Counterfeiting has been a sticking issue in both the e-commerce and traditional retail industries. When vendors sell or promote sub-standard or misleading products, they put their reputation on the line and expose their customers to all sorts of dangers. Countless complaints show that scores of consumers have been harmed by counterfeit cosmetics, poor-quality toys, inadequately constructed shoes, and similar purchases.
Modern consumers have high expectations and demand authenticity, uncompromised quality, and a seamless shopping experience. Now more than ever, creators and brands must watch out for cracks that could negatively impact consumers and translate to costly or permanent business damage.
Snapshot: Scope of Counterfeiting & Fraudulent Activity in eCommerce
The Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit sued or referred for investigation of more than 1,300 criminals (around the world) for counterfeiting and fraudulent activity.
A joint study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that more than half of counterfeit goods entered the EU market were sold online.
China (along with its trading partner and transit point Hong Kong) is the leading producer and distributor of counterfeit goods in the world, according to the same OECD-EUIPO study.
The Intellectual Property Roadmap 2020 report by the International Chamber of Commerce declared that the COVID-19 pandemic created the most substantial negative supply chain security effect in history.
In its latest Brand Protection Report published April 2023, Amazon stopped over 6 million attempts to create new selling accounts in 2020, compared to 2.5 million in 2021, and 800,000 in 2022.
Counterfeit goods are not just a temporary challenge but a major industry problem that has grown from $30B value in the 1980s to over $3 trillion (projected) in 2023.
In August 2022, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency made nearly 17,000 counterfeit product seizures worth about $2.4 billion.
Counterfeiting problems are evident across the entire eCommerce but are more prevalent in niche industries such as music and DVD movies, luxury handbags and apparel, jewelry, running shoes, and Rolex Watches, among others.
It’s clear from these statistics that counterfeiting peaked during the pandemic and has been gradually climbing down since then. But this obviously does not mean that the industry is off the hook. All stakeholders must devise strategies to make sure that they (and their customers) do not fall prey to counterfeits or any sort of fraudulent eCommerce schemes.
2 Creators Share Their Experience With Fraudsters
Altovise Pelzer, a seasoned digital creator, fell victim to a disloyal vendor.
“I had a vendor reach out about a product. I agreed to do the video, but when it was time for them to pay me, they told me I needed to purchase a large quantity of another product. 😳 Even went so far as to show screenshots of other “people” they had made payments to after they made the big purchase. Nope, nope, and nope. I immediately explained that what they were doing was fraudulent practices. Blocked them and moved on,” said Altovise.
Melody Johnson, an experienced digital creator crossed path with a bad actor whose product did not match the reviews:
“I was once going to accept a collaboration. Something seemed off, so I went to the reviews. The product did not match the reviews. It was a broom they wanted me to stream. The reviews were about birthday cards😒,” Melody revealed.
Amazon’s Latest Brand Protection Report
As one of the dominant players in the global eCommerce playground, Amazon is at the forefront of protecting brands and consumers. The company has repeatedly emphasized that trust, brand safety, and consumer protection are among its key goals. It’s no wonder the online shopping giant has invested more than $1.2 billion dollars and employed over 15,000 personnel (including machine learning specialists and expert investigators) to achieve these very goals.
Some of the key tools the company has launched to help you and your customers stay on the safe side include:
Project Zero – this is cutting-edge technology that uses in-depth knowledge of intellectual property to effectively detect counterfeits. This is done using a cocktail of robust brand protection tools such as automated safeguards, product serialization, along with granting brands the unique ability to directly remove counterfeit listings from the Amazon store.
Transparency – Amazon uses a product serialization service with unique codes to identify individual items, preventing counterfeits from reaching customers. These codes can be scanned throughout the supply chain and by customers to confirm authenticity using the Amazon Shopping App or Transparency App.
IP accelerator – this intervention helps small businesses secure intellectual property rights by connecting them with a trusted network of IP law firms in 39 countries and 13 languages. It offers affordable trademark registration services and expedites access to Amazon’s Brand Registry to enhance brand protection.
