Hi Sellers!

We asked for winning strategies in our Spring Sweepstakes, and you delivered! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these top tips from sellers like you can help you thrive this spring and beyond. Let's dive into the first 5 themes we saw throughout the event.

1. Master the FBA-FBM Balance

Many successful sellers utilize a strategic combination of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) options to optimize their operations. Understanding when to leverage each fulfillment method can be beneficial for sellers looking to maximize efficiency and profitability.

💬 Seller Insight: "Do not FBA everything. Wait to see what sells well via FBM and only FBA those items that sell well."

Key Takeaways:

• Consider testing new products with FBM, and moving best-sellers to FBA
• Consider maintaining flexibility with multiple fulfillment options
• Choose the best option based on your specific items and business needs

📚 Resources for you:

• Intro to FBA
• Intro to FBM
• Set up Buy with Prime

2. Plan Ahead for Seasonal Success

Smart seasonal planning can make or break your Q2 performance. Start early and think regionally.

💬 Seller Insights: "Spring happens in phases across the country. May want to adjust shipping templates accordingly depending on where you are."...."Lead Time Buffer: Ship spring‑critical SKUs early so stock lands by March. Safety Stock: Increase buffer to 45–60 days for top spring sellers."

Key Takeaways:

• Begin preparations 2-3 months in advance
• Account for regional climate differences
• Create a buffer for extended FBA receiving times (up to 6-8 weeks)

📚 Resources for you:

• Prime Day 2025 Readiness Playbook
• Overview of Manage All Inventory
• Drive Seasonal Sales

3. Boost Visibility with Strategic Marketing

Great products need great visibility. Optimize your listings and advertising for maximum impact.

💬 Seller Insight: "I've learned that even the best product won't sell if no one sees it. What I wish I knew early is how important ad strategy is."

Key Takeaways:

• Invest time in optimizing listings with strong images and keywords
• Use PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising strategically and monitor costs carefully
• Take advantage of promotional opportunities and focus on building brand presence

📚 Resources for you:

• Introduction to Ads
• Advertising with Goals in Mind
• Intro to Stores & A+ Content
• Amplify Sales in the Amazon Store (game)

4. Grow Smartly and Sustainably

Avoid overextending by starting small and scaling based on real data.

💬 Seller Insight: "As a newcomer, go slow, don't invest too much into the platform. Start with small MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), see what sells, keep the flow going of that product."

Key Takeaways:

• Test products with minimal inventory at first
• Use sales data to guide expansion
• Learn from small mistakes to avoid big ones

📚 Resources for you:

• Sales Trend FAQ
• Business Reports - This link only works for Professional Sellers (upgrade to see all the data)
• Product Opportunity Explorer - Dashboard visible to only for Professional Sellers (another reason to upgrade 😉)
• Amazon Business (B2B)

5. Master Your Financials

Understanding and controlling your costs is crucial for long-term success.

💬 Seller Insights: "Know your numbers when it comes to running ads. Aim for TACOS (ad spend divided by revenue) of less than 10% as a rough rule of thumb."..."Watch your margins. It's easy to get excited by sales and forget about fees, shipping, returns, and ads. Keep a simple spreadsheet or system to make sure you're not losing money on what looks like a 'win.'"

Key Takeaways:

• Calculate all fees before listing (storage, advertising, shipping)
• Monitor and optimize advertising spend
• Regularly review and adjust pricing strategies

📚 Resources for you:

• Estimate Core Selling & FBA Fees
• Revenue Calculator
• Learn how product weights and dimensions impact fees
• Review Fees You’ve Paid

Your Turn to Shine! Which of these strategies resonates most with your business? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below or start a new discussion in the forums. Let's learn from each other and make this spring our best selling season yet!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Spring Sweepstakes Recap, coming soon. Hit "Follow" on this discussion to get notified when it's live!

The Handmade team wanted to pass along a great opportunity to learn more about Prime Day 2025. Join the Seller University team for an essential strategic planning session focused on maximizing your success during Prime Day 2025.

In this webinar, you will be equipped with critical insights into:

• What is Prime Day
• Deal submission deadlines and qualification requirements
• Inventory requirements and key preparation milestones
• Best practices for deal optimization and visibility

This session is designed for both new and experienced sellers looking to succeed during peak shopping periods on Amazon.

Interactive Q&A: Join our live Q&A session to get answers to your questions and develop a strategy for success during shopping events.

The Seller University team will be hosting two different sessions on different days, so do not worry if you are unable to attend one.

