The Consequences of Bad Legal Advice

November 30, 2023 • 14 MIN

The legalities of the Amazon marketplace are perplexing and have become increasingly challenging for sellers to navigate. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the nuances of Amazon’s policies, the risks of improper legal representation, and the importance of specialized legal advice in certain areas, while offering insights into avoiding brand registry revocations and compliance blunders.

Why is my product flagged as a pesticide?

November 16, 2023 • 12 MIN

There’s a lot of confusion around the seller community and in the general public about what exactly a pesticide is. Most people tend to think of chemical pesticides, but those are not the only types of pesticides. Often sellers are selling pesticides without even realizing it, due to the claims they are making. Or, especially during busy sales periods, their products are flagged as pesticides due to an attack from a competitor. In this episode, Leah McHugh talks about what pesticides are, how they are regulated on Amazon, and how to deal with attacks that could take your best-selling ASIN down during crucial sales periods.

Bulletproof Your Amazon Listings Against Suspensions & Defect Claims in Q4

November 9, 2023 • 12 MIN

Recently, there’s been a noticeable uptick in listing suspensions particularly related to condition complaints—damaged, defective, used sold as new— triggering a flurry of suspension notifications. In this episode, Chris and Leah examine the murky waters of these suspension notifications exacerbated by the chaotic frenzy of this busy sales period.

Submitting Amazon's Appeal Form Can Hurt Your Account

November 2, 2023 • 12 MIN

When engaging with Amazon's Seller Performance team, sellers must tread carefully. One pitfall many fall into is the checkbox appeals. While these forms might seem like a quick fix for sellers who find themselves in hot water, hastily clicking through them without understanding the full implications can lead to even bigger issues. In this episode Chris and Leah unpack the intricacies of checkbox appeals and offer advice on how to navigate them effectively.

Questions you need to ask before using Supply Chain by Amazon

October 26, 2023 • 16 MIN

Amazon has recently introduced a service called "Supply Chain by Amazon." The program is Amazon's expansion into the logistics sector, aiming to provide more comprehensive warehousing and multi-channel fulfillment options to sellers. In this episode, Chris & Leah address key concerns surrounding this initiative, such as the potential impact on Amazon sellers and the practicality of using Amazon for logistics.

Please provide evidence that you did not violate policy

October 19, 2023 • 19 MIN

One of the pressing concerns for sellers in the Amazon ecosystem is the nuanced policy enforcement trends, especially in a peak selling season like Q4. In this episode, Chris and Leah McHugh dive deep into the convoluted world of Amazon policy enforcement, shedding light on strategies for effectively navigating the murky waters of Amazon compliance requirements.

Navigating Amazon Misinformation & Understanding Policy Compliance

October 12, 2023 • 22 MIN

It's essential for Amazon sellers to understand the risks of following misguided or outdated advice. In this episode Chris and Leah unravel the enigma of advice from various Amazon teams, dissect the disparity between policies and practice, and emphasize the crucial responsibility sellers have in understanding Amazon's policies themselves

Why Optimization Hacks Don’t Work, and What you Should do Instead

October 5, 2023 • 16 MIN

Prime Day is a highly anticipated event for Amazon sellers, but it's essential to approach it strategically to ensure long-term success on the platform. In this episode, Chris and Leah talk with Emma Schirmer Tamir, founder of Marketing by Emma, who shares valuable insights on how to make the most of Prime Day while avoiding shortcuts or hacks that could jeopardize your business.

The FTC says Amazon is a Monopoly- What that Means for Sellers

September 28, 2023 • 13 MIN

Yesterday the FTC along with 17 states initiated a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the e-commerce giant of exploiting its marketplace dominance to artificially raise prices both on and off its platform, impose excessive charges on sellers, and suppress competitive practices. In this episode, Chris McCabe and Leah McHugh analyze the repercussions this FTC lawsuit could have on sellers and consumers.

Preparing for Peak Season with Uncapped

September 21, 2023 • 9 MIN

The topic of accessing funds is crucial, especially as many sellers are gearing up for the bustling Q4 and the upcoming Prime Day. In this episode, Leah and Piotr discuss the secrets to maintaining liquidity, optimizing inventory, and securing flexible funding options for your business to ensure a prosperous Q4.

Dealing with Attacks as we head into Q4

August 31, 2023 • 16 MIN

Q4 in the ecommerce world is a period of intense competition, especially on the Amazon marketplace. With increased sales opportunities, it's also the time where brands face a heightened risk of attacks from competitors using black hat tactics. From fake negative reviews to counterfeit claims, businesses need to be vigilant against these unscrupulous strategies that can damage their reputation and sales. In this episode, Chris and Leah dive deep into the current landscape of these attacks, the importance of reporting, and the nuances of dealing with Amazon's systems and support teams.

Navigating GS1 Standards to Safeguard Your Brand and Conquer Marketplace Challenges

August 17, 2023 • 11 MIN

GS1 plays a pivotal role in global commerce by providing standardized identification solutions like UPC barcodes that ensure product authenticity, streamline supply chains, and enable accurate transactions for businesses and consumers alike. In this episode, Leah and Michelle Covey from GS1 US delve into how GS1 facilitates product identification for Amazon sellers, ensuring genuine and verified product listings, while also exploring the broader applications of GS1 standards in optimizing supply chain operations and combating marketplace abuse.

