INSIDE: Looking for another way to supplement your income through your influence? The Amazon Influencer Program is the perfect solution! Learn what it is, how it works, and most importantly how do Amazon influencers make money.
Many people looking for flexible, fun online jobs often find themselves drawn to some of the more social opportunities to make money on the internet. We’ve all heard of people making big bucks on YouTube, Instagram and even Facebook. But how?
In recent years, we have seen companies pay big bucks for “influence.” In the simplest of terms, brands are looking for people who have engaged online followings with followers who often take their advice – especially when it comes to making online purchases.
With Amazon being the top e-commerce platform in the U.S., it’s only natural they would look to capitalize on this influence as well.
In 2017, they created the Amazon Influencer Program. Let’s look at what it is and how to make money with the Amazon Influencer Program.
What is an Amazon influencer?
While there is always an interest in remote Amazon job opportunities, Amazon’s affiliate marketing program offers several possibilities as well. The Amazon Influencer Program is one of them, and one I have had some success with myself.
The Influencer Program is an extension of the Amazon Associate Program, their affiliate program. While Amazon Associates, or affiliates, typically have their own websites on which they promote Amazon products in hopes of earning a commission, Influencers curate “Storefronts” which live on the Amazon website.
The Influencer can then simply link to their Store when recommending a product as opposed to having to link to individual products which can become cumbersome on social media.
This single URL can be shared almost anywhere; social media, a blog, in a YouTube description, even in email which is prohibited with the standard Associates Program. It’s the key to answering the question, how do Amazon influencers make money.
What are the requirements to become an Amazon influencer?
Amazon considers a social media Influencer anyone with a “meaningful” social media following. They aren’t looking for spammers. They are looking for those actively engaging their audiences.
When it comes to what platforms you can be on to be considered for this program, Amazon is pretty open. They will consider influencers on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
What are the typical earnings for Amazon influencers?
You aren’t likely to get rich with the Amazon Influencer Program. Most participants report earning anywhere from a few dollars to over $1,000 per month. As with all affiliate marketing, you need to promote your storefront and you need a following who trusts your opinion. You need influence.
Also see: How to make money writing reviews on Amazon
How Do Amazon Influencers make money?
How do Amazon influencers make money? Well, it’s really just an affiliate program.
The commission structure is the same as the Associates program. You can also receive Bounties if your followers sign up for qualified programs like Prime or Audible.
The payout will be included with your monthly Amazon affiliate payment. You will be able to see a breakdown of earnings in your Associates dashboard.
How to become an Amazon influencer
If you are interested in this program, you will need to apply here. Amazon keeps under wraps the minimum number of followers required, but they do take into account engagement and other metrics in addition to number of followers.
Don’t be discouraged if you are turned down the first time. You can reapply as your following grows.If you apply with YouTube or Twitter and qualify, you may receive instant approval.
Also see: How to become an Amazon Vine reviewer
How to make money with the Amazon Influencer Program?
Once approved, you will be able to customize your URL. You will want to choose something short and memorable. This will allow you to easily point people to your storefront when sharing an affiliate link isn’t possible, such as during a YouTube video.
You can then start adding products directly into your Amazon storefront or while visiting Amazon as you would a customer. You’ll find the option where you would normally add products to your Wish List.
It can be helpful to both you and your followers to organize products into “Idea Lists.” Depending on your niche, you may have an Idea List for kitchen tools, Christmas gifts or home office supplies.
Tips for Promoting Idea Lists as an Amazon Influencer
In order to truly know how to make money with the Amazon Influencer Program, you need to promote it.
Amazon offers some really simple tips to making the most your Idea Lists as an Influencer:
- Keep your List themes narrow, but not too narrow. Your Lists should ultimately include 5 to 25 relevant products.
- Include a range of prices to accommodate different budgets.
- Use clear and compelling titles and descriptions.
- Keep things organized.
- Only include products you can stand behind.
- Add comments telling people why you like a product.
- Make Idea Lists for both evergreen and seasonal or trending topics.
- Develop a plan for promotion.
Consider your everyday life along with how you are using your social media platform. What products do you love that may make your followers’ lives easier or more fulfilling? What recommendations can you offer that relate to recent discussions or questions asked by your target audience?
8 Ways to Promote Your Amazon Store
This is just a short list to get your wheels turning:
- Add the link to your Bio or About section
- Include your link when mentioning products on your Lists
- Create a Facebook or Instagram Story about a favorite product
- Add the link to your YouTube descriptions
- Include links to specific products mentioned within your videos
- Tweet it
- If you have a blog or website, link to your store in your menu or within posts and pages where appropriate
- If you have an email newsletter, include the link to your Amazon Influencer Storefront as a P.S.
Just because we’ve answered the question, “how do Amazon influencers make money?” you do need to understand that as with any type of affiliate marketing, Amazon influencer marketing requires consistency, honesty and promotion.
Amazon online jobs are legit, but just because you add products to your Amazon Influencer storefront doesn’t mean anyone is going to see them unless you are actively promoting it.
Amazon isn’t going to do that for you. You will need to talk about your recommendations on social media and direct people to your storefront to buy them.
The Amazon Influencer Program is certainly a great way to make money online. But don’t forget, anytime you are receiving, or may receive, compensation for a recommendation, you need to disclose that. Depending on the social media platform, you may also need to use a platform-level disclosure. You can read more about disclosures on the FTC website.
Interested in making money with social media? Check out this post on YouTube monetization.
–By Angie Nelson
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