"How To Outsource Today and Avoid The “I Can Do That” Trap''

What You Need To (And How To) Outsource Today: Avoiding the “I Can Do That” Trap

by Gina Smith 

[ This is a guest post from a Gina Smith. She’s going to show you maybe the most effective productivity hack out there: hire more hands.]

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The words, “I can do that”, can be like nails on a chalkboard when they are spoken by a small business owner or entrepreneur.  One of the most common mistakes made when opening a business is trying to wear too many hats. 

As a small business consultant, I come across aspiring entrepreneurs in all types and stages of business.  Most have gone into business for themselves because they have a certain skill, talent or aspiration.

It always baffles me when a business owner has invested in an impressive office or workshop space and hired employees to produce and deliver their product and/or services but then chooses to handle their own marketing, information technology, tax filings, etc.  Really?  And, the kicker is in 99% of the cases, the business owner has no prior experience in any of these areas.

Have you ever heard of the saying, “it is better to do a few thing well than many things lousy?”
                                                               
When a business owner is also the hiring, marketing, fulfillment, tax and IT manager, problems will inevitably arise.  While it may not be necessary to hire full time employees to handle certain functions, you can consider outsourcing these tasks to an experienced and reliable individual or company.
The word “outsource” sometimes carries a negative stigma due to its depiction in popular culture.  In reality, some of the most talented individuals can be acquired through outsourcing.  Hiring contract workers as opposed to full time employees has many benefits.

First, you only pay for time used.  Second, outsourced talent can take an objective look at your company from the outside and make recommendations that you, as an insider, may not have considered.  Third, the outsourced company, or individual, you hire is generally a specialist in their field.

In the past, primarily large corporations practiced outsourcing.  Today, small business owners have discovered its many benefits.  Let’s take a look at some popular jobs for small companies to outsource:
                                                                 

Information Technology (IT)

Overview

Hiring an outside company or professional to set-up and manage your IT needs can save you time and money.  There are many providers who specialize in providing outsourced IT services, from network and software installations to cloud back-up and cybersecurity.

Ask yourself these questions: 1) Do you have hours to troubleshoot a network issue on your own?

2) Do you have the experience to combat a virus or network security issue?  3) Can you afford to lose all of your company data?  If you answered “no” to any one of these, then you will likely benefit from hiring an IT consultant.

 Preparation

Whether you are a sole proprietor or a small corporation with employees, having a good IT firm or consultant is imperative.  Case in point – when I started my business in 2006, I used a single laptop. I became nervous because this single laptop was storing a lot of proprietary information for many clients.

I vetted and hired an IT consultant who set me up with a backup device and a small server. Boy, was I ever so thankful I did this when my laptop crashed a few months later. And, because I had the server,

I was able to restore data to my new laptop in minutes.  The time and headaches this saved me was so worth the small investment I made in hiring an IT consultant!  I recommend every business have an IT evaluation by a qualified consultant at least once a year.

As you prepare to screen and hire an outside firm or consultant, you will want to have the following information on hand:

1. Your Internet service provider contact info
2. A list of the number and types of computers/devices needed (i.e. three desktops, four laptops, seven tablets, etc.)
3. Preferred platform (i.e. Mac, Windows 8, etc.)
4. The type of information you will need to backup on a regular basis (i.e. databases, photographs, e-mail, documents, etc.)
5. They type of software you will need and on which devices (i.e. Microsoft Office on all desktops and laptops, Photoshop on one desktop, etc.)
6. Any other industry-specific information that is important for your IT consultant to know.

Screening & Hiring

The first step is to research service providers.  You will ultimately need to determine whether you are more comfortable using a qualified consultant, or, hiring a firm.  I would highly recommend interviewing both types of providers so you can fully understand the potential of each.  The next step is interviewing.

This should be done face to face since you will likely be having a lot of “face” time with your IT provider.  You also need to prepare a list of questions prior to your meeting.  Some possible interview questions include:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. What types of warranty/maintenance agreements do you offer?
3. What security protocols do you take to ensure my network and data are protected?
4. Do you off cloud storage options?
5. What do you feel gives your business a competitive edge over others?
6. What other types of small businesses do you work with?
7. If I have a problem, what is the average response time?
8. Do you have any references?

Once you interview each candidate, it will be easier to narrow down your list. If you are not comfortable with any of the candidates, do not be afraid to start the process over. If you can narrow your selections down to three providers, that would be ideal.

Once this is complete, ask each one to provide you with proposals.  Once you have had time to review the proposals, take some time to ask any final questions you may have for each candidate.

The last step is conducting reference checks and accepting a proposal.

 Marketing/Public Relations

Overview

Hiring a professional or firm with a proven track record in marketing and public relations can prove to be very beneficial.  As trends continue to change and consumer confidence fluctuates, retaining professionals to handle all of your marketing from strategic plans and media buying to ad design, website development, public relations and social media can be essential to your success.

