How to Succeed with the Amazon Influencer Program:
The Amazon Influencer Program is one of my favorite opportunities. Though I’m not making tens of thousands of dollars like most gurus that you see on YouTube videos, however, I’m happy to say that my best month so far has been $1,171.55 this last May. Not bad for a minimalist, introvert with a few old, and cheap things lying around my apartment. Did I mention I started this program at the end of this last February (2023 at the time I’m writing this).
I recently stumbled across this program, like most people and maybe you, watching YouTube videos. The guy in the video said something about how new people were making $100s of dollars a day by making simple videos. I originally ignored the video since I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to a lot of things in regards to making easy money online. However, this program was through Amazon, they’re a pretty BIG company if you don’t know, so I figured I’d give it a try.
How To Get Started:
Getting approved to the program is the first thing you’ll need to do. TikTok is the platform I used to get approved. Fortunately, I have a TikTok account with around 30,000 subscribers. This is what I submitted even though it’s been months since I’ve posted on that account. I was accepted from the first phase immediately after submitting that and now all I needed to do was submit review videos.
You might not have 30,000 followers on your account like I did, but no need to worry. I got you covered. The first myth we need to dispel is that you need a massive follower count to get approved for the Amazon Influencer Program. While having a substantial following helps, what really matters is engagement and audience interaction. Amazon values influencers who can effectively connect with their audience and drive product engagement.
Choose Your Platform: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram
I may have used TikTok, but to become an Amazon influencer, but you have four platforms to choose from: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Each platform has its strengths. You might already have an established account on one of these platforms. If so, then use that, but if you’re just starting, then TikTok is what I recommend. Why? Because it worked for me. Also, it’s easier to gain engagement quickly on TikTok. The platform’s algorithm can catapult your content to a wider audience if your videos resonate with viewers. This is easy to do. Let me explain.
Videos that ask viewers to name a popular song, answer an engaging question, as well as anything else that gets people to interact can enhance your chances of getting approved. No need to get creative here. Model what already works. You can find videos to model by simply scrolling through your feed and creating similar videos. Remember, you want to model these videos. NOT copy them. Another option for creating engaging content is to use Open AI (Chat GPT). This robot can help you come up with some simple engaging questions.
After you create these videos. Make sure that you stay consistent. Post, monitor your engagement, keep posting, and eventually apply for the Influencer Program. I don’t have any specifics for this since I’ve heard of some people getting approved with less than 100 followers. This isn’t something I specifically know. There’s a lot of speculation on this. I suggest you use your best judgment here. As long as it looks like you have a good amount of people commenting, and liking your posts then it might be worth it to apply for the program.
Showcase Amazon Products in Your Videos
After you’re approved from the first phase, you’ll need to demonstrate your commitment to the program by uploading at least three videos that showcase Amazon products. These videos can be reviews of products you already own, they can belong to friends or family, and you can purchase items specifically for this. These products also don’t need to have been purchased from Amazon. Amazon sells everything so there’s a good chance you already own a few things that are on the platform. If you own a smartphone, like most people, you can literally scan products through the app to see if the products you’re thinking of reviewing are on Amazon.
Creating Captivating Thumbnails
Your video’s thumbnail is the first thing potential viewers see, so it must be attention-grabbing. Create custom thumbnails that clearly convey what your video is about and pique curiosity. Use bold text, vibrant colors (yellow, red, lime green are good ones), and high-quality images to make your thumbnails stand out. I like to use a free app called Canva for this. No need to overthink this.
I’ve heard from some people that the thumbnail is important and I’ve heard from other people that it isn’t that important. People are making money with the program either way. This is what I do. I take a picture of the product with my phone, add it in Canva, write the name of the product above, and have an arrow pointing at it. It takes me less than 10 seconds.
Scaling Your Income: The Art of Product Category Selection
Now that you’re approved and creating engaging content, it’s time to scale your income. Choosing the right product categories to review is crucial. I like to use a spreadsheet to track potential product categories. This method helps me to stay organized and strategic in my product choices.
I’ve noticed electronics have the lowest commission rates with the most competition. I still upload them since I have these around my apartment, but keep that in mind. I’ve also noticed that certain household goods like lights, towels, bedding don’t have as much competition and have some of the highest commission rates. Commission rates average from 2-4% per product.
