it will affect: lead time prices (some raw material prices are rising) other than that, there is no effect  That said, for Amazon businesses, the problem is the shipping, DDP line by air to US Amazon already stopped, but the sea shipping is still active, Another thing to note is DHL/UPS express prices are super high If the EU and US gain control of the virus, business will be good again quickly. If that happens right away, then maybe around June?

Sourcing, selling and manufacturing products is already a huge undertaking without the addition of time zones, language barriers, unfamiliar geography for shipping, and freight ---Sea or Sky!? (The answer is both, but that’s an article for another day) Everything is always easier if you know the territory or you have a friend who does.

Who's Up Next? 

Amy’s role as sourcing agent works closely with several other players on our team, we asked who she’d like to pass the spotlight to our Graphic Design Team Leader: Andrei, it looks like you’re up next!

Questions for Amy? Connect with all the experts on our time through our Facebook Community Discussions

Learn more from our team of experts here.

• Time to Complete: 1-3 minutes
• Uses: When shipping your Amazon item to a photographer, marketer or as a gift
• Level of Importance: Saves time and money however not required.

Getting Started 

• Log into your Amazon Seller Central Account
• Select"Inventory"
• Select "Manage FBA Inventory"
• Click "Edit" (in the rightmost column) 
• Click Create Fulfillment Order

Important click “ship-to-address’ (This window offers a second: to dispose and destroy your item. yikes!)

Note: Prior to March 2020, You could only send within the country of the listing. If you sell your product internationally, you need to be in the correct Seller Central Account.  You cannot send this outside of the Country your product is in. (Ex. are selling from a US fulfillment center, you can send it anywhere in the United States.)

• Add a Comment (optional)
• Enter the desired number of units under “Fulfillment QTY”
• Click continue and confirm
• Choose Fulfillment Action 
• Select when shipping (expedited etc.) 
• Click Place Order

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same method you’d use for sending items with a coupon?

No, for coupons and marketing purposes you would set up a campaign. Coupons also take 4 hours before you can use them. Click here for more information on that

What if I want to send it to another country?

As of March 2020, this is now possible with the addition of steps 9 - 12 

When would you use this method? 

If you need to inspect your product again - maybe you've seen a sudden spike in returns marked “damaged” and want to make sure nothing happens in freight. Again as mentioned, you might also want to send this to a friend, photographer, or marketer. 

Is this when you do a quality inspection of your Amazon?

No! You will already have inspected your product and can get a trusted shipping agent to do this for future orders if you are replenishing often 

That's it --- You're done! Still, need help?  Click here to join our Facebook discussion if you have any questions.

My name’s Fabian David, and as the CEO of AMZ Savages, I believe in offering clients a unique and personalized service. AMZ Savages is not a generic online course or launch promotion – we offer a business model designed to empower customers so that they can go on to prosper as independent Amazon sellers. With over 6 years’ experience as an Amazon consultant, I know exactly what your business needs to compete against the established professionals, and I’m happy to share this knowledge with you. I believe in a truly individualized experience, which is why I’ll be the one taking your calls and sharing my screen with you every step of the way. The rest of the AMZ Savages team will be on hand to support the overall execution of your product launch, ensuring things happen on schedule and as agreed. Best of all, we tailor our hands-on initial product launch to suit your specific needs, so you can use your own services wherever you’d like (saving you some extra money along the way).

Time to Complete Task: 5-10 minutes
Level of Importance: Required

To save time, we have broken the video up into each of the six Seller Central phases, so you can jump directly to the place you might be stuck. If you prefer to watch the full tutorial click here.

Getting Started 

1. Log into your Amazon Seller Central Account
2. "Inventory"
3. "Manage FBA Inventory"
4. "Edit" (in the rightmost column) 
5.  Select "Send/Replenish Inventory"
6. "Create new shipping plan" and select the appropriate package type
7. "Continue to Shipping plan"

Set Quantity

1. Fill in “units per case”
2. Fill in Number of cases Example: If we part 20 units per carton/box, and we are sending 1000 units. That is 1 piece in a box, individually packed
3. Click Continue

Prepare Products 

1. Navigate to “Who Preps?” and select Amazon* or Merchant
2. Under “Prep Guidance” Click “Choose Catagory”
3. Select the appropriate category.
4. If there are no special requirements by Amazon select “no-prep needed”

Cost Saving Tip: This is asking who is taking care of the prep, labeling/adding barcodes and packing of the products. Our team always recommends selecting “Merchant” and then asking your production manager (intern) or negotiating these tasking into the contract with your shipping agent or supplier (external)

Label Products 

This section is about the barcode.

