Instructor: Ryan Maya; founder of Beyond Braid (braided fishing line company).
Course Goal: Teach A to Z in e-commerce and drop shipping, including finding products, building an online store, running Facebook ads, and scaling a business.
Getting Started
Elements Covered: Choosing products, setting up Shopify store, advertising, and scaling the business to seven figures.
Importance of Notes: Encouraged to take notes for better retention.
Course Structure
Topics: Finding products, building online store, running ads, scaling business, managing customer service, and leveraging retargeting.
Key Points:
Drop shipping as a start and transitioning to branded inventory.
Strategies for finding niche products and marketing them effectively.
Finding Products
Research Methods: Using Instagram and Facebook ads for product ideas; identifying viral and trending items.
Niche Focus: Importance of choosing a niche you are knowledgeable about for easier marketing.
Market Research: Scroll social media for ads and engage with posts to see more ads relevant to your niche.
Pro Tip: Screenshot and save successful-looking ads for future reference.
Setting Up Shopify Store
Introduction to Shopify: Best platform for e-commerce; free trials available.
Steps for Setup:
Creating an account and setting up your online store with product categories, themes, and settings.
Importance of familiarizing yourself with Shopify's backend, analytics, and customization tools.
Product Sourcing and Importing
Using AliExpress and Oberlo: Finding and importing products from suppliers, focusing on U.S.-based shipping for faster delivery.
Tools: Oberlo for importing products, and using services like AliExpress, Alibaba, and PowerAdSpy for comprehensive product research.
Advertising and Marketing
Ads Creation: Importance of good ad copy, headlines, and compelling visuals.
Testing Strategy: Running multiple ad sets with various interests and creatives; starting with a low budget and gradually scaling successful ads.
Retargeting and Funnels: Importance of creating retargeting ads for those who have engaged with previous content.
Pro Tips: Use tools like Facebook Ads Library to spy on competitors’ ads.
Scaling and Brand Building
Scaling Your Business: Moving from drop shipping to holding inventory; sourcing higher-quality products and building a reliable brand identity.
Using 3PLs (Third-Party Logistics): Outsourcing storage and shipping to streamline operations as the business grows.
Influencer Marketing: Utilizing influencers to expand reach and gather user-generated content.
Expanding Sales Channels: From Shopify to marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
Customer Service and CRM
Importance of Customer Service: Timely and helpful responses build brand loyalty.
Virtual Assistants: Using VAs for managing customer service inquiries efficiently.
Setting Up Professional Communication: Having domain-based emails and contact pages for customer inquiries.
Financial Management
Credit Card Strategy: Using cash back credit cards for business expenses to optimize cash flow.
Pro Tip: Use high-reward cards like Capital One Business Spark Card.
Conclusion and Final Tips
Summary: Consistent testing, high-quality products, useful tools, and effective marketing strategies are key to a successful e-commerce business.
Encouragement: Continue learning, adapt strategies, and scale your business for long-term success.