When you're overwhelmed, take a step back and breathe, then categorize your tasks, and tackle one at a time.
I've noticed in the various Facebook groups (join The FBA Flip Side Facebook group) that a number of new sellers (or people contemplating this whole FBA biz) often express feeling overwhelmed at the sheer amount of information. I confess that I feel it when I think about taxes and insurance. The very thought makes my head spin! I've decided that my life doesn't give me enough wiggle room to take the time to delve deep into these topics, so I'm putting it off until the summer when I have more time to get all of my business ducks in a row. Sometimes you have to focus on one thing at a time - learn it, conquer it, then move on to the next thing.
Here are some steps that might help you to break down the tasks:
1. Read the information in Amazon Seller Central and take notes. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, watch and listen to spreecasts, and ask clarifying questions in support groups. Take the time to get the basic information down before you begin your journey.
2. Learn your scanning apps by scanning things in your house. I made the mistake of scanning in the store first. I couldn't find anything with a good ROI! Why? I didn't realize that the app I was using showed the lowest price -including USED merchant fulfilled prices. Scan your house and push every button to see where it goes. Check it all online at Amazon. Get familiar with your app and Amazon's listing page.
3. Make yourself a notecard with category rankings (or put your notes onto an app like Evernote). I was constantly asking myself if something I scanned was a good rank or not. I made mistakes in the beginning because I didn't know the difference. Top 1% is best. Top 5% is great. Top 10% is good. Top 15-20% is not unreasonable if the ROI is good.
4. Choose a category that you know best as a buyer and stick with it for awhile. Scan absolutely everything in a 12 foot section of a store. Keep in mind that you might find one good buy in 20-30 scans. Patience is key! Do a little research before hitting the stores. Check the sale's ads. Look at products on Amazon (ranking, price, number of sellers). Take pictures of a category and research them at home. Focus on one category in one store. Get to know the store layout and sale's trends. Sign up for the rewards card! Look for coupons. Stay focused in that small space and work to fill one box.
5. Watch the videos on Amazon (and YouTube) that show you how to list and pack. It's not that hard, but there are rules and procedures with which you need to familiarize yourself. When you first begin, buy products that are small, lightweight, and don't require special packaging like polybags or shrinkwrap. Venture into these things one step at a time.
6. Before you begin this journey, or after you've tested the waters to see if this business is a match for you, you will need to get your business ducks in a row. Don't let this piece overwhelm you! Make a list and focus on getting one task accomplished at a time. You don't have to have everything figured out when you send your first box. Just get started. You can put things in order as you learn what you need to make your business a success.
Take a month to learn as much as you can before you step into the FBA waters. There is a lot of information out there, and some of it is wrong. Always refer back to Amazon's Seller Central, and if you're unsure about something, contact Amazon and ask. This is a fairly simple business with a low entry cost. Take it one step at a time.
I've noticed in the various Facebook groups (join The FBA Flip Side Facebook group) that a number of new sellers (or people contemplating this whole FBA biz) often express feeling overwhelmed at the sheer amount of information. I confess that I feel it when I think about taxes and insurance. The very thought makes my head spin! I've decided that my life doesn't give me enough wiggle room to take the time to delve deep into these topics, so I'm putting it off until the summer when I have more time to get all of my business ducks in a row. Sometimes you have to focus on one thing at a time - learn it, conquer it, then move on to the next thing.
Here are some steps that might help you to break down the tasks:
1. Read the information in Amazon Seller Central and take notes. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, watch and listen to spreecasts, and ask clarifying questions in support groups. Take the time to get the basic information down before you begin your journey.
2. Learn your scanning apps by scanning things in your house. I made the mistake of scanning in the store first. I couldn't find anything with a good ROI! Why? I didn't realize that the app I was using showed the lowest price -including USED merchant fulfilled prices. Scan your house and push every button to see where it goes. Check it all online at Amazon. Get familiar with your app and Amazon's listing page.
3. Make yourself a notecard with category rankings (or put your notes onto an app like Evernote). I was constantly asking myself if something I scanned was a good rank or not. I made mistakes in the beginning because I didn't know the difference. Top 1% is best. Top 5% is great. Top 10% is good. Top 15-20% is not unreasonable if the ROI is good.
4. Choose a category that you know best as a buyer and stick with it for awhile. Scan absolutely everything in a 12 foot section of a store. Keep in mind that you might find one good buy in 20-30 scans. Patience is key! Do a little research before hitting the stores. Check the sale's ads. Look at products on Amazon (ranking, price, number of sellers). Take pictures of a category and research them at home. Focus on one category in one store. Get to know the store layout and sale's trends. Sign up for the rewards card! Look for coupons. Stay focused in that small space and work to fill one box.
5. Watch the videos on Amazon (and YouTube) that show you how to list and pack. It's not that hard, but there are rules and procedures with which you need to familiarize yourself. When you first begin, buy products that are small, lightweight, and don't require special packaging like polybags or shrinkwrap. Venture into these things one step at a time.
6. Before you begin this journey, or after you've tested the waters to see if this business is a match for you, you will need to get your business ducks in a row. Don't let this piece overwhelm you! Make a list and focus on getting one task accomplished at a time. You don't have to have everything figured out when you send your first box. Just get started. You can put things in order as you learn what you need to make your business a success.
Take a month to learn as much as you can before you step into the FBA waters. There is a lot of information out there, and some of it is wrong. Always refer back to Amazon's Seller Central, and if you're unsure about something, contact Amazon and ask. This is a fairly simple business with a low entry cost. Take it one step at a time.
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