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By Dan Meadors & Dylan Frost, The Wholesale Formula

When most people think about selling on Amazon, their minds go straight to the hardest, most intimidating scenarios: inventing a product from scratch, competing against giant companies with endless budgets, or trying to run complex ad campaigns that cost thousands of dollars a month.

But here’s the truth we’ve learned over the last ten years—after managing over $40 million in Amazon sales and working with thousands of sellers:

The best opportunities are often the simplest ones.

And one of the simplest, most overlooked strategies for new sellers is something we call the Hidden Goldmine Strategy.

This strategy is about finding products that are already selling, but are being held back by something easy to fix: bad listings.

Why Bad Listings = Big Opportunities

Think about your own online shopping experience. You’re browsing Amazon and land on a product page. It has just one blurry image. The title is vague and doesn’t really describe what the product is. The bullet points are short, generic, or missing altogether. Maybe there’s no description at all.

Would you feel confident buying that product? Probably not.

Now here’s the crazy part: thousands of products with listings like this are still selling every day. Customers push through the weak listings because they already want the product, or they’re the only option available. That means the product itself is solid—it’s just the presentation that’s broken.

That’s where you come in.

If you can identify these under-optimized listings, you can create partnerships with the brands behind them. You bring value by helping them fix what’s broken—and in exchange, you open the door to becoming one of their wholesale partners.

What Does a “Bad Listing” Look Like?

A bad listing is usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. Here are some of the most common red flags we train our students to notice:

• Only one product image (especially if it looks low-quality or outdated).
• Short or missing bullet points that don’t actually describe features or benefits.
• A title that’s too short, vague, or missing common search terms customers would use.
• A missing or copied description that adds no value or credibility.

Here’s an important note: these “bad” listings aren’t necessarily mistakes. Sometimes the brand just didn’t know better when they uploaded their product years ago. Sometimes they didn’t think it mattered. Sometimes they didn’t realize how much money they were leaving on the table.

Your job isn’t to criticize—it’s to recognize the opportunity and step in with solutions.

What Makes a Listing “Fixable”?

Not every bad listing is worth chasing. You need to be selective so you don’t waste time. We use two simple filters to know whether a product is worth pursuing:

1. The product has demand. Even with a bad listing, it’s selling. You can check this by looking at its Best Seller Rank (BSR). The lower the BSR, the more sales it’s generating. You don’t need exact numbers at first—just confirmation that customers are buying.
2. Amazon Retail isn’t a seller. This is critical. If Amazon itself (not third-party sellers, but the actual Amazon company) is listed as a seller, it’s almost impossible to compete. They’ll dominate the listing. But if only third-party sellers are present, you have a real shot.

That’s it. If the product has demand and no Amazon Retail competition, it’s fixable.

Why Brands Struggle with Listings

To understand why this strategy works so well, you need to step into the shoes of a brand owner.

Many of the companies behind these products are experts at what they do: designing and producing great items. But they’re not experts at e-commerce. They may not understand Amazon’s rules, algorithms, or customer psychology.

For them, creating a listing was just another task on the to-do list—something they rushed through years ago and never thought about again.

Now imagine you come along. You notice their listing has one blurry photo, no description, and a weak title. You know that with better photos, expanded bullet points, and optimized keywords, sales could increase dramatically.

When you reach out and offer to help, you instantly stand out from every other seller who just asks for permission to resell their product. Instead of being a taker, you’re a giver—you’re adding value.

How to Approach a Brand (Without Feeling Pushy)

A lot of new sellers get nervous about contacting brands. They think:

“Why would anyone listen to me? I’m new.”

But here’s the reality: brands don’t care how long you’ve been selling. They care about whether you can help them.

Here’s a simple approach that works:

1. Compliment the product. Let them know you’re a fan.
2. Point out the problem. Mention the listing has only one image or a short description.
3. Offer the solution. Explain you can help optimize it for better sales.
4. Ask to work together. Position yourself as a partner, not just another seller.

It could sound like this:

“Hi, I came across your product on Amazon and I think it’s fantastic. I did notice the listing only has one photo and a very short description, which I believe is costing you sales. I’d love to help optimize the listing so more customers can see how great your product really is. Would you be open to a conversation?”

It’s that simple. No pressure. No begging. Just offering real value.

Step-by-Step: The Hidden Goldmine Strategy

Let’s break this into a clear, repeatable process:

1. Search for products. Pick a category you’re interested in and browse Amazon. Don’t rush—this is about looking for opportunities.
2. Spot the red flags. Weak images, missing bullets, short titles, no descriptions.
3. Check the demand. Use BSR as your guide. If it’s selling even a little, that’s proof of demand.
4. Confirm no Amazon Retail. If Amazon isn’t on the listing, you’re good to go.
5. Reach out to the brand. Be respectful, positive, and solution-oriented.
6. Build the relationship. Once you help them, they’ll often reward you with wholesale opportunities.

