Awesomers.com vs Seller Sessions – Branding Steps 1-10

Steve Simonson is back. We discuss the steps of branding from 1-10. He will run down from idea to exit and everything in between.

Stay home, stay safe!

A bit of a background

Steve Simonson from Awesomers.com joins SellerSessions.com on this episode.
His company operations today are managed through his holding company: SYMOGLOBAL.com and his FREE entrepreneurial support site and podcast platform: www.awesomers.com as well as the exclusive mastermind group www.Catalyst88.com.

Branding is not about “brand”, it is about product ideation, product differentiation and product confidence.
It is not necessarily consequential.
- It can start with a “problem”
- It can start with a product
- It doesn’t have to be in order.
Most Amazon sellers are starting with Product Idea that can solve a problem.
- However reality is some sellers start with knocking off another product.
What matters is commitment from the seller:
- Commit to getting up after failing.
- Fail to succeed.
Learning feels like being beaten up, you have to learn from your pains.
- Setbacks make way for comebacks.

If you start from the middle like , you can work your way up towards brand vision or down to positioning or scaling.
- The main point is: to solve a problem, the path of differentiation.
- Don’t expect to hit it big on the first try.

It is not about the money.
Your product must add value to your life.
Along the way make sure to think what you want to do.
- Think about your exit.
- Think if you can sell this brand in 2 years time. Think of a reasonable number.
Creating a mission or vision statement.
- WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
- Core values mean a lot to your customers but they mean so much more to your people.

The business should serve your economic and life goals not the other way around.
What makes your company tick?
Some things can not be forced.
Meaning and purpose come along at the right time. You can not force these things.

People buy from people who have something in common with.
The worst answer: I want to sell to everybody! Stay away from this thought at all cost.
- It is unrealistic.
- It is bound to fail.
You can start with who is your customer and how will you help them.

Many people miss this opportunity.
You should tell people how you started or why you started.
- It can be the truth!
- It doesn’t have to be made up.
This is what makes you “you”. Do not try to change it.
How about made up ones?
- No. Stick with authentic.
- Don’t fake it.
- It is your willingness to be open that can make people identify with you.
Think if why you started in the first place, your motivation.
- It is not the product.

Before you get concerned with “scaling”, almost everything you do early on is not scalable.
There is no scalable solution in day 1.
Figure out first what works!
Basic sales equation:
- Define your input metrics
- Make things predictable.
- Define the limits
- Do this slowly and carefully.
- THEN NAIL IT.

Do the math, until you have the idea and the data DO NOT LEAN IN TO SCALING!
ONLY DATA is a good predictor of success, not just instincts. Match this up with data and true results.
Do not be impatient, especially when you do not have the capital.
When you have the capital. focus on deploying it properly.
Money is not a shield against failure.

Before you get concerned with “scaling”, almost everything you do early on is not scalable.
There is no space for philosophical and subjective discussions.
- Find our WHY you are exceeding your metrics.
- Find out WHY you are not meeting your targets.
- Have this discussion with your team.
Looking at sales is 20% of the business but take note of your costs, cash flow, profit and loss.
Track revenue and trend, gross margin and trend.
- Look at gross contribution.
Gross profit is not always a good indicator.
Data doesn’t lie.

You develop your people and yourself.
Instead of trading people like commodity or usable tissue, train them again and again and again.
Your net worth is your network.
- Build your network.
Human capital is the most misunderstood and least valued by most entrepreneurs.

Think about when you exit the company.
It is not forcing you to think about selling the company but build your company as if you will exit the company because then you create a system.
A business with a system creates the best equity.
Do not set the value on “price” but in a way that when you sell the business it will be impact your life in a meaningful and positive way.
If you really are planning to exit the business, place your exit strategy one or two years before you exit the building.
Once a business is sold you still need to fix back end stuff.
- This is a litigious world. Make sure all the paper work is in order.
Even when you are on the cusp of a big payday, it is still a painful and burdensome process.

Connect with our guest:

To get help, or if you have any question then get in touch with us: danny@sellersessions.com

If you are looking for help or more information check out: https://sellersessions.com/case-studies/

Our Sponsors:

Thras.io – Lead Sponsor https://www.thras.io/
Sellers Alley / YLT Translations – Boat Party https://ylt-translations.com/ & https://sellersalley.com/
Urtasker – Merchandise https://www.urtasker.com/
GEMBAH – Care Packages https://gembah.com/
pingpong – Lanyards https://pingpongpayments.com/
Alex
De Lilla – Design and branding https://alexdelilla.com/

Send Danny an email to get on the wait list: Danny@SellerSessions.com

Our venue this year: The David Game Keynote Theatre, with tiered seating.
This year we are supporting a charity and a portion of the proceeds will be given to Tomy’s pioneering studies for prevention of babies born asleep: https://www.tommys.org/
We will give away 5 FREE tickets for single-parent Amazon sellers. If you know anyone please get in touch to get the details.
Confirmed speakers and more to come:
- Brandon Young
- Dr Yev Marusenko
- Destaney Wishon
- Zack Franklin
- Nadine Schöpper
- Liran Hirschkorn
- Ivelin Demirov
- Dr Ellis Whitehead
- Paul Harvey
- And yours truly, Danny McMillan. I will be hosting the show and speaking on a topic.