Influencer marketing is still a relatively new concept but it is growing faster than anyone could have expected. With over 70% of business-to-consumer brands engaging in the practice, it reached a global market size of over $21 billion by 2023. Companies in just about every niche have jumped on the influencer bandwagon, and that includes the online retail giant Amazon.
On that note, if you’re thinking about joining the Amazon Influencer Program yourself to generate extra income, it can be a great choice. Unlike the Amazon Associates Program, which only provides links for commissions, the influencer program empowers you to curate your own storefront. You’ll be able to create videos, generate your own traffic, and (most importantly) earn commissions.
With that in mind, here is our complete guide to help you master the ins and outs of the Amazon Influencer Program and unlock new revenue streams in the process.
Understanding the Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is the ecommerce titan’s invite-only affiliate program for creators, offering tailored features like personalized storefronts and a unique rewards system. Unlike typical affiliate programs, it enables users to build curated Amazon storefronts, share shoppable videos, and earn commissions on every sale.
The program has become so popular for a variety of reasons. For starters, a sizable 69% of consumers trust influencer recommendations, and by capitalizing on that trend, Amazon influencers are able to sway consumer purchasing decisions that earn them a solid commission.
On top of that, you aren’t limited to posting content solely on the Amazon site, either. You can start your own YouTube channel, post video reviews on social media, and connect with new customers on your terms.
Above all, though, one of the most unique aspects of the Amazon Influencer Program is its Creator Stars initiative, which incentivizes you to grow your presence by leveraging a tier-based reward system.
To join Creator Stars, you’ll need an active presence on one or more social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. While follower count is a factor, other engagement metrics like comments and shares play a crucial role in determining eligibility as well.
Ultimately, Amazon looks for creators with a loyal audience who actively engage with your content. The stronger your audience, the better your odds of being accepted.
Amazon Affiliate (Associates) Program vs Amazon Influencer Program
Alongside its influencer program, Amazon also runs an affiliate program that is less restrictive overall.
Here’s a quick rundown of the details of the affiliate program so you can weigh your options:
- It is open to all who apply, regardless of follower count
- Users earn a commission by sharing product links on any platform
- Simply promotes Amazon products through unique affiliate links, not a dedicated storefront
- Ideal for bloggers or website owners who want to monetize written content with Amazon product links
While you can share affiliate links on your social media channels, the Amazon Affiliate Program is most beneficial if you have your own site or blog.
Other Affiliate Programs
While on the topic of affiliate programs, let’s take a quick look at a few popular programs that you may want to join instead of (or in addition to) the Amazon Influencer Program:
Of course, shining a light on these options is not a means of overshadowing the Amazon Influencer Program. It offers virtually limitless possibilities to create content and earn. It’s just that some may find affiliate programs to be a little easier to get started with due to their lower barrier to entry and simple structure.
Nevertheless, you should definitely explore the Amazon Influencer Program if you have a knack for creating engaging social media posts and want to maximize your earning potential.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Process
Not anyone can create an influencer account on Amazon. You have to apply for an influencer Amazon account, which involves the following process:
Fill Out Your Application
Applying for the Amazon Influencer Program is straightforward. Simply head to Amazon’s sign-up page and complete the application process. You’ll be prompted to select your main social platform for review, so choose the one where you have the most influence.
Amazon evaluates applications based on the following factors:
- Follower count
- Engagement rate
- Content relevance
As such, you’ll want to ensure your profile is active and generates consistent engagement. Common reasons for rejection include low engagement or insufficient followers, but you can reapply at any time.
Amazon isn’t transparent about the approval process, so don’t expect to find any hard numbers regarding engagement rates or follower counts. Just apply and wait for a response.
Set Up Your Presence
Once you become an Amazon influencer, it’s time to create your Amazon storefront, a digital space where you can organize product pages and highlight goods based on category. Amazon offers a slew of customization options to make your storefront visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Just make sure you create a logical product category for each niche you are interested in. For example, you could create Amazon product pages like “Kitchen Essentials” or “Travel Must-Haves.” Use high-quality images for headers and icons to grab consumers’ attention.
Video Content Requirements
Amazon requires you to submit three initial videos to kickstart your account. These videos can be positive reviews, product explainers, or general content that welcomes people to your store. These videos help Amazon assess your content quality and are essential for gaining “shoppable video” status.
Shoppable videos are those that appear directly on product pages and offer the potential for high conversions. Follow Amazon’s guidelines closely to ensure your videos meet length, quality, and content requirements. Once approved, you can continue to create these videos to populate your storefront and get more products sold.
Monetization Strategies
Knowing how to make money as an Amazon Influencer comes down to a selection of options and angles, which are as follows:
Commission Structure
Amazon Influencer Program participants follow the same commission structure as members of the Associates Program. Fixed commission rates vary by category, ranging from 1% to 20%.
Amazon Games has the highest commission rate at 20%. Physical video games, consoles, health and personal care items, and grocery items have the lowest commission rate at just 1%.
Physical books, automotive supplies, kitchen equipment, and Amazon devices are some of the most popular items for influencers because they pay between 4 and 4.5% commission, offering a good return on efforts while appealing to a wide audience.