Relisting is Not an Option

August 10, 2023 • 13 MIN

Strategies to boost sales and maintain product visibility are constantly evolving on Amazon, but there's been a concerning trend of consultants offering to relist suspended listings under the guise of reinstatement. Many sellers, desperate to restore their listings, have fallen victim to agencies, services, or consultants exploiting loopholes in Amazon's system, falsely promising to reinstate listings while bypassing the root cause of the suspension. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the deceptive practice of relisting suspended Amazon listings and its potential repercussions.

What Is and Isn't an Escalation?

July 27, 2023 • 11 MIN

One of the most critical aspects of handling Amazon seller performance challenges is escalations. It's your best bet at resolution when Amazon's teams aren't reviewing your appeal or issue properly. In this episode, Chris and Leah share insights into what constitutes a proper escalation and how to avoid common mistakes when seeking assistance from Amazon.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table with Yoni Mazor

July 20, 2023 • 11 MIN

Gone are the days of quick hacks and shortcuts. Today, it's all about crafting a unique and differentiated experience that resonates with your target audience. Yoni Mazor joins Leah and Chris to explore the strategies needed to optimize your business for brand growth & to discuss why Seller Velocity is a game-changing conference for Amazon sellers.

You're Only as Good as Your Worst Supplier

July 13, 2023 • 11 MIN

A wave of Amazon sellers have been suspended from the platform for unintentionally selling stolen goods. The sellers in question were unaware of their suppliers' illicit activities. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss how Amazon handles such cases and the importance of knowing your supplier, conducting due diligence, and taking responsibility for business decisions.

New Rules for Reviews

July 6, 2023 • 16 MIN

The recent FTC announcement proposed rules that aim to eliminate practices such as fake reviews, review hijacking, buying positive or negative reviews, and illegal review suppression. While some of these practices are already against Amazon's policies, the FTC's proposed rules provide further clarification and emphasize their stance on the matter. In this episode, Chris and Leah raise questions about Amazon's commitment to addressing these issues, especially given the FTC's scrutiny and the potential consequences for violating regulations.

Protect Yourself for Prime Day

June 29, 2023 • 13 MIN

Prime day is right around the corner, which means Amazon sellers need to be preparing themselves for the worst. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the crucial aspects of safeguarding your listings and account from both competitor attacks and non-compliant practices that may lead to restrictions.

Don't Keep Waiting for Amazon Teams to Get Back to You

June 22, 2023 • 12 MIN

Many sellers have been told to wait for a response from Amazon, but waiting indefinitely may not be the best strategy. It's important to be proactive and ensure your concerns are addressed promptly, as every moment wasted can mean more money lost. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the drawbacks of waiting for extended periods while receiving the same generic responses or no response at all, and what you need to do instead.

Should you Give Amazon your Manufacturer Info?

June 15, 2023 • 10 MIN

Amazon's requirements can often perplex sellers, and one common area of confusion lies in the sharing of manufacturer information. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into what information Amazon requires and shed light on the situations where it should be provided.

What you Need on Your Invoices

June 8, 2023 • 15 MIN

Invoice verification can be tricky business on Amazon. In this episode, Leah and Chris discuss the challenges faced by sellers when presenting invoices to Amazon and the mysterious knee-jerk rejections that leave them questioning if anyone is actually reviewing their documents. Are automation and poorly written AI to blame, or is there more to this puzzle?

Just Because you Can, Doesn't Mean that you Should

June 1, 2023 • 13 MIN

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, it's easy to get caught up in the desire for quick success and immediate results. Shortcuts or hacks that promise to boost sales or game the system are rampant. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the often overlooked consequences and long-term implications of these quick fixes.

INFORM Consumers Act: What You Need to Know

May 25, 2023 • 12 MIN

Congress recently passed the INFORM Consumers Act, going into effect June 27th. What does this mean for Amazon sellers? In this episode, Chris and Leah give an overview on what this bill entails, who it affects, and how it may affect your business operations in the near future.

Document Your Relationships

May 12, 2023 • 13 MIN

Documenting relationships is a crucial step when selling on Amazon that too many sellers skip. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss how sellers can find themselves suspended for being associated with a suspended account and explore the importance of reinstatement through proper documentation. From business partners and third-party services to agencies and past connections, it is essential to have comprehensive contracts that accurately document these relationships.

Correcting Listing Content When Your ASIN is Restricted

May 5, 2023 • 10 MIN

Maximizing your success as an Amazon seller requires maneuvering through the complexities of listing corrections and suspensions. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss how to navigate these complexities to minimize any negative impacts on your sales and reputation on the platform.

The Dark Side of Infringement Complaints

April 27, 2023 • 16 MIN

False infringement claims can lead to serious consequences and may even result in legal action. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the negative consequences making erroneous infringement claims can have on your account and the long term damage that can result.

72 Hours

March 30, 2023 • 16 MIN

Have you gotten the dreaded 72 hr warning from Amazon Account Health Services? In this Episode, Chris and Leah discuss the implications of this warning for your account and what you need to do so that you don't end up getting stuck with a suspension.

Extreme ASIN Merging

March 23, 2023 • 18 MIN

Question from an Amazon Seller: How should sellers approach the 'extreme merging' of a lot of ASINs together (which results in a single ASIN with a whole group of UPC's)? Who is doing the merging? Why is it happening? Are these UPC's/GTIN's etc. all legitimate? Are they all in fact the same product? Is the listing tainted? In this episode Chris and Leah dissect the issue of merging product listings and best practices for Amazon Sellers.