 Preparation

One of the biggest mistakes a start-up can make is not having a marketing plan ready to execute either before or shortly after opening.  You marketing plan is the engine that drives your business.

You may have a fancy office, upscale equipment and the best staff in the world, but if no one knows about your business, you will struggle to find customers.

You may choose to hire either an outside firm or consultant. In many cases, your provider does not have to be located in your local area, and most marketing services a small business needs can be handled remotely.   Before you conduct interviews with candidates, be sure to have the following information ready:

1. Business plan summary
2. Complete list of products and services
3. Company mission and vision
4. Long term and short term goals
5. Samples of any marketing collateral, ads, press releases you have used in the past (if applicable)
6. List of major competitors
7. Your company’s unique sustainable difference (what makes you and your products/services different from your competitors)
8. Any other industry-specific information that is important for your marketing consultant(s) to know.

Screening & Hiring

As is the case with all potential contractors, the first step is to research service providers and determine whether you are more comfortable using a qualified consultant, or, hiring a full-service firm.

Marketing professionals are generally very busy and have many irons in the fire.  The better prepared you are for the meeting, the more comfortable it will be for you both.  Some possible interview questions include:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. What other small businesses do you work with?
3. If I sign a contract with you (or your firm), is there a chance you will also represent any of my direct competitors while our contract is active?
4. May I see some samples of your work?
5. What do you feel gives your business a competitive edge over other providers?
6. Do you have any references?

Once you’ve conducted your interviews, follow the same process of narrowing down your list, requesting proposals, conducting reference checks and reviewing their portfolios to determine which candidate is best suited for you.

Fulfillment

While having the owner of the company check in on fulfillment from time to time is fine, it is not necessarily a good idea for he or she to actually manage the process.  Fulfillment can make or break the customer experience.  Outsourcing a company that specializes in this area can help ensure your product reaches the customer in excellent condition and when promised.

* CLICK HERE NOW to read a great article on this subject!

Preparation

You should be noticing a pattern beginning to develop with these processes.  For the most part, you will take the same preparation approach but tailor the questions toward the type of position you are outsourcing.  When it comes to fulfillment, finding a company with experience and an exemplary track record is essential.  Some items to have ready before interviewing a company include:

1. Exact items you want to ship
2. Areas/regions of the world/U.S you serve
3. Packing requirements
4. Expected turnaround time
5. Estimated quantity shipped per day

Screening & Hiring

Follow the same steps as recommended for IT and Marketing providers, but ask questions targeted more toward fulfillment.  Some you might consider include:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. What other types of small businesses do you work with?
3. What is your average customer satisfaction rate?
4. What do you feel gives your business a competitive edge over others?
5. How many people will be assigned to my job?
6. Will the people assigned to my job be working on it exclusively or will they have orders to fill for other companies?
7. Do you perform background checks on the employees you will assign to my job?
8. Do you have any references?

Once you’ve conducted your interviews, follow the same process as discussed earlier in this article to determine which company is best for you.

Tax Preparation

There are hundreds of tax law changes every year.  A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) makes it his or her job to keep up with tax law and ensure their clients are in compliance.  There are many qualified individuals and companies who specialize in small business tax preparation. Not only will a CPA prepare your taxes, but most will also represent you during an audit.

It’s simply just not worth it for you, as a business owner, to take on this headache yourself.  We will go into some specifics, but feel free to also read this excellent article in Inc. from January 2011.

Although it may be a few years old, it is still one of the best ones for breaking down what to look for in a small business tax preparation firm.

Preparation

As you prepare to interview candidates, follow the same steps as outlined earlier and have these items ready for each candidate:

1. Type of business (i.e. sole proprietor, LLC, etc.)
2. Estimated annual income, payables and receivables
3. Bookkeeping software you currently use
4. Number of full time and part time employees

Screening & Hiring

Once again, the same screening and hiring steps apply. Some questions to consider asking candidates include:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. What other types of small businesses do you work with?
3. How often will you need me to provide you with reports?
4. Will you estimate, prepare and send payment for all taxes on my behalf?
5. Will you prepare my W-2s and 1099s?
6. What is your deadline for me to have everything to you each year to avoid having to file an extension?

Once you’ve conducted your interview, you are ready to follow the process to determine which company is right for you.

When you receive proposals from your candidates, examine them closely to ensure you are comparing “apples to apples”.  If there is a service listed that you do not understand, do not be afraid to ask for more detail. And, if one provider is recommending something another isn’t, question this as well. 

Finally, keep in mind the cheapest may not always be the best.

Now What?

Pick one thing to outsource for a month. Then use the steps above. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
                                                                  



 

by Gina Smith

Gina Smith writes freelance articles for magazines, online outlets and publications. Smith covers the latest topics in the business, golf, tourism, technology and entertainment industries.
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The Real Reason Why You Can’t Find a Good Product to Import

At least half of the questions readers send me go something like this…

“I’ve been struggling to find a product for weeks now. Can you help me? How do you find products that make you money? Why can’t I find any profitable products!?”

