October 28, 2024 Newsletter

[SFTB] 🎅 Four Quick Hacks to Improve Your PPC

✅The Instant Value Section (IVS)✅

Are you doing all the typical ad optimizations—adjusting bids, adding negatives, checking budgets—and yet, still feel there’s hidden waste draining your account?

Well today I’m sharing four under-the-radar ad waste sources that almost nobody is paying attention to. The best part? Eliminating them won’t hurt your sales and can be fix in minutes…if you know how.

Here are the four hidden ad waste sources and where to find them:

1. Zero-Order Keywords: These are keywords that have clicks but have never converted, yet they continue to eat up your budget. You can find them by looking at lifetime data in your ad console and filtering for keywords with zero orders.   

2. High-Bid, No-Impression Targets: Targets with high bids but no impressions are often overlooked and quietly waste money. To spot them, head to the targeting tab, filter for active status, and look for high bids with zero impressions.

3. Low Order, High ACoS Keywords: Keywords that generate a few orders but at a high ACoS can be big profit-drainers. Check for keywords with fewer than two orders but a high ACoS in your targeting tab.

4. Bleeding Variations: Product variations that receive clicks but fail to convert can drag down your efficiency. Use the products tab to identify variations with high clicks and zero sales.

These are just a few of the hidden ad wastes that could be eating into your budget. For more context on these four ad spend wasters, as well as specific optimization tips, watch the video here.

While recording a loom for me today my VA was showing me some errors she was having uploading images on Amazon.

Here’s how she navigated to the image manager:

→ Manage Inventory

→ Click on SKU

→ In the SKU dashboard, click ‘Edit listing’

→ Click on Images Tab

(I have honestly never seen anyone do it this way)

Here’s how I do it:

→ Manage Inventory

→ 3 dots and click Manage Images

I know this seems relatively minor — 2 clicks versus 4 — but when you have a repeatable task that your team does regularly, it might be worth it to have them record a video of their processes and do your own micro-action audit.

These things add up!

We just got back from 2 weeks in Canada visiting family.  It’s always great to come home and visit but still very happy living in Costa Rica 😉

Toronto continues to be busy and expensive!  And if you hand me an iPad to pay my bill that seems to mean suggested tips start at 18% lol.

Visiting my parents in Saint John, New Brunswick is always a great reminder of how small town living can be pretty good. Easy parking, no traffic and friendly customer service. Strangers are always willing to chat about pretty much anything. I don’t think we went anywhere in Saint John that people didn’t make small talk with us. Toronto however, everyone with their head down and in a hurry. I can see why more people from Ontario are moving out east.

We took a few road trips around the east coast shore and explored some of the smaller towns. The boys still say the best parts of the trip were roasting marshmallows, playing laser tag in the backyard and going to the Bulk Barn!

Force your customers to buy the variation you want:

Here are three common strategies for variation pricing that “encourage” your customers to buy the variation you want them to.

And…you might want them to buy that variation because you have better margin, more inventory, or many other reasons.

You’ve seen this already @ Costco (Roast Chickens for $7).

Price the most popular variation near cost to drive traffic, and there will be spill-over buyers who purchase more expensive target variations.

You’ve seen this already @ SaaS pricing page (One extremely expensive tier).

Set one variation at a higher price to make the target variation appear like a better deal.

You’ve seen this already @ Apple – the iPhone (Base, mid-tier, top tier).

Price the target variation the most attractive price. Example: Price the low-tier and mid-tier close together so the mid-tier (target) seems like a steal.

When planning long-term travel, pack smart and leave room for new finds. You don’t need tactical, indestructible gear—just a mix of essentials.

Everything else?

You can buy it on the road. Embrace the adventure of discovering local goods. Lightening your load not only makes travel easier but opens up new experiences along the way.

Living in Costa Rica for 7 years now we see a lot of different types of people coming to the country.

Here are 4 common scenarios we often see each year with people relocating.

I always say people should make a plan. Do some research and understand the costs of things and resources available in the area you are looking to go. If your kids need extra support of some sort, research where they are going to get that support.

Living in rural areas likely won’t have all the resources you’re used to — and don’t assume what is available in your birth country to be available here.