Why This Strategy Works for Beginners

If you’re just starting out, this strategy gives you a massive advantage.

• You don’t need a big advertising budget.
• You don’t need to invent or design a product.
• You don’t need years of experience.

What you need is the ability to see what others miss: the opportunities hidden inside poor listings.

This shifts the game. Instead of competing head-to-head with thousands of sellers on popular, saturated products, you’re creating your own opportunities by helping brands improve.

It’s not about outspending—it’s about outsmarting.

Common Fears (And Why They’re Wrong)

Let’s address the biggest fears new sellers have about this strategy:

“I’m too new, no one will listen to me.”
Wrong. Brands listen when you provide value. Your experience matters less than your ability to solve their problem.

“What if I get rejected?”
Rejection isn’t failure. Not every brand will say yes, and that’s okay. The more you practice, the more wins you’ll collect.

“I don’t know how to optimize listings yet.”
You don’t need to be a world-class copywriter or photographer. Start with the basics: better photos, fuller descriptions, and clear titles. These simple fixes make a huge difference.

Building Long-Term Relationships

Here’s where the real magic happens.

When you help a brand fix their listing, you’re not just opening the door for one product—you’re opening the door to their entire catalog.

Maybe they have ten other products with weak listings. Maybe they’re launching new items and want your help from the start.

Before long, you’re not just another seller—you’re a trusted partner. And trusted partners get access to opportunities that outsiders never see.

This is how small beginnings grow into massive businesses.

Final Thoughts

The Hidden Goldmine Strategy is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal as a new seller. It’s simple, repeatable, and proven.

• Poor listings with demand = opportunity.
• Fixable = demand exists + no Amazon Retail.
• Value-first outreach = brand partnerships.

That’s it. Nothing complicated. Just a method that works when you put it into action.

We’ve built an entire system around strategies like this—ones that helped us build an 8-figure business from scratch. And we’re sharing everything in our next free live workshop.

👉 Click here to join the waitlist now

Spots go fast, and this is your chance to learn exactly how to uncover opportunities most sellers completely miss.

✅ Quick Recap

• Bad listings are opportunities hiding in plain sight.
• The keys: demand + no Amazon Retail.
• Brands want help, not just more sellers.
• One partnership can snowball into a full business.

👉 Join the waitlist here and get ready to uncover your first Hidden Goldmine.

By Dan Meadors & Dylan Frost, The Wholesale Formula

For more than a decade, we’ve been teaching people how to build successful businesses online. Most of you know us for Amazon wholesale — a model that helped us generate over $40 million in sales and has changed thousands of lives.

But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: Amazon FBA isn’t the only way to create financial freedom. We’re always on the lookout for new opportunities, and one that continues to prove itself year after year is affiliate marketing.

In fact, we’d argue affiliate marketing and Amazon FBA are perfect complements. Both allow you to build businesses without having to invent a product from scratch, deal with patents, or carry huge startup risks. Both reward consistency and smart systems. And in 2025, affiliate marketing is thriving — but only for those who adapt to the new rules of the game.

The old “throw up a bunch of review posts and drop Amazon affiliate links everywhere” approach doesn’t cut it anymore. AI has completely rewritten the playbook. But don’t let that scare you. The marketers who understand how to use AI strategically — not as a crutch — are seeing bigger opportunities than ever before.

Today we’re going to show you:

• What’s working in affiliate marketing in 2025

• What strategies you should avoid at all costs

• How to future-proof your business in the AI age

• And the exact next steps you can take this week

The AI Shakeup in Affiliate Marketing

AI has impacted affiliate marketing in the same way it’s impacted almost every other corner of the online world: it’s raised the bar.

On one side, AI made it easier than ever for everyday entrepreneurs to create content, run ads, and automate campaigns. A solo marketer with a laptop and the right tools can now achieve what used to require an entire team.

On the other side, AI also caused a flood of junk. Low-value, cookie-cutter affiliate content now fills the internet. Search engines and social platforms responded the only way they could: by tightening the rules.

Google’s 2024–2025 updates, for example, were brutal on “thin” content. Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms now deploy AI systems that flag and suppress obvious affiliate spam in real time.

The result?

• Lazy marketers who churn out mass-produced AI reviews are disappearing.

• Marketers who mix AI efficiency with human insight and authenticity are thriving.

The game didn’t end. It just changed.

What’s Working in 2025

Here’s where the winners are focusing their energy:

1. High-Quality AI-Assisted Content

The days of asking AI to spit out a “Top 10 Products” post and hitting publish are gone. What works now is AI-assisted content with real human perspective.