1. Navigate to “Who Labels”
   • Amazon: Select if Amazon is doing this for you. Select Print Labels and send to the supplier in this case
   • Merchant: If you followed our Cost-Saving branding tips, you will select “Merchant. Do not print labels 
2. Click Continue
3. Review and approve everything under the “Review Shipments tab” Click Approve & continue

Cost-saving tip: Integrate the barcode into the packaging when you design it. This eliminates the need for Amazon to do it. In addition to the improved look, this will save you around 25 cents per unit.

View Shipments

The shipment is now created. This is not the same as the barcode labels this is for when Amazon received your shipment.

1. Click “Work on Shipment”
2. Print the shipping labels
3. Select the correct shipping carrier under “other carrier”
   • UPS: Partners with Amazon. This is the best pricing if you sending your product from within the United States only
   • Other: Select this option if your product is not in the states. 
   • Multiple Boxes
   • Box integration 
     • Size & weight
     • Number of products in each box

Note: The Shipment Quantity and Total Quantity must match. Example: If we’re shipping 1000 units it might be:

• • 20 units per box configuration, within
  • 50 boxes*

*The number will calculate 1000 if this is correct. If this number does not add up click here.

4. Click Confirm

Pro Tip:  Make sure to have a shipping label attached to both sides, in case they come off in shipping.

Shipping Labels 

This section is talks about Printing the shipping labels. This is the last (and most important!) step. 

After you print the labels, click complete the shipment.

Pro Tip: Our team usually selects the “black rectangle” option as these print nicely and on one sheet.

That's it --- You're done! Still need help?  Click here to join our Facebook discussion if you have any questions.

My name’s Fabian David, and as the CEO of AMZ Savages, I believe in offering clients a unique and personalized service. AMZ Savages is not a generic online course or launch promotion – we offer a business model designed to empower customers so that they can go on to prosper as independent Amazon sellers. With over 6 years’ experience as an Amazon consultant, I know exactly what your business needs to compete against the established professionals, and I’m happy to share this knowledge with you. I believe in a truly individualized experience, which is why I’ll be the one taking your calls and sharing my screen with you every step of the way. The rest of the AMZ Savages team will be on hand to support the overall execution of your product launch, ensuring things happen on schedule and as agreed. Best of all, we tailor our hands-on initial product launch to suit your specific needs, so you can use your own services wherever you’d like (saving you some extra money along the way).

Before going into too much detail, I'll start this with a few questions for you:

• Do you want to become a successful seller on Amazon?
• Are you interested in increasing your sales for a given month or quarter?
• Is it your goal to make your products more visible in the online marketplace?

If you answered yes to all these questions, then be sure to check the rest of this article and learn more about Amazon A+ content. 

Keep in mind that having this type of content on all your product postings can help a lot in achieving your goals as an Amazon seller. In this article, I am going to provide you with the necessary information that you must learn about having A+ content for your product pages. 

Understanding A+ Content

A+ Content refers to the list of descriptions and details about an item or product that is posted on Amazon. It is also known as “multimedia content” because it usually contains high-quality images or high-definition videos. Most of the time, it also highlights comparison charts of the products available from one’s competitors. The goal is to make it easier for a consumer or online shopper to have an idea of what the product is all about. 

Benefits Of Having A+ Content

There are many advantages to having an A+ content on your Amazon product pages. First of all, it makes your product stand out from its competitors. Your target consumers will become more interested in what you are selling because of the high-quality description that you have provided on your page. Second, it also provides convenience on the part of your customers because they can easily get the information they are looking for about a particular product. Everything is well-presented in A+ content.

Who Can Create A+ Content?

Take note that not all Amazon sellers can take advantage of having an A+ content for their products. Only those that have been approved as brand owners, with legitimate trademark registration, can avail of this type of content. You have to qualify for the Amazon Brand Registry Program before you can implement the A+ content on your product pages. As such, it is crucial to see to it that you will register a trademark for your items and apply for the said program.

Learn the quickest and most affordable ways to gain a trademark here.

Your Guide To Creating A+ Content

There are many things that you have to remember when it comes to creating A+ content. As much as possible, make an effort to create unique content with the right set of multimedia files. You have to focus not only on the texts but also on the images, charts, and videos you want to use. Keep in mind that once you publish the content, you only have two days to change or modify it. As such, it is best to review your content before posting it on Amazon to avoid any inconvenience on your part. 

Here at AMZ Savages, we will help you meet your goals as an online seller on Amazon. We have a team of experts that can guide you on how to reach your objective one step at a time.   