Shorter term stays are not going to be cheap. Start up costs like deposits and car purchases require some cash upfront. Too many people show up and don’t have their money right. No savings and no solid plans to earn income. Have this figured out first.  Then the adventure can be more enjoyable. Not stressing about money, instead enjoying the country and the adventure.

Here’s a bit more of a budget breakdown:

Car rental isn’t cheap, and if you purchase a car, basically a 20 year old SUV will run you $8-10K lol!

The monthly budget for living in Costa Rica can vary widely depending on your lifestyle, location, and specific needs. Here’s a rough breakdown of typical expenses to help you plan:

   – Local-style housing: $300–$600 per month for a modest apartment or house in less touristy areas.

   – Expat-oriented housing: $800–$2,000 per month in popular areas like Escazú, Santa Ana, or coastal towns.

   – Luxury housing: $2,500+ per month for beachfront or high-end homes.

   – Electricity and water: $50–$150 monthly (can be higher with air conditioning).

   – Internet: $30–$60 monthly for standard high-speed internet.

   – Gas for cooking (if applicable): $10–$20 monthly.

   – Local products: $200–$400 monthly if you mainly buy local brands and produce.

   – Imported goods: $400–$600+ monthly if you prefer imported brands and specialty items.

   – Local sodas (small eateries): $5–$8 per meal.

   – Mid-range restaurants: $10–$20 per meal.

   – Fine dining: $25+ per meal.

 If you eat out a few times a week, expect to budget around $150–$300 monthly.

   – Public transportation: $30–$50 monthly if using buses or trains.

   – Gas and maintenance: $100–$200 monthly if you own a car.

   – Car insurance: $50–$80 monthly.

   – Car rental: $600–$2000 monthly (if not owning a vehicle).

   – Caja (public insurance): $75–$150 monthly (mandatory for residents).

   – Private insurance: $50–$200+ monthly.

   – Out-of-pocket medical costs* Budget $50–$100 for occasional visits.

   – Gym membership: $30–$70 monthly.

   – Tours, excursions, or entertainment: $50–$200 monthly.

   – Cell phone plan: $10–$30 monthly.

   – Household help (if applicable): $200–$300 monthly for part-time assistance.

Estimated Total Monthly Budget

– Basic lifestyle:** $1,200–$1,800.

– Comfortable lifestyle: $2,000–$3,500.

– Luxury lifestyle: $4,000+.

Living in coastal or expat-heavy areas like Tamarindo, Nosara, or the Central Valley will typically increase costs, while more rural regions can be more affordable.

Max is literally the poster boy for Seller Wallet…

Seller Wallet is a tool that allows you to transfer your sales proceeds directly to your bank account in (almost) any currency you want. You receive the funds in the marketplace you’re selling in (for example, USD in Amazon.com), and then Seller Wallet will transfer your funds for you to your local currency bank.

They’re also launching the ability to pay your suppliers directly from Seller Wallet — although to do this you’ll have to give up your suppliers’ names. 😉

We’ve used this for a couple years without issue – but are hearing more and more troubling stories:

If your account gets suspended/taken down whether through your fault or a bad-actor, Amazon WILL freeze the funds in your Seller Wallet.

If you always take all the money out of Seller Wallet immediately, getting suspended isn’t really that much different then if you didn’t use it, as Amazon won’t pay you either way. BUT if you hold any money in there (to pay suppliers, etc.) – that money is frozen. Scary.

In that sense we’re incentivized to not keep any money in Seller Wallet – and if that’s the case, why bother using it?

FOR THIS REASON: We are once again recommending OFX for any cross-border transfers you need to do. Set up OFX as your bank account on Amazon and keep your money out of Jassy’s hands 🙂

Speak Up! Community Comments & Questions:

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If you liked this newsletter, here’s where we share more stuff like it:

1. 🤓Just getting started? Check out the Free Amazon FBA Course

2. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episodes of The SFTB Podcast

3. 💸 Increase your income today with Online Arbitrage Training

4. 👔 Need an Accountant? Accounting Services

5. 📧 Want some 1-on-1 time? Rob & Max

6. 📣 Interested in sponsoring the newsletter? E-mail info@sellingfrom.co

All the best,

Rob & Max