Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to Selling on Amazon
2. Mistake #1: Conflating Brand Name and LLC Name
- Importance of Distinct Brand and Company Names
- Benefits of a Short, Unique Brand Name
3. Mistake #2: Ignoring Gut Feelings About Products
- Prioritizing Profitability Over Personal Preferences
- Trusting Data and Criteria Over Emotional Attachment
4. Mistake #3: Overlooking Red Flags from Suppliers
- Importance of Responsive and Professional Suppliers
- Recognizing and Addressing Communication Issues
5. Building a Supportive Amazon Seller Community
6. Conclusion: Embracing Discomfort and Pivoting Quickly
**The Three Biggest Mistakes Amazon Beginner Sellers Make**
🚀 Introduction to Selling on Amazon
Welcome back, my fellow Amazon sellers! In today's video, I'm excited to share with you three of the biggest mistakes I've seen beginner Amazon sellers make. As someone who's been on this journey for almost five years, I've learned a lot - both from my successes and my mistakes. My goal is to help you avoid the pitfalls I've encountered so that you can hit the ground running and build a thriving Amazon business.
Before we dive in, I want to address a quick disclaimer. There have been some scammers trying to impersonate me on various platforms, so please be cautious. The only places you can access my classes and content are on my official websites, learnwithappy.com and savvysellerfba.com. I will never ask you to send money through Zelle, Venmo, or any other platform. If you ever encounter someone claiming to be me, please don't engage with them.
Now, let's jump right into the three biggest mistakes I see beginner Amazon sellers make.
🔍 Mistake #1: Conflating Brand Name and LLC Name
One of the most common mistakes I see is when new sellers make their brand name the same as their LLC name. This may seem like a logical choice, as you want to keep everything consistent and organized. However, this can actually create more problems down the line.
The brand name is the name that will be associated with your products - it's what customers will recognize and remember. The LLC name, on the other hand, is the legal entity that owns and operates your business. These two things don't necessarily need to be the same.
In fact, it's often better to have a distinct brand name that is more descriptive of your products or product line. This allows you to have a broader, more versatile company name that can encompass a wider range of offerings in the future. A short, unique brand name is also more memorable and easier to print on your packaging.
When I first started selling on Amazon, I made the mistake of using the same name for my brand and my LLC. This caused a lot of headaches when I wanted to make changes to my listings or expand my product line. I ended up having to go through the process of changing my LLC name, which was time-consuming and costly.
My advice would be to choose a brand name that reflects your products or product line, and then select a more general, umbrella-like name for your LLC. This will give you more flexibility as your business grows and evolves.
🤔 Mistake #2: Ignoring Gut Feelings About Products
The second mistake I see a lot of beginner sellers make is ignoring their gut feelings when it comes to product selection. It's easy to become emotionally attached to a product that you personally love or use, even if the data doesn't support it being a profitable choice.
As Amazon sellers, our primary goal should be to identify and sell products that will generate revenue. While it's great to be passionate about the products you sell, you have to be willing to set aside your personal preferences and look at the numbers objectively.
One of the key metrics I always examine is the average number of reviews for a product. If a product has a high number of reviews, it's a clear sign that the market is already saturated and highly competitive. Even if you love the product, the data may indicate that it's not the best choice for your business.
It's important to trust your instincts and be honest with yourself. If a product doesn't align with your criteria for a successful Amazon listing, don't force it. Instead, keep searching for opportunities that truly fit your profit-driven goals.
Developing the ability to set aside your emotions and make data-driven decisions is a crucial skill for any Amazon seller. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will pay off in the long run as you build a sustainable and profitable business.
🚩 Mistake #3: Overlooking Red Flags from Suppliers
The third mistake I see beginner sellers make is ignoring red flags from their suppliers. When you're first starting out, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding a supplier who can produce a high-quality product. However, you can't let that excitement blind you to potential issues.
One of the biggest red flags to watch out for is poor communication from your supplier. If they're slow to respond, don't answer your questions, or seem generally uninterested in working with you, that's a major warning sign. Effective communication is crucial for a successful supplier-seller relationship.