How the pros are doing it:

• Use AI for research, outlines, and first drafts.

• Layer in your personal experience — test products, share results, and give honest opinions.

• Present information in formats that build authority: tutorials, case studies, or side-by-side comparisons.

Think of AI as your assistant, not your replacement.

2. Smarter Email Marketing With AI Segmentation

Affiliate marketing has always relied on email. But today, it’s all about personalization.

AI makes it simple to:

• Track subscriber behavior automatically.

• Segment lists based on what links people click.

• Trigger follow-up sequences that feel personal and relevant.

For example:

• A subscriber clicks a link about Facebook ads.

• AI tags them and moves them into a sequence about ad tools and trainings.

• If they buy, they shift into a “buyers” list for higher-ticket offers.

• If they don’t engage, AI automatically moves them into a re-engagement track.

That kind of dynamic targeting used to take a tech team. Now, anyone can do it.

3. AI-Powered Ad Creatives

Running ads for affiliate offers used to be expensive and slow. With tools like AdCreative.ai, you can generate dozens of ad images, headlines, and copy variations in minutes.

The secret? Testing at scale.

• Create multiple versions of images, headlines, and calls to action.

• Let the platform’s AI automatically combine and test them.

• Quickly double down on what works.

This turns paid traffic into a faster, smarter growth channel.

4. Repurposing Content With AI

Affiliate marketers no longer have to start from scratch for each platform.

A single blog post can be:

• Turned into a YouTube video script.

• Summarized into an email newsletter.

• Split into a Twitter thread.

• Redesigned into a Pinterest pin or Instagram carousel.

AI makes this process almost instant. One piece of content now fuels your entire funnel.

5. Partnering With AI-Savvy Creators

Here’s an overlooked opportunity: teaming up with creators who know how to use AI but don’t know how to monetize.

They can generate quality content and attract an audience. You can bring affiliate partnerships, offers, and monetization strategies. Together, you share in the profits.

It’s a collaboration model that’s exploding in 2025.

What’s Dead (And Should Be Left Behind)

Just as important as knowing what works is knowing what to avoid. These approaches no longer get results:

1. Thin AI-Spun Blogs
   Google is wiping out content that lacks genuine insights or personal stories. AI alone isn’t enough.
2. Spray-and-Pray Email Blasts
   Sending one generic affiliate email to your entire list now lands you in spam folders — fast.

3. Spammy Social Media Link Drops
   Platforms suppress repetitive, copy-paste affiliate posts. Value comes first, monetization comes second.

4. Relying on One Program (Like Amazon Associates)
   With shrinking commissions and shorter cookie windows, putting all your eggs in one basket is dangerous. Diversify into recurring commissions, high-ticket programs, and bonuses that set you apart.

How to Future-Proof Your Affiliate Business

If you want staying power in 2025 and beyond, here’s the roadmap:

• Use AI as a tool, not a replacement. Let it handle grunt work like research and formatting, but keep the strategy, storytelling, and relationships human.

• Build authority and trust. Share your own experiences and results. Your authenticity is what separates you from AI noise.

• Automate low-value tasks. Use AI for scheduling, repurposing, and ad testing. Free yourself to focus on strategy and growth.

• Choose the right offers. Prioritize recurring commissions, programs with strong margins, and opportunities where you can add your own bonuses or insights.

This balance between AI and human expertise is what separates winners from everyone else.

Your Next Steps

Affiliate marketing in 2025 isn’t dead — it’s evolved. And the opportunities are wide open for anyone willing to adapt.

Here’s what to do this week:

1. Pick one “working” strategy above and test it.

2. Drop one “dead” tactic you’re still using.

3. Remember that behind every click and every purchase is a real person — and AI can’t replace genuine connection.

Quick Recap

• AI changed the rules, but affiliate marketing is thriving.

• Success comes from combining AI’s efficiency with your personal experience.

• The worst strategies (thin blogs, generic emails, spammy posts, overreliance on Amazon Associates) are dead.

• The best strategies (quality AI-assisted content, smart segmentation, ad testing, repurposing, and partnerships) are winning big.

• Future-proofing means diversifying offers, building trust, and using AI responsibly.

If you’re serious about building an online business in 2025 — whether through Amazon wholesale, affiliate marketing, or both — you need the right systems and support.

Click here to join the waitlist for our next free workshop

We’ll walk you through how to take proven opportunities like these and turn them into businesses that can change your life.

When most people think about starting an online business, the biggest question on their mind is:

“Can I really take a small amount of money and grow it into something meaningful?”

We know exactly how that feels because we’ve been there. Over the last decade, we’ve helped thousands of sellers take their very first steps into wholesale. And while the results vary, the system that we teach has helped beginners start with as little as a few hundred dollars and grow into full-time businesses.