Here is an example using two different bamboo cutting board listings. Below is a:

•  Regular Amazon Listing for a Bamboo Cutting Board (without A+ content)

• A similar Bamboo Cutting Board Listing with A+ Content

To learn more, you can visit these additional resources:

• www.amzfinder.com
• tinuiti.com
• www.channeladvisor.com
• www.sellerapp.com
• www.amazon.com

There are many things that you have to remember when it comes to becoming a seller in an online marketplace like Amazon. Keep in mind that this platform has several sellers around the world. As such, it is not a surprise that there are millions of products available in Amazon for sale. It means that the competition is high, which is why you have to exert efforts to make your products stand out from the rest.

Do not worry because I am here to help you make it happen. Take note that there are several strategies on how to meet the goal mentioned above. However, for this post, we are going to focus on one technique, which is to take advantage of trademarking.

Trademark

This is an intellectual property right, and it has to be registered to the proper government authority to prevent others from using the same mark on their items.

If another brand or company uses a trademark that registered to another entity, it may be held liable for trademark infringement. When this happens, there is a possibility that the person guilty of such offense will become criminally or civilly liable. Yikes!

Brand Registry

Every registered seller is expected to respect and follow the set of rules or guidelines implemented by Amazon. Recently, this large online marketplace made a more significant change by creating the new  Amazon Brand Registry Program. Under this program, all products must have a registered trademark before they can be posted on Amazon. The mark can be a text or graphic that should match a particular brand. If there is a failure to follow this rule, Amazon reserves the right to reject your items.

Amazon IP Accelerator

Registering a trademark for your products can be challenging, especially if you have no idea on how to prepare the necessary documents or how to go through the legalities involved.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem, and that is Amazon IP Accelerator. It aims to help business owners like you to get in touch with law firms that have proven experience in the field of intellectual property law. There are a few options to gain a trademark and Amazon brand registry:

Do it yourself

Simply applying at  www.uspto.gov or at www.trademark.com

• Difficulty: most difficult
• Time: 7-9 months
• Cost: Lowest cost option

Hire a Lawyer

Although lawyers will also have to go through the steps at www.uspto.gov it’s always easier as they are much more familiar with the process:

• Difficulty: less difficult
• Time: 7-9 months
• Cost: moderate

Use Amazon’s IP Accelerator

Aware of the problem, Amazon recently released their own program which allows access to Amazon’s team of in house legal specialists dedicated to this very thing

• Difficulty: easiest
• Time: 3 weeks (from application acceptance)
• Cost: highest cost

The best part of all is that Amazon will provide competitive prices so that you will have an easy way of choosing the right office to contact.

Benefits Of Having A Trademark

There are tons of reasons why you have to consider getting a trademark for your products. Aside from it is a strict requirement for Amazon sellers, it is also essential because of the benefits that it can give you. To start with the most important one, it will protect your business from hijackers (people who jump on your listing and will steal your buy box). Having the TM will give you access to Brand Registry, therefore Amazon will help you remove instantly any future unwanted seller from your listing. Having a trademark can provide your business with a legitimate appearance. People will become more inclined to buy your stocks because they know that you have registered your brand and the items available for sale. Second, it can set your company apart from the competitors. With a registered trademark, you will appear to be trustworthy than others.

I hope you learned something from this post. Do not forget to write your comments below. I will be happy to answer some questions about trademarking for Amazon sellers.

At the start of this 3-part blog series, we discussed the components required in order to optimize your listing:

• Keyword research & analysis
• Listing creation (Amazon Page)
• Seller Central (back end of Amazon Page)

1.KEYWORD RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

The foundation of a successful Amazon listing is built on carefully researched keywords. Why is a keyword so important? Because this is how your potential customers will find your listing. Amazon uses its custom search engine algorithms to match up buyer searches with relevant products. The algorithms it uses are much simpler than the ones used by Google, but having said that, you need to understand how the Amazon search engine operates if you’re going to get the most out of your product listing.

How to Find the Best Keywords

When a buyer keys in a search query, the Amazon search homes in on listings that contain keywords that are an exact match for the search term. In other words, the most relevant listings. The more keyword matches, the higher the listing will rank. This is why proper keyword analysis is so important – without it, you’re leaving the success of your Amazon businesses more or less to chance. To get started on this process, I will determine who your top 10 competitors are on Amazon – the businesses that have similar products that are currently achieving the highest rankings. I start by reviewing brand analytics directly from Amazon, including reports on organic sales achieved. I’ll also take into consideration a product’s Best Sellers Rank (BSR) – you may have seen these on other Amazon listings before (for example: “#3 in Toys & Games”). This ranking system is based on historical, recent and predicted sales data and compares numerous products in the same niche category. By focusing on the top-ranking products in your category niche, I can determine which listings are having the most success (in other words, which listings are using the best keywords). Finally, I’ll look at a product launch date. If a product has achieved high sales over an extended period, then it generally means they have more high-ranking keywords indexed.