And MY GOD! It’s getting old…

There’s nothing I hate more than seeing a recurring question come up. That means I’ve failed to answer something.

Luckily, I finally nailed the common thread in all the frustration.

This blog post will answer “Why can’t I find a good product to import” once and for all.

The Common Problem

After answering several hundred emails along those lines, I think I’ve discovered the common problem would-be importers are having.

They’re all looking for a silver-bullet product that does the work for them.
Let me explain…

Many people are still in the “get-rich-quick” phase of their entrepreneurial careers.

Apply that mentality to importing, and you get people that try to play the arbitrage game.

Arbitrage is simply buying something for less than you are selling it for.

Arbitrage products are goldmines; they have great margins and basically sell themselves…

And you can make money with arbitrage products.

For a while…

“Your margin is my opportunity.”Jeff Bezos

But before you know it, you’ll have hundreds of others trying to do the same thing. It’s only a matter of (increasingly spare) time before a big player uncovers your goldmine, and eats it up for themselves.

This is the sad state of importing today, years after the “wild-west-ecommerce” days of 1995-2005.

Any Hope?

This is surely bad news to anybody in that mindset.

Is there any hope left for small time importers? The kind that are just getting started, with little capital to invest…

Spoiler alert – There is!

But it’s going to require a shift in your mindset and how you think about importing.

What Makes a Product Good?

Sure, you want your product to have healthy margins. Great margins even.

And yea, it would be good if it was easy to ship, reliable, had a factory warranty. Sure, all of that is a plus for any product.

But none of that is going to make your product sell over a competitor who will take slimmer margins.

The Right Questions

Most people waste weeks (if not months) of their time looking for a miracle product that will build their business for them.

They are asking themselves the wrong questions, and looking at things from the wrong angle.

What you need to be thinking about is the other side of the transaction…

How are you going to sell your products?

Why would somebody buy your product over the competitors?

How will you acquire and retain customers in a cost-effective way?

These are the questions you should be thinking about while doing product research.

Bubble-Burster: This Is Business…

Many people seem to have the impression that importing is a quick road to easy riches…

It’s not.

It’s a business, like any other.

There’s a lot of things to worry about when starting a business. But when thinking about what you’re going to sell and how you’re going to sell it, you need to think about competitive advantage.

Competitive Advantage Cheat-sheet

You need some sort of competitive advantage that nobody can steal from you.

This means new importers have to focus on a few things.

Advantage 1  – Your Brand

Building a brand that your target customer loves is a sure-fire way to keep an edge on the competition.

In fact, building a good enough brand will even allow you to charge a premium price.

The examples here are endless…

Practically every “counterfeit” you can buy from China is a company that can charge a premium because their brand is so valuable.

Another example I often use is my friend Kevin Schlenker, who built the Skar Audio brand around his importing activities.

The only thing to make sure of if you take this route is to register your trademark.

Advantage 2 – Your Product

Another place you can provide value in ways nobody else can is the product itself.

I’d encourage any importer to really get to know his target customer, and then try to build in new product features that will make the target customer’s life better.

Small things can go a long way here. For some products, something as small as a color change can make a world of difference.

Sometimes, you’ll have to negotiate with your supplier directly and see what’s possible. You’ll be limited by his capabilities, your budget, and your imagination.

And of course, you could always go all out and create your own product. But I’ll save that for another blog post

Advantage 3 – Your Marketing

Simply put, if you can build an audience and a sales funnel; you can pretty much sell whatever you want.

Example – I was just talking the other day with somebody who built a lead-machine for the baby niche.

Before he had anything to sell, or any desire to make money off of it, he just decided to build a few websites and try to get “hot baby leads” (as he calls them).

Now he is out shopping for baby products, knowing that he can sell anything he chooses.

He hasn’t decided if he will start his own brand, begin drop shipping, or get into affiliate marketing.

But no matter what he chooses, I’m confident he’ll make money

Advantage 4 – Your Capital

This won’t apply for many people reading this article.

It actually applies more to the guys you want to avoid in importing. Or beat!

It’s definitely possible to spend your way to the top in importing.

Somebody with deep pockets can quickly negotiate the best prices with the best suppliers. They can also afford to set up a more efficient distribution system.

Luckily, they’re easily defeated with the other competitive advantages (usually).

Advantage 5 – Your Contacts

Your network of contacts can also be a big competitive advantage.

This applies everywhere in business, but perhaps even more in importing. Personal relationships play a huge role in Asian (especially Chinese) culture.

If a Chinese factory owner likes you, you get the friend discount and best quality.

If they don’t like you, you get scammed.

It’s just the way it is…

The relationships you don’t think of are often the ones with the most potential.

Do you have a friend who was put in charge of buying 250 pool chairs? I’d look into pool chairs…

Does your Dad work at a company that uses a limitless supply of zip-ties and box cutters? Try to find out what they’re paying and pitch them otherwise.

Relationships like this can be solid gold.

It’s Tough Work

Any way you spin it, importing is a tough gig.

