Startup with a good tool - Amazon Analytics

Hi Guys,

So I was recently hired by this startup for their marketing. Everyone involved in developing the tool is pretty awesome with computers but their level of real world human interaction is incredibly bad. I was telling them the other day about making an affiliate package with the product launch but they don't see the reason for it.

I can vouch that the tool is frigging awesome because the guys developed it are real smart and worked with Amazon, Citi, Microsoft etc. It's a monthly recurring model.

I would like to hear from you guys about this. Do you think spending money and time all by yourself to sell a tool like this outweigh the disadvantage of commission you pay to an affiliate? Personally, I believe paying a handsome commission to the affiliates and getting a team working for you is better.

Please share your thoughts.

Actually it depends! While Affiliate model is good but it can/should not be applied to every product. What are their reservations for not going with affiliates? What is the product about?

What are their marketing plans otherwise? You say they have poor real world human interaction.. which would make me concerned about their marketing plan. If they don't have a plan or a marketing person to lead the charge, an affiliate model could work for them but they would still need someone to manage the affiliate piece.

So they developed the tool before drawing a detailed marketing plan?

I guess someone who was clever enough to see the need for such a tool and then develop it would have a sound plan to market it as well?

I would be very surprised if they already don't have some kind of a plan.

badasscoder said:

Actually it depends! While Affiliate model is good but it can/should not be applied to every product. What are their reservations for not going with affiliates? What is the product about?

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Their product is very identical to Jungle Scout. But being a newcomer, there are more features for less price. Sellics is also a competitor but the search volume for Sellics is very low. But both these tools offer affiliate programs.

Motherdex said:

What are their marketing plans otherwise? You say they have poor real world human interaction.. which would make me concerned about their marketing plan. If they don't have a plan or a marketing person to lead the charge, an affiliate model could work for them but they would still need someone to manage the affiliate piece.

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Their marketing plan was to call me and craft one for them Yes, I am embarrassed to say this but the plan they shared with me is terrible.

Shree said:

So they developed the tool before drawing a detailed marketing plan?

I guess someone who was clever enough to see the need for such a tool and then develop it would have a sound plan to market it as well?

I would be very surprised if they already don't have some kind of a plan.

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You would be really surprised at the number of tech guys that come up with awesome products with no plan at all. Last 3 years, I pitched a marketing plan to at least 10 companies that spent close to 50,000 USD to develop apps but didn't have $1,000 a month for marketing. 1 or 2 of them are still around and the rest are gone.

Here are the new developments. The tool is good for any eCommerce website. They have more features than Jungle Scout. Actually plenty more. They are planning to price it a tad below Jungle Scout. What's the best way to get 100 sales to get the ball rolling?

JohnLuther said:

Here are the new developments. The tool is good for any eCommerce website. They have more features than Jungle Scout. Actually plenty more. They are planning to price it a tad below Jungle Scout. What's the best way to get 100 sales to get the ball rolling?

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There are a couple of youtube channels that highly recommend Jungle Scout and they have a good following - Wholesale Ted comes to mind and maybe Rules for Rebels ( not sure on RFR but I know he uses a similar tool) -- so I would see if I could work a few of those youtubers to see if they would try out your tool and then do a sponsored videos about it. If it is a good tool and you do have a referral or affiliate model I would think that getting to 100 sales wouldn't be a completely outlandish goal.

Motherdex said:

There are a couple of youtube channels that highly recommend Jungle Scout and they have a good following - Wholesale Ted comes to mind and maybe Rules for Rebels ( not sure on RFR but I know he uses a similar tool) -- so I would see if I could work a few of those youtubers to see if they would try out your tool and then do a sponsored videos about it. If it is a good tool and you do have a referral or affiliate model I would think that getting to 100 sales wouldn't be a completely outlandish goal.

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I want someone with an active seller account, that too someone who can show an increase in sales for the last 2 months at least. When I say 100 sales, I am talking about the actual sales. I don't mind giving it away for free for a while to anyone that has a good track record on Amazon in return of a favor.

KipalSapaderrr said:

I will give this a try and if it works out then I will share with my friends as well

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Do you have a seller account with increased sales graph fro Oct, Nov and Dec?