Other tools used by Amazon to protect brands include; the Brand Registry and Amazon Patent Evaluation Express (APEX). The company’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit collaborates with selling partners and global law enforcement to disrupt counterfeiters and target bad actors through joint enforcement and seizures. Additionally, the company collaborates with industry authorities such as the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness and educate tens of millions on how to avoid counterfeits.
Interventions in Other Marketplaces
Outside of Amazon, most other leading marketplaces seem to adopt a lot of measures, from creating anti-counterfeiting policies to prohibiting third-party sellers from promoting fake products and even appointing fake shoppers to flag potential counterfeit products. But how effective these measures can be trusted to be is a whole different ball game. It’s something that cannot be left to system-wide interventions.
What you can do to Guard Against eCommerce Fraud
It’s easy to rest in the comfort that Amazon and other marketplaces are investing big-dollar and their top talent to stay on top of counterfeiting and malicious sellers. But you also need to take the initiative to make sure that your business or customers do not brush shoulders with any product that is not what was genuinely intended. Below are some of the intervention measures you can take:
Verify suppliers – thoroughly vet and research potential suppliers to ensure they are reputable and have a history of providing genuine products. Check for certifications, licenses, and references to ensure they are authentic.
Purchase from authorized distributors – buy directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributors to minimize the risk of accidentally purchasing counterfeit goods. And even so, make sure you only work with manufacturers who have a proven track record creating authentic products.
Implement strict quality control measures – regularly conduct quality checks on products received from suppliers to detect any inconsistencies or discrepancies in materials, packaging, or branding that may indicate counterfeiting.
Educate customers about counterfeit products – inform customers about the dangers and consequences of using counterfeit products, and provide them with information on how to identify genuine items.
Use product serialization – assign unique serial numbers or barcodes to each product, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate and easier for you to track and authenticate items.
Register trademarks and copyrights – ensure that your brand’s logos, designs, and intellectual property are legally protected by registering them as trademarks and copyrights. This will help you take legal action if necessary, against counterfeiters.
Monitor online marketplace listings – regularly monitor online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Alibaba for any counterfeit products sold under your brand name. Report any suspicious listings to the respective platforms for removal.
Implement anti-counterfeiting technologies – utilize available security features such as holographic labels, tamper-evident packaging, or RFID tags to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to duplicate your products and easier for customers to identify genuine items.
Collaborate with customs and law enforcement – work closely with customs authorities and law enforcement agencies to share information about known counterfeiters, track shipments, and enforce anti-counterfeiting efforts. This collaboration will help identify and stop counterfeit products from entering the market.
Educate employees – if you have a team, train them on how to identify counterfeit products and what actions to take if they encounter them. Ensure they’re aware of your company’s anti-counterfeiting policies and strategies, as well as the consequences of not adhering to them.
Monitor and enforce legal action – if you discover instances of counterfeiting, pursue legal action against the counterfeiters to protect your brand and send a strong message that you will not tolerate such activities. This may include sending cease-and-desist letters, filing lawsuits, or working with law enforcement agencies.
Encourage customer feedback – invite customers to report any counterfeit products they encounter and provide them with an easy way to share this information with you, such as through a hotline, email address, or online form. This can help you identify potential counterfeiting issues more quickly.
Keep track of counterfeit trends – stay informed about the latest counterfeit tactics, technologies, and risks in your industry to ensure your anti-counterfeiting measures remain effective and up to date.
Join industry associations or coalitions – collaborate with other businesses and organizations in your industry to combat counterfeiting collectively, share best practices, and exchange information about new threats and countermeasure strategies. By working together, businesses can magnify their efforts against counterfeiters.
Be proactive on social media – monitor social media platforms for any signs of counterfeit products being sold under your brand name. Act quickly to report and remove suspicious content and educate users on how to identify genuine products.
