Firing The Man

Pat is the co-founder and President of AstroidX, an Amazon Partnered Agency that helps its clients dominate its pay-per-click advertising. Over the 5-years, Ken and I have worked with Pat and his team with great results and service. In this episode, he talks about how to approach Amazon advertising this holiday using the correct seasonal strategies. He also shares how you could determine if your campaign is successful through figures and the right strategies to apply for new launches.[00:01 - 08:02] Opening SegmentWelcoming Pat to the show Pat shares his story and how he founded AstroidXDancing on the street he fell in love with marketing and he started his entrepreneurial journey[05:45 - 21:01] What’s the landscape look like for Amazon PPC 2022Amazon’s ad platform is growing quickly compared to its competitorsBasic ad units are still effective You can get up to 80% of the benefit of the ad platform by using sponsored products and sponsored brands correctlyTo mitigate the risk you have to have enough preparation for the big events like Black Friday, Christmas saleHaving tons of sales doesn’t mean you’ve been profitable. Pat shares how you could check your numbersWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400Ad campaigns have come a long way allowing you to manage them well with the right strategy[21:02 - 31:06] Spend Your Dollar Wisely on Ad SpendPat’s advice on how to adjust your budget to align with the seasonal trendsAs long as the spending makes sense and is profitable, then keep it onYou can still ride the holiday traffic without paying holiday premiums on your keywordsAvoid overwhelming and overspending using a keyword strategyPut effort and money into product development by listening to what the people are saying including their complaintsThe higher the click-through rate, the better the reviewsA decent ad spend when a product is up and rolling should be 20 to 30% of the MSRP for mature products and 50 - 60% in the beginning [31:07 - 32:19] Closing SegmentTune in to part two of the conversations next episode!Quotes:“The better product you have. The higher the click-through rate is.” - Pat Lum “Just because it got you a ton of sales doesn't mean that it performed in a profitable manner.” - Pat Lum “The better the product is like just for the end customer, the easier everything else is going to be.” - Pat LumConnect with Pat LumWebsite:  https://www.asteroidx.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rW9p6w1RtG8FTQv6WF3jQSend us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedGETIDAAmazon FBA RevReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Adam is the Founder and CEO of Retention.com (formerly Getemails) which he's bootstrapped to 14m ARR in 2 ½ years with six people. Retention.com is an identity resolution service that can identify one-third of your anonymous website traffic so you can market to those potential customers. Yes, read that sentence again, it’s magical. Before Retention, Adam was the founder/CEO of Robly Email Marketing, which was bootstrapped and he exited for 8 figures to private equity in 2020.This is part two of the episode with Adam Robinson. In the previous episode, he talks about revolutionary ways to get quality email addresses and the legalities behind them. Now, we continue the conversation on email marketing for e-commerce. [00:01 - 11:41] How retention.com Could Help with Your E-Commerce BusinessIt allows you to put the pixel and integrate it into your email service provider from your websiteRetargeted people through email are often what convertsHere’s how Adam calculates the ROI of an email addressThe best way to own an audience without paying for media access is to contact it over and over again[11:42 - 18:07] Make The Most Out of Your ListInstead of comparing your conversions, CTR, etc. to the industry, convert it to what you’re doing currentlyYou can see real results in ideally 60 days as it takes a while for the audience to warm up and repeat purchaseYou are leaving money on the table if you do not:Set up an abandoned cart and add an SMS collection/messageProduct abandonment setupWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[18:08 - 30:30] Closing SegmentThe importance of having a lean, cashflow-positive businessAdam shares his experience of setting up a good SAaS business and how it is different from venture capitalWho are the perfect customers for Retention.comThe Fire RoundCheck out Adam’s recommended booksQuotes:“When you see the results, scale it up. And if you don't cancel it.” - Adam Robinson“The real results come after doing it for a long time.” - Adam Robinson“Until you have it, you shouldn't do anything else other than try to get it done.” - Adam RobinsonResources Mentioned:www.ycombinator.comThe Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve BlankGETIDAConnect with AdamWebsite: www.retention.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamlanerobinson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-robinson-64409348Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Adam is the Founder and CEO of Retention.com (formerly Getemails) which he's bootstrapped to 14m ARR in 2 ½ years with six people. Retention.com is an identity resolution service that has the ability to identify one-third of your anonymous website traffic so you can market to those potential customers. Yes, read that sentence again, it’s magical. Prior to Retention, Adam was the founder/CEO of Robly Email Marketing, which was bootstrapped and he exited for 8 figures to private equity in 2020.This is a two-part episode where Adam talks us through a revolutionary way to get quality email addresses and the legalities behind them. Let’s get started.