Did You Know? The top 10 Amazon sellers will make 80% of the total sales on that keyword!

There are a few different online tools available that allow Amazon sellers to isolate keywords in listings:

• Legendary by AMZ Savages
• helium10.com
• junglescout.com

Once I’ve established who your top 10 competitors are, we can start drilling down into the actual analysis of the keywords. At this stage, it will become apparent that not all the keywords being used by your competitors are relevant to the product you’re selling. So, to begin with we’ll eliminate any keywords that have no bearing on your product listing. After filtering the keywords for relevance we’ll focus on the associated search volume metrics. This tells me how much your product could be making in monthly sales once it achieves a ranking amongst the top 10 sellers.

Fun Fact: A Keyword with a minimum search volume of 500 can potentially lead to at least 2 sales per day!

Ready to create your listing? Click here to follow our expert's steps.

As sellers and professional Amazon Coaches, however, we've seen more residual heartbreak from this misleading "viral post" gimmicks.  Every seller needs:

• Products
• Samples
• Labels, logos, and branding
• Shipping
• Photos and advertising
• Trademarks and various legal considerations

Sure --- anyone can start with $1000 but it won't get your product selling. These days, $1000 might not even get your product shipped to Amazon's Fulfillment Centre.

The market has become really competitive and you will find more independent sellers on Amazon now than you would’ve imagined. With that in mind,  you need to be extra thoughtful about spending your savings, and it begins with asking some key questions before you take the plunge: Is it profitable enough?

• How much do I need to invest?
• Are there any risks and/or hidden costs?

As the CEO of AMZ Savages, I’ve launched more than 700 products. I always urge newcomers to hold off on their investments until they are truly comfortable investing at least $6,000, which will cover all of the initial expenses and a few unexpected turns that you may have to face in the first few months. I have always found this to be the most stable, sensible and stress-free formula. So, let’s start with the expenses - first on the list is:

Expense # 1: Trademark 

An Amazon trademark is basically a phrase, word, design or symbol that helps identify and distinguish your product or service from the others. You may think applying for the Trademark. This way you establish your brand name to allow customers to easily identify you and associate with you. Without a trademark or a brand name, your customers may move on to other Amazon sellers since they will not be able to easily locate you. It costs between $450 and up to $900 to apply for a trademark that will be legally established - allowing you to build your brand and a loyal following of fans.

It's not mandatory to have a registered Trademark to start selling on Amazon,  but for those willing to take this risk should be aware that they could lose their business when others start selling fake products under your listing (aka Hijackers). This can lead to the worst possible outcome from negative feedback to 1-star reviews and even to get the account suspended. If you aren't Brand Registered with Amazon, there is nothing you can do to protect yourself when this happens. Without a Trademark, you also can't apply for Brand Registry. Budget $450-900 USD for Trademarking

Expense # 2: Samples

You need to know what you’re selling. Beyond the photos and product description, you want to be sure you know what you’re paying for before placing an order. You want to confirm the quality meets your business’ standards, and you want to be sure it doesn’t have any of the 1 star mistakes your competition made.  

You will likely be obtaining samples from more than 1 factory or supplier and will want to keep approximately $200 aside for samples (shipping fee included), since these will play an important part in building your online customer list. Budget $200 USD for samples

Expense # 3: Photography

Photography is another important factor that will go a long way in establishing a strong brand presence. Amazon brings together sellers from around the world, and when the competition is this tough, you need to be sure your product (the basis of your business) is represented professionally ensure you reap the benefits in the long run. With professional photos of your products, you will be in a better position to attract online shoppers and increase your sales. It will set you back somewhere between $700 to $900, but it will definitely be worth the shot (no pun intended!) Budget $700-900 USD for photos 

Expense # 4: Main Picture Split Test

Main features split test helps you compare two different versions of a product/ page, and makes it easier for you to decide which one to focus on. If you are having difficulties figuring this out, or are not Internet savvy, I can help you out! Click here to get an accurate reading of your goods! Budget $100 for main picture split test