These experiences show that at any given point, we may have to deal with fraud or encounter counterfeit products; it is just prudent that we devise ways to prevent us from falling victim to such malicious acts.
Facebook has introduced a video display elements feature to their marketplace listing. Buyers can now request a video of a product so they can make better purchase decisions. This new addition will also allow sellers to record or upload videos alongside their product listings, offering potential buyers a more comprehensive understanding of the products they are considering.
Benefits of Video Display Elements
Here’s some of what you can expect from this valuable new feature:
360-degree Views – with video display elements, buyers can now enjoy 360-degree views of listed items and adequately see the product’s appearance, size, and potential issues or defects.
Proof of Authenticity – sellers can demonstrate that the listed item is genuine and matches the description provided.
Real-time Demonstration of Functionality – in addition to displaying the physical appearance of an item, video display elements can also demonstrate its functionality
Improved Communication and Engagement – sellers can create a more engaging experience for potential buyers.
How you can Harness the Power of Video Display Elements
Sellers must invest in high-quality videos and keep them concise to maintain customer interest. Adding descriptions and captions to enhance the viewer experience also helps. Videos offer a unique opportunity for sellers to showcase their personalities and build a connection with potential buyers. A genuine and friendly demeanor will help establish trust and make the buying process more enjoyable for the customer.
Consider offering a brief introduction, sharing some background information about the item, or sharing a personal anecdote related to the product.
“As social media platforms continue to create tools for creators and eCommerce vendors, it is important that you stay on top of the latest releases so you can make the most out of them. Video display elements are set to become indispensable tools for enhancing customer experience and driving success for brands and content creators alike,” said Bethwel N., Logie’s Creative Director.
Amazon has rolled out exciting new analytics features for live streamers on their Live platform. With real-time additions, you can now optimize your live-streaming sessions and tailor them to better cater to your viewers’ preferences – while also realigning your strategy. These new features have been out for a few days, including viewer count, hearts, click tracking, and gifts during the live stream.
The update shows the number of users viewing your live stream at any moment in time (eye icon) along with the cumulative total number of viewers who watched your shoppable stream (next to the ‘play’ icon).
Views tracking provides important insights on audience engagement to help you understand how well their content resonates with viewers. Furthermore, the total views icon number gives you a straightforward way to gauge your overall reach.
Hearts / Likes
Visible next to the new heart icon, this cool new metric shows the total number of viewers who have liked your stream. It is a nice way to create an encouraging atmosphere by gathering real-time feedback that will give the content creator instant acknowledgment for their content and helps them know which products to keep reviewing.
Product Click Tracking
The new analytics for Amazon live streamers also tracks clicks for individual products featured during the live stream. This allows influencers to see the total number of clicks at the top and clicks for each showcased product at the bottom. This is just what you may need to figure out what items to focus on and when to move on to the next one.
Fire Indicator
This brand-new analytics tool for Amazon live streamers allows you to recognize the most popular products among the viewers. By identifying the items generating the most engagement, you can prioritize those “on fire” products within your live stream and ensure they are the most prioritized.
Gift Icon / Promo Code Clicks
It wasn’t quite obvious what the gift icon would represent when Amazon released the new analytics tool. But it’s now clear that this nice addition will allow creators who are eligible to run promotion codes to see how many of their viewers are actually interested in the promo code offer.
Our Thoughts on Amazon Live’s New Analytics Tools
These new tools give live creators wings to stay on top of their live streams. You can watch out for the number of viewers you have, both aggregate and product-specific clicks, and other awesome, interactive elements to make each live stream better than before. While many of us have had issues with dismal live stream performance over the last few months, this can be a great way to do more on Amazon Live.
What Other Influencers Think
Some creators who have already seen these analytics features argue that they are a welcome addition to the Amazon Live platform, especially when conversions and views have sucked big time.
Jesse Moran, a seasoned influencer and Amazon A-lister thinks that click tracking for individual products is a real game changer.