When:

Webinar 1: Thursday, May 1st, 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 PM PDT - Register HERE

Webinar 2: Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 PM PDT - Register HERE

🌸 Spring Sellers - Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! LIVE NOW! 🎉

Ready to bloom this spring season? Visit this link and share your seller wisdom or burning questions on the thread for a chance to win big!

📍 EXPERIENCED SELLERS: Drop your golden nugget of spring selling wisdom - what do you know now that you wish you knew in your first spring season?

🌱 NEW SELLERS: what's your biggest spring selling question or concern? Ask away!

🎁 THE PRIZE: 10 lucky sellers will each win a $100 Amazon Gift Card

⏰ HURRY: Enter by April 25 at 11:59 PM PT

Simply visit this thread and reply there with your tip or question. That's it - you're entered to win!

Have you entered already? Drop a 👍 or 👎 below to let us know. Don't miss out!

Amazon Accelerate is back for its sixth year! Whether you’re an experienced seller or just starting out on your selling journey, join us in Seattle from September 16 – 18, 2025 to fast-track your business growth.

• Discover a wide array of expert-led Breakout Sessions tailored to various knowledge levels, ensuring there's something for everyone regardless of where you are in your selling journey.
• Immerse yourself in practical learnings so you can walk away with immediate, actionable insights. Explore learning formats including interactive demos, workshops, presentations, and trainings.
• Be the first to hear the latest, cutting-edge launches. Discover how Amazon is innovating on behalf of selling partners using seller feedback, customer insights, and industry trends.
• Delve into Amazon’s latest launches with an Amazon subject matter expert at the Seller Cafe. Benefit from being part of a smaller audience, allowing you to have your questions addressed and dive into the details of Amazon’s newest tools, features, and services.

Watch this video to see what Accelerate is all about.

Did you attend last year’s conference? Please let us know your feedback in the comments below.

We can’t wait to see you in September!

The Sell On Amazon Social Media Influencer Gift Card Giveaway Official Rules

The Sell On Amazon Social Media Influencer Gift Card Giveaway

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS GIVEAWAY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

PARTICIPATION IN THE GIVEAWAY REQUIRES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES, WHICH INCLUDE A CLASS ACTION WAIVER. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, YOU MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE GIVEAWAY.

Void where prohibited by law and outside the United States. Subject to all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. THIS GIVEAWAY IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR META.

Please read these rules before entering the Sell On Amazon Social Media Influencer Gift Card Giveaway (the “Giveaway”) with @profitplug (Angelo Castillo). You agree that, by submitting an entry, you will be bound by these Official Rules and you acknowledge that you satisfy all Giveaway eligibility requirements.

Eligibility. If you are an individual legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry, you are eligible to enter the Giveaway. The Giveaway is not open to employees or independent contractors, or immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren) or those living in the same household of employees or independent contractors of Amazon.com Services LLC (“Sponsor, “we”, or “us”) and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advisors, or advertising/promotion agencies (collectively, the “Giveaway Entities”).

Giveaway Period. Begins when Sponsor creates a post promoting the Giveaway under the account @sellonamazon in collaboration with @profitplug (Angelo Castillo) on March 28, 2025 (the “Giveaway Post”) and ends at 11:59pm PT on April 4, 2025 (the “Giveaway Period”).

How to Enter. During the Giveaway Period, you may enter the Giveaway by logging into your Instagram account and navigating to the @sellonamazon page and locating the Giveaway Post. Then, (i) follow @sellonamazon (if you are not already doing so), (ii) follow the influencer collaborating on the Giveaway Post (if you are not already doing so), (iii) post a comment on the Giveaway Post describing what you’d sell if you started a business. After completing these steps, you will receive one (1) entry into the Giveaway.

Please Note: Your social channel comments will not be judged and therefore will not increase or decrease your chances of winning a prize.

Limit one (1) entry per person. Entries received in excess of this limit will be disqualified. Any attempt by an individual to submit more than the stated number of Entries may result in disqualification. You may not use multiple social media accounts to enter the Giveaway, and entries submitted through multiple social media accounts will be disqualified. All winners are subject to verification before any prize will be awarded (each a “Potential Winner” until verified).

Automated or bulk entries or entries submitted by third parties will be disqualified, at Sponsor’s discretion. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same social media account. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the authorized account holder of the social media handle used to register will be deemed to be the entrant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned a social media handle by Instagram. Potential Winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder to the Sponsor or forfeit the prize. Entries specifying an invalid, non-working, or inactive social media handle will be disqualified and ineligible to win. All information or steps required by these Official Rules must be completed and provide to be eligible to enter. Incomplete, illegible, corrupted, or untimely entries are void and will be disqualified.

Other Promotions. Please note that we may be running similar Giveaway at the same time as this Giveaway. By entering this Giveaway, you will not be eligible to receive any prize awarded in any other Giveaway unless you enter each Giveaway separately.

