Nearly 2 million people have taken advantage of Amazon’s FBA program to sell their goods on Amazon’s platform. If you want to be next — and become the next e-commerce millionaire — an Amazon FBA coach may be able to take you there.
In case you haven’t heard of it, Amazon FBA stands for Fulfillment By Amazon. It allows you to leverage Amazon’s logistical system to sell your wares directly to billions of potential customers.
And it doesn’t just make good money; it makes quick money. Our very own Spencer Haws details in one blog post how he went from zero to nearly $5,000 a month in sales in just thirty days.
If you want to be next, an Amazon FBA coach can show you the ropes.
What Does an Amazon FBA Coach Do?
It can be difficult to navigate Amazon’s system and get your product positioned appropriately. Without a coach that has experience (and success!), you could lose a lot of money fast.
A good Amazon coach will teach you how to sell some products. A great Amazon FBA coach will teach you how to grow your business. That’s what you need to look for.
Setting Up a Foundation
From business practices to setting up your business account, an Amazon coach has been there many times before. They know how to create a strong brand, set up payment systems, and walk you through setting up your first product listing.
But arguably one of the most important things an Amazon FBA coach will do is help you understand your “why.”
Besides money, why are you wanting to start a business in the first place? Financial freedom? Professional flexibility? Serve a market? Help your existing business reach a wider audience?
Once you have an idea of why you’re wanting to start an Amazon business, your coach will help you set realistic goals. They can help you map out a strategy that ensures you’re on Amazon for the next decade, instead of just the next couple of months.
Advertising Strategies
Setting up a product listing is just one part of the equation. In order to gain the visibility you need in Amazon’s crowded marketplace, you need to master the art of paid ads.
And trust me when I say that it is an art, just as much as a science. Between copywriting and audience selection, there is so much to learn about Amazon Ads.
Unfortunately, learning the ads platform can be expensive. In some cases, it can even be more than it costs to source your products.
In this case, you’ll be glad you have an Amazon FBA coach that has experience in your niche to help guide you.
If you really want to take your business to the next level, you’ll need to set up funnels. There are lots of funnel builders you can use to take people through the customer journey. A coach can help you customize one to your brand.
Sourcing Trending Products
Remember the hoverboards that everyone used to buy for their kids around Christmas several years ago? Those were virtually unheard of (at least in mainstream society) until then. Anyone who read the tea leaves correctly and predicted that those would be the future of two-wheeled pedestrian technology stood to make a fortune.
Every day, there are more products like that ready to hit the market. You may not reach quite the same level of success, but if you’re first to market, you’ll still gain a competitive advantage.
If you’re familiar with the affiliate marketing industry, you probably already know about Google Trends. If not, it’s a fantastic tool that can help you identify what people are looking for. You can do extensive product research to identify the next great product before it comes to market.
It’s a vital tool for Amazon sellers, but the real magic comes from using practical experience to identify actual winners. Anyone can read a graph, but it takes an expert to analyze it correctly.
Once you have those products in mind, an Amazon FBA coach can help you source them from reliable manufacturers. More than one person has been scammed by suppliers (both foreign and domestic), but a seasoned professional will know what to look for.
Prospecting for the Future
So, you have your products and you have your brand. What do you do now?
Even strong brands can die out if they’re not constantly innovating and responding to customer feedback. It’s extremely important that you consider where your company will be a few years down the road.
Whether that means more products or an eventual exit, a coach can guide you down the right path.
Do I Need a Coach to Sell on Amazon?
Absolutely not. Amazon FBA may be designed with established businesses in mind, but they’re perfect for beginning sellers.
Because of that, you don’t need a coach to get started selling on Amazon. Most of the technical aspects are pretty straightforward; what a coach will give you is experience to shortcut the process.
We have also written a full guide on how to get started with Amazon FBA. Read it through, and if you still feel like you need a coach, reach out to one via the options available below.
What Types of Coaching are Available?
What kind of Amazon FBA coach you choose depends on your particular learning style. There are several potential options for you to choose from, but two stand out from the crowd.
One-on-One
If you want to maximize your coaching experience, nothing replaces a private tutor. Instead of sharing your time with an expert via group chats, the mentor looks at your business and customizes their teaching to your brand.
The only drawback is that it’s usually much more expensive than other coaching styles.