“It shows at the top the concurrent viewers but also the estimated total views right next to it to show how your stream is doing. The heart shows engagement which is the heart / like button. I like to encourage my audience by thanking them for the hearts throughout the stream to try to get more hearts. There is no proven positive things that happen if you get a lot of hearts like on TikTok,” said Jesse.
“Top clicks show total clicks received. And we think the other is bought items live but no one has seen that change from 0 yet. It is pretty motivating for me to stream a little longer to hit certain clicks or views on the stream. It is nice to have the totals up there live. But the big game changer is the bottom products where it shows clicks for individual products where you can watch the clicks on the products. If you pay attention to it you should continue to talk about the product if the clicks continues to grow on it,” he added.
Other creators have noted a discrepancy between the live analytics and what you see in the backend. But Amazon made it clear that there should be a 24-hour delay before real-time metrics are included into your post live metric view. You can always reference your post stream metrics for deeper analytics.
Let us know what you think of these new tools and how you plan to use them in your upcoming lives.
TikTok has created overnight celebrities and fostered trends in every corner of the globe. Many brands have benefited from positive reviews while others flopped in sales due to negative reviews. The platform has dominated social media with over 2 billion downloads worldwide. However, several Western governments have banned the app, and still, others are considering a ban, so the future for TikTok influencers seems uncertain.
Tik-Toks popularity
The app quickly gained traction due to its ease of use, entertaining content, and unique algorithm that caters to users’ interests. As of Q1 2021, it had over 689 million active users worldwide, with India, the US, and Brazil being its top markets. Young users comprise a significant portion of TikTok’s audience, with approximately 60% being between 16 and 24 years. This demographic has attracted various brands looking to engage with potential consumers through creative marketing strategies.
Government Restrictions
Several governments have imposed bans due to concerns ranging from national security to privacy issues. Notably, India banned the app in June 2020 alongside 58 other Chinese apps, citing data privacy concerns. This decision has affected an estimated 200 million active users in the country. Following India’s lead, the United States has contemplated a ban; although it has not materialized, concerns remain. Italy, and the Netherlands, have investigated restrictions, while Australia has joined India in banning due to similar issues.
Migration to other Apps
The potential restrictions and ban on Tiktok have left its influencers in limbo. Influencers who have used it as their primary source of income since its inception may now be forced to seek alternative apps. Instagram and Youtube have gained shelter from migrating influencers, while others have started using emerging apps like Dubsmash and Triller to retain their audiences. Due to uncertainties, brands hesitate to create marketing campaigns using the platform, forcing influencers to seek new sponsorship and partnerships. Is Tiktok headed in the same direction as WeChat and Pinduoduo? Only the future will tell.
”Data privacy concerns are a real risk concern, and, understandably, governments may want to protect their users; many apps have raised safety concerns, and it is high time we devise a way to prevent these apps from hitting the market before irreversible damage is caused. Companies should also do their due diligence and ensure safety and privacy issues are adhered to before endorsing any of these apps,” commented Mohamed Raza, Logie’s lead engineer, and security expert
One of Chinese biggest shopping apps, Pinduoduo, has gained coverage due to malware claims. Security experts have argued that the app can spy on user data. The app (currently only available for Android users) is famous for purchases of all kinds ranging from foodstuff to electronics.
Popular in the US
While it is mostly used in China, Pinduoduo has entered the US market via the name Temu which offers various products at highly affordable prices. It made its Debut in September 2022 and became popularized via a viral Super Bowl ad. Sources reveal that Temu has not exhibited the same security risks as demonstrated by the mother app.
Suspended by Google
Late last monthGoogle suspended a version of Pinduoduo from its play store due to security concerns. A spokesman revealed that they had found malware issues on app versions. “ The Off-Play versions of the e-commerce app that were found to contain malware were enforced on via Google Play Protect,” read the report. A detailed coverage by CNN reported that Pinduoduo could bypass security constructs and monitor activity on its user’s phones; it also can change settings, read private messages, check notifications, and detect usage by other apps. Even worse was the allegation that Pinduoduo made it difficult for users to remove it. We haven’t seen a mainstream app like this trying to escalate their privileges to gain access to things they’re not supposed to, “Mikko Hypponen, a senior research officer at Secure (the Finnish cybersecurity firm), told CNN.