It’s a lot of fun, and has tons of potential.

But it’s far from a “get-rich-quick” solution.

I hope this guide helps to clarify what really makes a product profitable.

If you have any questions or want to be an awesome person, leave a comment below.

I’ll be sure to respond!

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"How To Sell On Amazon If You Live Outside The USA"

How easy is it to sell on Amazon if you live outside of the USA?  

It used to be pretty hard, now it’s pretty easy.  About all you have to do is press the easy button

As I have contact with my readers and students, I am reminded every day that there are lots and lots of talented and capable people.  Many of them are from outside the US.

I very quickly remember that the US population is only about 5% of the world population.

However, the US market is still the biggest and I certainly understand why someone outside the US would want to sell here.

With email, Skype, translations apps, cheap international shipping, Google hangouts and lots of other tech stuff it’s very possible for non US citizens to do business in the US.

NOTE: Make sure to read THIS ARTICLE about how simple, fun & easy it is to start building your own global Amazon Business From Your Home.

So today I want to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I get which is…
“How do I sell on Amazon.com  (the US version of Amazon) if I live outside the US?

The real answer is that its not very different than if you live in the US.

When you sign up for an account as a US Citizen, Amazon will ask your for the following things.

1. A credit card to charge any amounts such as pay per click advertising
2. Your address
3. A bank account number so they can transfer your profits to you
4. A phone number so they can call you to verify your account
5. You business info such as your Social Security Number (personal government number) or your corporation numbers or EIN (Employer Identification Number)

In the not too recent past if you lived outside of the US you had to have a US phone number, pay for a physical address and even have a US bank account and credit card.

No wonder so few people were able to do all of this.  Thankfully, those days are gone!

Now when you sign up as a non US citizen, the process is significantly easier.
Amazon will walk you through a signup checklist and guide you step by step, it’s actually well thought out and helpful.

However, you will need the following as a non US citizen:

1. A credit card that can be charged internationally,  i.e, a Mastercard or Visa.
2. A local bank in your country that supports ACH which stands for automated clearing house which really means your bank can accept electronic transfers
3. Your local address
4. Your country uses currency supported by Amazon.  Click here to see the list.  This is not an issue for most English speaking countries or non English speaking European countries.
5. A phone number (you’ll also need your international prefix number)
6. A US EIN number.  You don’t have to be a corporation and have any type of legal status in the US to get this number.  You simply fill out online form 10-BEN on the IRS.gov website (Internal Revenue Service which is the US government tax collection agency)

That’s it!

Things do change, so depending on when you’re reading this keep in mind that there may be slight variations but it should still be very similar.

You can now open an Amazon account and have your items shipped directly to Amazon. 
You never even have to touch the items. 

NOTE: See the article "How To Make Money On Amazon Using Fullfillment By Amazon (FBA)"

What a concept, huh?

In future articles I’ll touch on how to ship to Amazon from outside the US, but for now I just want you to realize how easy and possible it is to sell on Amazon.com if you live outside the US.

I’ve just eliminated several excuses for you.  Stop coming up with reasons why you can’t do this and get off your duff and get started selling on Amazon!

NOTE: See "The 10 Simple Steps to Starting An Amazon Private Label Business"

What are your thoughts of selling on Amazon if you live outside the US?  Comment below

See ya next time.

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Amazon & E-Bay Top-Sellers BIG Secret "Sell What Sells, NOT What's Cool"

One of my good friend & personal mentors company publishes the Internet's leading Database of genuine wholesale suppliers. They list thousands of Drop Shippers (wholesalers who ship products, one at a time, directly to your customers; eliminating the need to stock inventory), and thousands of Light Bulk Wholesalers -

Wholesale Suppliers who will sell to you in small Bulk Quantities, while still giving you larger Bulk Quantity prices. As a result of the information they research and publish, he told me they get questions all the time about what products Home-based Internet Business owners should try to sell online.

I've been at this for years, and have become very successful in my Internet business. But let's face it, folks. If I knew what was going to sell well on the Internet tomorrow, next week, or next month, I wouldn't be writing this article. I would have retired and purchased a small private island by now.

In the retail business, whether you are online, in a physical store in the local mall, or at a roadside stand, it makes no difference; choosing the products you are going to sell is always the hardest part of getting started.

I can't whip out a crystal ball and tell you what to sell. However, I can tell you about the biggest mistakes that I see new Home-based Internet businesspersons making, all the time.

Too many people are fixated on four things:

* Selling only products they like.

* Selling only products they know a lot about.

* Selling only products they think are Cool or Sexy.

*Selling only products they think are The Hottest Products on the Internet.

 

I get four basic emails from people who are stuck in this rut, and I can pretty much tell that right off the bat, by the way the email begins.

An Email from a person who only thinks they can sell what they like starts something like this:

Dude, I'm like, a Sk8ter, and I need to find a Wholesale Supplier for, like, Sk8tboards + wheels + stuff.

