EP 2: Welcome to Top of Search - Getting to Know Your Host Robyn Johnson

Abe Chomali shines the spotlight on his co-host, Robyn Johnson, diving into her journey in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and Amazon expertise. Robyn shares her unconventional path, starting from humble beginnings at garage sales to building a seven-figure Amazon business and founding Marketplace Blueprint, an agency focused on Amazon and other marketplaces. 

Key topics covered: 

• Robyn’s Journey: From a youth minister struggling financially to scaling an e-commerce business to over $1 million in sales on Amazon by 2010, Robyn’s story highlights resilience and adaptability. 
• Agency Evolution: Marketplace Blueprint offers full-service Amazon management, including advertising, compliance, creative services, and Seller Support, with a team of former Amazon employees. 
• Speaking Career: Robyn has spoken at international events like PubCon, SMX London, and SMX Munich, drawing from her vast marketing knowledge beyond Amazon, including insights from the broader Google and Meta ecosystems. 
• AI vs. Rule-Based Strategies: A lively discussion on the role of AI in e-commerce advertising, where Robyn emphasizes the value of human-driven, rule-based systems for nuanced decision-making. 

Robyn also shares personal anecdotes, including: 

• Meeting her husband (and business partner) Nate at Kinko’s and how they complement each other’s strengths in the agency. 
• Navigating challenges like product indexing issues on Amazon, such as a baby spoon incorrectly categorized as a “sexual wellness” product. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Intentionality matters: Robyn’s approach focuses on understanding each client’s ideal customer and aligning marketing strategies accordingly. 
• Fundamentals first: While AI tools have their place, Robyn believes in human oversight for creative, strategic decisions. 
• Adaptability: Robyn thrives on solving new puzzles in the ever-changing e-commerce landscape, thanks to her ADHD-driven curiosity. 

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

1. Marketplace Blueprint - https://www.marketplaceblueprint.com 
2. Search Engine Journal - https://www.searchenginejournal.com 
3. Search Engine Land - https://www.searchengineland.com 
4. PubCon - https://www.pubcon.com 
5. SMX Munich & SMX London - https://www.searchmarketingexpo.com 

Chapters

• 0:24 Getting to Know Robyn Johnson of Marketplace Blueprint
• 1:24 Robyn's Origin Story
• 3:42 About Marketplace Blueprint
• 5:48 Webmaster for the School District
• 7:56 How Robyn Started Speaking At Amazon Marketing Events
• 10:03 Why The Larger Digital Marketing Conversation Matters
• 13:18 Being A Full Service Amazon Agency
• 15:28 AI Tools For Advertsing on Amazon
• 20:52 How Marketplace Blueprint Adjusts Strategies By Client
• 24:45 Thanks for Listening!