Creator Stars Tier Benefits
There are four Creator Star tiers. Upon being accepted into the program, you will reach Bronze status, unlocking access to the following perks:
- Content placement across Amazon
- Access to Creator Connections Affiliate+ brand partnerships
- Bronze access to large shopping events
- Access to the Private Brands Handbook
Once you earn 50 points, you will be promoted to Silver status and unlock more perks, such as:
- Free Kindle Vella stories
- Early deals from private brands
- Silver access to large shopping events
Gold status requires you to rack up 250 points, but by doing so, you can earn even more perks, like:
- Amazon private brands promo codes
- Gold access to large shopping events
The top tier is Platinum, and it has a lofty goal of 1,000 points. As a Platinum-level creator, you will have access to the following:
- Seasonal gift boxes
- Platinum admission to large shopping events
- Creator event invites
- Chance to design an exclusive color for an existing style in Amazon Essentials or Basics
- Photoshoot for Amazon Private Brands Handbook and Creator Picks
Reaching Platinum status will take a lot of time and effort, but it will also expose you to thousands of potential customers, potentially kicking your earning ability into overdrive.
Revenue Streams
You can monetize your presence through multiple revenue streams as an Amazon Influencer, such as:
- Shoppable Videos: Appear directly on product pages and can convert quickly
- Storefront Sales: Each product purchased through your storefront earns you a commission
- Special Promotions: Amazon partners with influencers for seasonal campaigns and special events
- Direct Brand Partnerships: Many brands look for influencers to spotlight their products
Taking advantage of all of these revenue streams will maximize your earning potential.
Content Creation Best Practices
Being an influencer is all about creating amazing content that drives sales. Here are some tips to help you win at content creation:
Lead With Video
While you can use images and text-focused posts to connect with your audience, video content is by far the most dynamic and engaging option. Make sure you choose items that both align with your brand and resonate with your audience, in addition to focusing on products that you are genuinely interested in and excited to talk about. If you aren’t excited about talking about a product, your audience won’t be excited to buy it.
After you’ve chosen the right products, use clear, engaging visuals, speak directly to your audience, and be yourself. Don’t come off as pushy.
Check out YouTuber Laura Lee’s video below for a great example of strong video content.
Optimize Your Storefront
Your Amazon storefront should be well-organized to drive sales, so divide your product lineup into categories based on themes. Curate products with your audience’s interests in mind and update your storefront seasonally to stay relevant. Highlighting limited-time deals or new additions keeps your storefront fresh and encourages repeat visits.
Advanced Growth Tactics
After you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced strategies can take your growth to the next level:
Cross-Platform Promotions
Leveraging your social media platforms to promote your Amazon storefront is essential for growth. Link to your storefront in your social media bios and create content that encourages your followers to check out your Amazon recommendations.
Content repurposing is another smart move. A video created for YouTube, for instance, can be edited into short clips for Instagram or TikTok, maximizing your reach without requiring much extra effort.
Tracking Your Performance and Optimize
Tracking your performance metrics is key to refining your strategy. Amazon provides insights into metrics like clicks, conversions, and commissions, so use these analytics to identify top-performing products and adjust your approach based on what resonates with your audience. Optimization is an ongoing process, so regularly review your metrics and experiment with different products, video styles, or storefront arrangements.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Despite its vast array of benefits and enticing features, maintaining a presence as an Amazon influencer is not always easy. Some hurdles you may face include the following:
Competition
You’ll face two forms of competition. The first is other Amazon Influencers competing for the same consumers and sales as you. To overcome them, you’ll need to create greater content and be more consistent about posting to your social media platforms.
The other form of competition is other influencer and affiliate programs offered by brands like Walmart, Temu, Target, and SHEIN. Amazon is well aware of these contenders and has taken steps to maintain its market dominance, such as planning to offer discount shopping to take on Temu and Shein.
Unfortunately, not all of Amazon’s efforts to maintain its edge have been on the up and up. The brand was caught spying on eBay and Walmart to gather intel on their ecommerce platforms.
Content Consistency
It’s generally smart to create a posting schedule and stick to it as consistency is essential in this business, especially on YouTube. At the same time, be realistic about your ability to create videos, and don’t set a pace you can’t maintain. Posting video content one to two times per week can be effective at keeping your audience engaged. You can also create content in batches and schedule posts in advance to save time.
Returns
Since returns can impact your earnings, don’t choose products based solely on commission splits. Focus on quality items that your audience will enjoy to minimize returns and maintain their trust. Your followers might forgive you if you make an occasional bad recommendation, but if you suggest a bunch of junk, they will eventually stop listening to your recommendations.
Should You Join the Amazon Influencer Program?
The bottom line is that the Amazon Influencer Program can be a fun and rewarding way to monetize your influence while sharing products you genuinely like, but it’s not for everyone.
Consider your goals for joining the program and your social media proficiency. If you haven’t developed a big enough digital presence to gain entry into the program, we recommend checking out affiliate programs first. While they won’t offer the same earning potential and diversity as the Amazon Influencer Program, they can help you jumpstart your commission-earning journey and provide valuable experience.