Is the Amazon Influencer Program worth it?
Want to make extra money while the kids are at school? Need to save for an upcoming vacation? Say hello to the Amazon Influencer Program. Today, 37% of Amazon’s traffic is driven by influencers. That’s a lot of eyes and ears!
But, for the influencers themselves, is it worth it? As always, I went digging for the answers. Spoiler: Don’t bank on it.
Get with the program
In 2017, Amazon started paying folks to promote products through social media, newsletters, you name it. Today, lots of those same people get paid for videos posted directly to Amazon.
Not just anyone can do this. If you want in, you must submit your social media accounts and create and submit three test videos. Once Amazon gives you the green light, you can start earning commissions when someone buys based on your videos.
Amazon encourages influencers on the platform to be honest in their videos and share their opinions — good or bad. (But … who is going to be super negative when they’re trying to sell stuff?)
Shake your moneymaker
While her kids are at school, one woman told the Wall Street Journal that she uses the Amazon app to scan items around her house. She’ll create and upload a promotional video if they’re for sale on the site. So far, she’s done hundreds.
Another mom of two school-aged kids makes up to $1,500 a month. She earned most of her money during the Christmas season — many of her commissions came from toy-related videos.
That kind of money is also based on a little luck. Amazon placed one of her vids about a hair straightener at the top of the product page, earning her up to 10 daily commissions.
But here’s the twist
While there are success stories, the Amazon Influencer Program is far from perfect. Here are some things to consider before diving in:
Running out of products is real: At first, you may find it easy to review stuff you already have around the house. That well eventually runs dry and you’ll have to switch strategies.
Some resort to only buying clothes from Amazon. Others make deals with sellers to get items sent to them for free in exchange for the review. Ahem, feels shady. Others hit the grocery store and scan the shelves for items listed on Amazon.
Bottom line: It’s a time-consuming hustle.
Worth the effort? Most categories earn 3% to 4% in commissions. Factoring in the time it takes to source and review products, you’ll probably make more money working at the closest fast-food joint.
It’s also worth mentioning the most successful Amazon influencers sell “how-to” courses to help others get started. Yes, they make $100 to $300 a pop, telling you how to make money.
Amazon’s in control: Amazon can change its rules and algorithms anytime. That could mean wildly variable earnings and an unstable income. No thanks.
You can also get booted from the platform, even if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. Word to the wise: I wouldn’t hedge all my bets on Amazon reviews.
The bottom line
One of the women in the Washington Post story has filmed 2,200 videos and made $14,000. Let’s do the math. That’s under $6.50 per video!
There’s no way she takes less than 20 minutes to do all the legwork, editing and posting. McDonald’s pays up to $21 an hour to work the window, just sayin’.
🥊 Did you hear Mike Tyson just got a job at Amazon? He really wanted to be a professional boxer again.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: Amazon, Amazon app, extra money, influencers, newsletters, social media
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