🎙 Robyn Johnson & Abe Chomali break down where AI enhances agency work and where it falls short. They share real-world examples across images, copywriting, advertising, and brand ideation, emphasizing how AI supports — but does not replace — human expertise and strategy.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🖼️ AI in Images: Helpful, but Risky
• Great for quick lifestyle images and background enhancements for small brands.
• Not reliable for strict brand guidelines, proportions, or avoiding copyright risks.

📝 Copywriting with AI: A Strong Start
• AI drafts titles, bullets, and callouts well — but humans must edit for accuracy and compliance.
• Prompt engineering and tools like Character.AI and custom GPTs improve results.

📈 AI & Advertising: Only Half the Job
• AI ad tools help with data summarization but don’t outperform human ad managers.
• Rule-based PPC tools (like Optimizer or PPC Profit) are still preferred for control and consistency.

💡 AI for Ideation and Strategy
• AI shines in generating brand names, new ideas, and article drafts.
• Use AI for brainstorming and summarizing, not final decisions or strategy setting.

⚙️ Best Tools and Approaches Mentioned
• ChatGPT (especially with custom GPTs) – For content, prompts, and communications
• Claude – Better for technical writing, programming support, and detailed analysis
• Canva Pro – Easy creative tools with layered AI assistance
• Character.AI – Customer avatar creation and ideation training
• Rule-based PPC software – For safer ad management (vs. "auto AI" ad tools)

⚖️ AI + Agency Expertise: Hybrid is Best
• AI saves time on tedious tasks, but human review is essential.
• Agencies provide deeper customer understanding, legal compliance, and strategic decision-making that AI alone can't match.

🧩 Final Advice for AI Beginners
• Start by using AI to draft, not finalize — especially for copy and ideation.
• Learn basic prompt engineering or ask AI to create the best prompts for you.
• Treat AI like a team assistant, not a team replacement.

🔗 Useful Links Mentioned

• Character.AI – Build customer avatars and ideate with AI characters
• ChatGPT Explore GPTs – Browse and create custom GPTs
• Claude by Anthropic – Advanced AI for programming, writing, and analysis
• Canva Pro – AI-assisted creative tools for image generation
• Make.com – Workflow automation platform
• Otter.ai – Record and transcribe outlines for article writing
• Google Workspace – Built-in AI tools for documents and spreadsheets
• Optmyzr - Rule-based PPC management tool

🎙 Robyn Johnson & Abe Chomali chat with Ritu Java (PPC Ninja) about how AI is transforming workflows, from hiring automation to creative asset generation. Ritu shares real use cases, tool recommendations, and insights on prompt engineering.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🧠 AI Isn’t Magic — It’s Layered
• AI works best when problems are broken into parts.
• Think in layers—use AI for what it does well, then add human input.

💬 Prompt Engineering Still Matters
• Prompting is a skill. You can start simple but refine as needed.
• Tools like Sora often rewrite prompts internally; learning from those is valuable.

🛠️ Build Smart Workflows with AI + Automation
• Example: Ritu automated job applications using Google Forms → Sheets → Make.com → ChatGPT API → Gmail.
• AI handled candidate evaluation; Google Apps Script emailed the top candidates daily.

📊 Best Tools to Invest In
• ChatGPT Plus – General LLM & custom GPTs
• Perplexity AI – In-depth research
• Claude – Excellent for code and long-form reasoning
• Canva Pro – 200+ AI creative tools
• Kling AI – Virtual try-on for apparel
• Vidu – Combines images into cinematic video clips
• Make.com – Workflow automations
• Google Workspace – Built-in Gemini AI for documents, spreadsheets, and email

📚 Custom GPTs as Daily Tools
• Start by exploring the ChatGPT Explore GPTs section.
• Search terms like “AMZ” reveal tools for seller support, listings, and keyword research.
• Anyone can create one—no coding required.

⚖️ AI + Amazon: Finding the Balance

• Ritu still manages Amazon accounts herself to stay hands-on.
• Her agency uses AI for anomaly detection, keyword insights, and more to save hundreds of hours.
• A balance between deep AI work and Amazon expertise ensures scalable growth.

🧩 Final Advice for AI Beginners

• Start by using existing custom GPTs to solve small tasks.
• Follow creators in the AI space to stay updated.
• Don’t give up too soon—AI is already powerful, it just requires better direction.

🔗 Helpful Links from the Episode

• PPC Ninja Newsletter (Free, Weekly)
• Ritu Java on LinkedIn
• Make.com – Workflow Automation
• ChatGPT Explore GPTs
• Perplexity AI
• Claude by Anthropic
• Kling AI
• Canva Pro

Episode Summary: Brandon Young on Tariffs & Survival Strategies for Amazon Sellers

Due to the changing nature of this topic, we feel it is important to note that the recording date of this episode was April 16th, 2025

🎙️ Brandon is a seasoned 8-figure Amazon private label seller, founder of Seller Systems, and co-creator of Data Dive software. He joined Robyn and Abe to break down the recent spike in tariffs and what sellers can do to stay competitive and legal.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Tariffs Are Here and They're Brutal

• Tariffs as high as 154% are being added to imported goods, massively impacting landed costs and margins.
• Sellers used to bake in development and tooling costs into unit prices, but now those embedded costs increase tariff exposure.

2. The “First Sale Doctrine” Strategy

• By structuring purchases through an intermediary and separating non-dutyable costs (like tooling, packaging design, branding), you can lower your declared COGS and reduce tariff exposure.
• Must have two arm ’s-length transactions, proper dual invoicing, and a clear declaration to customs.
• Keep detailed records for at least 5 years to survive audits.

Docs Required:

• Original manufacturer invoice to intermediary
• An intermediary invoice to your company
• Declaration to customs of First Sale usage

3. Use of Bonded Warehouses

• Delays the tariff payment until goods are released into the U.S. market.
• Offers flexibility—goods can be redirected to other countries (e.g., Canada or Mexico) if tariffs worsen.
• Downsides: Tariffs could increase by the time goods are released.

4. Drip-Feeding & Holding Inventory

• Use strategies like SKUDrop to store goods in China and ship gradually.
• Or ask your factory to hold inventory and release it in small batches to maintain price advantage and flexibility.
• Be cautious about substantial transformation rules—just moving goods to Vietnam or Mexico isn’t enough; they must be significantly altered to change the country of origin.

5. Monitor the Market

• Track competitor pricing closely to avoid losing the Buy Box.
• Don’t raise prices drastically; instead, use small increments or coupons to test elasticity.
• Discount strategically to maintain rankings while preserving profitable inventory.

6. Be Realistic About Relocating Production

• Moving out of China is a long-term strategy—can take 6 to 12 months or more.
• Factories in countries like Vietnam are often booked out until 2026.
• Consider diversifying but don’t expect a quick fix.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

• Brandon's Tariff Workshop
• 🔧 Seller Systems
• 📊 Data Dive
• 🌴 Camp Ecom (Amazon seller retreat in Cancun)
• 📦 SKUDrop – China-based inventory drip shipping service

Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice. Please consult with your legal department before making any business decisions.