Expense # 5: Branding

Branding is all about having a unique logo, packaging, and design that helps your customers identify you. Branding also builds a perception of quality and reliability, which is materialized through your offerings. Therefore you need to be smart about these aspects to keep your customers engaged. Designing a logo may set you back roughly $250 USD. Getting a top-notch packaging for your product costs around $400. Budget $650 USD for Branding

Expense # 6: Shipping Labels

If you do not like to think about technicalities, Amazon is not for you. Logistics is key to turning Amazon into that cash cow we referenced earlier... The Amazon fulfillment center may handle the physical execution of this, but bringing the products back to the warehouse post-production, rechecking the weight, assuring quality packaging, and pasting shipping labels on both sides of the cartons that explain weight and dimensions are some of the many factors that you’ll need to be prepared for. And, let’s not forget about delivery.  Shipping by air is often expensive but it does come with its perks, and it is a lot faster! Products shipped by sea often arrive late and therefore impact your inventory management, not the customer's experience. Remember, Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) means Amazon is taking care of the product delivery to the end consumer. The cost of freight is dependent on the size/volume* and weight of the goods delivered. The budget will be directly correlated to weight, distance, product size, and freight choice.   

AMZ Savages Tip: If you are careful to time your launch against your projected sales velocity corrected we actually recommend using both methods, air, and sea, to beat your competition to the starting line.

Expense # 7: Production & Inventory

When you are a seller at Amazon, you never know when the demand will rise, which is why you need to have inventory. Demand (sales velocity) increases or decreases according to the ranking of your product for any relevant keyword. The more keywords which are ranked well, the more sales (aka demand). Planning for an increase in demand for your niche of business will help to ensure you do not fall short. You will want to have an extra budget for inventory in case there is a sudden spike in demand. Budget $500+ USD for production and inventory

Expense # 8: Listing Creation & Optimization

Selling on Amazon requires some knowledge of SEO and a lot of attention to keywords. Before you can even select a product, before even your samples,   you need to conduct a thorough research and analysis of keywords to make sure when online shoppers come looking for a specific product, your listing is at the top of search results on popular search engines as well as Amazon. 

There are a multitude of ways to do this, which can include using online tools such as Helium 10, Jungle Scout, the AMZ Savages Legendary app, of course (Which is used only for Product Research.) either independently or with the help of a professional. At AMZ Savages, we offer the Listing Creation & Optimization through a separate service on the website directly This may set you back anywhere between $150 and $400. Budget $400 USD

Expense # 9: Advertising

Advertising is important if you want online consumers to notice your product. There are a number of online marketing methods that can be of help. These include pay-per-click advertising, directed advertising, AMZ community, etc. It is not necessary to execute on every online advertising strategy available. Starting from $50 per day to $1,500 a month, you’ll want to keep a close eye on this one as advertising expenses can quickly spiral out of control if not managed properly! That said, the answer to this question is very hard to give without assessing each product against niche, demand, ranking strategy, etc.

If we’re referring to the PPC budget, the goal is to reach 30% or lower from the sales coming from PPC with a 25% or lower Acos.

Expense # 10: UPC Codes

UPC stands for ‘Universal Product Code’, which is printed on the packaging of the retail product you are selling (commonly known as a barcode). UPCs are important to running a structured business. Some services GS1 will cost up to $1,200 a year! You can visit www.nationwidebarcode.com  to get more information – I have been using this company for 6 years so I can vouch for their service! Budget $40 USD (Please don't pay more than this!)

It’s a lot of information to take in, and you may be feeling overwhelmed. I get it! But the good news is, you don’t have to do it on your own. Click here to see how I’ve helped numerous entrepreneurs reach their goals!

]]> https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/why-it-actually-costs-6000-to-start-selling-on-amazon/feed/ 0 https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/how-the-process-works/ https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/how-the-process-works/#respond Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:30:36 +0000 https://www.amzsavages.com/?post_type=articles&p=3911  

In today’s competitive online market, it can be almost impossible to succeed as a first-time independent seller on Amazon. This isn’t like opening a traditional retail shop in your home-town – you’re competing against experienced professionals located all over the world! Fortunately, AMZ Savages is here to help new online sellers learn exactly how to succeed. 

So, what steps do we teach each new seller?

Well, since we like to ensure everything is clear up-front, so we like to start with an extra step, which includes a written agreement signed by both parties. This contract spells out everything in detail, meaning there won’t be any misunderstandings later. Once we’re all agreed and payment has been made, we can get started on our step-by-step process:

Step #1 Product Research

Any successful business should start with thorough research, so that is exactly what we do. To begin with, we’ll ask you to send through your total budget for product investment (so we know what scale we’re working on), along with any specific criteria that you’d like us to adhere to. This could include a specific category or niche that you may be interested in targeting, or any detailed requirements relating to the products themselves. I will then personally undertake the product research stage, assisted by another experienced team member. 