Giveaway Prize.

Two (2) Winners shall be awarded the Prize (“Prize”), which consists of a $500 Amazon.com Gift Card. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the Prize is one hundred dollars ($500 USD). Prize is subject to Amazon.com Gift Card terms and conditions, http://www.amazon.com/gc-legal.

ALL POTENTIAL WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES ARE FINAL AND BINDING. AN ENTRANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE UNLESS AND UNTIL ENTRANT’S ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND ENTRANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE.

All applicable federal, state, and local tax liabilities, fees, and expenses related to acceptance and use of Prize not specifically stated herein, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. Prizes cannot be substituted, assigned, transferred, or redeemed for cash; however, Sponsor reserves the right to make equivalent Prize substitutions, at its sole discretion.

If a Prize is returned as undeliverable or is unable to be awarded for any reason, the applicable Prize will be forfeited. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen Prizes or components thereof.

The prizes will be awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). Awarding of a Prize is subject to the Winner’s acceptance of all requisite conditions within these Official Rules and Winner’s ability and agreement to grant the rights set forth in these Official Rules and execute the required documentation (if any is required). By accepting a Prize, the Winner acknowledges and affirms compliance with these Official Rules.

Prize Drawings and Winner Notification. The Potential Winner will be selected in a random drawing to be held on or about April 7 2025, from among all eligible entries.

We will notify each Potential Winner by social channel direct message within five (5) business days following the drawing. The potential winner may be required to sign and return an Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release or other such forms as requested by Sponsor. Prior to awarding a prize, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, require a Potential Winner to sign such additional documents Sponsor decides are necessary to confirm eligibility, to obtain a liability/publicity release, and to award any prize. Failure to return any required document by the date requested by Sponsor will deem the winner as ineligible to receive the applicable prize. If any documentation requested is not returned within 72 hours of initial notification, or if a potential winner is deemed ineligible prior to the prize being awarded, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, award the applicable prize to an alternate potential winner. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which any remaining prizes will remain un-rewarded.

Odds of Winning. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Additional Terms. We may, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and in our sole discretion, change these rules or cancel the Giveaway at any time; or modify, terminate, or suspend the Giveaway should viruses, worms, bugs, unauthorized human intervention or other causes beyond our control corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the Giveaway or submission of entries. We are not responsible for: (a) lost, misdirected, late, incomplete, or unintelligible entries or registries or for inaccurate entry information, whether caused by you or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Giveaway, or by any technical or human error that may occur in the processing of entries; (b) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Giveaway; (c) any error in the operation or transmission, theft, destruction, unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries, or for technical, network, telephone, computer, hardware or software, malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of, or failure to receive any entry information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website; or (d) injury or damage to your or any other computer resulting from downloading any materials in connection with the Giveaway. We may, in our sole discretion, disqualify any individual found to be: (x) tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or website; (y) acting in violation of these rules; or (z) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. If your entry is incomplete or if you use robotic, automatic, programmed or similar entry methods, your entry will be void. The authorized subscriber of the social media account used to enter the Giveaway at the actual time of entry will be deemed to be the participant and must comply with these rules in the event of a dispute as to entries submitted by multiple users having the same e-mail account. The authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned a social media handle by the applicable platform. No greater than the quantity of prizes stated in these Official Rules will be awarded. If any technical errors occur in the selection of the potential prize winner or if more prizes are claimed than the quantity of prizes stated above being awarded as provided in these Official Rules, we may award the prize by random drawing from among all eligible claimants.

Publicity. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the Giveaway and acceptance of Prize constitutes Winner’s grant to Giveaway Entities (which grant will be confirmed in writing on request of Sponsor) and their designees the right and permission to use Winner’s name, likeness, biography, statements, voice, image and any other personal characteristics, in any and all media now or hereafter known, for any purpose, including without limitation, marketing, promotional, and publicity purposes without additional consideration, compensation, permission, or notification to such Winner, and such individual hereby releases the Giveaway Entities and their designees from any liability with respect to such use.

Governing Law; Dispute Resolution; Limitation of Liability; Releases. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant, and Giveaway Entities in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Washington or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Washington.

By entering the Giveaway, entrants hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts of King County, Washington, United States and waive the right to have disputes arising out of the subject matter hereof adjudicated in any other forum.

