TL; DR: In this blog, we explain what the Amazon influencer program is and how creators can earn a passive income through it.
Being a full-time influencer isn’t as glamorous as it seems. Behind the edited photos and perfectly synced videos, there are moments of self-doubt, uncertainty, and loneliness. It can also be financially challenging at times.
No, we are not trying to ruin your plans to be the next fashion influencer. We are calling a spade a spade. There is, of course, a light at the end of the tunnel.
Brand collaborations aren’t the only way to make money. You can host workshops, create courses, or you could use the Amazon Influencer Program.
Wait, but isn’t there already an Amazon Affiliates Program?
So, how is this any different?
That’s what we’re here to tell you today.
Difference between Amazon Affiliate vs Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is the more mature and developed form of the Amazon Affiliate Program.
- Amazon doesn’t gatekeep who uses their Affiliate Program. There are a few checks that Amazon makes, but almost anyone can get an affiliate link and start promoting it.
- The Amazon Influencer Program is a bit more nuanced than that. It’s reserved specifically for influencers. To participate in the Amazon Influencer Program:
- You need an audience. It can be on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or even Snapchat. Twitter was in their qualifying criteria, but that stands removed as of now.
- The number of followers you need isn’t specified, but the qualifying number stands at 20,000 followers.
The powers that be then check your engagement rates and all other required metrics. If you meet the criteria (which are still in grey), you are on your way to becoming an Amazon Influencer! Although it might take a few days to get approval.
A little side note: as we mention countless times on our blogs, the number of followers doesn’t really matter much. Amazon has said that they will accept micro and nano influencers too if they have respectable engagement rates. So don’t hold yourself back from applying to the program if you think you fit the bill.
Why should you participate in the program?
Every Amazon influencer has to build an Amazon storefront.
What is that you may ask?
An Amazon Storefront is your virtual store where you can list multiple products. Every time an item is sold through your store, you get a commission. Basically, you get to earn more.
How much money can you make on commissions from the Amazon Influencer program?
The commission varies from product to product. The rate can be as low as 1% per item or as high as 10% per item.
Amazon’s own brand products have a higher commission, while others will be lower. Amazon also has a comprehensive guide to the kinds of commissions you can make for different categories.
What to do after you become an Amazon influencer?
Once you set up your virtual shopfront, all you need to do is provide your banking details, and you are set.
- Now you can share your Amazon storefront link on your social media accounts and promote it to your community.
- If a follower clicks on the link, they are redirected to your Amazon store.
- If they buy a product, you get a commission for it.
- If you hit the minimum threshold set by Amazon, you can withdraw money through direct bank deposits or Amazon coupons.
How to make more money with the Amazon Influencer Program?
The golden rule to making money from the Amazon Influencer Program is to add items to your Amazon shop that you personally use or plan to.
Give genuine recommendations to others. That’s the whole premise of being an influencer, right?
Now comes the real influencing and generating sales part. Your aim is to convert your followers into sales. You can do it actively or passively.
- To promote your Amazon store passively, add your custom link to your blog and social media bios.
- Put the link on your Facebook option that says “Shop Now” if you have a following on Facebook.
- To promote your Amazon store more actively, make use of groups on Facebook.
- Post the store link in niche groups and places where you think it will generate more attention.
- Try to post in communities where you are actually active and have already established trust.
- On Instagram, add it Stories.
- Start creating content consistently around the products in the storefront.
- Tell your audience why you recommend them.
- For instance, on YouTube videos, add links to any products you show or speak about. Explicitly inform viewers that they can shop for the item by clicking on the link in the description box.
Finally, keep track of your sales. Every week, you will receive a detailed report detailing which items in your Amazon shop are generating the most revenue. Based on that, add, remove, and prioritise items and see passive income roll in with the Amazon Influencer Program!
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