Step #2 Product Selection

Once we’ve completed our product inquiries, I’ll present you with a list of three different products that you can choose from. A solid business plan accompanies each product, enabling you to fully appraise the merits of each product. These proposals will include both up-front and ongoing investment costs (so you won’t have to worry about going over budget), plus detailed sales projections to help you see your expected return on investment once peak sales have been achieved.

Step #3 Branding

Once you’ve decided which product you want to move ahead with, we can get started on the branding of your business (if necessary). This would include the creation of both the business name and company logo. If you already have a business name and logo then we can move straight on to designing the packaging the products will be delivered in (with the option of either a metal or cardboard box, depending on the product). Then we can begin making samples.

Step #4 Samples

This stage aims to ensure all samples closely resemble the finished product, so we’ll be carefully inspecting the testers to check for any issues or imperfections. We’ll obtain a total of three samples to undergo the process of quality control, with one of the samples being sent to you for final approval. Once the samples have been authorized, we can start preparing the actual Amazon listing. 

Step #5 Listing Set-up

At this point, we will start preparing your Amazon listing so that it will be ready to go live as soon as the finalized products arrive at Amazon. This includes creating appealing photos that show off the key selling features of the product, as well as preparing the actual listing content. I will complete a keyword analysis on the listings of your top 10 competitors to fully optimize the final content. The listing set-up incorporates optimization of all back-end settings and pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns.

Step #6 Production & Shipping

Production begins as soon as the samples have been validated, so products are being manufactured while we work behind the scenes on the listing set-up. Once production is complete the inventory will be dispatched directly to Amazon, ready for shipping as soon as a sale is finalized.

Step #7 Launch, Advertising & Optimizing

 This is when things start to get very exciting! We launch the listing and start the PPC campaigns as soon as the stock arrives at Amazon. The campaigns are followed by reviews, which will typically take 2-3 weeks in total. As soon as the reviews are live on your listing, we will begin the ranking process which is designed to help you start selling products organically (the point where you start making a real profit!).    

Not-So-Secret Step #8? Repeat

Repeat As I’ve already stated, this isn’t just a launch promotion – I will be teaching you the process throughout every stage of the journey. This step-by-step mentoring ensures that you can repeat the process yourself the next time you’re ready to release a product on Amazon. 

My name’s Fabian David, and as the CEO of AMZ Savages, I believe in offering clients a unique and personalized service. This isn’t just some generic online course or launch promotion – we offer a business model designed to empower customers so that they can go on to prosper as independent Amazon sellers. With over 6 years’ experience as an Amazon consultant, I know exactly what your business needs to compete against the established professionals, and I’m happy to share this knowledge with you. I believe in a truly individualized experience, which is why I’ll be the one taking your calls and sharing my screen with you every step of the way. The rest of the AMZ Savages team will be on hand to support the overall execution of your product launch, ensuring things happen on schedule and as agreed. Best of all, we tailor our hands-on initial product launch to suit your specific needs, so you can use your own services wherever you’d like (saving you some extra money along the way). 

Have you been thinking about investing in Amazon? With a few extra bucks in your account just waiting to be invested in a profitable venture, one can’t ignore the cash cow that is Amazon. However, keep in mind that for every success story and claim that investing in Amazon was the “best decision of my life”, there are many who wish they had done their homework. The moral of this story: you need to do your own research before you invest your hard-earned money. The market has become really competitive and you will find more independent sellers on Amazon now than you would’ve imagined. With that in mind,  you need to be extra thoughtful about spending your savings, and it begins with asking some key questions before you take the plunge: Is it profitable enough?

• How much do I need to invest?
• Are there any risks and/or hidden costs?

As the CEO of AMZ Savages, I’ve launched more than 700 products. I always urge newcomers to hold off on their investments until they are truly comfortable investing at least $6,000, which will cover all of the initial expenses and a few unexpected turns that you may have to face in the first few months. I have always found this to be the most stable, sensible and stress-free formula. So, let’s start with the expenses - first on the list is:

Expense # 1: Trademark 

An Amazon trademark is basically a phrase, word, design or symbol that helps identify and distinguish your product or service from the others. You may think applying for the Trademark. This way you establish your brand name to allow customers to easily identify you and associate with you. Without a trademark or a brand name, your customers may move on to other Amazon sellers since they will not be able to easily locate you. It costs between $450 and up to $900 to apply for a trademark that will be legally established - allowing you to build your brand and a loyal following of fans.