You can check the commission rates on their website here:
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/GRXPHT8U84RAYDXZ
Other Criteria for a Great Product
I like to look for products that have had at least 3 reviews within the last week. Some products have thousands of reviews either because they’re seasonal or they’re really old. Be careful with this. The reviews will tell you everything you’ll need to know. Amazon will also show how many times an item has sold in the last month on listings. Paid tools like Jungle Scout, and Alura are also very helpful. I think Alura also has a free version that’s helpful. Fortunately, I paid for a lifetime subscription for Jungle Scout years ago so I don’t use Alura.
Understanding Video Slot Competition
Success in the Amazon Influencer Program isn’t just about making videos; it’s about making videos that perform well. There’s competition for video slots on product pages, and your video’s performance relative to others matters. Aim for products with less than six influencer videos to increase your chances of visibility. There’s also videos at the bottom of product pages. Keep an eye on brands that allow influencer videos and focus on products with at least one existing influencer video.
My Personal Amazon Influencer Program Video Script
The way I script my videos is I’ll quickly introduce myself. Afterwards, I’ll say a little bit about the product. You can find things to talk about on the product pages, and in the review section for the actual product. Then finish with a simple “I’m glad I got this, and thanks for watching”. You can use other influencer videos to model.
Do NOT say “Buy this”, “Get This”, “I recommend this”, try to direct people to your social media profiles, provide any sort of call to action. Amazon doesn’t like people trying to promote or direct people off of their platform. You can ready more about their guidelines here: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=21423477011
I like to edit my videos on a free app called CapCut. This isn’t necessary. A short quick, straight to the point video helps. I find that the shorter the video is the better. People are on the platform to buy. They’re not there to watch a full cinema movie. These don’t need to be the best videos. The important part is that they help the user and they’re longer than 30 seconds.
The Power of Seasonal Items For The Amazon Influencer Program
Seasonal items can be a goldmine for Amazon influencers. I’ve seen someone make $22,000 during the Christmas season by selling Christmas trees. Then air conditioners were one of my best selling products during the summer. Think about events like Christmas, New Year, or specific seasons like summer or winter. These moments drive high demand, making them ideal opportunities to boost your earnings.
Avoiding Pitfalls: Don’t Game the Amazon Influencer Program System
While the Amazon Influencer Program offers great earning potential, there are some ethical guidelines to follow. Avoid the temptation to buy products with the intention of returning them. Amazon tracks such behavior, and excessive returns could lead to account penalties. Instead, focus on honest and ethical practices in your influencer journey.
Diversify Your Income Streams With The Amazon Influencer Program
As you grow, you’ll find that sellers might offer you products for free in exchange for reviews. This is a great way to diversify your income streams. However, be transparent about any compensation received and disclose it in your videos to maintain trust with your audience. Some vendors will offer you a free product in exchange for a review. However, they want you to buy the product and leave the review first. Don’t work with them. It’s against Amazon’s terms to do this.
Charge for Your Amazon Influencer Program Services
Once you’ve established yourself as a trusted influencer, you can start charging sellers for video reviews. This can be particularly lucrative for low-cost items. Sellers often struggle to find influencers willing to review affordable products, creating an opportunity for you to monetize your influence. I’ve found $30-$50 to be a good price point for this. Many vendors will come to me on a monthly basis to have me review their products.
Multiple Videos, One Product Page
Did you know that you can have multiple videos on a single product page? Each video can offer a different perspective or type of content. This means you can maximize your visibility and potential earnings by exploring various angles for the same product.
Keep Your Content Fresh: The Recency Advantage
Finally, if you notice a video losing visibility, don’t hesitate to delete and re-upload it. Amazon values recency, so a fresh upload can breathe new life into your content and boost your rankings.
My Final Thoughts On The Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program offers a lucrative side hustle opportunity if you’re willing to put in the effort. By focusing on engagement, selecting the right products, and understanding video slot competition, you can build a thriving semi passive income.
I’ve uploaded about 270 videos since I started. I’m not buying products anymore. Most of what I upload now is given to me by product venders or I’ll buy something I would get anyway. Then I record a quick video and upload it. Hence, probably why I’m not making tens of thousands of dollars a month with this. Regardless, I’ve still made a total of $5,305.98 since I started the program in late February. Not to mention the commissions I’ve received from recording review videos along with all of the free products.
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