One of the most powerful ways to make this happen is through something we call the Inventory Snowball. It’s not a get-rich-quick trick. It’s a methodical, repeatable process that allows you to take your starting capital—say $500—and gradually roll it forward into bigger and bigger reinvestments. Over time, just like a snowball rolling downhill, your inventory (and profits) can grow into something far larger than what you started with.

Why the Inventory Snowball Works

The basic idea is simple:

1. Start with a small amount of capital.
   
   
2. Buy profitable inventory at Wholesale pricing.
   
   
3. Sell it at retail to make a profit.
   
   
4. Reinvest your profits into more inventory/more opportunities.
   
   
5. Repeat the cycle.
   
   

Most products we work with yield a Return on Investment (ROI) of about 30% or higher. That means if you put in $100, you might reasonably expect $130 back after the sale. That extra $30 is your profit, and the goal is to immediately put it back into your business rather than spend it.

This doesn’t mean every product works out perfectly—some will perform better, others may be slower. And to be clear: no margin is ever guaranteed. But when you use smart sourcing and reinvestment discipline, you can create real momentum.

The $500 to $5,000 Example

Let’s walk through what this looks like in practice.

• Start with $500.
  
  
• You purchase inventory with a projected ROI of 30%.
  
  
• When it sells, you now have $650.
  
  
• Reinvest that $650. You now bring back about $845.
  
  
• Reinvest again. Now you’re up to roughly $1,100.
  
  This scales quickly month after month!
  
  

Each time, your “snowball” of capital grows. With continued reinvestment, the numbers start to multiply faster. Over the course of steady cycles, that same $500 can realistically turn into $5,000 or more in available inventory capital.

The secret isn’t luck—it’s the discipline of reinvesting and avoiding the temptation to pull money out too early.

Tracking Your Growth Without Getting Overwhelmed

When you’re new, one of the hardest parts is knowing if you’re actually making money. Too many people guess or hope instead of tracking clearly.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need fancy software to manage this.

Inside Amazon Seller Central (the main dashboard where sellers manage their accounts), there’s an Inventory Age menu. This tool shows:

• How many units you have left.
  
  
• How long until you’re likely to sell out.
  
  
• A forecast of delays based on your previous shipping times.
  
  

This single report can guide most of your decisions in the beginning. You’ll see exactly which products are moving, which ones are slow, and how much cash flow you should expect.

That clarity helps you avoid one of the biggest beginner mistakes: guessing when to reorder.

How to Restock Smart

Once you’ve sold through your first test buys, the next question is always:

“How much should I order next time?”

Here’s a simple system we’ve used for years:

1. For test buys: Only spend 10–20% of your total funds on each product. This spreads out your risk.
   
   
2. For reorders: If the test went well, you can go deeper. But don’t order more than about a monthly supply at first.
   
   
3. Avoid over-ordering: If you sink too much into a product that doesn’t move, it locks up your cash flow and hurts your long-term account health.
   
   

A lot of sellers think buying huge amounts will get them better deals. In reality, it often creates the opposite problem—you’re stuck with too much stock, and your growth stalls.

Managing Risk Without Freezing Up

Another big challenge is the fear of making a mistake. We’ve seen countless new sellers get stuck because they’re afraid of wasting money.

The solution is to reframe risk.

• By keeping test buys small (10–20% of your capital), even if one product fails, you’re protected.
  
  
• If a product sells well, you double down with confidence.
  
  
• If it doesn’t, you move on quickly without sinking your whole budget.
  
  

The Inventory Snowball thrives on momentum. That means small, consistent actions matter far more than one “perfect” buy.

Staying Motivated in the Early Stages

Let’s be honest: the early days can feel slow. You’re waiting for products to sell, refreshing dashboards, second-guessing yourself.

That’s where perseverance matters. Every seller we know who has built a successful business went through the same stage. They pushed through by trusting the process, tracking their numbers, and reinvesting.

Think of it this way: your first $500 may feel small, but it’s not about the size of the start—it’s about proving to yourself that you can grow it. Once you’ve doubled your money once, you’ll believe it’s possible. And belief creates momentum.

Common Beginner Obstacles and How to Solve Them

Here are a few struggles nearly every seller faces at the start—and what to do about them:

• “What if I run out of money before I can reorder?”
  Track your Inventory Age reports closely so you know when you’ll sell out and can plan restocks early.
  
  
• “What if I pick a bad product?”
  That’s why test buys are small. One miss won’t sink you. The wins make up for it.
  
  
• “What if shipping delays ruin my momentum?”
  Build a buffer. Order a little earlier than you think you need to based on your past inbound times.
  