It's not mandatory to have a registered Trademark to start selling on Amazon,  but for those willing to take this risk should be aware that they could lose their business when others start selling fake products under your listing (aka Hijackers). This can lead to the worst possible outcome from negative feedback to 1-star reviews and even to get the account suspended. If you aren't Brand Registered with Amazon, there is nothing you can do to protect yourself when this happens. Without a Trademark, you also can't apply for Brand Registry. Budget $450-900 USD for Trademarking

Expense # 2: Samples

You need to know what you’re selling. Beyond the photos and product description, you want to be sure you know what you’re paying for before placing an order. You want to confirm the quality meets your business’ standards, and you want to be sure it doesn’t have any of the 1 star mistakes your competition made.  

You will likely be obtaining samples from more than 1 factory or supplier and will want to keep approximately $200 aside for samples (shipping fee included), since these will play an important part in building your online customer list. Budget $200 USD for samples

Expense # 3: Photography

Photography is another important factor that will go a long way in establishing a strong brand presence. Amazon brings together sellers from around the world, and when the competition is this tough, you need to be sure your product (the basis of your business) is represented professionally ensure you reap the benefits in the long run. With professional photos of your products, you will be in a better position to attract online shoppers and increase your sales. It will set you back somewhere between $700 to $900, but it will definitely be worth the shot (no pun intended!) Budget $700-900 USD for photos 

Expense # 4: Main Picture Split Test

Main features split test helps you compare two different versions of a product/ page, and makes it easier for you to decide which one to focus on. If you are having difficulties figuring this out, or are not Internet savvy, I can help you out! Click here to get an accurate reading of your goods! Budget $100 for main picture split test

Expense # 5: Branding

Branding is all about having a unique logo, packaging, and design that helps your customers identify you. Branding also builds a perception of quality and reliability, which is materialized through your offerings. Therefore you need to be smart about these aspects to keep your customers engaged. Designing a logo may set you back roughly $250 USD. Getting a top-notch packaging for your product costs around $400. Budget $650 USD for Branding

Expense # 6: Shipping Labels

If you do not like to think about technicalities, Amazon is not for you. Logistics is key to turning Amazon into that cash cow we referenced earlier... The Amazon fulfillment center may handle the physical execution of this, but bringing the products back to the warehouse post-production, rechecking the weight, assuring quality packaging, and pasting shipping labels on both sides of the cartons that explain weight and dimensions are some of the many factors that you’ll need to be prepared for. And, let’s not forget about delivery.  Shipping by air is often expensive but it does come with its perks, and it is a lot faster! Products shipped by sea often arrive late and therefore impact your inventory management, not the customer's experience. Remember, Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) means Amazon is taking care of the product delivery to the end consumer. The cost of freight is dependent on the size/volume* and weight of the goods delivered. The budget will be directly correlated to weight, distance, product size, and freight choice.   

AMZ Savages Tip: If you are careful to time your launch against your projected sales velocity corrected we actually recommend using both methods, air, and sea, to beat your competition to the starting line.

Expense # 7: Production & Inventory

When you are a seller at Amazon, you never know when the demand will rise, which is why you need to have inventory. Demand (sales velocity) increases or decreases according to the ranking of your product for any relevant keyword. The more keywords which are ranked well, the more sales (aka demand). Planning for an increase in demand for your niche of business will help to ensure you do not fall short. You will want to have an extra budget for inventory in case there is a sudden spike in demand. Budget $500+ USD for production and inventory

Expense # 8: Listing Creation & Optimization

Selling on Amazon requires some knowledge of SEO and a lot of attention to keywords. Before you can even select a product, before even your samples,   you need to conduct a thorough research and analysis of keywords to make sure when online shoppers come looking for a specific product, your listing is at the top of search results on popular search engines as well as Amazon. 

There are a multitude of ways to do this, which can include using online tools such as Helium 10, Jungle Scout, the AMZ Savages Legendary app, of course (Which is used only for Product Research.) either independently or with the help of a professional. At AMZ Savages, we offer the Listing Creation & Optimization through a separate service on the website directly This may set you back anywhere between $150 and $400. Budget $400 USD

Expense # 9: Advertising

Advertising is important if you want online consumers to notice your product. There are a number of online marketing methods that can be of help. These include pay-per-click advertising, directed advertising, AMZ community, etc. It is not necessary to execute on every online advertising strategy available. Starting from $50 per day to $1,500 a month, you’ll want to keep a close eye on this one as advertising expenses can quickly spiral out of control if not managed properly! That said, the answer to this question is very hard to give without assessing each product against niche, demand, ranking strategy, etc.

