Build your brand with omnichannel editorial recommendations

Article written by: Cynthia Miller

Editorial Recommendations are designed to help consumers make informed decisions. Consumers, publishers and Amazon are all incentivized to ensure that the items mentioned are worthy of recommendation, and relevant to the search term provided. The easiest way to select products that meet this criteria is to look at the Best Seller Ranking (BSR) of each item, and whether they are organically ranking for the given search term. 

This is great news for sellers whose products are already well reviewed and maintaining a high Best Seller Ranking. But what about newer products, or those that have been stuck on the second or third page of SERP? How can Editorial Recommendations work for products that are not already dominating their category? Expanding your focus from the onsite recommendation to a larger, omnichannel affiliate and editorial perspective is the way to harness the full power of this ecosystem. 

Editorial Recommendations have to perform

Every seller wants to appear on the first SERP for their category, on the keywords with the most search volume. But real estate on that page is limited, and Amazon is carefully monitoring every pixel to ensure that revenue is maximized. An Editorial Recommendation (ER) that surfaces for “queen sheets”, has to perform well, or Amazon will not show it to customers.

Performance for Editorial Recommendations is measured by the purchases they drive. If customers click on articles, read each word and click on each item, but ultimately don’t purchase, the ER is not helping to drive sales, and is therefore not performing for Amazon. The ER must drive sales. To drive sales on a search term like “sheets”, the items mentioned in the ER must be very popular, and appeal to as many people as possible. The best way to choose items for such a short-tail keyword is to choose items that already rank on that 1st SERP. 

Therefore, sellers that want to be noticed by publishers, and included in these articles, need a two-pronged approach. A mid-tail strategy to get their foot in the door with Editorial Recommendations, and an external affiliate strategy, to drive traffic to the pdp from external publishers whose affiliate links signal to Amazon that this is a product worthy of the 1st page. 

The Offsite Strategy

Expanding the focus from editorial mentions inside of Amazon, the up-and-coming seller needs to access the massive scale of affiliate publishing being done by the biggest players in media. These publishers are huge, unlike individual influencers, and have trusted websites, email lists, social media presences and even push notifications. They are recommending lots of products, and their traffic is highly valued by Amazon. Traffic from these sources can help boost an item quickly from the 3rd page to the 1st.

The Mid-Tail Strategy

So how can a product on the second or third SERP compete with an Editorial Recommendation? By targeting lower search-volume keywords. With a less competitive keyword, the ER has a better chance of rendering in the first place. Although there are fewer searches, the searches are more specialized, and the products recommended are more likely to be salient to the customer. So, a search for “twin sheets for girls” rendering an article full of twin-sized sheets with children’s prints will be more relevant. 

Sellers can look for these mid-tail keywords in their own data. We can help identify those keywords that have moderate search volume, but also aren’t already covered by ERs with the highest BSR products. Each ER impression builds brand awareness, and each ER driven sale drives improvements in BSR. 

Moving to the Short Tail

Once the item is more competitive, the product’s organic listing should start to rise to the first SERP for the more generic or short-tail keywords for their category. Once this starts to happen, an ER featuring the product and targeting those short-tail keywords can start to gain share of voice. Once the product is organically appearing on the first SERP, and ER is rendering, the seller can optimize their sponsored posts to maximize their presence on that page. 

If you are interested in learning more about editorial recommendations, reach out to hello@hbwcommerce.com with the code “MyAmazonGuy” to receive 20% your 1st month’s invoice. 

Noah Wickham

Brand Director

Noah Wickham started in eCommerce a decade ago, reselling on eBay and gradually expanding his knowledge base. Since then, he has worked with a variety of clients over several years, focusing on growth strategies, technology initiatives, product procurement, brand building, and SEO improvements. His expertise covers many areas of eCommerce, with a particular focus on Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify. Noah defines himself as a growth-centric leader and a client success advocate. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, video games, reading, and chess. Most Saturday nights, you can find him trying a new restaurant or exploring a different venue in his city.

A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Shane Keyes

Brand Director

Shane is an Amazon marketing specialist at My Amazon Guy and attended Temple University’s Fox School of Business to pursue a degree in Marketing. 

A self-starter, Shane mastered Amazon’s intricacies through hands-on experience and rigorous self-guided research. Specializing in listing optimization and growth strategies, he excels at boosting BSR through Click-Through Rate (CTR) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices to drive your brand’s success on Amazon. Shane’s rise at My Amazon Guy underscores his leadership ability and unwavering commitment to achieving a brand’s top priorities.

Beyond work, Shane’s passion lies in Philadelphia sports, with a history of participating in team sports like baseball and rugby.

A woman wearing glasses and a t-shirt who excels in account management.