[00:01 - 08:02] Opening SegmentWelcoming Adam to the showIsmael’s background and careerAdam’s background and how he got into email marketingHe shares the story of his entrepreneurial mistakes during his start-up[08:03 - 10:17] Ways to Blow Up Your BusinessPoach customer information from a marketing companyToo many competitors in a saturated marketHaving a long contact list but are considered poor leads[10:18 - 16:19] The Beginning of SuccessDefined what Mailchimp isn’t doing then offered that serviceAdam leveraged Customer Identity to start his businessBig players are prohibited from selling customer data making it a great business opportunity for small playersWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[16:20 - 27:01] How Is Email Spam Legal in The US?If your business fails, you come back stronger and more experiencedAdam talks about Retention.comHashed email is an email address that has been encrypted in a way that a human being cannot unencrypt itThis is legal because of the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003Here’s how you can filter dead email addresses and nurture an email list that is active and non-spam What matters in email is not whether you opt-in or opt out but the engagement[27:02 - 28:09] Closing SegmentTune in to part two of the conversations next episode!Quotes:“If you don't have a profitable email program then paying any price for a lead is not it's going to be worse for you.” - Adam Robinson“You have no idea how lost you are until you're so far in it.” - Adam Robinson------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with AdamWebsite: www.retention.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamlanerobinson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-robinson-64409348Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedGETIDAEmail us --> support@firingtheman.com Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ismael is the Executive Chairman of FE International, the market leader in the sale of SaaS, E-commerce, and Content businesses. Over the past decade, Wrixen has overseen 1000+ successful acquisitions totaling more than half a billion dollars in value. Wrixen was also a (NACVA) 2018 40 Under 40 Award winner. Wrixen’s previous background was in large-cap M&A investment banking, where he executed several high-profile public deals, namely in the technology sector.Founded in 2010, FE International is known for its extensive network of pre-qualified international investors. With headquarters in New York and regional offices in Miami, San Francisco, and London, FE is an international company serving clients worldwide. It was named one of The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies in 2021 and 2020 by The Financial Times and is also a two-time U.S. Inc. 5000 company.[00:01 - 11:35] Opening SegmentWelcoming Ismael back to the show2022 Midyear report from FE Internationalwww.firingtheman.com/FE2022Are people still buying businesses?[11:36 - 18:54] The Current State of the MarketDeals are taking longer to close due to the amount of due diligence required and the limited availability of capitalMitigating the effects of COVID on the marketBusinesses are being valued using four different models, which take into account past events and trendsWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[18:55 - 26:03] The Best Businesses to Market Are ResilientBuyers are more focused on customer acquisition costs and diversifying their sales channels than ever beforeBusinesses that have successfully made a pivot into diversifying their sales channels and using profitable advertising are more likely to attract buyers and receive higher multiplesThe Education funds: risk vs. reward[26:04 - 39:06] Aggregators Facing Earnout IssuesAggregators are becoming less relevant as private equity and institutional capital step back inAggregators often buy businesses quickly and without doing due diligence, which can lead to earnout issuesBrands are focusing on the long-term trend of moving towards pop platforms or Shopify-based businesses[38:24 - 44:19] Closing SegmentWho is a good fit for FE International to help out?The Fire RoundFinal wordsQuotes:"You don't wanna be buying a business where the economy can take a bit of a pause or a downturn and suddenly you're buying a business at X and you have to sell it to Y.” - Ismael Wrixen"I think the market is still very strong. I think that's the thing we try to get across and not just us saying that you know we're putting data behind that in terms of how much buyer demand there is out there." - Ismael Wrixen------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

The concept that manufacturing elsewhere but in the United States is cheaper is a common fallacy.On today’s episode, we have the privilege to interview Jason Azevedo. Jason has had his heart in business development since an early age, starting a very successful apparel company that grew from humble garage beginnings to annual gross billings of over a million dollars at age 15. By 18 Jason was doing millions in business with Starbucks, Nike, Disney, Marvel, Volkswagen, Audi, Lucas films, Dodgers, and countless NBA teams.