Don’t let starting at zero overtake you. Currently averaging $50,000 in sales per month, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how Todd gained momentum on Amazon and racked up dozens of wholesale suppliers. Stay tuned.
Can’t figure out where to start in e-commerce? Start here.
Find A Niche
While many Amazon sellers have an open wholesale brand (sell products from a variety of categories) Todd recommends carving out an e-commerce niche. Have a hobby? A lifelong passion? Something that eats every ounce of free time outside your day job? Consider focusing on products within that category. Maybe it’s sporting goods, maybe it’s kitchenware, maybe it’s car parts. Whatever it is, establishing yourself as a category leader and focusing on what you love will make it easier to build bundles and gear listings to prime buyers. In short, finding the right niche can jumpstart your success.
Google It
Let’s say you’ve got a passion for Jeeps. You know what accessories drivers buy bundled and you’re immersed in the car community. Now that you’ve picked a category, it’s time to find wholesale suppliers.
Head to Google (or your search engine of choice) and search something generic, like “Jeep Accessories.” Scroll through different website options until you find websites with tons of products for sale. Specialty websites are your best bet.
Find Brands
Now you’re ready to dive into brands. Use tools like Jungle Scout to compare brands, estimate sales, and size up your competition. Remember, you never want Amazon as competition.
Contact
Once you’ve got a series of websites with different products, start searching brand by brand. Type a brand name into Google, find their website, and search for a dealer section or dealer application of some sort. If you can’t find a formal application window, you should see a phone number or email address at the very least. Whatever you find, send a message asking if you can become a reseller for the supplier’s products.
Not sure what to say? You’re not alone. Crafting a message that appeals to suppliers can be tricky. Check out Todd’s email templates for sample messages. Also make sure to follow up a few days after sending.
Quick Tip – Send emails using a business email address (not a standard Gmail or Yahoo! email address). Todd recommends registering your domain on sites like GoDaddy and creating a professional email address linked to your business. Overall, it looks more professional and you’re more likely to receive responses. It’s tough selling yourself as an Amazon seller, so create every advantage for yourself that proves you’re a serious business owner, not an amateur online seller.
Grind Away
Sometimes you’ll get a reply, often you won’t. In fact, when you’re an Amazon seller and you don’t have a brick-and-mortar store, you’ll hear no far more often than yes. Nevertheless, learn to let it slide off your back and keep plugging away. Exhaust every website, every brand, and every contact page until there simply aren’t any brands left.
While rejection is tough, there are so many fantastic brands out there that will say YES to serious Amazon sellers. It just takes a bit of digging to find them.
Overall
Chase suppliers with this method and soon you’ll be making major Amazon strides. Once you get a taste of entrepreneurial momentum, anything is possible.