BY ENTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE GIVEAWAY, ENTRANT AGREES THAT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: (1) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE GIVEAWAY OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION; (2) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND AWARDS SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL THIRD-PARTY, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED (IF ANY) NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00), BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; (3) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ENTRANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN AWARDS FOR, AND ENTRANT HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO CLAIM, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND ANY OTHER DAMAGES, OTHER THAN FOR ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, AND ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED; AND (4) ENTRANTS’ REMEDIES ARE LIMITED TO A CLAIM FOR MONEY DAMAGES (IF ANY) AND ENTRANT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

BY PARTICIPATING IN THE GIVEAWAY, EACH ENTRANT AGREES: (I) TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND ALL APPLICABLE LAWS; (II) TO WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO CLAIM AMBIGUITY WITH RESPECT TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND ANY PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS RELATED TO THE GIVEAWAY; AND (III) TO RELEASE SPONSOR, THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES, INSTAGRAM, META, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENT COMPANIES, AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES OR OTHER AUTHORIZED DESIGNEES FROM ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER AND TO HOLD THE SAME HARMLESS AGAINST ANY LIABILITY (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LIABILITY FOR ANY PROPERTY LOSS, DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, DEATH, LOSS, EXPENSE, ACCIDENT, DELAY, INCONVENIENCE OR IRREGULARITY) OR ANY CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, OR INVASION OF PRIVACY, OR MERCHANDISE DELIVERY THAT MAY ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH, AS APPLICABLE,: (A) ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION OR INABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GIVEAWAY OR ANY PART THEREOF; (B) TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN THE OFFICIAL RULES OR ANY OFFLINE, ONLINE, OR WIRELESS GIVEAWAY-RELATED PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL; (C) ACCEPTANCE OR POSSESSION, DEFECTS IN, USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY PRIZE (OR ANY COMPONENT THEREOF); (D) ANY CHANGE IN PRIZES AS PERMITTED HEREUNDER OR OTHERWISE DUE TO CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS, INTERRUPTIONS, ACTS OF GOD, ACTS OF WAR, NATURAL DISASTERS, WEATHER, TERRORISM OR ANY REASONS BEYOND ANY OF THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES’ CONTROL; (E) HUMAN ERROR; (F) INCORRECT OR INACCURATE TRANSCRIPTION, RECEIPT, TRANSMISSION, CODING, TRANSCODING, OR COMPUTING OF ANY MATERIALS; (G) ANY TECHNICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR UNAVAILABILITY OF ANY WEB SITE, MOBILE APPLICATION OR NETWORK, TELEPHONE NETWORK, COMPUTER ONLINE SYSTEM, COMPUTER DATING MECHANISM, COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, INTERNET OR WIRELESS SERVICE PROVIDER, U.S. MAIL SERVICE, PRIVATE MAIL SERVICE OR COURIER UTILIZED BY SPONSOR OR ANY OF THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES OR BY AN ENTRANT; (H) INTERRUPTION OR INABILITY TO ACCESS INSTAGRAM, META, OR ANY OTHER PARTICIPATING WEB SITE(S), ANY GIVEAWAY-RELATED WEB PAGES, OR ANY ONLINE SERVICE VIA THE INTERNET, OR WIRELESS SERVICE DUE TO HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY OR OTHER PROBLEMS; (I) ANY LOST/DELAYED DATA TRANSMISSIONS, OMISSIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, DEFECTS, AND/OR ANY OTHER ERRORS OR MALFUNCTIONS; (J) ANY WRONGFUL, NEGLIGENT, OR UNAUTHORIZED ACT OR OMISSION ON THE PART OF ANY OTHER ENTRANT OR INDIVIDUAL PURPORTING TO ACT ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH ENTRANT, AND/OR ANY OF THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES AND/OR ANY OF THEIR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR AUTHORIZED DESIGNEES; (K) ANY WRONGFUL, NEGLIGENT, OR UNAUTHORIZED ACT OR OMISSION ON THE PART OF ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF ANY OF THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES; OR (L) ANY OTHER CAUSE, CONDITION OR EVENT WHATSOEVER BEYOND THE CONTROL OF ANY ONE (1) OR MORE OF THE GIVEAWAY ENTITIES.

Miscellaneous. The Giveaway is governed by the laws of the United States. The Giveaway and all accompanying materials are © 2024 by Amazon.com Services LLC or its affiliates or licensors. All rights reserved. If you win a prize, you may not transfer, assign, or redeem the prize for cash. We may substitute a prize with a prize of equal or greater value.

Winner’s List. After we confirm the winner, we will post their name on Instagram.

Sponsor. Amazon.com Services LLC, 410 Terry Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109-5210.

Privacy Notice: All information submitted in connection with this Giveaway will be treated in accordance with these Official Rules and Amazon.com’s Privacy Notice (www.amazon.com/privacy).