The first problem this person is going to run into (aside from the fact that he needs to learn how to write a business email!) is a problem for all four types of people here. There may not be a Wholesale Supplier for the products they want, that will work with a Home-based Internet Business. We'll talk more about that in a few minutes, though.

The second problem is tunnel vision. This person may actually find a Wholesale Supplier for sk8tboards + wheels + stuff. If he does, great. However, someone who has such a narrow vision of the Internet Marketplace will never branch out and fulfill his own potential in that Marketplace.

Say he does find the Wholesale Suppliers he's looking for, and opens a store. Because of the narrow vision that led him there, he's likely to stick with that store, and that store alone. He'll make some money, but unless he gets really lucky, he won't make a really good income out of it. He'll piddle along selling sk8tboard stuff forever, when he could have done so much more.

What he needs to do is broaden his scope. If he's interested in developing his online business into something really profitable.

But instead of focusing on just that, he should explore selling all kinds of sporting goods.

Sam Walton, the revered Founder of Wal-Mart, was once a starting quarterback on his High School football team in Columbia, Missouri. He also liked to play basketball. Can you imagine what would have happened if Sam Walton never tried to sell anything besides football and basketball equipment? 

There would probably be a pretty big store in the US selling just footballs and basketballs today, because Walton was a very good retailer. But it never would have grown to the size and scope of Wal-Mart today if Sam had allowed tunnel vision to crowd his overall view.

It's okay for our sk8ter buddy here to open an Internet Store or run Auctions that sell skateboard equipment. Niche marketing is a good thing. But in his overall business, he should look for other products with which to eventually run other Online Stores or Auctions as well. 

One store leads to two, two lead to four, and so on. Never get stuck limiting your entire business to just one type of product!

An Email from a person who only thinks they can sell what they know about goes like this:

Hey there;

I've been riding horses all my life, and I own a small stable where I teach riding. I'm opening an Internet Store where I'm going to sell all kinds of stuff that other riders will want to buy. I've got to find a Wholesale Supplier for saddles and Western Wear and such.

Again, this persons first problem is going to be that he may not find a Wholesale Supplier of the products he knows so well, that's willing to work with Home-based Internet Businesses. But, we'll get to that in a bit.

His second problem is similar to the first persons problem, but not exactly the same.

This person isn't fixated on selling only what he likes; he's just a little bit scared of having to learn about something new. He's obviously going where he feels safe. Thats okay, but lets remember what I've mentioned twice so far: he may not find a Wholesale Supplier for the products he likes.

Genuine Wholesale Suppliers do not grow on trees, folks, and most of those who are out there do not want to work with Home-based Businesses. There isn't one available to you for every possible type of product. It's very important to keep that in mind when you start out!

So, what does this person need to do? He needs to understand that being in business is about learning new things every day. New ways to market, new software to get used to, simpler ways to do his monthly books, etc., etc., etc.

Learning new products is just as critical. Again, never limit your business to just one type of product.

You don't have to like what you sell. You just need to make money selling it!

An Email from a person who only thinks they can sell whats Cool goes like this:

Hi;
I'm looking for a Wholesale Supplier of electronics, like MP3 Players, Plasma TVs and such.

Please tell me where to find them.

A request for Wholesale Supplier of electronics is a dead giveaway. Almost everybody who starts a Home-Based Internet Business wants to sell electronics at first. It's the Cool, Sexy market, and even if you never sell anything, you can show your friends your site and say, Dude, I can get you a deal on the hottest new stuff!

Electronics, like any other Cool or Sexy market on the Internet, is not the place for most people to start. That market is absolutely flooded with other people who already had the same idea, and the profit margins have plummeted. Why? Too many inexperienced Internet sellers.

They start price wars, figuring they're going to clean up by undercutting everyone else's prices by a little bit. Problem is, the second guy comes along and undercuts the first one a bit. Then the third person comes along and undercuts the second. And so on.

Pretty soon all you have left are tens of thousands of people trying to sell electronics for pennies more than what they pay for them, just to advertise a slightly better price than their competition.

Not good.

The person who wants to sell Cool and Sexy stuff needs to understand that they are not out here to look Cool or Sexy. They're here to make money. Four Slice Toasters and Propane Camp Stoves aren't sexy, but they sell and their markets are not overcrowded, and that's what the goal is.

Finally, an email from a person who thinks they need to sell only the Hottest Products on the Internet goes like this:

Can you tell me were I can find out what the Top Selling Products on eBay are? I want to know what everyone else is selling and get in on it.

BAD IDEA!

Look at it this way. If you were in a giant field filled with nothing but concession stands selling Salted Peanuts, what's the smartest thing you could do? Set up yet another Salted Peanuts stand, or set up a Lemonade Stand?

I'd sell Lemonade, wouldn't you? :o)

In our business, we look at the Lists of Top Selling Products on the Internet, too. Then we run the other way as fast as we can. We don't want to be just another face in the crowd selling the same thing as everyone else. 