In the early days of my Amazon journey, I made the mistake of overlooking communication issues with a supplier because I was so impressed with the quality of their product. What should have been a relatively straightforward process turned into months of frustration and delays as I tried to get them to fulfill my order.
Lesson learned - when it comes to your suppliers, pay close attention to how they treat you and how responsive they are. Don't be afraid to walk away from a supplier if they're not meeting your expectations. There are plenty of other options out there, and it's better to find a reliable partner from the start.
🤝 Building a Supportive Amazon Seller Community
One of the best ways to navigate these challenges as a beginner Amazon seller is to surround yourself with a supportive community of other sellers. This can be a great source of advice, encouragement, and motivation as you work to grow your business.
There are many online communities and forums where Amazon sellers gather to share their experiences and insights. You can also attend conferences and events to meet other sellers in person and learn from industry experts.
Don't be afraid to reach out and connect with other sellers - you never know what valuable connections and friendships you might make along the way.
🎉 Conclusion: Embracing Discomfort and Pivoting Quickly
In conclusion, the three biggest mistakes I see beginner Amazon sellers make are conflating brand name and LLC name, ignoring gut feelings about products, and overlooking red flags from suppliers. By avoiding these pitfalls and building a supportive community, you can set yourself up for success as an Amazon seller.
Remember, building a successful Amazon business is not easy - it requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to embrace discomfort and pivot quickly when necessary. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can achieve your goals and create a thriving business that brings you joy and financial freedom. With a supportive community. Having a network of fellow sellers who can provide guidance and feedback can be invaluable.
If you're ever unsure about a supplier's behavior or a product decision, don't hesitate to reach out to your community. Chances are, someone else has been in a similar situation and can offer their perspective. This can help you develop your own instincts and decision-making skills.
Remember, we're all in this together, and the more we can learn from each other, the better off we'll be. Don't be afraid to ask questions, share your experiences, and lean on your fellow Amazon sellers for support.
🏁 Conclusion: Embracing Discomfort and Pivoting Quickly
Building a successful Amazon business is a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. The three mistakes I've outlined today - conflating brand and LLC names, ignoring gut feelings about products, and overlooking supplier red flags - are all common pitfalls that can hold you back.
The key is to embrace the discomfort of making tough decisions, trust your instincts, and be willing to pivot quickly when necessary. As you gain more experience, you'll become better at recognizing red flags, setting aside your emotions, and choosing the right partners to support your business.
Remember, the Amazon landscape is constantly evolving, so staying adaptable and open to learning is crucial. With the right mindset and a supportive community, you can navigate the ups and downs and build a thriving Amazon business.
I'm excited to see what the future holds for you, my fellow Amazon sellers. Keep pushing forward, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance along the way. Let's do this!
Highlights:
1. Mistake #1: Conflating brand name and LLC name
2. Mistake #2: Ignoring gut feelings about products
3. Mistake #3: Overlooking red flags from suppliers
4. Importance of building a supportive Amazon seller community
5. Embracing discomfort and being willing to pivot quickly
FAQ:
Q: Do I need a trademark to sell on Amazon?
A: No, you don't need a trademark to sell on Amazon, but getting one can make certain processes easier.
Q: How do I choose a good brand name for my Amazon business?
A: Look for a short, unique name that is descriptive of your products or product line, rather than tying it directly to your LLC name.
Q: What should I look for in a good supplier?
A: Responsive communication, professionalism, and a track record of reliable service are key indicators of a good supplier.
Q: How can I build a supportive community of fellow Amazon sellers?
A: Join Facebook groups, attend industry events, and reach out to other sellers to share experiences and seek advice.
Resources:
- learnwithappy.com
- savvysellerfba.com
- https://www.voc.ai/product/ai-chatbot
This AI chatbot from VOC.ai can automatically reduce a large amount of work on customer services, which can be very helpful for Amazon sellers as they scale their businesses.