Selling on Amazon Japan with Gary Huang

March 2, 2023 • 18 MIN

For Amazon sellers, expanding into international marketplaces is a significant and indispensable step for the growth of your business. In this episode, we discuss with Gary Huang, who is known for organizing the Seven Figure Seller Mastermind Conference taking place in Tokyo on April 4th and 5th, about the complexities involved in expanding into other regional marketplaces, and why it is crucial for Amazon sellers to consider Japan as a rising player in the market.

Growing Your Brand on Amaozn with Daniel Fernandez

February 23, 2023 • 13 MIN

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your brand to the next level on Amazon, it's vital for you to understand your potential pain points and how to alleviate them. In this episode, Chris and Leah speak with Daniel Fernandez from AMZ Clever, an amazon seller turned agency owner who has helped numerous private label brands achieve success on Amazon.

Is All Your Inventory Defective?

February 16, 2023 • 12 MIN

There's been a recent increase in Amazon sellers experiencing their inventory being declared defective and unsellable, resulting in sellers suddenly having thousands of units detained. In this episode, Chris and Leah explore the reasons behind this sudden surge in defective inventory, the potential implications for sellers and how to resolve this issue.

The Best Amazon Ads Launch Strategy with Laura McCaul

February 2, 2023 • 18 MIN

PPC has always been the go-to strategy for launching products, but many sellers are hesitant to invest in it, instead opting for black hat tactics that inevitably put your account at risk. With the availability of new reports and data from Amazon in brand metrics, brand analytics, and search query performance, it has become easier for sellers to understand their position in a category, their conversion rates, and where they can compete. In this episode, Chris and Leah talk with Laura McCaul on the best strategy for using PPC ads to rank higher, convert faster, & get more eyeballs on your product.

Changes to Compliance

January 26, 2023 • 19 MIN

Recently we have noticed an increase in issues with products being incorrectly identified and rejected by Amazon's compliance teams. In this episode Chris and Leah deep dive into the current state of compliance enforcement to shed light on the upcoming challenges for sellers on Amazon.

Amazon Seller Account Security

January 19, 2023 • 17 MIN

Having your account compromised is an issue that has unfortunately affected many Amazon sellers. In this episode, Chris and Leah will discuss different ways in which an account can be compromised and provide tips on how to prevent and resolve this problem.

Problematic Products

January 12, 2023 • 14 MIN

When selling on Amazon, not all products are created equal. Sellers should be aware that if they keep having issues with a problematic product, it may not only risk the product being taken down, but also a suspension of their entire account. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the importance of assessing all products for potential issues and how to be proactive in mitigating these issues in order to avoid putting your entire business at risk.

New Year, New You: Amazon Seller Edition

January 5, 2023 • 14 MIN

As we kick off the new year, it's the perfect time to review and assess your account. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the importance of regularly evaluating your account to identify and address any potential issues, as well as how to anticipate and prepare for challenges that may come up as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of selling on Amazon.

Amazon is Inconsistent

December 29, 2022 • 16 MIN

Amazon's enforcement teams are notoriously inconsistent. In this episode Chris and Leah explore the reasons behind this inconsistency and offer strategies for addressing this in your appeal process.

New Years Resolutions: Get Your Amazon Ads Ready for 2023 with Adam Mellott from BetterAMS

December 22, 2022 • 14 MIN

As the Holidays quickly approach, it's time to start gearing up your ads for 2023. In this episode we talk with Adam Mellott on what to expect and creating a successful ad strategy on Amazon this Q4 going into Q1 so you aren't scrambling come January.

Keeping your Account Healthy in Q4

December 15, 2022 • 15 MIN

We're in the peak of Q4 which means Amazon sellers need to discover and fix problems with their account before Amazon does. In this episode Chris and Leah go through how to identify potential threats and the steps you need to be taking to make sure your account is healthy this holiday season.

Understanding Counterfeits & Black Hat Attacks with Carrie Miller from Helium10

December 8, 2022 • 17 MIN

Every seller wants their product to be successful, but this comes with unforeseen distress from counterfeiters copying your product and shady competitors looking for their golden opportunity to get your listings suspended. Chris McCabe and Carrie Miller from Helium10 dive into the treacherous world of account abuse that is rampant on Amazon, especially during the peak holiday season.

Mysterious Product Recalls

December 1, 2022 • 12 MIN

A lot of sellers have been receiving mysterious product recall messages from Amazon, when their product hasn't actually been recalled. The messaging states that all products need to be removed from FBA before the listing is eligible for reinstatement. So what is causing your listing to get incorrectly flagged like this? Is it somebody hitting the wrong button in Amazon's system or is somebody trying to sabotaging your listing? And how do you get your listing reinstated, without removing all of your inventory?

Preparing for Black Hat Attacks with Norm Farrar

November 24, 2022 • 15 MIN

Black hat attacks are rampant during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Chris McCabe talks with Norman Farrar about ongoing brand struggles with abusive attacks, what to watch out for and how to prepare yourself before abuse comes knocking on your door at the worst possible time.