If we’re referring to the PPC budget, the goal is to reach 30% or lower from the sales coming from PPC with a 25% or lower Acos.

Expense # 10: UPC Codes

UPC stands for ‘Universal Product Code’, which is printed on the packaging of the retail product you are selling (commonly known as a barcode). UPCs are important to running a structured business. Some services GS1 will cost up to $1,200 a year! You can visit www.nationwidebarcode.com  to get more information – I have been using this company for 6 years so I can vouch for their service! Budget $40 USD (Please don't pay more than this!)

It’s a lot of information to take in, and you may be feeling overwhelmed. I get it! Basically, if you were wondering how to sell on Amazon without money --- we can tell you with confidence you'll need to spend $6000, But the good news is, you don’t have to do it on your own. Click here to see how I’ve helped numerous entrepreneurs reach their goals!

]]> https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/cost-of-investing-in-amazon/feed/ 0 https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/understanding-amazon-ppc/ https://www.amzsavages.com/articles/understanding-amazon-ppc/#respond Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:58:56 +0000 https://www.amzsavages.com/?post_type=articles&p=3907

Running your business on Amazon can still be daunting after you first launch, especially if you are still trying to figure things out. Do not worry though ---we are still always here to help you move forward with growing your business with our guidance and assistance, everything can be within your reach. We will help you accomplish your goals as soon as possible.

One of the areas that you need to focus on being an online seller in Amazon is advertising. As part of your investment in your Amazon business, you will want to be sure to invest in pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. Use this strategy to reach your target market and eventually end up in getting increased revenues for your Amazon business. Here at AMZ Savages, we’ll get your business started and operations will flourishing, but like in any serious company: marketing tends to be its own department. We highly recommend that you find a PPC specialist to work on the advertising campaigns. In this article, we are going to provide you with the necessary information that you need to get started:

What is Amazon PPC

First off, PPC stands for Pay-Per-Click --- and it means just that. You set an online advertising, and you only pay when someone clicks on that ad. This is the same way ads work on facebook or your google search engine. 

Although that seems straightforward, ads are delivered to you based on the words your search and you can bet that get each of your competitors are trying to reach the exact same customers. This is where the “Pay” bit in “pay- per -click” really surfaces. The good keywords are expensive --- are you that confident? Do you bid on a less direct word or go for the big ones?

That’s why we recommend a specialist: An Amazon PPC specialist for your Seller Central business, and eventually, as your brand expands beyond Amazon FBA you may wish to consider a: 

• Digital marketing specialist for your website, and 
• Facebook ads specialist for facebook and Instagram. 

If this seems excessive, just think of PPC or CPC (Cost-per-click) specialists as digital ad doctors --- sometimes it’s important to have someone familiar with a particular procedure (or platform)

Who Is A PPC Specialist?

A PCC specialist or expert is a professional who is engaged in providing Internet marketing services to clients like you. This expert will be responsible for conceptualizing the proper strategies that will make your products more popular in the online marketplace He or she focuses not only on the creation of effective ad campaigns but also in designing a specific landing page for the clicks. It is essential to find someone who understands the importance of keyword research and one who is familiar with the latest trends in digital advertising.

How To Hire The Right Person For PPC Campaigns?

Nowadays, you can see that there are already tons of individuals and companies that offer PPC services to business owners like you. As such, it can become complicated to find the right PPC expert to do the job for you. Because of this, it is crucial to think of the following tips to remember so that you can hire the right PPC expert:

• Check the feedback or reviews of the previous clients of the PPC professional that you want to hire.
• Look at the previous work of the said PPC expert so that you can see the quality of the campaigns and verify the success rate through their regular reports.
• Take your time to find the right person or agency for the PPC campaigns. Do not rush the hiring process to ensure that you will not commit any mistakes.

How To Get Started

There are two things that you must focus on the PPC expert who will work with your campaigns. First of all, be sure to look at the templates that he will use for your ads. Second, you have to make sure that you will receive weekly and monthly reports. These reports will help you see whether or not the ad campaigns have helped you meet your business goals.

If you are still new to Amazon, we highly recommend that you get in touch with David of PL Prominence. He can help you launch your business at the rates that you can afford. For more established Amazon sellers, it is best to check out the services of PPC Scope. You can also use Zon Tools to help you with PPC campaigns.