  
• “What if growth feels too slow?”
  Remember the snowball effect. Early gains are small, but they multiply over time.
  
  

The key is not to let these obstacles stop you. They’re normal, and they all have solutions.

The Power of Reinvestment Discipline

If we could give only one piece of advice to beginners, it would be this:

Do not spend your profits too early.

The reason some sellers stay stuck at the same level for years is because they pull out money as soon as it comes in. The sellers who grow are the ones who let the snowball roll.

That doesn’t mean you can’t ever pay yourself. But in the first phase, your number one job is to grow your inventory capital. Once that base is strong, you can start taking money out with confidence.

Quick Recap

• Start small and reinvest profits consistently.
  
  
• Use Amazon’s Inventory Age report to track stock and plan restocks.
  
  
• Test buys = 10–20% of your budget per product.
  
  
• Reorders = no more than about a month’s supply at a time.
  
  
• No margin is guaranteed, but many products yield 30% ROI or more.
  
  
• The Inventory Snowball works by building momentum over time.
  
  

Now is the perfect time to take your first step. That snowball won’t start rolling until you give it a push.

By Dan Meadors & Dylan Frost, The Wholesale Formula

Over the past decade, we’ve sold more than $40 million worth of products on Amazon. We’ve worked with over a thousand sellers—from absolute beginners to million-dollar businesses—and we’ve seen one thing hold sellers back more than anything else…

Neglecting their Amazon Account Health.

Think of your Amazon seller account like your body. You can eat well, exercise, and get regular checkups—or you can ignore it until something serious happens. By the time you “feel” a problem, it’s often much harder (and more expensive) to fix. We value preventive over reactive action-taking. 

Today, we want to break down exactly what you need to watch, how to protect your account, and what to do if trouble shows up. This is beginner-friendly—no jargon left unexplained—and at the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to keep your account healthy so you can focus on growing your business.

Why Account Health Matters

Amazon has millions of sellers competing for customer trust. That means Amazon’s #1 priority is protecting its buyers. If your account’s performance slips—even for a short time—Amazon can:

• Remove your product listings
• Restrict your selling privileges
• Suspend your account entirely

That might sound scary, but here’s the good news:
Account health is completely within your control.

When you know the key metrics and follow a simple monitoring routine, you can keep your account safe while building a business you can count on.

The 3 Big Account Health Metrics You Must Watch

Amazon’s Account Health Dashboard (in Seller Central) shows three key areas. If you only remember one thing from this section, it’s this: log in at least once a week to check them.

1. IP Complaints (Intellectual Property)

This measures whether any brand or rights holder has claimed that you’re violating their intellectual property—like selling counterfeit products or using copyrighted images.

• Why it matters: Even one unresolved IP complaint can hurt your standing with Amazon.
• The fix: Always buy inventory from reputable wholesale suppliers and keep invoices. If you get a complaint, respond quickly with documentation proving authenticity.

2. ODR (Order Defect Rate)

ODR looks at the percentage of your orders that have problems—negative feedback, A-to-Z Guarantee claims, or credit card chargebacks.

• Why it matters: Amazon wants this below 1%. Go over that, and you’re at risk of account suspension.
• The fix: Ship on time, describe products accurately, and handle customer messages quickly (within 24 hours). If you make a mistake, own it and make it right fast.

3. Performance Notifications

These are Amazon’s way of telling you something needs your attention—policy warnings, listing removals, or requests for information.

• Why it matters: Ignoring a performance notification is like ignoring a “check engine” light.
• The fix: Read them as soon as they arrive. Often, you just need to provide a quick explanation or document to resolve the issue.

The IPI Score: Your Inventory “Credit Score”

Amazon also tracks your Inventory Performance Index (IPI). If Account Health measures your rule-following, IPI measures how well you manage inventory.

The IPI score ranges from 0 to 1000:

• Below 350: Risky—storage limits and higher fees may apply.
• 400+: Safe zone.
• 550+: Strong inventory management.
• 600+: Excellent.

Amazon’s formula is secret, but it’s widely understood to be based on four key factors.

1. FBA Sell-Through Rate

This is the #1 weighted metric, arguably more important than all others combined. This is how quickly your products sell compared to how much you keep in stock. Amazon has finite warehouse space, so they prioritize high volume ASINs and sellers over slower sales. You must maintain a 30 day sell through rate average or higher.

High sell-through = products are moving and Amazon is happy.

How to improve:

• Run promotions or coupons on slow movers.
• Improve your listings with better images and keywords.
• Use Amazon PPC ads to boost visibility.

2. Excess Inventory

Amazon defines this as more than 90 days of supply based on demand forecasts.

How to improve:

• Check the “Manage Inventory Health” page in Seller Central.
• Create removal orders for excess products.
• Use Amazon’s liquidation program to recover costs.