Category Approval Doesn't Equal Proof of Authenticity

November 17, 2022 • 14 MIN

Invoices previously accepted for ungating are getting rejected by Amazon for proof of authenticity, resulting in a withholding of funds, creating panic among many Amazon sellers. In this episode Chris and Leah tread into the murky waters of this issue, the reason it might be happening and provide solutions if you find yourself in this distressing situation.

Suspected IP Complaints

November 10, 2022 • 11 MIN

Potential IP infringement has become a hot button topic recently. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss what to do if your account is flagged for a potential IP infringement and how to move forward to fix this issue.

Too Many Amazon Sellers Don't Take Safety Complaints Seriously

November 3, 2022 • 8 MIN

We are in the thick of Q4 and resolving safety complaints are a high priority for Amazon right now. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss why you need to take all safety complaints about your product seriously rather than assume that they are from a competitor or disgruntled customer, and what to do if you receive these types of notifications about your product.

Misusing Brand Registry

October 27, 2022 • 9 MIN

Did you know brand registry doesn't mean that you get to decide who lists your product on Amazon? We've recently seen an uptick of sellers falsely accusing competitors of counterfeit, resulting in a suspension from these tools. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss the consequences of these false IP claims & the proper way to use brand registry.

The Right Way to Dropship

October 20, 2022 • 13 MIN

The internet is flooded with bad information when it comes to dropshipping. As a part two of the previous episode, Chris and Leah discuss the right way to dropship and how to write an appeal if you already been suspended for using these outdated models.

You Need Better Sourcing

October 13, 2022 • 6 MIN

Arbitrage and Dropshipping are becoming outdated on Amazon but sellers are still using these methods, inevitably getting their accounts suspended. In this episode, Chris & Leah discuss why these sellers need better sourcing models before it's too late.

Poor Decisions Now will Cost you Later

September 29, 2022 • 16 MIN

When it comes to selling your business, the earlier you start doing your due-diligence the better. In this episode Chris & Leah spoke with Jamie Davidson of Northbound Group about the importance of running your business with an exit strategy in mind and keeping your business clean to appeal to potential buyers.

Don't Misrepresent your Products

September 22, 2022 • 12 MIN

Many sellers are adding popular keywords or content, trying to make their listing easier to find on Amazon. But sometimes these additions are a distortion of what the product is and it's uses. In this episode Leah & Chris discuss the many flaws with this marketing strategy and how it can get you into hot water not only with Amazon, but also with regulatory agencies and the law.

You Need More Than a Sales Pitch

September 15, 2022 • 15 MIN

Your business's safety needs to be priority number one. That's why when hiring third party services, asking the right questions is key. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss how to vet "experts" and third parties so that you aren't putting your account at risk with bad information.

What You Need to Know about the Category Listing Report

September 8, 2022 • 9 MIN

Category listing reports were once useful tools to check for abusive keywords placed on your listing by black hat vandals. This is no longer the case. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the current uses for category listing reports, the process of getting keywords removed & tips for dealing with this issue.

Is Amazon flagging your GS1 UPCs?

August 25, 2022 • 10 MIN

Barcodes, GS1 & GTIN exemptions are complicated topics, especially with the conversation constantly being muddled with bad information from online forums. In this Episode Chris & Leah take a deep dive into this convoluted subject, explaining what you need to do if your GS1 UPCs are flagged by Amazon.

Where is Your Money?

August 18, 2022 • 16 MIN

Do you have money being held by Amazon without any idea on when or if it will be disbursed back to you? In this Episode, Chris & Leah discuss the murky & concerning world of mystery reserves holding Amazon seller's money for undisclosed lengths of time & what you should do if you find yourself in this unpleasant situation.

Who is the Unblock Team?

August 11, 2022 • 12 MIN

There is apparently a new Amazon team on the block, the obscure unblock team. In this episode Chris and Leah speculate on who they think the unblock team might be and if this means good news for Amazon sellers.

Amazon Mad Libs Their Template Responses

August 4, 2022 • 11 MIN

The Seller Performance teams on Amazon have shown their incompetency and disinterest in solving seller issues time and time again. In this episode Chris and Leah tackle this topic and discuss what needs to be done internally to improve this dismal situation and what to expect when appealing your case to these teams.

You’re Responsible for getting Compliance Info from your Suppliers

July 28, 2022 • 10 MIN

We've recently seen an uptick in sellers who's manufacturer is unwilling to give compliance documentation when requested. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss the importance of cutting ties with suppliers who aren't willing to hand over this documentation because if something goes wrong, you unfortunately will be the one held responsible.

Is it "Black Hat" or is it Fraud?

July 21, 2022 • 15 MIN

Amazon is suing thousands of Facebook admins for facilitating reviews abuse, an issue that has been ongoing for years. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the ramifications of these black hat tactics not just within Amazon, but with the law.

Off-Amazon Strategy for Driving Amazon Sales

July 14, 2022 • 10 MIN

Sometimes the most effective marketing strategy on Amazon is off-Amazon marketing. In this episode Chris and Leah talk with Andrew Maff from BlueTuskr about how to diversify your brand and the importance of focusing on an omnichannel approach.

Don't Give Amazon More Money than you Need to

July 7, 2022 • 12 MIN

Are you spending more money on Amazon than you need to? In this episode Chris and Leah talk to Yoni from Getida about how to check if your seller account is being overcharged, what to do if you are overpaying Amazon fees and how to get that money back.