Faith Denniston

Brand Director

I’m Faith, an Amazon marketing specialist obsessed with SEO, PPC, CTR, and the alchemy of conversions. With a data-driven approach, I help brands conquer the Amazon marketplace, turning clicks into customers.

When I’m not optimizing listings, you’ll find me in virtual worlds, exploring Final Fantasy XIV and diving into manga. I’m also a paranormal enthusiast, chasing ghostly tales in my spare time. Join me on this journey of digital dominance and otherworldly adventures!

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Roxanne Villanueva

VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Over 13 years of experience in the Business Process Outsourcing Industry Specializing in Customer Success and Sales for Telco, Tech, Finance and Ecommerce for both Start Up and Fortune 500 companies. 

An Inspirational Leader who loves to be where the action is, enjoys Creating Innovative Solutions to Complex Problems, Developing her People and Driving Engagement.

Interests: Traveling, Music and Spending time with Family

Kevin-Sanderson

Kevin Sanderson

Vice President of Marketing

Kevin Sanderson is the Vice President of Marketing for My Amazon Guy. He graduated from Texas Tech University and has a wide range of experiencew including previously having worked for two Fortune 500 companies and a rapidly growing insurance agency. Kevin has been selling on Amazon since 2015 and is also the founder of Maximizing Ecommerce, a company that hosts popular virtual learning events like the Convert More Clicks Summit and the PPC Mastery Summit. He joined the team at My Amazon Guy after Maximizing Ecommerce by My Amazon Guy and lives in Florida with his beautiful wife and two children.

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Thomas Fitzgibbons

SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Thomas graduated from the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL), receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Marketing and a Certification in Digital Marketing. He started his marketing career in the B2B industry, helping companies focus their internal marketing efforts on Website SEO, Website Content, Digital Advertising, and effective Email Marketing Campaigns. 

 

In 2020, Thomas shifted his career to eCommerce. As a self-starter, he learned the ins and outs of Amazon, Seller Central, and Shopify to help brands and sellers succeed in the digital world. Previously, he worked for an Amazon Marketing Agency as an Account Manager, assisting brands in growing and thriving on Amazon through his management. At MAG, Thomas serves as an Account Director, overseeing an extensive portfolio of 40 brands and managing a successful team of Brand Managers. Thomas provides leadership to his team and execution on high-level strategy for the brands in his portfolio. 

In his free time, Thomas enjoys golf, soccer, music, and taking his dog on hikes around the St. Louis area.

Kristen Lasch

Kristen Lasch

BRAND DIRECTOR

Kristen started her professional work on Amazon in 2018 as a professional seller and project-based Account Manager. She has ample knowledge of both Seller Central and Vendor Central. With a degree in Art & Design, Kristen has a passion for problem-solving and thinking outside the box. She loves to help grow accounts by unraveling underlying issues, organizing catalogs, and providing creative branding ideas. With an extensive background in customer experience, she is able to really dive into the mind of a customer regarding listing optimizations and how to market products appropriately. In her free time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family and working on growing their own private label account.

I was fortunate to be part of MAG's first batch of its Advertising Internship Program. The timing was perfect for me as I was looking for an opportunity to learn more about Amazon PPC and at the same time to have hands-on training to work on accounts.  

 

When I started my internship, I listed down the things I wanted to learn. And I am happy to say that I've ticked all the boxes! My most favorite was "Optimization Using Bulk Files”. Bulk files and I, we did not get along at first, it was so scary seeing all those data! But I had a great mentor who guided me along the way. He patiently taught me step by step on how to process the data. He was very enthusiastic in answering all of my questions. He supported me until I gained the confidence in uploading my first, second, third (and so on) bulk uploads. 

 

The biggest advantage in working with MAG (and I must say one thing that I always look forward to every week) is its Weekly Ads Training. Every week, we discuss various topics about PPC. Interns/Ads Specialists/Ads Managers, we all share knowledge, information, and updates about PPC. During our discussions, we exchange ideas and feedback. It became an avenue not just to learn a skill, but also to clear any vague or ambiguous PPC topics. 

 

For me, the biggest disadvantage is the work schedule. As an Intern, I have to follow EST timing. The time difference from my location was only 8 hours, but being a morning person, I really struggled to keep myself awake. But if you are a night owl, then this will not be a problem for you.

 

So if you are considering joining the MAG Advertising Internship Program, my advice to you is to take action - APPLY NOW! The knowledge that you will gain and the skill that you will develop from this program will be invaluable. And who knows? From being an Intern, you might be the next one to be promoted as Jr. Ads Specialist! 

