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Overview
- What is the Amazon Influencer Program and how does it work?
- The exact tools and tactics you need to be profitable
- Key insights for success based on Jared’s experience
It’s no secret that the industry has been struggling for nearly a year now following the HCU. And it’s been particularly difficult for beginners to get started, as established sites have been dominating search results.
So the question everyone’s asking is what future-proof tactics should beginners actually be doing in 2024? (That isn’t spammy or potentially illegal.)
In this episode, we chat to Jared Bauman, co-host of the Niche Pursuits podcast, about the game-changing way he made an impressive $40k in only a few months, without driving traffic, showing his face, or spending a dime: the Amazon Influencer Program.
A special thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Digital PR Agency Search Intelligence.
Amazon Influencer Program Overview
- Users create short video reviews of products sold on Amazon.
- Amazon embeds these videos on their product pages to improve product sales.
- Creators earn commissions similarly to the Amazon Associates program, but without needing to drive external traffic to Amazon themselves.
Key Benefits
- No traffic generation needed. Amazon handles the traffic; you simply create the content.
- Super accessible. Quick, simple videos shot with a smartphone are sufficient.
- Low time investment. Each video only takes about 7-8 minutes to create.
Jared’s Experience
Timeline & Earnings
Jared started the Amazon Influencer Program around May 2023. After posting 200 videos in the first month, he was earning around $1,000, which had grown to $2,000-$3,000 on average in the first few months, and peaked at around $4,000 during the typical holiday-season spikes in November and December.
His first year breakdown looked something like this:
- First 6 months: 1,000 videos
- First 12 months: 1,200 videos
- Weekly time investment: Around 4.5 hours
What You’ll Need
A Smartphone is all you need for video creation. But there are a few options available if you want to go that extra step, for example:
- Tripods or neck mounts for stable, hands-free recording.
- Wireless microphones for better sound quality.
Most videos are one-take – no editing required. But you can use tools like CapCut for quick edits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Suitable for beginners due to its simplicity and low entry barriers.
- Quick earnings. Start making money within days.
- Easy production. Smartphone videos are sufficient, no need to create fancy edited videos.
- No need to show your face.
Cons
- High volume needed: Substantial earnings require a high volume of videos.
- Traffic dependency: Heavy reliance on Amazon’s own traffic introduces some risks.
Key Insights & Strategies for Success
- Ensure your first three videos are high quality so you don’t get rejected from the program. Use platforms like TikTok or Instagram to build engagement for program qualification.
- No need to buy products to review, just use everyday household items you already have. But focus more on high-priced items – you’ll get lower return rates and better commissions. Stay updated on Amazon’s market trends and algorithm changes to maintain success.
- It’s essential to produce a high volume of quality videos to sustain earnings. Develop a streamlined video creation process to maintain a high return on investment (ROI).
- Preemptively optimize your content creation calendar for seasonal trends and major holidays. Regular uploads that are aligned with seasonal demand will increase your visibility and earnings.
- As more people join, the competition may increase, but the current opportunity remains strong. Even if the program saturates, the video creation skills you’ll gain will be invaluable for future ventures.