What does Executive Seller Relations do?

June 23, 2022 • 13 MIN

Having your issue delegated to Executive Seller Relations for problem resolution can feel like a lost cause. In this episode Chris and Leah debate on the inefficiency of Executive Seller Relations and the reasons why it seems even harder to communicate with them lately.

Amazon Escalations: The Do's & Don'ts

June 16, 2022 • 11 MIN

Spamming Amazon executives with begging & emotional language might feel gratifying in the moment, but it's also more than likely going to keep your appeal unresolved. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the correct way to escalate to higher-ups at Amazon so you get reinstated as quickly as possible.

Protecting Your Account with the Correct Documentation

June 9, 2022 • 15 MIN

Amazon has been amping up their requirements for supply chain and product information in order to push back on counterfeit products and bad actors. In this episode Chris and Leah go over the correct documentation and invoice information needed to confirm to Amazon that your products are legitimately sourced from verifiable suppliers.

Supplement Compliance on Amazon

May 26, 2022 • 16 MIN

Do you know what's in your supplements? In this episode we spoke with Keith Gregory about the illusive world of supplements on Amazon, the uncertainty of product authenticity for consumers and why this lack in product transparency is contradictory to Amazon's proclaimed "best buyer" experience.

Efficiently Managing Advertising on Amazon

May 19, 2022 • 9 MIN

Selling on Amazon is becoming more and more of a pay-to-play endeavor. In this episode we talk with Priyanka from Seller App about how to get the most out of your pay-per-click ads & the rising benefit of automation in the advertising sphere.

Growth Optimization Using Low Hanging Fruit Strategies

May 12, 2022 • 11 MIN

For brand optimization, go for the low hanging fruit first. In this episode we spoke with Ankita from SellerX about deciphering your pain points and dividing your growth opportunities into short, medium and long term strategies for scaling quickly and efficiently.

Taking an Agnostic Approach to Your Online Business

May 5, 2022 • 10 MIN

Diversifying your revenue streams is paramount for your Amazon business. In this episode we talk with Justin Coats, a speaker at the recent Seller Velocity Conference, about the necessity of social media platforms and sending outside traffic to your Amazon listing.

Scale Your Brand Series: Creating More Brand Visibility

April 26, 2022 • 7 MIN

With cost-per-clicks rising and the over-saturation of ads, it's getting expensive and difficult to become visible on Amazon. In part of the Scale Your Brand Series we spoke with Ritu Java, one of our Seller Velocity speakers, about utilizing DSP to add new customers to your customer base & creating visibility for your brand.

Scale Your Brand Series: Understanding Your Customer Journey

April 21, 2022 • 6 MIN

How do you build your brand off of Amazon? In part of our Scale Your Brand series we talked with Doug Hollinger about why direct to consumer marketing should be an integral part of your brand strategy and how to implement it correctly.

Scale Your Brand Series: Are You in a Red or Blue Ocean?

April 19, 2022 • 15 MIN

Is your brand swimming in a red or blue ocean? In part of the Scale your Brand series we talked with Krystel Abi Assi, one of our Seller Velocity speakers, about the perks of entering into the Middle Eastern marketplace and why differentiating your brand into less competitive waters might be the right move for you.

Scale Your Brand Series: Do You Know who Your Customers Are?

April 14, 2022 • 11 MIN

How do you transform your brand audience into a community? Connection. In part of the Scale Your Brand series we spoke with Janelle Page on the significance of discovering exactly who your audience is instead of just throwing darts into the darkness, and how to build a connection that will take your brand to the next level.

Scale Your Brand Series: Bringing External Traffic to Amazon

April 12, 2022 • 7 MIN

When it comes to growing your ecommerce business, Helium 10 are experts in the field. In part of our Scale Your Brand series we talk to Carrie Miller about expanding your business to different marketplaces & the importance of social media outreach.

Scale Your Brand Series: Are All Your Bases Covered?

April 7, 2022 • 6 MIN

When it comes to insurance-- do you have all your bases covered? In this part of the Scale Your Brand Series we talk with our Seller Velocity sponsor, Well Insurance, about the importance of protecting your brand from liability nightmares that could put your Amazon business at risk and other policies that guarantee your cargo is protected from manufacturing to the warehouse.

Scale Your Brand Series: Optimizing Sales and Gaining New Customers

April 5, 2022 • 9 MIN

Scaling Your Brand doesn't start with increasing your ad spend. You need to create a strong brand foundation, so you're not just throwing your money away on traffic that doesn't convert. As part of our Scale Your Brand series, we interviewed one of our Seller Velocity sponsors OMG Commerce discussing the best ways to optimize your sales & gain new customers.

Scale Your Brand Series: Amazon Review Strategies

March 30, 2022 • 12 MIN

Our Seller Velocity Sponsor— EcomEngine, are experts when it comes to gaining Amazon reviews the right way. The importance of recent vs old reviews cannot be overstated-- recent reviews can make or break customer confidence in your product, being the deciding factor on whether or not they hit the buy button.

You Can't Just Change the Product Detail Page

February 17, 2022 • 16 MIN

We know it's tempting to update an ASIN to a new version of a product, especially when third party services promote it as a "hack." In this episode Chris & Leah discuss why this seemingly short term "boost" is detrimental to your long term account health.

