#373 - Keith O’Brien on the Intersecting Worlds of Online Selling and Pickleball

When we talk about Amazon selling and pickleball, there's no one more seasoned than our guest, Keith O'Brien. As a veteran in the game, Keith takes us on a journey from the golden days of easy product ranking to the end of the service, I Love to Review, due to the shift in Amazon policies. He shares his insights on the evolving world of Amazon agencies, emphasizing the importance of both solo consultants and agencies in shaping the marketplace.   Managing large scale agencies, retaining good staff, and the rise of aggregators driving up the price of talent - these are just a few of the challenges we explore. And then there's the role of AI in e-commerce, which, as we find out, is helpful in rule setting and bid management, but maybe not so much for creative tasks. As a curveball, Keith, a pickleball enthusiast, talks about the social aspect of the sport and the reasons for its global appeal.    We end our discussion with tips on what to look for when hiring an agency for Amazon listings and PPC management. A strong relationship with the agency is key, as is their track record of success and the quality of their work. Whether you're an e-commerce seller, a pickleball player, or a curious listener, join us for this insightful conversation!   In episode 374 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Keith discuss: 00:06 - Amazon's Early Days With Keith 15:32 - The Rise of Amazon Service Providers 26:55 - Automation and AI's Impact on Jobs 30:34 - AI's Role in Writing Listings  37:06 - The End Game for Agency Businesses 43:31 - Opportunities in the World of Pickleball  46:13 - Enjoying a New Sport Quickly 51:07 - Hiring an Agency for Amazon Listing 53:49 - Learning Pickleball and Networking on LinkedIn