Findings by Kaspersky Researchers
Researchers at Kaspersky Lab found that the app could compromise user privacy and data security and relay information to Boomerang. Some evidence also showed that versions of Pinduoduo could install backdoors and obtain access to user data and notifications by exploiting system software flaws.
Same Suspicions as Titkot
The security issues that Pinduoduo has presented give credence to the fears government officials have raised about TikTok. Both apps have their roots in China, and legislators in Western countries have worried that the Chinese government could use them to spy. Congress recently grilled TikTok’s CEO for nearly 6 hours, and many people argue that the latest development will only make things worse for the short video giant.
What Our Lead Engineer Thinks
“Security is one of the most important concerns for technology providers regardless of the industry and country of origin. The fact that Pinduoduo has exhibited such glaring security inconsistencies will have a lasting impact on user trust. A company of Pinduoduo’s size should go above and beyond to ensure that its platforms adhere to the highest standards of security and privacy, with no excuses. This will almost certainly also have ripple effects on the TikTok situations currently unraveling here in the US,” said Mohamed Raza, Logie’s lead engineer, and a seasoned security expert’’.
Trends predict a rise in mobile shoppers by 73.4% in 2023, while social media sales are predicted to account for 45% of all e-commerce sales. There is massive potential for social media in the E-commerce space. Social networks and their operations are increasingly incorporated into e-commerce, allowing businesses to broaden and globalize their reach. With this, they are creating more engaging and meaningful customer experiences.
Social Media Taking Over
Currently, e-commerce involves customers buying products and services online through a website or an app. However, social media is slowly taking over; it has become the go-to place for consumers to search for the most relevant products and make direct purchases. As a result, businesses are leveraging the power of digital marketing to reach a wider audience and drive more sales via social channels.
Social Commerce
Social media is about building relationships, which is no different from e-commerce. Consumers want to connect to brands and learn more about their products and services, and social media provides the perfect platform. Consumers now purchase products directly from social media platforms; they are no longer required to leave these platforms to make purchases, creating convenience.
Companies Changing Strategies
Companies have started using social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to reach their customers, and they are keen to build relationships with customers to increase sales. Research shows that the future will involve brands and companies creating personalized, engaging, and interactive products that target specific customers. This approach will encourage feedback and recommendations on improving products. Brands and marketers must, therefore, take advantage of social media platforms and build customer relationships. This will make them stay ahead of the game.
Web 3.0 is a shift away from centralized networks towards more decentralized, open networks and services. Although it is in its early stages, it has the potential to better user experience and take digital marketing to the next level. It eliminates mediating companies for internet services like Apple, Google, and Twitter and allows individuals to possess and govern internet segments.
Marketers can use Web 3.0 to target specific audiences by building vocabulary and creating clear rules for manipulating data. Digital marketers are more than ever seeking to offer personalized experiences to their customers, and Web 3.0 will create the perfect solution for this. They can target customers based on their online behaviors and interests and personalized campaigns.
What does Web 3.0 offer?
It provides control over data privacy and security. Since Web 3.0 uses blockchain technology, it is equipped to offer transparency and provide better data security. With this version, users can achieve both security and privacy.
Stringent rules and regulations on data collected will be initiated, and data storage will only be allowed for marketing purposes. Companies will be restricted from collecting and using personal data without user consent.
There will be more content freedom and access. The Web 3.0 version eliminates algorithms in social media platforms. Marketers and content creators can now interact directly with their customers.
Marketing will focus on advanced user experience, and campaigns will involve 3d imagery and interactivity.
