How do you transition from corporate life to entrepreneurial success while harnessing the power of marketing and social media? Join us as we chat with Michelle Barnum-Smith, a marketing maven who has mastered ManyChat flows in Amazon e-commerce and now thrives on TikTok. Michelle unravels her fascinating journey, sharing actionable insights on leveraging Instagram automation with ManyChat to skyrocket your engagement and conversion rates. If you're an Amazon seller or a social media enthusiast, Michelle’s strategies to tap into Instagram’s algorithm and boost your visibility are pure gold.

Reflecting on her career, she recounts her 12-year stint in corporate marketing with industry giants like Lenovo, IBM, and Comcast. The leap from corporate stability to entrepreneurship was riddled with challenges and learning curves. From founding a consulting business to embracing chatbot marketing in 2017, Michelle discovered a niche within the Amazon seller community that catapulted her to industry prominence. Through candid anecdotes, we unpack the trials and triumphs of leaving the corporate world to build a brand and gain recognition, leading to speaking engagements and a thriving business.

TikTok has revolutionized social commerce, effortlessly blending entertainment and shopping. We dissect why TikTok’s impulse-buying environment outshines Facebook and Instagram, and how it creates a seamless shopping experience. Delving into the nuances of selling on TikTok, we emphasize the importance of collaborating with creators and optimizing product listings. With lower referral fees and innovative features like TikTok Shop, the platform offers uncharted opportunities for sellers. We explore whether it's time to jump on the TikTok bandwagon or adopt a wait-and-see approach, considering potential regulatory challenges. This episode equips you with strategies and insights to navigate TikTok’s commerce landscape effectively.

Also, join the upcoming workshop where Michelle talks about TikTok Shop. To register, go to www.ttshopsellers.com

In episode 398 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Michelle discuss:

• 00:00 - Exploring E-Commerce Marketing Trends
• 07:10 - Utilizing Instagram for Marketing Automation
• 08:40 - Corporate Career to Amazon Marketing
• 10:45 - Corporate Career to Entrepreneurial Mother
• 17:39 - Exploring Marketing Strategies for Amazon
• 19:12 - Building Brands Through Marketing Strategies
• 31:39 - TikTok's Success in Social Commerce
• 37:22 - Effectiveness of TikTok for Sales
• 41:16 - The Future of TikTok Commerce
• 43:07 - Navigating TikTok's Creator and Affiliate Center
• 48:19 - Leveraging TikTok for Business Success
• 53:51 - Optimizing Listings and Ads on TikTok
• 55:14 - Product Shop Ad Strategy for TikTok
• 1:05:40 - Kevin King’s Words Of Wisdom

Gracey Ryback, the Amazon and TikTok influencer phenomenon with over 1.3 million TikTok followers, joins us for a compelling conversation on the AM/PM Podcast. Gracey shares her inspiring journey from a career in sales to becoming a full-time content creator in the e-commerce space. Her accidental rise to fame, driven by a passion for deals and saving money, offers a fascinating look into the world of influencer marketing and the organic growth of her platform. Listen as Gracey recounts her viral video successes, including a walking pad treadmill video that reached 2 million views, and learn about her innovative methods for discovering genuine Amazon deals.

In this episode, we break down the intricacies of creating engaging TikTok content and the art of viral marketing. Gracey provides valuable insights into the process of finding and promoting deals, emphasizing the importance of transparency in discount claims amidst Amazon's evolving pricing policies. We also explore the evolving aspirations of young people who dream of becoming influencers and the parallels with the unexpected success of third-party sellers on Amazon. Gracey's journey highlights the passion and dedication required to succeed in the influencer industry, and she offers advice on navigating the common pitfalls of trying to model oneself after established personalities.

As our conversation unfolds, Gracey discusses her involvement in the Amazon community, attending events like the Billion Dollar Seller Summit, and the enriching experiences gained from networking with successful entrepreneurs. She reflects on her recognition in the Dream 100 and the challenges of sustaining audience engagement in live streaming. Looking ahead, Gracey shares her thoughts on the future of her career, including potential opportunities like starting her own brand or collaborating with an agency. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the influencer industry, effective content creation strategies, and the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce on Amazon.

In episode 397 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Gracey discuss:

• 07:44 - How To Find Good Deals On Amazon
• 10:52 - Sourcing Deals Online for Savings
• 14:45 - Building Audience Engagement Beyond Social Platforms
• 18:31 - Changing Perceptions of Career Choices
• 25:59 - Creating Engaging and Efficient TikTok Videos
• 27:29 - Importance of TikTok Video Hooks
• 33:21 - Love for Work and Growth
• 34:35 - Amazon Community Involvement and Future Plans
• 41:11 - Helium 10 Elite Membership Benefits
• 42:47 - Influencer Marketing and Live Streaming
• 44:53 - Building Loyalty Through Consistent Live Streaming
• 47:53 - Influencer Brand Relationships and Expectations
• 49:42 - Navigating The TikTok Creator Studio
• 55:07 - Managing Brand Expectations for Virality
• 58:00 - Kevin King's Words Of Wisdom

Join us as we unpack the gripping tales and insights featuring the extraordinary Matt Altman. Matt takes us on a thrilling ride through his e-commerce journey, from his early days of retail arbitrage to his current success in the supplements and food sectors. Reminisce with us about the unforgettable BDSS virtual event and a mastermind in Paris where Matt's savvy strategies earned him top awards, and listen in as we relive a legendary night of strategy-swapping by a bonfire, a true testament to the adaptability and knowledge required in the dynamic e-commerce arena.

This episode also shines a light on the intricacies of Amazon selling as we chat about everything from Amazon Seller strategies to the nitty-gritty of data and semantic SEO and learn how third-party tools complement Amazon's own data to sharpen sales strategies. We even touch upon the exciting advancements in image recognition AI and what it could mean for future search and ranking on platforms like Amazon.

Finally, we examine the burgeoning relationship between Amazon and TikTok Shop, as the social media giant increasingly influences e-commerce trends and search behaviors. Hear about the tactics that are proving effective on TikTok Shop, and ponder the potential of TikTok Shop as it begins to rival Amazon's early dominance. We wrap up with a look at strategies for reducing e-commerce fees and a teaser for our next episode, where we’ll have an expert guest talking about TikTok Shop, the Amazon Influencer Program, and influencer marketing. It's an episode packed with actionable advice and forward-looking insights – you won't want to miss a beat!

In episode 396 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Matt discuss:

• 00:00 - E-Commerce Success Story
• 07:39 - Market Analysis and Reselling Strategies
• 10:26 - Amazon Seller Strategies and Masterminds
• 12:06 - Finding Secret Strategies From Chinese Sellers on Amazon
• 18:14 - Evolving Data Tools in Software and Amazon
• 20:26 - Amazon Data and Semantic SEO
• 26:48 - Semantic SEO Keyword Analysis Process
• 30:58 - Optimizing Keywords for Search Engine Ranking
• 33:19 - The Future of Image Recognition AI
• 35:29 - AI in Medical Marketing With Keywords
• 38:41 - The Future of Amazon and TikTok Shop
• 39:01 - TikTok's Influence on Amazon Searches
• 46:14 - TikTok Subsidizes Shipping Costs for Businesses
• 47:58 - E-Commerce Strategies for Reducing Fees
• 53:30 - Kevin King's Words Of Wisdom