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Laid Off 61 Year Old Sells $48,000 in Used Books on Amazon as a “Side-Hustle” - How He Did It
Posted on October 11th, 2024
Scott, a 61 year old single Dad of a college senior (obviously the picture above was quite some time before senior year, LOL), started his journey selling books a year and a half ago and he has already reached $48,000 in sales in the last 12 months! He was laid off from his job earlier this year and selling books on Amazon has given him the extra income he needed. In this article, he was kind enough to share his experience going from a complete beginner to selling thousands on Amazon each month! Enjoy.
Starting Out
How did you feel when you sold your first book?
The very first thing I sold was a textbook, and I was so pumped as I couldn't believe that it sold.
What were your biggest fears or concerns when you started, and how did you overcome them?
Whether I would be able to find good books to sell. I watched videos and just started scanning books at Goodwill and other thrift stores, and as they started to sell I knew I was on the right track.
What inspired you to start selling books on Amazon?
I was selling some books when I first started and everyone said books are just a good way to start, then you transition to larger items like shoes and clothing. Then I saw an interview Joji did with Warner Fields of Fields of Profit and Joji said that he sells only books and does very well with them, and I realized I might be able to do just books. I then started watching Joji’s videos until his interview with Victor Gallegos and he discussed seasonal books, and then I knew that this was the way to go. I then joined Victor's group.
2. Challenges and Learning
What was the biggest challenge you faced in the beginning, and how did you solve it?
My biggest issue was capital. I didn’t have a lot of extra money, but I kept putting the money back into the business, and I still do. There were many times I had to take my money from Amazon out before it was the full amount because my credit card was maxed out, and I didn’t have any other money to pay it off, and I had a rather low credit limit.
How did you learn the ropes of book sourcing and listing?
I watched videos and just went out and went to sales. I learned by doing. I didn’t know there was a website that listed estate sales, so I drove around large busy streets looking for garage and estate sales. Then someone told me about the websites, but I did pretty well just driving around. I found some great stuff but not enough to scale. It was actually a good way to start because I was not really competing with anyone and I could look at each book more carefully.
Can you share a story of a tough moment in your journey and how you pushed through?
Before doing just books, I got two IP violation letters. I thought I had checked the products out, but that's the thing with doing that kind of selling—it's very hard to check out every product. I just wrote my apology letters and took the listings down, and nothing came of it, but I realized that books would be a better way to go.
3. Success and Motivation
What has been your biggest success so far in selling books on Amazon?
In terms of best months, it was this past August. I sold $8,900. What made me most proud was that it was a combination of my estate sales and textbooks. But ever since I ramped up my estate sales, my monthly sales have held steady at $5,000 per month for the last four months.
How has selling books on Amazon impacted your life?
I am between full-time jobs right now, so doing this has helped make me money, but most importantly, instead of getting down about that, I just keep pushing on with my books.
What keeps you motivated to continue growing your Amazon book business?
Seeing all the people who have been able to do this for a living, it has given me a goal of selling books full time.
4. Tactics and Advice
5. Transformation
How has your perspective on entrepreneurship changed since you started selling books?
I think when we start something we don't fully understand, we have doubts. Can I really do this and can I make money at this? Once I proved the concept to myself, it has made me much more self-assured.
Looking back, what would you tell your beginner self?
When using ScoutIQ, remember to put the purchase price in (this is also for my today self). I would also tell myself to make sure I understand Keepa and how to price items. Just because someone has it listed at a high price does not mean it will sell there. And I would tell myself what Victor told us in one of the classes: “Are you a book collector or a book seller?” Which to me means you don't have to make the most money on a book. As long as you make a fair profit, everything will be fine.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an Amazon bookseller?
The community. We all need help when we get started, and helping someone else is a great feeling. When I was at the Books and Beyond conference, I was talking to someone and got him interested in doing estate sales, and being able to impart some of what I have learned in the past few months was a great feeling—what to look for and what most people pass by, etc.
If you want to become a part of the bookselling community, and give this side hustle a try... join our 100% free community where we help each other learn how to find and sell books on Amazon. Join our group here to access free weekly group coaching calls, free step by step "5 day bookselling workshop" course, and an engaged community that is their to help you succeed. Join here.
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