3. Stranded Inventory

These are products in Amazon warehouses that aren’t available for sale—often because of listing errors.

How to improve:

• Check the “Fix stranded inventory” page weekly.
• Correct missing images, fix titles, or reactivate listings.

4. FBA In-Stock Rate

Measures how often your best-selling products are available.

How to improve:

• Follow Amazon’s restock recommendations.
• Set reorder reminders based on sales history.

Avoiding the Pitfalls That Get Sellers Suspended

New sellers sometimes get caught by simple mistakes. Here are the big ones to avoid—and the solutions.

• Selling products from unreliable sources → Only buy from authorized wholesalers.
• Letting customer service slide → Respond to messages daily, even if it’s just to say you’re working on the issue.
• Ignoring warnings → Check your Account Health Dashboard weekly and respond to all alerts.

Remember: these aren’t just “rules.” They’re safeguards to protect your revenue.

How to Improve Your IPI Score Step-by-Step

1. Boost Sell-Through
   • Run short-term discounts to clear old stock.
   • Improve product titles and images for better conversion rates.
   • Test ads to increase visibility.
2. Reduce Excess Inventory
   • Identify overstocked items in Seller Central.
   • Remove or liquidate stock that isn’t selling.
3. Fix Stranded Inventory
   • Review stranded inventory weekly.
   • Address listing issues promptly.
4. Keep Popular Items In Stock
   • Use restock recommendations.
   • Maintain a supplier communication plan to prevent shortages.

Troubleshooting Checklist for Account Health Issues

When something goes wrong:

• Check the Account Health Dashboard for red or yellow alerts.
• Read all performance notifications in Seller Central.
• Gather invoices, receipts, or tracking numbers to prove compliance.
• Respond through Amazon’s messaging system clearly and professionally.
• Set a reminder to follow up if you don’t hear back within Amazon’s stated time frame.

Tools to Monitor Account Health Automatically

• Amazon’s Account Health Dashboard – Your first stop.
• Inventory Health Reports – Found under “Reports” in Seller Central.
• Restock Inventory Tool – Helps plan orders.
• Alerts via Email/Text – Turn on notifications so you don’t miss warnings.

Why Staying Healthy Pays Off

When your account is healthy, you unlock more storage space, reduce fees, and keep your listings active. You’ll sleep better at night knowing your income stream is safe. And when problems do pop up, you’ll be confident handling them before they escalate.

We’ve seen sellers go from near-suspension to thriving in just a few weeks—simply by implementing the checks we’ve outlined here.

Account health isn’t the “exciting” side of selling on Amazon… but it’s the foundation everything else is built on.

It’s like oxygen—when you have it, you barely think about it. Lose it, and it’s all you think about.

So build your weekly routine, take action early, and you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.

Quick-Action Recap

• Check Account Health weekly – Focus on IP complaints, ODR, and performance notifications.
• Maintain a strong IPI score – Keep sell-through high, inventory lean, and listings active.
• Avoid risky products – Stick with authorized wholesale sources.
• Respond fast – Amazon rewards quick resolution of issues.

Use Amazon’s tools – Automate monitoring to catch problems early.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve built an Amazon presence overseeing $40 million in sales. And today, thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), running a profitable business online is faster, easier, and more automated than ever before—even for complete beginners.

If you’re just starting out (or thinking about starting), you might feel overwhelmed by product research, supplier outreach, competition, pricing, and logistics. We get it. That’s why we put together this post: to show you how AI tools are making those hurdles easier to clear.

The best part? You don’t need tech skills, a big team, or years of experience to start taking action. You just need to use the right tools—and we’re about to show you five of our favorites.

Why AI Is a Game-Changer for Amazon Sellers

Before we get into our go-to tools, it’s important to understand why AI is such a big deal in the Amazon wholesale space.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) refers to software that can analyze data, make suggestions, and even automate parts of your business. Think of it like having a digital team member that works 24/7, never makes excuses, and costs a fraction of what a human hire would.

For wholesale sellers like us, AI helps:

• Cut research time in half
• Write emails and listings instantly
• Spot profitable products before others
• Analyze competition more accurately
• Streamline repetitive tasks

Let’s dive into the top 5 AI tools we personally use—and recommend to every new seller we coach.

1. Keepa AI Alerts

Estimated Cost: ~$20/month

Keepa is a powerful tool that tracks pricing history, sales rank, and more on Amazon products—but it’s the AI-powered alerts that really save time.

What It Does:

• Tracks pricing trends on specific products over time
• Sends you automatic alerts when a product drops into your ideal pricing window
• Highlights patterns like seasonal dips or sudden price spikes

Why It Matters:
Most new sellers waste hours manually checking if a product is “back in stock” or if the price dropped. Keepa does that for you. It helps you confidently jump on deals before competitors even notice.