[00:01 - 06:05] Opening Segment The advantage of starting a business at a young age Jason’s focus when starting is to build a plant that could take care of people[06:06 - 13:16] Understanding Manufacturing Low-cost labor was the primary driver of manufacturing products Efficient automation in American manufacturing The best people to be in your team are a balance of those whom you’ve built through influence and an experienced workforce[13:17 - 29:48] Everything You Need to Know Before Getting StartedCovid helped Americans realize that manufacturing in America is feasible and cost-efficientProducts that are labeled as American made is perceived to have premium qualityThe concept of building near the raw material is obsoleteWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[29:49 - 38:13] Get your Product Made in the USAHow to start manufacturingHard work and fighting internal belief systems  The importance of sharing informationYou could promote that your product is manufactured in the USA by starting domesticallyAmericans care more about the impact of the purchase they make rather than just knowing it’s American madeSBA helps with the export of American-made products[38:14 - 50:34] Closing Segment Jason’s advice to people who are getting into manufacturing:Read The Toyota WaySaying you don’t know how to do itJason talks about MRCAQuotes  “It's very often that the same product stays the same for any significant period. There are constant adjustments that you make.” - Jason Azevedo“When American buys an American product, often, they're holding on to the belief and the love of what that means to the community of the US. Not just, hey, it's an American-made product. ” - Jason AzevedoSend us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedGETIDAUS Department of CommerceSmall Business AdministrationThe Toyota WayReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Getting sued is one of the business owners' worst nightmares, making it a must to learn to protect yourself and your business to avoid this scenario.David and Ken share their experience getting sued, the challenges they have to face as business owners and how they have settled by avoiding the trial, and all the headaches that come with a lawsuit.[00:01 - 11:42] Opening Segment Ken and David recall the time they were sued one of their great service providersThey spent 200 hours sorting things out when they could have been used for income-generating activities[11:43 - 23:50] A Training to Become Better BusinessmenSeek legal advice to determine the validity of the lawsuitMake decisions not based on emotions but a logical business perspectiveWhen you start looking at things that way, that’s when you can pivot to a better pathKen and David decided to self-represent considering these:High professional feesThe impact on business exposureHow much is the overall cost going to beNo one knows the case better than the duoUnderstanding the other person’s perspective: The lawsuit is an inconvenience to both partiesSettling things out and avoiding trialWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[23:51 - 29:21] Lessons Learned from The LawsuitA phone call is convenient but email is preferred as it’s documented and can be presented as evidence in courtAlways aim for a prompt communicationCompare several service providers' offerings with a track record of successBeing sued means your business is providing value and the other party thinks it’s worth itSeparate your emotions from what’s best for the business[29:22 - 32:24] Closing Segment Ken and David’s advice on business owners who have been suedFinal wordsConnect with the duo!Quotes  “I would say that getting sued can happen to anybody. And it kind of goes along with operating a business. That is telling your business to create value. And there are people that want to go after that value. I think it's just part of doing business.”Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedGETIDA Email us --> support@firingtheman.com Leave us a review as it really helps the show!   Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

If you’re looking to promote your business through PPC advertising, you will need to decide whether you will manage your PPC campaigns or hire a professional to do it.David and Ken share their experience in hiring ad agencies and in-house managers. They will also deep dive into the importance of understanding PPC as a business owner, and what you need to know when partnering with agencies.[00:01 - 15:05] Opening Segment What is Pay Per ClickKen and David share their experience on their PPC journey[07:07 - 19:37] Self-Managed PPCDon't worry about getting locked in. Try as many agencies as you like until you find one that’s suited to your needWhy it's important to have a good understanding of PPC and its principlesCreating a meaningful Pros and Cons listThe three things you need to be good at when self-managing PPCSelf-managed PPC is time-consuming as you grow and scaleWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[19:38 - 30:25] Working with Ad AgencyAccount managers handle multiple accounts that they miss some of the special instructionsOn agency pricingMaintaining ad agency-client relationshipThe difference in the compensation model of in-house and Ad agencyWhy PPC and SEO always work better together[30:25 - 33:16] Closing Segment Ken’s advice to business owners: Don’t be afraid to pivot in your business Have an implementation planConnect with the duo!Quotes  “It doesn't hurt to try. You can't be afraid to try something new, give it six months.”“For us to scale properly, we need a good value for our money. And we also need a good impact on our business from the time spent on the PPC.”Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedHelium 10GETIDA Email us --> support@firingtheman.com Leave us a review as it really helps the show!   Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

