Commerce is in the middle of a massive transition - slowly creeping from offline transactions to some version of their online equivalent. Like an iceberg, slowly moving downhill, this creeping transactional - transition is at the same time incredibly slow, and crushingly fast. 

I feel lucky to be an observer, right up close, seeing the transition from ground level. As a former SVP of Marketing at an old-world organization (A University) I led a team as we struggled through the transition to online selling (and online delivery of our programs) - and as a kitchen table entrepreneur with my wife, we struggled (and struggle daily) to find our way in the brave new world of competitive online selling. 

I've also had the privilege of teaching Online Marketing at the University level - as well as teaching my Shopify Power course to over 1,000 students via Udemy (an online learning marketplace). 

In this post, I'd like to share what I call the E-commerce Formula - The...

When I launched my Shopify Power course on Udemy (in June 2016) I wasn't sure anyone would notice. Since then I've had the privilege of working with over 1,300 new Shopify site owners and it's been a blast!

Many of them come to me as successful Amazon sellers. I love helping them launch Shopify sites so they can create a second source of online income. 

I've come to realize there is a big difference in the mindset / priorities / and tactics between selling on Amazon and selling on Shopify.

• Mindset
• Priorities
• Tactics

So in this article, I'll share the differences I've seen (many of them in the form of a question). If you enjoy this content, you'll also enjoy our Amazon To Shopify webinar. 

Amazon Mindset Vs. Shopify Mindset

Many Amazon sellers I've met have a merchants-mindset. Let me explain. When I was a kid we lived 30 minutes away from the largest Saturday market in California, Denios Farmers Market & Auction. It's amazing. We would go...

 
Lots of people want to make a product, run a company, or be a business mogul. 

Fewer people want to be the chief marketer and salesperson for a specific product.

But if you launch a Shopify site, you are launching a professional career as the chief marketer, spokesperson, and salesperson for your products, your brand, and your website. These roles can mean different things for different companies and industries, but bottom line, you're responsible for selling the product.

You have to be emotionally comfortable selling either directly or indirectly and ideally both. Or you have to get emotionally comfortable over time. As with all things in business - you either do it yourself - or you manage someone who's job is to do it (and in that way - you're still responsible).

Emotional Comfort With Selling Directly

Anyone can say the phrase, "here is my new product and I'd love to tell you more about it." But for some people uttering those words exacts a crushing emotional toll.

So...