Impacts of on Digital Marketing | creator economy
The integration of AI, blockchain technology, and advanced search capabilities will provide creators with more control over their content and revenue. Marketers will also be able to deliver highly targeted campaigns with higher engagement. Embracing virtual and augmented reality and automation will enable them to focus on strategic activities. It is, therefore, necessary for creators and digital marketers to adapt and leverage new opportunities to gain a competitive edge
Web 3.0 has drastically changed the digital marketing scene for brands and influencers. A new way to reach and engage with audiences has been introduced, allowing for highly personalized and targeted campaigns. Tracking and optimization in real-time are now possible like never before. As more brands and influencers embrace this technology, we can expect even greater shifts in the digital marketing sphere.
You may have noticed that – of late – we have been running two training events on Fridays. This has been confusing to some of us and we created this post to shed more light so you can plan ahead and do not miss out on any of these important trainings.
General influencer’s training session (Friday 12pm EST)
This is the usual influencer training event that we have been conducting over the last year. As is the norm, this training will continue to take place at 12 pm EST. The session is designed to help you learn how to succeed and grow as an influencer and Amazon vendor. We are committed to growing together as a community and this is the forum that we use to share tips and strategies on how to build a loyal following, create engaging content, and monetize your platform.
Logie specific training session (Friday 2 pm EST)
The second training (which we started two weeks ago) is the Logie Official Training, which takes place at 2 pm EST. This session is designed to showcase our innovative platform and tools that help you gain a competitive edge. During this training, Ehud and the super successful creator David Utechpia will demonstrate how to use Logie to streamline your workflow, create quality content, and make more money as an influencer.
Check out our events page for Zoom links and updates
We typically send out email reminders every Friday with the links to these trainings. However, you can always stay on top of each event and access the respective Zoom link on our events page.
Keep in mind that both of these trainings are free and open to all of us. Whether you’re just starting out as a content creator or you’re looking to take your platform to the next level, we’re confident that you’ll always find something valuable in our weekly trainings. So make sure you do not miss out.
It takes a lot of courage to transition from one career to another, especially when the stakes are high. However, one Logie creator refused to be held back by his past work and took a leap of faith to pursue a passion for content creation. Today, his hard work, dedication, and creativity have paid off in ways they never imagined.
In our latest creator spotlight, learn how Steven WB went from riches to rags and then to riches again (now as an influencer). Discover the secrets behind Steven’s success and get ready to be inspired and motivated by this incredible story.
How did you first get started as a content creator?
I started in 2017 starting a family vlog channel inspired by Ryan’s Toy Review. I saw this boy was making millions a year and I wanted that for my family. I wanted the vacations and free toys. Not to mention no longer having to be gone 6 months out of the year with my Job.
What are some of the key challenges you have had to face (and how did you overcome them)?
Starting from Scratch
I knew nothing about YouTube, Cameras, Lighting, editing, or how to be on camera.
I watched a ton of videos and followed top creators to learn how to edit.
I studied cameras and how to get the best results. I learned lighting and how to use green screens.
I watched YouTube coach after YouTube coach to learn SEO for my videos.
I watched other creators to see what they were doing and what made them successful.
I also had the challenge of being a Dad to 4 young kids and working a full-time job. Then having to find time to learn, film, and edit videos.
By and large, what is your story?
I was working in the oilfields in Louisiana for 15 years. At one point I was self-employed and provided a Commercial Diving service repairing pipelines underwater. It was very lucrative and I was doing very well. But well, all things must come to an end I guess.
Oil prices tanked and the oil industry went into survival mode. My business was not able to survive this slowdown and ultimately shut down. I wasn’t sad it shut down I was eager for a new start and was tired of working underwater at this point anyhow.
Relocating to Florida
My family relocated to Florida from Mississippi with dreams and hopes that Florida offered more opportunities. I received a call 6 months after my business shut down and was offered the mechanics job in the same oilfield I had been working. I accepted and now I was working 2 weeks on the water and 2 weeks at home. The money was good but I was still stuck in the same spot. Plus now I had to drive 12 hours to catch a boat every 2 weeks and then drive 12 hours home 2 weeks later.