There's a Right Way to Escalate to Executive Seller Relations

February 10, 2022 • 13 MIN

When it comes to escalating your appeal through the ranks of Amazon, persistence is key. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the best ways to escalate to executive seller relations so you aren't waiting idly or spamming the queues in hopes of a resolution.

You're Responsible for Other People's Behavior

February 3, 2022 • 11 MIN

We know maintaining documentation on your every move seems tedious, but for those in the Amazon selling & consulting sphere it is vital. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss why keeping detailed documentation of all internal and external connections to your account is a major component to your account health.

Who Owns Your Copyright?

January 13, 2022 • 8 MIN

Unethical Amazon sellers have been targeting their competitors with bogus copyright infringment reports. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss what to do to protect yourself from these black hat attackers & why it's never a good idea to falisfy IP infringement.

Giving Amazon More Information when you Don't Have More Information

January 6, 2022 • 14 MIN

Contacting account health can feel discouraging. Their reps can be elusive about details making it unclear why your account or ASIN was suspended in the first place. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss how to get the information you need & how to decipher which information you can trust so you can write a high quality appeal.

Investing in Your Business

December 30, 2021 • 14 MIN

We know that as business owners you have a lot on your plate. Operating a successful business can be a juggling act but in certain situations the most efficient way to get a job done is by outsourcing to a professional. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the importance of hiring qualified professionals to help you save time and money in the long term for your business.

End of Year Strategic Planning

December 23, 2021 • 9 MIN

Most sellers have come to understand that monitoring metrics and keeping your account healthy is a mandatory starting point when it comes to selling on Amazon, but due to the chaotic holiday season it is not uncommon for things to fall through the cracks. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss strategic planning so you don't fall behind in the upcoming new year.

Related Accounts

December 16, 2021 • 14 MIN

We've seen a ton of related account suspensions this year! Otherwise unproblematic accounts have been shut down over a slight relation to a suspended account. In this episode Chris & Leah discuss the different scenarios that could cause a related account suspension and how to appeal them correctly.

Back Hat Attacks in Q4

December 9, 2021 • 8 MIN

Sabotage is running wild on Amazon, especially during Q4. In this episode we discuss different types of black hat attacks and how to prepare yourself for them before it's too late.

Brand Registry Issues

December 2, 2021 • 13 MIN

If you’re a brand owner selling on Amazon then you know that protecting your brand can be a full-time job. In this Episode Chris McCabe & Leah McHugh discuss the complexity of brand registry and the challenges it can present if approached incorrectly.

Amazon Advertising with Destaney Wishon

November 25, 2021 • 12 MIN

Advertising in the Amazon space is more important than ever as it is one of the most fundamental ways to drive white hat traffic to your page. In this podcast we talk with Destaney Wishon of BetterAMZ about the importance of advertising, what new advertising tools she's excited about and the best ways improve your ranking on Amazon.

Q4 Quick Wins with Norm Farrar

November 18, 2021 • 15 MIN

We all know Q4 is a crazy time of year. It's difficult to decide where to hone in and devote your attention, money or time. In this Episode we speak with Norm Farrar of Private Label Legion about the advantageous power of influencers & other brand building techniques to put your best foot forward this Q4 season.

Amazon's New Appeal Forms

November 11, 2021 • 12 MIN

Amazon has been "simplifying" the appeal process for some policy violations, in order to lighten the caseload for their investigators. Chris and Leah discuss this change, and what sellers need to know before you submit these new types of appeals.

Building Your Brand Off of Amazon with Drew Himel

November 4, 2021 • 19 MIN

Marketing your brand off of Amazon, not only grows your brand, it can also grow your Amazon account. We talk to Drew Himel from Consult PCR about best practices for communicating with your customers and building your brand's base.

Simplifying International Freight with Rael Lowethal from Zee

October 27, 2021 • 13 MIN

International logistics can be complicated at the best of times. Add global supply chain disruptions and an increased demand for ecommerce, and you're likely facing delayed shipments and extra demand to get your inventory where it needs to be. We spoke to Rael Lowethal from Zee about what sellers can do to streamline moving their products internationally.

Managing Expectations in Q4 on Amazon

October 21, 2021 • 10 MIN

As we swiftly head into the deep end of Q4, we're all getting busier. And Amazon isn't exempt from that. But how should you manage things on your end, as Amazon response times get longer and longer? Leah and Chris discuss how you should plan for Q4 to mitigate issues caused by slow moving Amazon teams.

Get Your Brand Omni-channel Ready with Kunal Chopra

October 14, 2021 • 17 MIN

2020 accelerated the adoption of online shopping by as much as 10 years, but successfully expanding into onmi-channel ecommerce takes a lot more than simply listing your products everywhere. In this discussion Kunal Chopra discusses different omni-channel strategies such as brand building and expanding to different marketplaces.

Expanding Your Sales Channels – Sell Your Products Wholesale with Amy Wees

October 7, 2021 • 18 MIN

Get your products on the shelves of 1000’s stores all over the USA. You already know who your online consumer is, but who is your B2B retail customer? Get expert tricks and tips to discover how to find your B2B audience to sell your products beyond your existing channels.

Using the Firehose Of Traffic on Amazon To Grow Your Brand with Jason Boyce

September 9, 2021 • 18 MIN

Optimize everything, relentlessly.The everything store has the shoppers, but it also puts your product next to EVERYTHING. Without a strong brand strategy, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd of products all trying to compete for the same customers. You need to leverage the flywheel to not only boost sales, but build brand awareness and loyal customers.

