Question 1

What is the value of an Amazon consultant?

Accepted Answer

An Amazon consultant provides value by helping business owners make informed decisions that support their growth on the platform. My role is to guide you through the complexities of Amazon, from creating and optimizing product listings to designing and executing storefronts that generate the most traffic and conversions.

Beyond managing the technical aspects, I also offer training for you or your staff, equipping you with the skills needed to successfully run your Amazon business. Whether you want to take over operations yourself, hire internal staff, or simply maintain an understanding of the services being offered, I ensure you have the knowledge and tools to make confident decisions for your business.
By working with a consultant, you gain access to tailored expertise and ongoing support that helps you navigate the Amazon ecosystem more effectively, allowing you to focus on running other aspects of your business and growing your brand.

Question 2

How much does it cost to work with you?

Accepted Answer

I work on a retainer basis, which means I’ll negotiate a rate and a set number of hours each month to support your business. My rates are determined by the scope of work and outside resources that the project may require. This flexible approach ensures you get the right level of support while keeping your budget in mind. Whether you’re looking for help with setting up your Amazon store, optimizing listings, managing advertising campaigns,  or a training solution for your business, I’ll tailor the arrangement to fit your business goals and needs.

Question 3

What are the typical challenges small businesses face when selling on Amazon, and how do I help overcome them?

Accepted Answer

I specialize in supporting businesses with $0-$250k in revenue, which often means they have small teams and limited resources. Here’s how I help overcome the common challenges these businesses face:

• Understanding Amazon policies: Navigating Amazon's rules and requirements can be complex. I provide the technical support needed to ensure compliance with Amazon policies, helping you avoid common pitfalls that can lead to account issues.

• Facilitating Brand Registry: If your business is not yet registered with Amazon’s Brand Registry, I take care of the entire process, from guiding you through the trademark requirements to ensuring your brand is protected on the platform.

• Developing a visual brand identity: If you already have a brand identity, I work with you to develop it further for Amazon. If not, I collaborate with a graphic designer to create the key images and visual elements required for a successful Amazon presence.

• Writing and optimizing listings: I write and optimize your product listings, ensuring they meet Amazon's guidelines and are aligned with best practices to increase searchability and conversions.

• Setting up your Amazon store: Once your brand is registered, I handle the creation of your product listings and set up your Amazon store, giving your brand a professional, cohesive presence on the platform.

• Managing first FBA shipment: I assist in setting up your first Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipment, ensuring your products are ready for seamless delivery to customers nationwide.

• Launching with Sponsored Ads: In preparation for your launch, I set up targeted Sponsored Ads to increase visibility and drive traffic to your listings, helping you hit the ground running.

With my comprehensive support, small businesses can focus on what they do best while I handle the complexities of selling on Amazon.

Question 4

What kind of ongoing support do you provide after the initial setup?

Accepted Answer

I work on a retainer basis, which means we can set specific goals for each month to ensure the support you receive is exactly what your business needs at any given time. Many of my clients prefer me to train their staff in key areas such as store management, customer service, and FBA shipping. This allows your team to take over day-to-day tasks confidently, while I continue to manage more complex responsibilities like Sponsored Ad campaigns.

In addition, I help prepare your business for major annual events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, ensuring your marketing strategies and promotions are ready to maximize sales during these critical periods. My ongoing support is flexible and scalable, meaning we can adjust the level of involvement as your business grows.

Question 5

How do you measure success, and what reports will I get?

Accepted Answer

We start by setting clear goals and deliverables for your project, and the reports I provide are designed to directly support those goals. For example, if your objective is to run Sponsored Ads or build brand awareness on Amazon, we’ll agree on a monthly budget for the campaigns. I will then set up and monitor those campaigns, refining keywords and phrases to ensure you're getting the best possible return on your investment.

The success of these campaigns is measured by key performance indicators such as ad spend, impressions, clicks, and conversions, all of which will be included in your monthly reports. If your campaign requires visual assets, I’ll either use your existing graphics or facilitate the development of new ones, keeping you informed about both the budget and timeline every step of the way.
My goal is to ensure you have full visibility into how your campaigns are performing and how they are contributing to your business’s growth on Amazon.

Question 6

Do I need a trademark before I start selling on Amazon?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need a trademark to open a Seller Central account and start selling on Amazon. However, if you want to register your brand and access additional perks like a branded storefront, A+ Content, and enhanced brand protection, you will need a registered trademark. Brand Registry opens up valuable tools that can help boost your visibility and credibility on Amazon, so while it’s not required to start selling, it’s highly recommended for long-term success.

Question 7

How much does it cost to sell on Amazon?

Accepted Answer

To sell on Amazon with a Professional Seller account, it costs $39.99 per month. In addition to the monthly fee, Amazon charges a 15% referral fee on each product sold, regardless of the fulfillment method.

If you use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to handle your shipping and take advantage of Prime delivery, you will also incur two main types of fees:

• Fulfillment fees: Charged per unit for picking, packing, and shipping your product.
 • Storage fees: Based on the space your inventory takes up in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.

If you handle your own shipping through Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM), you will need to cover the packaging and shipping costs yourself. Additionally, if you plan to run marketing campaigns, such as Sponsored Ads, those will require an additional budget for advertising expenses.

Question 8

I already have a listing on Amazon and a storefront but I’m not making sales. How can you help?

Accepted Answer

If you have a listing and storefront but aren’t seeing the sales you expect, I can help by conducting a comprehensive audit of your entire Amazon presence. Here’s what that includes:

• Listing and Store Audit: I’ll review your product listings and storefront to ensure they’re optimized for keywords and SEO, and compare them with your competition in the same niche.

• Marketing Audit: I’ll analyze your current marketing strategy, assess the return on your ad spend, and identify opportunities to improve your advertising efforts.

• Inventory Audit: Running out of stock frequently can impact your sales and rankings. I’ll assess your inventory management and help you maintain stock levels to avoid disruptions.

• Customer Reviews Audit: Customer reviews can provide valuable insights. I’ll review what customers are saying about your product and similar products in your category to identify areas for improvement.

Once the audits are complete, I’ll strategize with you on actionable solutions and help implement them to get your listings performing at their best.

Question 9

I’ve heard from others who sold on Amazon that it’s easy to lose money and the platform isn’t profitable. Is that true?

Accepted Answer

You may have encountered different types of Amazon sellers, such as those doing drop shipping, selling books and games, engaging in retail/online arbitrage, or selling private label products in hot niches. While these business models can work for some, it’s important to understand that Amazon is also a professional selling platform that rewards and supports brands looking to scale and grow in size and recognition.

The approach for a brand-focused business model is very different and requires a long-term strategy. Success doesn’t come overnight and involves careful planning, including launch costs, growth investments, and long-term goals. By treating Amazon as a key part of your brand-building efforts, and not just a quick sales channel, you can grow profitably.

If you’re ready to take the long-term approach, I can help you navigate the platform and build a strategy tailored to your business needs.

I’d love to hear from you! Reach out with your questions or ideas, and let’s start a conversation.