Exploring Video & YouTube
This is when I started getting into video and YouTube. I was able to get our YouTube channel to 13k subs by filming videos when I was at home and editing when I was offshore working. I literally lived on 5 to 6 hours a night for years trying to make it on YouTube. Then in 2018 or 2019, my wife heard about the Amazon influencer program so I was like sure let’s see if we qualify. We applied and we were accepted….I was so naive about how it all worked. Basically, I was an influencer and all I was doing was using my affiliate account.
My Amazon Influencer account just sat idle for years! Well, things get worse… My wife was feeling the effects of being a single mom half of the year and was ready for me to stay at home or become a full time Dad.
Working at Amazon
She applied to Amazon to work in Customer service and was hired. Money was tight and we were struggling at this point. I was concerned about her getting stressed with 4 kids and now throwing a job into the mix. I applied to Amazon as well thinking that if I was hired then I could come home full time and our income combined would be equivalent to my job on the water. I was hired and quit my job with healthcare benefits to come home and answer calls in Amazon Customer service. I was answering calls on the early shift and my wife was answering calls in the evening. I was now at home and able to help my wife.
Not enough money
Still, the money was less and we no longer had health insurance and we were hoping to go full-time with Amazon to get those much-needed benefits back. Times got very hard… We were not making enough money to pay bills and buy food. I was having to sell everything I owned to make ends meet. When I left Mississippi I had a Condo, a rental house, the house we lived in and 6 acres of land. We sold everything from 2017 to what was now 2020 and the pandemic was in full effect. Now running out of things to sell I got another job as a handyman as well as cutting lawns. When you think you are at bottom …you’re not… I was released by Amazon as a seasonal employee despite being in the top 10% percent on our ratings and metrics. Luckily, however, my wife was offered full time so we were able to get our health benefits back. But we were still struggling. At this time, I was still making videos and sleeping 5 to 6 hours a night. I was up till 2 am working and then getting up at 7 or 8 am to do it all again.
The Good Break!
Amidst all this, I was sent a messenger. I had become friends with a guy named Dan Currier. He has a YouTube channel with almost 90k subscribers and one day out of the blue he emails me and says “Hey are you an Amazon Influencer because if so I am putting together a course and I want you to test it.” My mind almost exploded. I was nearly in tears seeing the opportunity finally opening up in front of me. Someone finally took interest in me and was going to give this guy a chance. Dan taught me about shoppable videos and his technique for making videos. I uploaded my first 10 videos and was approved 8 days later.
Just how did you get from 0 to 5 digits in under 20 months?
I was poor and desperate but now I had everything I needed! A sliver of light at the end of years in a long, dark tunnel. I uploaded 100 shoppable videos in my first week!! This now was July 2021. I was making videos on everything I could find. I was even buying from Walmart and Target to make Amazon Videos. After my first month, I made 74 dollars! This was Amazing! It does work! I can make money online and put the skills I learned by making YouTube videos to work.
Game On!!
I was crazy about making videos. I made videos on everything. I would create content on other peoples’ items as well. If I had to install a security system or microwave oven I would make a shoppable video on it when they were not looking. The second month I made 150 bucks! Now I started getting emails and messages from vendors for free products. I took everything! During my busiest month, I received 148 units. I was making the videos free and all I wanted was free products. Word spreads fast and before I knew it I had a dozen or more companies I was working for. In the third month, I made 300 bucks!
Going Big…
It was around this time that I heard about Thrasio and applied to work for them. I was accepted and offered a 3-month trial. I received 15 products from them and unbelievably it went well! I had my first big day when I sold 5k in foot massagers in one day! I made 650 bucks in one day my mind was blown. At this point, I was drowning in products so the next step was to charge for videos. Each month my income increased. In March of 2022, I hit 2k in commissions from Amazon and made another 2k from Thrasio along with charging for videos. I quit my blue-collar job. I no longer had to sweat all day and do physically demanding work for hours upon hours. My wife was nervous I jumped ship too early but I saw the path. I no longer had limited sleep and a “job” holding me back. I floated around this income through June 2022.