Driving over $500 million in sales with video- with Theron Harmon

September 2, 2021 • 16 MIN

What do ClickFunnels, Purple Mattresses, Squatty Potty and Poo-Pouri have in common? Viral videos by the Harmon Brothers! With over 1.4 BILLION views, Harmon Brothers are masters at creating great marketing videos. Chris speaks to Theron Harmon about the process they use to create entertaining and informative ads that brand and sell

Advertising Best Practices for Growing Brands

August 26, 2021 • 17 MIN

Andrew Waber of Teikametrics joins us to discuss the best practices for advertising your growing brand. We discuss the importance behind key word use and having a solid campaign structure ready to go so your listings can soar.

Preventing Returns and Negative Feedback with Sajag Agarwal

August 19, 2021 • 14 MIN

The quality control process can be a black hole. Even with inspections, issues can easily slip through the cracks. We talk to Sajag Agarwal about how to create a quality control process that actually works. And why you need to create these procedures to minimize returns and negative reviews.

Efficiently Growing Your Business with Carlos Alvarez

August 12, 2021 • 15 MIN

A lot of Amazon sellers tell us it's all they can do to keep their heads above water. As soon as one problem is resolved, another one pops up. Sound familiar? There are so many things that can go wrong in any given day, and it seems like the more money you make, the more problems you have to deal with. But it doesn't have to be this way! Carlos Alvarez joins us to discuss how he has efficiently grown 52 successful businesses! Get insights into lessons learned and tips you can take away so your own businesses run like clockwork.

Listings that sell, and are TOS Compliant

July 29, 2021 • 19 MIN

Emma Schermer Tamir, a listing optimization expert, joins us to discuss tips and advice for Amazon Seller's navigating the Amazon space. It can be very easy to pay attention and follow suit of what your competitors are doing with their listings, but we go over the best and safest practices to follow with your Amazon listings.

Variation Warnings

July 23, 2021 • 5 MIN

In our experience the ASIN variation policy is one of the least understood areas by Amazon sellers. Unfortunately, the way Amazon words their policy warning ASIN Variation Misuse, leads a lot of sellers to believe that no action is required by them. We discuss the steps that sellers should take to protect their listings and account.

Phony Amazon Sellers

July 8, 2021 • 12 MIN

We've seen it all on Amazon, from fake reviews to faking brand approvals. Recently we're spotting more sellers using third-party services to provide fake documentation, not realizing that they are committing fraud. Ultimately, Amazon will hold you the Seller responsible for the conduct on your account, regardless of whether it was you or someone faking the documents on your behalf.

No products, no money.

July 1, 2021 • 13 MIN

If you're flagged for an authenticity investigation and aren't able to get documentation deemed acceptable by Amazon, you'll likely find yourself unable to get your inventory out of FBA OR get your funds disbursed. This leaves you stuck, with no product, no cash, and Amazon threatening to dispose of your inventory. Then what?

How To Use The Category Listing Report

June 24, 2021 • 10 MIN

Category Listing Reports are one of the more useful tools available to sellers, and most don't know what it is! We use these reports to vet cases, identify abuse, all the way through to strengthening plans of action. Sellers should be using these to protect their accounts. BONUS: they can simplify your listing management.

Fool Me Once

June 17, 2021 • 13 MIN

Dealing with an account suspension is difficult for most sellers. Even more difficult is getting suspended for the same reason twice. Amazon only gives you so many changes, and that second reinstatement is hard to achieve. How do you prove to Amazon that you've REALLY implemented a plan of action to prevent future issues when you already failed to follow through on your previous appeal?

Amazon's Preferred Payment Provider Program

June 10, 2021 • 20 MIN

Working capital issues can shut down your business. As we see the costs of selling on Amazon increase and the speed at which Amazon disburses your funds decrease, it's more important than ever to have additional funds available. Often the times you need funds the most are the times that you have the least access to them. Plan ahead to make sure your business can stay afloat in an emergency.

Amazon doesn't want to have a conversation with you

June 3, 2021 • 7 MIN

Many sellers confuse the appeal button with an ongoing email thread between them and Amazon. We go over the correct steps during the appeal process so sellers don't waste attempts and can solve their issue quicker.

Antitrust

May 27, 2021 • 10 MIN

We discuss the District of Columbia filing for an anti-trust based lawsuit against Amazon and why we think seller's aren't necessarily talking about this. Chris and Leah share what they find the most interesting about this on going case and whether it will spark a reaction in which other state's follow in the District of Columbia's footsteps.

Are you dropshipping the wrong way?

May 20, 2021 • 9 MIN

Dropshipping is a common business model used among sellers. We go over the best way to use dropshipping as a selling method on Amazon and what to avoid to ensure that you don't put your account at risk.

Stop Making Excuses

May 13, 2021 • 12 MIN

New sellers on Amazon tend to use their newness as an excuse for issues they run into with their account or in hopes of earning some sort of leniency from Amazon. We discuss the correct approach new sellers should be taking rather than using excuses and essentially admitting to being too new to fully understand the correct plan of action in order to reinstate their account and listings.

