Dave shares his 21-month journey to build an ecommerce brand to a $1 million yearly run rate, overcoming legal disputes and slow growth. He provides actionable insights on driving traffic to Amazon, utilizing content marketing, optimizing staffing, and employing diverse growth strategies like Google Shopping and Facebook ads to increase profitability and sustain growth.
Key takeaways
Direct almost all sales to Amazon but drive cold external traffic to those listings using platforms like Google Shopping and Facebook Ads.
Create a content-only website separate from your ecommerce site to build brand authority, improve SEO, and educate customers, de-risking reliance on platforms like Amazon.
Avoid assigning both customer support and content writing to a single VA; specialize roles for efficiency and quality.
Consider advanced Amazon strategies, such as setting up a secondary "stealth" account, for diversification and risk mitigation (though be aware of Amazon's terms of service).
Actively plan for long-term growth and identify potential operational or legal hurdles to avoid significant slowdowns, learning from Dave's 21-month journey to hit his revenue goal.
Around mid-2017 Dave embarked on a journey to build another million dollar brand after he sold his first one in 2016. He originally planned to reach a $1 million revenue run rate in 12 months, but certain things happening in 2018--including a legal dispute, among others--contributed to a slow growth throughout the year. 21 months later, Dave finally hit his $1 million revenue goal. In this podcast episode he discusses the things that lengthened the process so that you can avoid it in your own business. He also shares tips and hints for increasing the profitability of your brand, along with growth strategies you can employ. Some conversation points: Why he is directing almost all sales to Amazon How he brings cold outside traffic to Amazon The benefits of creating a content-only website that is completely separate from an ecommerce site Why hiring one VA to handle both customer support and article writing is not a good idea How Google Shopping and Facebook is contributing to our growth Growth plans for 2019, including creating a secondary "stealth" Amazon account Thanks for listening to this episode! If you have any questions feel free to leave them below. Until the next one, happy selling.
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Direct almost all sales to Amazon but drive cold external traffic to those listings using platforms like Google Shopping and Facebook Ads.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Create a content-only website separate from your ecommerce site to build brand authority, improve SEO, and educate customers, de-risking reliance on platforms like Amazon.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Avoid assigning both customer support and content writing to a single VA; specialize roles for efficiency and quality.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Consider advanced Amazon strategies, such as setting up a secondary "stealth" account, for diversification and risk mitigation (though be aware of Amazon's terms of service).
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Actively plan for long-term growth and identify potential operational or legal hurdles to avoid significant slowdowns, learning from Dave's 21-month journey to hit his revenue goal.
