Why FBA Sellers Should Keep a Book Sourcing Log

Why keeping a “book sourcing log” is one of the best things I’ve done to improve my Amazon inventory sourcing

What is a book sourcing log?

One of the best advancements I made on the book sourcing side of my Amazon FBA business is to maintain a source log.

What is a “book sourcing log”? Answer: A list of every FBA  inventory source within a 45 min radius of my house, and a record of my last visit there.

It’s a simple document I made on my computer, printed out, and keep in a binder.

Why a book sourcing log is so helpful

Often I consider going to a familiar FBA inventory source without being able to remember the last time I was there.

Naturally I like to pace out my visits to book sources evenly, allowing time for fresh inventory to come in so I’m not going over my own leftovers.

A sourcing log solves this problem: Allowing me to see all my book sources at a glance, along with the last time I was there.

Each book source gets its own sheet of paper where I write down three things:

1. Source info (name, address, type of source, etc)
2. Date of last visit (the primary purpose of the log)
3. Notes (anything I deem relevant: names of helpful employees at this book source, etc)

How I organize my sourcing log binder

I have mine divided by “book sourcing routes” of anywhere from 2 to 10 sources each.  A “route” being a cluster of sources either near each other of on a linear path that I can conceivably visit in a single day. When I decide on a source to visit, I can see all other sources I should visit that day.

(I also have a Google map saved for this, but that’s another article…)

At a glance, I can see the last time I visited a book source, and assess either if enough time has elapsed to warrant a return visit (I like to allow 3 or more weeks). I can also see if I’m not going to a book source often enough.

Download my sourcing log

Want to print off my template?

Download my book source log here

My book sourcing log has been an incredible boost in removing mental clutter and being able to identify quickly where my attention is needed. It eliminates the often lengthy morning list-building process before going out book for the day.

Highly recommended.

-Peter Valley