Maria Victoria Piedad

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Steven Bruning

IT DIRECTOR

Steven has over eight years of experience in Information Technology and specializes in conceptualizing and implementing data-driven solutions.Steven started his Amazon career in 2019, breaking onto the scene by developing retail arbitrage software tools and gaining an in-depth knowledge of the Amazon Seller Central platform and account management. Outside of work, Steven enjoys DJing, learning and teaching others about personal finance, spreadsheets, and most of all, spending time with his wife playing board games and walking local trails. Steven was a long-distance runner for many years, having run over 1,000 miles and completed a marathon and several half-marathons.
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Jason Mastromatteo

VP of Brand Management

Jason Mastromatteo started his professional Amazon career in 2014 breaking into the Amazon scene selling by means of RA and private labeling. He eventually took his Amazon knowledge and started consulting for other businesses, distributors, and retailers. Jason’s experience and extensive seller central & vendor central knowledge have helped him consistently manage and grow sales through his team at MAG. Jason has interests in music, videography, skateboarding, and is a competitive Magic the Gathering player.

Dustin Fenton

VP of Finance

Dustin Fenton is the VP of Finance at My Amazon Guy. He began his eCommerce career in 2013, graduated with a Bachelors of Science with a Minor in Business Administration in 2018, and began his career at My Amazon Guy in the Fall of 2019. Dustin is a seasoned veteran at My Amazon Guy who has risen through the ranks:
  • Started as an Amazon Specialist
  • Grew to a Successful Brand Manager
  • Became a successful Account Director and through Leadership Grew Others into the Role
  • Promoted to VP of Operations
  • Now Serves as VP of Finance – and Assists the Company in all Areas of Operations
He directs:
  • AR
  • AP
  • Cash Flow
  • Tax Management
  • Employee Benefits Enrollment
  • Budgeting
  • Bookkeeping
  • Strategic Management of Financial Operations
  • M&A
  • Transfer Pricing Agreements
  • Operational Matters in Relation to the Financial Health and Solvency of MAG
In his free time, Dustin enjoys:
  • Traveling
  • Hiking
  • Extreme Weather Chasing
  • Learning and eCommerce Management
  • Retail arbitrage 
  • Spending time with friends and family
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Francisco Valadez

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

A graduate of Monterrey Tech (ITESM) in Mexico with a Bachelor’s in International Business, Francisco Valadez has spent most of his career as an entrepreneur involved in retail, wholesale, and private label projects. He has led companies from humble beginnings to successful acquisitions. Francisco got his start in eCommerce as part of a shoe company that sells through brick-and-mortar retail, department stores, and its own website. Most recently, Francisco fell down the Amazon rabbit hole while helping a company set up their own Amazon business. From that day on, Francisco has been 100% focused on Amazon retail. He has ample experience in Seller Central, and has proven his understanding of successful strategies to grow a brand’s online retail presence. Outside of work, Francisco loves sports, cooking, reading, listening to vinyl records, and most of all, spending time with his wife and daughters. He coaches in both English and Spanish, and leads the Hispanic team in our agency
A woman in glasses is smiling in a circle while managing her seller central account on a marketplace.

Kristen Dixon

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Meet Kristen Dixon, a seasoned Amazon e-commerce expert with nearly 8 years of experience. Kristen is not just a master of the online marketplace; she’s a passionate advocate for helping clients and employees reach their full potential. Her journey in e-commerce isn’t just about transactions; it’s about building relationships, both professionally and personally.

What truly sets Kristen apart is her innate desire to see others succeed. Her clients trust her not just for her e-commerce expertise but for her ability to guide them towards their own success stories. As a mentor to her employees, she nurtures their talents and encourages them to reach new heights. Kristen is not just dedicated to her craft but is equally committed to fostering growth in those she interacts with.

Kristen leads a fulfilling life as a mother of two children and a proud owner of a lively Goldendoodle. Family is her anchor and her “why.” The love she pours into her work is mirrored in her home life. She proudly leads a multifaceted life, where her love for family, sports, and a deep passion for helping others intersect in harmony. Kristen is a true example of how one person can make a lasting impact, both in the digital realm and in the lives of those she touches.

A man with a beard and sunglasses, working as an "Amazon guy", involved in marketing management for Amazon.

Nick Nido

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Holding a masters degree in electronic engineering from MIT with a bachelors in business management, Nick has 15+ years experience in ecommerce business and technology operations. Nick has gained a significant amount of his Amazon experience while launching his own store on Amazon with it being so successful it was later acquired by an conglomerate 3 years later.  

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Steven Pope

FOUNDER

Steven founded My Amazon Guy to help clients grow faster on Amazon. After serving on the corporate side as a marketing manager and eCommerce director for nearly a decade, Steven started teaching businesses how to leverage the largest eCommerce platform and logistics network in the world. The Grand Master of Amazon knowledge, Steven is a thought leader with more than 1500+ videos of free content where he gives away all his trade secrets away. Steven oversees marketing and sales. Mr. Pope is an eagle scout, has an MBA from Western Governor’s University, and a BS from Weber State University. Read what My Amazon Guy employees say it’s like to work for Steven.