Simple Use Case:
Set an alert for a product you’re watching. When it drops below a profitable price point, Keepa pings you—no more guesswork.

2. ChatGPT

Estimated Cost: Free (or $20/month for Pro version)

Yes, you’re reading a blog written by this very tool. ChatGPT is like your personal business assistant—only powered by AI.

What It Does:

• Writes professional supplier emails in seconds
• Refines outreach scripts that actually get responses
• Brainstorms profitable product categories
• Helps troubleshoot selling problems with smart suggestions

Why It Matters:
Writing emails, building scripts, and figuring out what to say to brands is one of the biggest hurdles for new sellers. With ChatGPT, you’re never starting from a blank page.

Simple Use Case:
Paste in a product you want to source. Ask ChatGPT to write an email to the brand that sounds professional and gets to the point. Done in 15 seconds.

3. Helium 10 Listing Analyzer

Estimated Cost: Part of Helium 10 Plans (~$39/month for Starter)

You don’t need to buy or sell every product that “seems” profitable. Helium 10’s Listing Analyzer uses AI to quickly determine whether you should compete—or skip.

What It Does:

• Grades the strength of current Amazon listings
• Shows how optimized (or weak) the current competition is
• Identifies easy wins and red flags before you spend a dime

Why It Matters:
Many new sellers pick products based on gut feeling. AI takes the emotion out of it and shows you data. This helps avoid costly mistakes.

Simple Use Case:
Drop an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) into the tool. Instantly see how strong the listing is and whether there’s room for you to compete and win.

4. Notion AI

Estimated Cost: Free plan with limited AI; ~$10/month for AI access

Running a wholesale business is more than just selling—it’s about organizing suppliers, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), product ideas, and tasks.

Notion AI is your smart workspace to keep it all clean and efficient.

What It Does:

• Writes out SOPs automatically from your notes
• Summarizes long documents or emails
  Helps structure to-do lists and plan weekly workflows
• Can even generate meeting summaries or business plans

Why It Matters:
When your business grows, so does the chaos. Notion keeps your operation smooth, whether you’re solo or scaling up.

Simple Use Case:
Type in “Create a supplier onboarding checklist,” and Notion AI will build one for you.

5. Jungle Scout Opportunity Finder

Estimated Cost: ~$49/month (Basic Plan)

Finding product opportunities is the lifeblood of wholesale—and Jungle Scout’s Opportunity Finder is like your AI-powered treasure map.

What It Does:

• Identifies fast-growing product categories with low competition
• Suggests hidden gems based on market trends
• Sorts opportunities by seasonality, demand, and competition level

Why It Matters:
New sellers often chase the same “popular” products, which leads to price wars. This tool helps you find overlooked winners faster.

Simple Use Case:
Input a few keywords like “pet supplies” or “kitchen gadgets.” The tool instantly shows underserved products with strong demand.

Why This Matters for New Sellers

Let’s be real: starting a wholesale business used to mean long nights, spreadsheets, and cold emails that went nowhere. But with today’s AI tools:

• Research is faster – you can find product data and opportunities in minutes
• Writing is easier – from emails to listings, AI writes like a pro
• Decisions are smarter – because data is easier to understand
• Operations are smoother – SOPs, reminders, and tasks are managed automatically
• Costs are lower – you don’t need to hire a VA or agency to do the work

Most importantly, you don’t need to know everything on Day 1. With the right tools, you can take real steps today—even if you’ve never sold a thing online.

Getting Started: The AI-Powered Seller’s Starter Plan

If we were starting from scratch right now, here’s exactly what we’d do:

1. Use Jungle Scout to uncover untapped product niches
2. Use Keepa to set alerts on products you want to track
3. Use ChatGPT to craft and send supplier outreach emails
4. Use Helium 10 to analyze competition and listing quality
5. Use Notion to build a daily action plan and organize contacts

That’s it. Five steps with five tools. You can literally get started tonight. No need to build a brand or invent a product. Just use data, tools, and proven strategy.

Summary – Top 5 AI Tools for Amazon Wholesale Success

• ✅ Keepa AI Alerts ($20/month) – Get notified when prices hit your targets
• ✅ ChatGPT (Free/$20/month) – Write emails, brainstorm ideas, and research smarter
• ✅ Helium 10 Listing Analyzer ($39/month+) – Assess competition before investing
• ✅ Notion AI (Free/$10/month) – Organize your entire business operations
• ✅ Jungle Scout Opportunity Finder ($49/month) – Find profitable product niches

Final Thoughts: AI Makes Ecommerce Easier Than Ever

What used to take weeks now takes minutes. And what used to feel overwhelming is now automatic.