You can expect to pay several thousand dollars per month — in addition to or including a percentage of your sales revenue. It makes sense, though; if you want them invested in your business, they should see a percentage of that success.
Most coaches don’t operate on an hourly basis. Instead, you’ll pay them for the month and get a few hours of their time every week. An Amazon selling coach like Kevin King is one of the more sought-after experts, and his time will reflect that.
If you still want a coach but don’t want to pay top dollar, consider an Amazon mentor instead. These coaches may not advertise their services, but if you find a successful Amazon seller, ask them if they would be interested in coaching you.
Group Masterminds
Just because you’re not able to pay for one-on-one Amazon FBA coaching doesn’t mean you can’t gain any insight from a group mastermind. Not only can you bounce ideas off of each other, but you can also learn how others have grown their business. Use their tactics to boost your own brand.
This is part of what makes group masterminds so valuable, especially for advanced sellers. While you won’t be taken through the nuts and bolts of setting up an Amazon account, you will be exposed to tactics that have been proven in the real world.
Since they’re usually led by an Amazon FBA seller themselves, the best masterminds will charge a fee to join. Weekly calls, AMA’s (Ask Me Anything), private groups, exclusive resources — all of these are usually perks of being a mastermind member.
Amazon FBA Course
Both of the above options are time-sensitive. You have to commit to a certain number of hours, with goals and meetings. It's for serious sellers who want to be held responsible by others who have been there before.
For those just wanting to dip their toes in the FBA world, a course may be more their speed. Instead of hitting the ground running, a course like Amazon Boot Camp will give you the basics to succeed.
You can take it at your leisure, and take each step as you have time.
It's nearly impossible to find the best Amazon FBA training course, but Wholesale Formula and Marketplace Superhero are two popular options.
Both will help you with turning your private label brand on Amazon into an established business.
How to Find an Amazon FBA Coach
For centuries, a “guru” was seen as a wise guide that promised to give you deeper enlightenment.
These days, the term has almost become a curse to internet marketers.
There are no shortage of people who have made some money online and then style themselves as a “guru.” In fact, the best gurus tend to avoid the word altogether.
When you look for someone to help grow your business, ask a few questions first.
Are They an Expert?
It doesn’t take much to be an “expert” at Amazon FBA. Anyone that can set up an account and source a few products claims to “know the ins and outs” of the business.
Instead, look for someone who has a track record of success. Have they helped others grow their business? Do they have past clients that can attest to their credentials?
Do they even have credentials?
Moreover, don’t just look for an expert for Amazon FBA — look for an expert in your niche. Unless it’s a direct competitor, it’s far better to have someone in your corner who understands your industry than a general seller.
Can They Show Results?
It may surprise you to learn that the vast majority of people who sell on Amazon are making over $1,000 a month. That may not be a ton of money to some people, but it is usually enough to make most people’s lives a tad easier.
Don’t be impressed with the numbers and how much people are making. Look at their logistical operations and see the numbers behind their operations. Ask them about their profit margins.
It’s not unusual for great sellers to clear 20-50% in profit.
While no coach can completely fool-proof your operations, they should be able to spot holes where you can tighten up your processes. If so, then they’ll pay for themselves in no time.
Will You Work Well Together?
Working with an Amazon FBA coach may be a business relationship, but it’s still a relationship. You need to know if you’re going to be able to work well with this person. If not, you may need to find someone else.
You would be surprised how many coaches are not hired simply because of their personality or coaching style. Even if they have an amazing track record, the ability to work well with that person is vital.
Find a coach who aligns with your values, and you may have a mutually beneficial partnership that lasts for a long time.
Are Amazon FBA Coaches Worth It?
For sellers who are just starting out on the platform, there are a lot of free resources that can provide what coaches offer. The technical aspects of setting up an account, sourcing products, setting up a listing — you can learn most of it yourself.
Hiring an Amazon FBA coach is mostly for those who want to shortcut the learning curve. There’s nothing wrong with that if you have the money to do so, but for most, it may be out of reach.
The real value is in the experience and knowledge that they bring to the table. If you can find a coach that will increase your business tenfold over the next couple of years, it’s a no-brainer. Find one that works well with you, and watch your sales skyrocket.
The post What’s an Amazon FBA Coach and Are They Worth It? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Niche Pursuits.