First Live…
I did my first live and became a rising star in July. That was a switch to kick off my income again. It seems once I started doing lives my shoppable videos gained more traction. My lives did terribly but it seemed to help my videos so I stuck with it. Once again I was increasing around 1k a month! As they say, the rest is history. I am now making nearly 5 digits in Amazon Commission alone. I work with Wahool, Thrasio, and DeeRC/Holystone that pay me commissions for the products I sell and I get paid just to go live with no sales. I also supplement my income by still accepting products from sellers as well. With this combined, I have broken 5 digits for a consecutive 3 months (with the fourth month in sight).
This is my riches to rags and hopefully riches again story. I consider myself to still be a novice and am looking forward to the next level. I also have helped 6 people get started and start changing their lives. I don’t view others as competition I view them as friends and family and I want to pay it forward to as many people as I can.
Please share your best tips for influencers who are just getting started
Work Hard now work less later:
Make videos on everything you can get your hands on.
Educate yourself and network. If you are ignorant and alone you are throwing money out of the window.
Shoppable videos are not YouTube videos. You are not trying to entertain with shoppable videos. Nobody cares about your intro and your fancy camera – they want to see the product and whether it is what they are looking for.
Appear as non-corporate as you possibly can – people do not trust polished corporate-looking videos.
Keep it simple to the point and film the product in its environment and actually show it being used.
Upload all your videos on YouTube and use affiliate links. I did this in one year on my review channel and it now makes me 300 a month. Plus you can utilize the copyright tool to protect your videos from theft. Look out for your fellow creators. If you catch someone stealing your videos let the community know so they can protect their work.
How’s your experience (so far) using Logie?
I am finally understanding Logie and regret I didn’t learn sooner. I love the platform because it has massive potential. Plus having the ability to talk and share with the best Influencers on the platform is invaluable!
What are your future plans for growing your business?
I am now going to start breaking away from the smaller sellers and start buying my own products – utilizing Logie, of course. I no longer need to grab the low-hanging fruit and feel by making videos on higher-ranked products that have less competition will help me get to the next level. I also plan to continue doing live streams to reach A-lister status because I feel there is a benefit to that.
Is there anything else you’d like to share in order to encourage our creator community?
Treat others as you want to be treated. You get what you give. If a 48-year-old oilfield worker can change his stars so can you!
The Alibaba Group announced today that it’s planning to split into 6 different business outfits.
Alibaba is one of the largest tech companies in the world, employing over 200,000 people primarily in Asia but also in the US, UK, and Germany. Alibaba’s flagship online shopping platform – Taobao – has been one of the driving forces behind the social commerce wave in China.
This announcement is an interesting development given that Alibaba has operated as a single entity for over 25 years. Each of the six groups will run a specific aspect of the company’s business: cloud computing, global e-Commerce, local e-Commerce, logistics, media, and food delivery. The separate entities will also report to different boards and seek out individual IPOs or funding on their own. Alibaba Group will effectively become a holding company.
Seeking Agility
This announcement is not so far-fetched from what Facebook did in 2021 when the company became a Meta subsidiary along with Instagram and WhatsApp. But it’s, all the same, fascinating given that Alibaba has for over 2 decades billed itself as a leading Chinese technology company with global reach.
“This transformation will empower all our businesses to become more agile, enhance decision-making and enable faster responses to market changes,” said the company’s CEO Daniel Zhang in a letter seen by the Wall Street Journal.
Zhang also said that the resources that run the different groups (including data management and human resources) will be split accordingly.
Logie streamlines influencer discovery, product distribution, and content performance to drive measurable sales for eCommerce brands. We also equip content creators with the smart tools, brand partnerships, and commission opportunities they need to turn content into income.