The truth is, you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to get started. Tools like these don’t just save time, they build confidence. Every email you send, product you research, and step you take brings you closer to real results.

Over the last decade, we’ve sold over $40 million on Amazon. But if there’s one thing that trips up new sellers time and time again, it’s this:

They buy the wrong products.

It’s easy to get excited about a listing that looks profitable… only to realize too late that it barely sells, Amazon itself is your biggest competitor, or you’re just not going to make money.

That’s why we created a simple, reliable process for analyzing any Amazon listing before you buy a single unit of inventory. And today, we’re sharing that exact process with you.

Whether you’re brand new or looking to level up your ecommerce game, this post will give you the exact steps to evaluate a product like a pro—without fancy tools or confusing jargon.

Why Listing Analysis is Your #1 Skill

Too many sellers think success on Amazon starts with finding “hot products.”

It doesn’t.

It starts with understanding which listings are worth your money.

Amazon has millions of products. Your job isn’t to find the flashiest or trendiest ones—it’s to find the ones that give you a consistent, predictable profit with minimal headaches.

Our approach—what we call The Wholesale Formula—is built on data, not hype. And it starts with analyzing each ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) like a detective.

Here’s a quick and simple look at analyzing products. 

The ASIN Analysis Checklist

Before placing a single order, try out this simple five-point checklist. If the listing checks all five boxes, you’re in good shape to move forward.

1. Two or More FBA Sellers

You want proof that third-party sellers are already making money.

Look at the listing and check who’s selling the product. If there are at least two Fulfilled-by-Amazon (FBA) sellers, it’s a good sign.

Why it matters:
This shows the brand isn’t exclusive to just one seller and that other resellers have successfully gotten permission to sell.

How to check:
Scroll down to the “Other Sellers on Amazon” section, or use the “Buy Box” to click and see all offers.

Pro Tip: Avoid listings where only one third-party seller is active. That often means they have an exclusive agreement with the brand, the brand itself, or a private label seller.  

2. Buy Box Price of $14.95 or Higher

You’re here to make a profit, not pennies.

We recommend a minimum Buy Box price of $14.95. That gives you enough room for wholesale costs, Amazon fees, shipping, and a real profit margin.

Why $14.95?
Lower-priced items often carry the same Amazon fees as higher ones, but leave little room for margin.

What’s the Buy Box?
It’s the “Add to Cart” seller. If your price, stock, and performance align, you can rotate into it and make consistent sales.

3. No Amazon Retail Competing

This is huge.

If Amazon Retail is on the listing (and especially if they’re in the Buy Box), run.

They buy at rock-bottom prices directly from the manufacturer. You can’t beat them on price, and they rarely share the Buy Box.

How to tell:
On the seller list, look for “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.” That’s Amazon Retail. Not FBA. Not a third-party.

Pro Tip: If Amazon Retail is present, skip the listing. They dominate with low prices and rarely run out of stock.

4. At Least 40 Sales Per Month

You don’t want slow-moving inventory.

Aim for products that sell a minimum of 40 units/month. That’s just over 1 per day, enough to generate meaningful profit without excessive risk. With that minimum, we are willing to split sales with multiple FBA sellers starting out. 

How to check sales volume:

• Use Keepa (free version works!)
• Look at total reviews as a proxy—more reviews = more sales
• Look at rank history in Keepa’s “Sales Rank” graph—if it’s spiking regularly, sales are happening.

Pro Tip: If the sales rank is flat and high (e.g., above 100,000 in most categories), it’s probably not selling fast enough.

5. US-Based Brands Only (at First)

When you’re just getting started, stick to American brands sold by US companies.

No overseas buying. No risky suppliers.

Why this works:

• Easier communication
• Faster, cheaper shipping
• Safer legal protections
• Better chance of building real wholesale relationships

How to check:

• Google the brand name
• Visit their website
• Make sure they list a U.S. address or distribution

Pro Tip: Skip brands that are private label, generic, or clearly sourced from overseas (especially Chinese marketplaces). They’re often off-limits for new sellers.

Tools That Help You Analyze

You don’t need to spend money on expensive software. But a few free tools go a long way.

 Keepa (Free Version)

We recommend installing Keepa as your first browser extension. It adds sales rank and price history charts directly to Amazon listings.

Here’s what to look for:

• A consistent Sales Rank graph (spikes down = sales happening)
• A stable Buy Box price (no huge swings or undercutting)
• A product that stays in stock across sellers without crashing the price

Want to see Keepa in action? Check out our free training where we break it down in real time.

Download Our ASIN Analysis Cheat Sheet

We created a simple one-pager that walks you through the steps above for every listing you analyze.