Introduction
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably purchased a ton of products on Amazon. But did you know that you could actually get paid to review the products you’ve bought? I’m not talking about posting reviews on YouTube, TikTok, or other social media platforms. This is a completely different way to earn money by reviewing Amazon products. When I first heard about this online, I was skeptical—it seemed too good to be true. However, it is legitimate. In fact, some people are making up to $10,000 a month just by reviewing their Amazon purchases. So, how does it work? Let’s take a closer look.
Two Main Amazon Affiliate Programs
There are two primary ways you can earn money through Amazon’s affiliate programs: the Amazon Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. While they are similar, there are some key differences between them.
Amazon Associates (Affiliate) Program
The Amazon Associates program is typically associated with website owners, bloggers, and YouTubers. The great thing about this program is that there are virtually no requirements to get started. All you need is a website, blog, or YouTube account to sign up, and you can get approved almost immediately.
Once approved, you can generate specific affiliate links for any product on Amazon. Simply choose the product you want to recommend, create your affiliate link, and post it on your website, blog, or YouTube channel. When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a small commission. There’s no minimum requirement for participation, meaning even if only two people visit your blog and make a purchase, you can still earn a commission. To stay in the program, you typically need at least three purchases within 180 days, which is a very low barrier to entry.
This program is an excellent way for anyone new to affiliate marketing to start earning commissions with minimal effort.
Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is geared towards content creators who have a presence on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. To sign up, you need to link your social media account, and Amazon will review your engagement and follower count to approve your application. Surprisingly, there is no specific requirement for the number of followers or engagement rate. For example, I saw a video of someone with only 114 TikTok followers getting approved.
Once accepted into the program, you can create an Amazon storefront. This storefront serves as a centralized hub where you curate and recommend products you love and use daily. On your storefront, you can post videos, create lists of recommended products, and upload shoppable pictures that link directly to specific products.
How to Get Paid for Reviews
The main way to earn money through the Amazon Influencer Program is by creating product reviews. Here’s how it works:
- Create a Review: Purchase a product from Amazon—or even use one you already own—and create a review. The review can be a video between 10 seconds to 60 minutes, showcasing how you use the product and sharing your honest opinions.
- Upload to Your Storefront: Upload your review to your Amazon storefront. Amazon will conduct a secondary review to ensure the video meets their standards for inclusion on product pages.
- Earn Commissions: When potential buyers view your review video on an Amazon product page and decide to purchase the product, you earn a commission on that sale. Unlike traditional affiliate links, your reviews are directly integrated into the product pages, increasing the likelihood of earning commissions from purchases made by viewers.
Strategic Approaches to Maximize Earnings
Successful reviewers often use strategic methods to maximize their earnings:
- Use Extensions and Tools: Utilize browser extensions and other tools to identify high-potential products that are likely to sell well.
- Selective Purchasing: Purchase products specifically to review, ensuring you can break even and then profit from commissions.
- Diverse Product Range: Review a variety of products, from inexpensive items like Halloween decorations to more costly ones, to attract a broader audience.
Commissions might seem small, ranging from a few cents to a few dollars per sale, but they can add up significantly over time. With consistent effort and strategic product selection, earning $10,000 or even $20,000 a month is achievable.
How to Market Your Reviews
To maximize your earnings, it’s essential to promote your reviews across various platforms:
- Social Media: Share your reviews on your social media accounts, including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
- Storefront Integration: Ensure your Amazon storefront is updated regularly with new reviews and recommendations.
- Additional Promotion: Post your reviews on relevant forums, blogs, or other online communities to drive more traffic to your storefront.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to start earning money by reviewing Amazon products, here’s how to begin:
- Sign Up for the Program: Whether you choose the Associates Program or the Influencer Program, start by signing up through the respective Amazon page. Links to these programs are typically available in the description of relevant YouTube videos or blog posts.
- Choose Products to Review: Start by selecting products you already own or purchase new ones that you believe will resonate with your audience.
- Create Engaging Reviews: Focus on creating engaging, honest, and informative reviews that showcase the product’s features and benefits.
- Promote Your Reviews: Share your reviews across multiple platforms to increase visibility and drive traffic to your Amazon storefront or affiliate links.
Conclusion
Earning money by reviewing Amazon products is a legitimate and potentially lucrative opportunity. Whether you choose the Amazon Associates Program or the Influencer Program, there are various ways to monetize your product reviews. By strategically selecting products, creating high-quality reviews, and effectively promoting them, you can build a substantial income stream from your Amazon purchases. Start today by signing up for the program, choosing your first product, and creating your first review. With persistence and strategic effort, you could be on your way to earning significant monthly income from product reviews.