The Digital Nomad lifestyle is on the rise and many more workers are predicted to work remotely in the coming years.David and Ken talk about the first time they were introduced to the digital nomad world and share tips and tricks for you to get started. Whether you’re an employee wanting to work remotely full-time or an entrepreneur who’d like to continue business without having to be physically present, you can learn a thing or two from this episode.[00:01 - 07:06] Opening Segment  What is a digital nomad?David and Ken share their story of becoming digital nomadsAllows flexibility of schedule[07:07 - 17:42] Tips for Working While You Travel Prepare your equipmentHave a solid laptopAlways have a backupNoise-canceling headphonesPowerbank Always be aware of your timezoneYou can set your Google Calendar to your local timezoneA business partner and well-functioning team with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)Want some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400[16:08 - 23:21] Reward Yourself for Your HardworkKen & David recalls the first trips they took when they fired the man for the first timeDavid finally achieved one of his lifelong dreams of owning his own boatKen purchased a Tesla as his gift to himself upon firing the man[23:22 - 26:04] Closing Segment The perks of using The Chase Inc Business preferred (link below)Connect with the Duo!Quotes  “If you are an entrepreneur and you think to yourself, if I leave, the wheels are gonna fall off then you need to develop better SOPs and invest in your team.”Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedChase Ink Preferred Credit CardBose QuietComfortBook  GETIDA Email us --> support@firingtheman.com Leave us a review as it really helps the show!   Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

If you’ve been selling on Amazon or eBay, chances are you already have a working strategy in place. But if you are venturing into Walmart Marketplace, the same strategy might not work for you.In this episode, Carrie Miller talks about the exact strategies that made her succeed in Walmart Marketplace, even when her products are at a higher price; from effective keyword strategy to paid advertising.Carrie Miller is a Senior Brand Evangelist from Helium10 and Walmart.com expert. Carrie has been in the e-commerce industry since 2016 and has worked at both of the e-commerce software goliaths – Jungle Scout and Helium10. [00:01 - 07:06] Opening Segment From a struggling sales job to a Walmart Marketplace expertWhat makes Walmart different from other platformsLess competition and more exclusivity[07:07 - 17:42] Getting Started with Walmart MarketplaceSelling on Walmart vs AmazonWalmart Rich Media StrategyImporting reviews from Shopify to WalmartWalmart's PPC Advertising strategy can help drive more sales[17:43 - 27:59] Walmart vs. Amazon: A comparison of Keywords StrategyWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400Finding the best keyword for your listing using Helium 10Neglecting Spanish keywords? Here’s how you could use it to your advantageGet your products listed on Walmart.com! Carrie shares the step-by-step process[28:00 - 35:41] Helium 10 for WalmartUse product variation to list more about your productsHow Helium 10 Helps Walmart.com Marketplace SellersDavid shares with Carrie his wishlist to be included in Helium 10[35:42 - 41:46] Closing Segment The Fire RoundConnect with CarrieQuotes  “That's kind of my strategy, if it has demand on Amazon, I'm certain that it's going to have demand on Walmart.” - Carrie Miller“Well, that's [giving up] going to separate the people who are going to get on it and those who aren't, because then once you give up, they're giving up that opportunity. [to succeed]” - Carrie MillerConnect with Carrie Miller at https://www.helium10.com/author/carrie-miller and join the Helium 10 Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/Helium10Users to know more!Send us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedHelium 10Book The Count of Monte CristoGETIDA Email us --> support@firingtheman.com Leave us a review as it really helps the show!   Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

The competition on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms has dramatically increased but so is the online shopping demand.In this episode, Amazon expert Ashley Kinkead shares the strategies she used to grow her Amazon store to a million-dollar store. Ashley Kinkead the host of the top 1% ranked Private Label Mastery podcast, is a coach and master trainer. She's inspired and equipped thousands of business owners around the world with the skills and strategies they need to build full-time online empires from the ground up.  [00:01 - 06:09] Opening Segment  From being a public school teacher to being a multi-stream income Amazon entrepreneurAshley on wishing he’d fired the man sooner[06:10 - 11:58] Amazon FBA in 2022Is Amazon FBA Still Worth It in 2022?You need to put in more time and effort Think long-termThe biggest challenges for new entrepreneursThe common misconceptions about selling on AmazonProduct selection: Make decisions based on data[11:59 - 19:46] Running a Successful Business The top 3 you should focus on for your Amazon FBA businessThe first key positions and roles you need to hireWant some Amazon refunds? Check out GETIDAPromo code: FTM400Ashley talks about her product launch strategyKnow the conversion rates of your productsHow to secure profitability each month[19:47 - 25:56] The Strategies Behind Amazon SuccessWant a higher conversion rate? Make your product expensiveFamiliarize yourself with split testingDetermine the right pricing strategyThe big changes in Amazon in 2022[25:57 - 25:58] Closing Segment What is Private Label MasteryThe Fire RoundConnect with AshleyQuotes  Start thinking about those couple of key hires that you can bring in and your business starts making money. It's the key to growth. You can't do everything yourself as one person for very long.” - Ashley Kinkead“Don't be afraid to like lose money at the beginning and a PPC campaign. You can capture that data and then take that data and put it into making your campaign more profitable.” - Ashley Kinkead Connect with Ashley Kinkead at www.ashleykinkead.com Want to create full-time income through Amazon FBA? Visit https://www.amzprivatelabelmastery.comSend us a voice message and let us know how we can help you fire the man! FacebookYouTubeInstagramResources MentionedBook The Slight EdgeThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership FableSoftwareCash Cow Pro GETIDA Email us --> support@firingtheman.com Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show