We want to think about products that may be complementary to the Hottest Sellers, that not many other people are selling.

If everyone and their Grandmothers are selling Salted Peanuts, we want to be the ones selling Lemonade. :o)

Honest enough to admit you might need some help putting all this together, then CLICK HERE NOW!

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" The Dirty Truth About The Amazing Selling Machine Course"

I'm certain that you realize that all Amazon courses are not alike....

Sometime ago I heard about a course on Amazon selling called the Amazing Selling Machine.

It came out about 18 months ago and helped many people become successful Amazon sellers.

Although I didn't buy the course, I was able to see the content.  It's a fine course.  Although I don't know them personable, the owners seem reputable and they have certainly sold lot of courses.

The issue I have is that their course is $3500....3500 BUCKS....

I appreciate their ability to ask for and get that much money for a course.

However, if you pay that much, that's a few thousand dollars you can't put towards inventory and marketing if you want to start a profitable business on Amazon.

I'm fortunate, I could afford the $3500, but the better question is why should I have to pay $3500 for a course?  Didn't sit right with me.

A very good friend of mine , Mark Scott Adams, knew he  could create the same information for much less.  SO HE DID..

And the FBAHeadstart course was born.

His course was designed to show you everything you need to know and then some!

So if you have money burning a whole in your pocket, buy their course. 

If you want to have the same knowledge and enough money left over to buy enough inventory for 3-5 items, get his!

If you want to get lost in a community where no one knows who you are, get their course.  If you want to be in a community where people recognize your name, know who you are and will help you however they can, get his.

Seems pretty clear cut to me...

Get  the FBAHeadstart course here

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"How to Deal With A Negative Amazon Review"

You’ve gotten product private labeled from an overseas supplier.  Had it packaged.  Got it listed on Amazon.  Did some marketing, got some sales, got some 5 star reviews.  

Life is good.  This stuff really works.  You’ve told all your friends and family what you’re doing.
Heck, even your Grandma is proud.

Then one morning you check your item and wham, bam, some son of a gun and I don’t mean gun, gave you a 1 star review.  A bleeping, 1 star review.

You can hear the life sucking air go out of your body.  The sun goes dim, the earth stops spinning….Whyyyyyyyyy????

Then you read the review 27 times.  The 42 times.  Then you get really mad.

You pace.  You deny.  Your mind tells you you’ll never sale another product on Amazon again.

Then you think, how can I get rid of the review.  How can I vote their review down.
Then you do a quick scan on your competitors and see that they have 1 star reviews.  Then you look at best sellers in various markets and see that they all have 1 star reviews.

Then you start to realize you’re not going to suffocate,  you look out the window and realize the sun is still shining and best you can tell, the earth is still spinning.

Then you check your sales reports and see that you are still making sales.  

My life is not over.  I don’t have to go buy one bullet and rent a gun…

Here’s the good news…

You’re now a big boy or girl in the world of Amazon selling.  You’re initiated into the club…Anybody who sells any quantity will eventually get 1 star reviews.  It’s the world we live in.

We think as normal people, how could someone get that mad over something so insignificant or inexpensive?

If they didn’t like the product or something happened, they could have simply returned the item or asked for a refund.  Again, you’re thinking like a normal person.
I’m convinced people who write 1 star reviews are angry people to start.  They are miserable at work and unsuccessful at other parts of their life.

The only way they feel any type of power or good about themselves is to criticize others.  

It’s very easy to be critical or so outspoken when you have the anonymity of a computer screen and you don’t even have to sign your own name.

These people would never have the courage to say these things to your face.  Basically they are cowards protected by cyberspace!

I went off on this personal diatribe because I want you to know that 1 star reviews happen to all sellers.

As the day passes, and you have time to calm down, you’ll realize that it could actually not be a bad thing to have a few less than positive reviews.

It gives credibility to your reviews.  There are some people who believe that if you have all positive reviews, something must be fake.

In reality, most people just look for the majority of reviews to be good before they buy.

If you look at some random items with say 100 or more reviews there will usually be anywhere from 5-15% of 1 star reviews and they still are high volume products.

So realize, as much as it hurts, its part of the game.  Keep you chin up, keep working building your Amazon business and you’ll be fine.

What were your experiences with 1 star reviews?  Share them in the comment section below.

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"How to Get Your Amazon Product Listed on the First Page"

Being listed on page one can make or break your product.

But what causes some products to be listed on the first page and some on the ninth page?

Why are some products with very high sales rankings not listed on page one?

What are some new products with very few reviews listed on page one?

Why do some products that seem to do everything right get buried on page nine?
I have spent way too much time pulling my hair out to try and figure out all the things Amazon does to determine where my products are listed.

But all hair club for men jokes aside, I’m fortunate, I have many page one rankings for multiple keywords and the number one listing on some keywords.

*CLICK HERE to see a resource I used to master that process .

Here’s what I learned.