Abuse Reporting

May 6, 2021 • 13 MIN

More and more of the cases we're working on are due to abuse- where another seller is attacking the account. In these cases, just fixing the listings, or responding with a POA isn't enough. You need to report the abuse, to hopefully get Amazon to put an end to it (or at least create a paper trail for the next time it happens).

Aggregators

April 29, 2021 • 10 MIN

The hot new thing in the Amazon space is Aggregators. About 55, venture-backed aggregators have popped into the Amazon space, looking to buy up Seller accounts. We're huge advocates of doing your due diligence, and in this episode we're talking about why that's so important on both sides of buying and selling Amazon Seller Accounts

Studying Amazon Sellers

April 22, 2021 • 28 MIN

Moira Weigel, Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center/ Harvard Law School and Harvard Data and Society researcher, joined us for a far-reaching discussion of technology’s impact on behavior, and in our case, how Amazon’s expanding influence is taking over the lives of so many business owners, globally. She’s looking to talk to sellers about their Amazon experiences, both with their competitors and with Amazon itself. That may mean you! We discussed her writing project in-depth and the various kinds of seller situations she’s already pored over in the course of her work. She’s covering a lot of ground, as we discovered, in this conversation. Looking forward to having her back!

Who is working on your account?

April 8, 2021 • 13 MIN

In this episode, Leah and I cover one of the more worrisome trends in the consulting space. Using the concept of “White labeling” services, a company contracts out the work that you’ve just hired them for, without making it clear who is working on your account. It is up to you to know who you’re paying, and for what level of skill. A company that also offers numerous other services may be the jack of all trades, mastering none of them. We delve into this phenomenon, and how you need to approach the problem.

Troubleshooting GTIN issues

April 1, 2021 • 14 MIN

We've been fielding UPC questions from Sellers ever since Amazon changed their GTIN policy in 2016. What do you do if Amazon tells you your GTIN has already been used? How do you add a GS1 GTIN to an old listing? What if Amazon won't recognize your prefix as matching your brand? We spoke to Michelle Covey of GS1 US to get the best troubleshooting steps for these common issues.

What is "Suspected" IP Infringement?

March 25, 2021 • 12 MIN

ASINs are getting suspended left and right for “potential” (read: often imaginary) Intellectual property infringement violations, and sellers are searching for answers. You need strategies to defend yourself against this automation and human error combo! Opening cases with Support or sending emails to Seller Performance won’t get you anywhere, unless you enjoy copy and paste generic “responses.” Every kind of seller, both private label and resellers, need to learn up on these to resolve appeals properly. Mistakes cost time, energy, effort, and make you frustrated! We discuss all manner of cases and reinforce the methods for identifying true fixes for this. ——————

Why You Need Liability Insurance

March 18, 2021 • 9 MIN

Product liability insurance isn’t just something to think about, or a ”nice to have” if you’re a private label brand owner on Amazon. You need to have it! We spoke with Matt Lovell of WELL Insurance in this episode to go through the main questions and confusion he sees from Amazon sellers pushed to provide copies of their liability coverage by certain dates. Final reminders were recently sent, too, and most dates suggested deadlines in the near future if not already passed. Matt spoke with us about every seller’s best practices and what their next steps should be.

Product Compliance

March 11, 2021 • 13 MIN

Amazon finally put measures into place in the past several months and executed the kinds of things you’d expect them to, in order to sure a safe buyer experience. Leah and I have worked on numerous cases with sellers who didn’t understand these new processes nor Amazon’s compliance document expectations. In this episode, we discuss the nuances of effective communication with Amazon teams and what missteps to avoid.

Account Health Services vs Seller Performance

March 4, 2021 • 10 MIN

In this episode, Leah and I cover the key differences between Amazon’s “Account Health Services” team and the “Seller Performance” team. They may sound like they’d cover the same ground, but if your account or listings get suspended, you quickly understand that they are far from the same thing. We dig into what these teams are there for, who staffs them, and how their work influences (and sometimes undermines) the reinstatement appeal process. We also cover how much you can trust the information they provide, and how to know if it’s accurate. We understand that many sellers want to talk about a dire situation like suspension on the phone, and that Amazon won’t always clarify your next steps. But understand the limits of each, as we explain here using specific examples from our work.

Why are Sellers Still Committing Review Abuse?

February 25, 2021 • 11 MIN

Amazon takes more enforcement actions these days to prevent fake reviews because they face external pressure to do so. In this episode, Leah and I walk through the sources of those policy suspensions, and why we believe sellers think they can get use giveaways, rebates, and other incentives to "game the system." Old shortcuts to success may be mentioned in groups, classes or videos, but they have a big cost.

Used Sold as New Doesn't Mean What You Think it Means

February 18, 2021 • 12 MIN

We receive nearly daily reports from Amazon sellers who have been hit with a listing suspension due to “Used Sold as New” complaints from their buyers. In this episode we delve into the main seller confusion around what Amazon really means by “used sold as new”. Amazon’s misleading jargon often sends sellers down the wrong appeals path.

Seller Psychology: Amazon Teams are Inconsistent

February 4, 2021 • 11 MIN

Amazon is inconsistent in its enforcement of policies. Looking at other sellers' behavior isn't an accurate measure of what's allowed, or what isn't. Seller mindset is an important factor in what determines whether an account is successful, or gets into trouble for unknowingly breaking the rules. We discuss what you need to do to cultivate a winning seller's mindset.