Your listing is determined by many things, but primarily the following

SALES + REVIEWS + CONVERSION RATE + PROPER KEYWORDS

This, of course is my best guess.  The exact algorithm  (what the heck is a bleeping algorithim BTW)  For those of us who are not tech guys it really means math formula.
All of my high school math teachers are falling out of their chairs now, realizing that I really did pay attention in math class….

The algorithm of my youth was the Coca Cola formula. Times have changed, I guess…

Here’s how you have to think of things.  Amazon is just a search engine for physical products.

They want to show you (their customer) the most relevant items to your product search. 

They want to have a dynamic market that shifts to demand and allows for new and relevant products to be shown to their customers.

If they don’t, Alibaba or some smart kid who really is paying attention in math class may overtake them one day and they will become the netscape of this generation.

So let’s take a look at each feature.

Reviews
This is paramount.  Getting even a few positive reviews initially will allow you to be listed, maybe even on page one.  

I am convinced that Amazon gives you a “honeymoon period” and purposefully lists your product higher than it deserves in the beginning to give you a chance to make sales so you won’t get frustrated and quit.

Conversion Rate
The average conversion rate in Amazon is 13.5%.  I am fortunate to have a 20-26% conversion rate.  I believe they tremendously favor items that convert well in higher listings.  

Higher conversions comes from better copywriting, great pictures and an effective title. 

Higher conversions are also a result of the social proof of great reviews.

Proper Keywords
The more you effectively target the correct keywords, the more like the viewer is likely to buy.  Think rifle here, not shotgun. This is not mass marketing…

I use a service like merchant words to determine the amount of searches for each keyword and to make sure there are enough searches for that keyword and then I incorporate those keywords into the title, bullet points and product description.

This ultimately means the right people who are interested in my product are seeing it and there are enough of them to create a high enough sales volume.

When you do these three things in unison, 1 + 1 + 1 = 5 and you get higher listings and more sales and your spouse likes you more.  Heck, even your dog will give you a better greeting when you come home.

*CLICK HERE now to see  another GREAT resource to help you master this really quick!

Sales Volume
Remember sales ranking is different from your sales listing.  The ranking is just your rank in order of most sales.

But when you get reviews, have a higher than normal conversion rate and you will ultimately achieve more sales.  It’s a cycle that perpetuates. That leads to higher listings and you get to stay on the first page.

Hopefully this quick overview gives you a little insight.  If you do these things at the beginning you’ll get off to a great start.

If you’re not ranked where you like, go back and evaluate everything I’ve mentioned.

Getting your products listed high enough to be seen and get sales is really not rocket surgery….

What do you do to get your products ranked higher?  Let me know in the comments section below.

NOTE: I highly recommend you grab a copy of "The Complete Amazon Marketing System" to guarantee your speedy and sustained success in getting your product listed on pg1 of Amazon.

Good luck and see you on the first page!
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"How to Deal With a Chinese Supplier As An Amazon Seller"

As a kid I was always fascinated with the story of Christopher Columbus.

I admired his gaul to reach for the undiscovered, the unknown.

I could almost hear him in an Italian accent saying:  The world-a, she is-a round-a, not-a flat-a

In his day, he was right.  There were vast oceans and tremendous dangers and costs and it took months to cross the sea.

Fast forward a few hundred years.  If he were alive today, I do believe Mr. Columbus would say:  The world-a is no longer round-a.  Its-a flat-a again.

The dangers of crossing an ocean have dropped to a few hours and the risk and cost are practically nothing.
Its like the world is flat again…

We live in a time where you can get items from almost anywhere in the world in a few days and for very little money.  

We can look into an electronic box and see and talk or type to almost anyone, anywhere in the world….for FREE!

Don’t speak the language?  No problem.  One click and the entire written message is translated into any of 100 plus languages.

Manufacturing costs in say China are a fraction of the cost for the same items made in say the USA.  And yes their quality is fine, BTW.
So why do people still have reservations about getting their items manufactured and shipped from outside of their own country?

The simple answer is, I don’t know.

But this wouldn’t be a very good blog post if I didn’t show you how to do this better and make you feel comfortable with ordering your items from overseas, would it?

Here are some comments that people typically say to me.

What if they take my money?
What if they somehow try and take advantage of me?
How do I know if I can trust them?
I don’t know how to communicate with them or I’m uncomfortable with their language.

OK, Here are some ways to make you feel more comfortable…

I think we all sometimes think we’re the only honest person in the world.  Obviously, not true.  99% of people are honest.  We all just assume the 1% are far greater in number than they really are.

Just because someone is from a different country or speaks a different language by no way means they don’t have integrity or pride in their work.

I’ve had the good fortune to travel to alot of places in the world I wanted to go.

Before I traveled, I saw the differences.  After I traveled, I see the similarities.

So accept that most people will be honest and they have incentives to do a good job to get and keep your business.

If you can get over your fears, what’s the next step?  

Protecting Yourself with Suppliers
I’m going to presume you use Alibaba.com.  If not, its a great resource.

Although this article is not about Alibaba, Alibaba is a database of suppliers and manufacturers based in China.

It’s where you start your search for products.

Alibaba has several features that you should be aware of and use.

One is the gold star rating.  This is actually purchased by the supplier.  However to maintain their rating they have to meet and maintain certain standards  This gold start it is not cheap and if a supplier is will to buy this it is a sign that they are an established company and will be serious about their business.  

It is created annually and the rating will also tell you how many years they have been a gold star member.

Another is the response rate.  This measures how well and how fast they respond to inquiries.  To me this shows how much they value you.  I want a supplier who will actually talk to me.

The escrow feature.  Most suppliers will prefer that you wire transfer them the money.  This is fine and common in international business.  However, once wired, you have no recourse.
This is why Alibaba will keep any of your payments in escrow until you agree to release them.

Paypal and Credit Card  If you look at the suppliers information they will show how they can be paid.  Some will list paypal or a credit card.  I prefer to use this type of payment, simply because if I do have an issue, I am protected.

Skype.  Some but not all suppliers will be available to talk to you using the audio or even video aspects of Skype.  I am a big proponent of this in that you get to see them and they get to see you.  Win, win.

Language.  They will speak passable English.  Even they’re the only one at their company, you will be able to communicate.  You don’t have to speak their language.  Just speak, slowly and clearly and you’ll be fine.  

The last time I thought about something being “Lost in Translation” was the Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson movie.

Getting the supplier to trust you
What do you mean?  They doubt you….It’s your responsibility to convince them you’re serious and trustworthy.

Try and see things from their prospective.  To them, you’re just an email inquiring about a custom order, usually for a small quantity.  Accept what we said earlier, everybody believes they are honest and its the other people who are not.

The simple solution is to be professional.  Use good grammar and business language and etiquette.  Honor your commitments and be punctual.

Above all, be polite.  One thing I have found and appreciate is that most non English speaking cultures value politeness and respect much more than western cultures.

See, "The Secret To Becoming A Likable Person"  and THIS Resource for help in successfully working with suppliers.

Just Jump in…

I’ll just say in closing,  There are never any guarantees in life.  But the overwhelming chance is that things will work out.

But even in the worst case, your downside is only a few hundred dollars.  Not life changing is it?  The upside, however is a monthly passive income of several thousand dollars.

Success favors the bold.  Put your fears aside.  Just get started.

What would you like to add about your experiences with suppliers.  Let everyone know in the comment box below.

Click HERE now to start building your own high profit Amazon Business! 
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"10 Simple Steps to Starting An Amazon Private Label Business"

If you’re like me you’re already tired of New Year’s resolutions.  I understand and can relate with you.

I do seem to laugh this time of the year.  Here it is a few days into the new year and I’ve already not done well with my food and exercise goals.  (Hope springs eternal)

However, I’m already well on my way to scaling up my Amazon private label business for this year.

This is possible because last year at this time I sat down and asked myself what I wanted to do with my business and how could I create a scalable passive income business.

I created my 10 Steps to Starting an Amazon Private Label Business plan and more importantly took action and actually far exceeded my goals as an Amazon Private Label seller last year.

As I’m doing my planning for this year, I already have my next 6 products scheduled to be released.


That’s when I started thinking about so many of the people I come across who are talented and capable.  

If this Amazon stuff is so possible and relatively easy compared to trading time for money as an employee or other ways to make money online, why do more of these talented, capable people not sell on Amazon?

I wish I knew.


The how to information is available.
It’s not expensive to get started.  
You can can get started in less than a month.  
If you have a job, you can keep it until you are ready to leave.  
You can scale the business up to whatever level you would like.
You build an asset that you can one day sell.

The list goes on and on.

So is it just a matter of planning?  Having the right steps to follow?  Or is it simple human anxiety?

Probably some of each.
What if you planned to be a successful Amazon Private label seller this year and actually took action?

Next January would you be like me and other Amazon sellers who are coming off of a very financially lucrative December holiday season or would you still be saying wouda, coulda, shouda if you did nothing?

So I decided to put together a very, very basic plan to help you get started.

Here goes…10 Steps to Starting an Amazon Private Label Business

1. Decide on a market
2. Decide on a product
3. Find a supplier
4. Private label and purchase the product
5. List it on Amazon
6. Seek out reviews
7. Spend a little time managing your business
8. Rinse, wash, repeat with new products to scale up your business
9. Enjoy your new passive income lifestyle
10. Kick yourself for not starting sooner….

OK, overly simplistic, but not really.  These are very doable steps.  Will it all fall into your lap.  Of course not?  Will it take some time and effort?  Sure.  What in life doesn’t?

If you’re serious about getting started, I have two ways to help you.

I have some FREE training available at: http://TinyUrl.com/qaxjdmk

For those of you looking to get going sooner without delay or procrastination , I have my paid training available at: http://TinyUrl.com/qaxjdmk

NOTE: This article was reprinted here by permission from one of my mentors, Mark Scott Adam's Blog
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