Video Summary
Film simple product review videos with your phone and upload them to Amazon to earn affiliate commissions.
No upfront capital or inventory required; you can review items you already own or find via order histories.
Amazon's video carousel limits competition to the same product, so early or higher-quality videos win visibility.
Beginner creators can make hundreds monthly; experienced creators report $10k–$40k+ months.
You don't need to show your face — POV, hand-only, voice-over, or scripted approaches all work.
Film simple reviews of products you already own (or find in a family member's Amazon order history) using your phone, upload them to Amazon, and apply for the Amazon Influencer/Affiliate setup—there's no need to buy inventory.
No — many creators use POV, hand-only shots, or voice-overs. A smartphone, good lighting, and clear audio are usually enough; optional inexpensive tools include a tripod and a teleprompter app.
Beginners can expect hundreds per month; consistent creators often earn $1k–$3k monthly, while experienced users have reported $10k–$40k+ months. Examples include a mom earning $12k/month and creators reporting $30k–$40k months.
Amazon's video carousel competes at the product level (videos for the same exact product), so being early or creating a higher-quality, longer video that increases watch time helps your video stay visible.
Standard Amazon commissions range roughly 0.5%–3% by category, but brands frequently run campaigns boosting commissions to 10%–50%. Successful creators target products with enhanced commissions and use 'halo sales' from affiliate links to increase earnings.
You must link a public social account and submit three initial videos for human review; those first videos should be high-quality, avoid claims or personal data, use horizontal format, and match the exact product listing.
"It's very simple. It's very straightforward. And you don't even have to show your face if you don't want to."
Many individuals are making significant income—some surpassing $10,000 a month—by dedicating only a few hours a week to creating product review videos.
There is no financial risk involved as there are no overhead costs, inventory purchases, or fees associated with this venture.
Success hinges on uploading content; failure occurs only if one does not take action. The process is user-friendly, requiring just the ability to read and speak.
"Another mom of four is making $12,000 a month and she has four kids and she’s doing it part-time."
A variety of individuals, regardless of their background or age, are thriving in this space. Success stories include a mother balancing four children while earning $12,000 monthly and an individual making $40,000 a month with relatively low video quantity.
These achievements demonstrate that anyone, even those least comfortable with technology, can find success through the right approach in product review content.
"We film video reviews with your phone and you upload them to Amazon. If somebody watches that video and buys the product, you get a commission."
The core of the business involves filming product reviews using a smartphone, with the aim of uploading these to Amazon.
Each time a viewer purchases the reviewed product after watching the video, the creator earns a commission, which is facilitated by software that helps optimize this process.
"It's very simple. It's very straightforward. And you don't even have to show your face if you don't want to."
The platform allows for diverse content creation methods, including showing only hand movements or creating text-based scripts that can be voiced over.
Authenticity matters; talking about a product as if explaining it to a friend can increase viewer connection and engagement.
"If there’s like a pink 20-ounce Stanley Tumblr Fourth of July edition, that algorithm is only competing with the other videos for that exact product."
Amazon's algorithm for video reviews operates differently than social media platforms, limiting competition for visibility to others who have reviewed the same specific product rather than the vast array of videos found on platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
Creators are encouraged to be early in uploading their videos for new product launches, as speed and quality significantly influence the success of their content on Amazon’s product listings.
"If you just make a better video than what's on the carousel, then you can come in and take over."
Being early to market with quality content can yield substantial benefits, but even latecomers can succeed by producing superior video content that outperforms existing reviews.
The algorithm is designed for continual rotation and testing of videos to identify which ones perform best, thus giving creators multiple opportunities to gain visibility.
"Amazon has data on every single customer."
Amazon utilizes sophisticated algorithms that have the potential to evolve, using customer data to tailor product visibility and recommendations based on individual preferences and behaviors.
As these algorithms become more advanced, they may allow for personalized content recommendations, offering even more opportunities for creators who understand their audience and produce relevant content.
"You are not driving any external traffic. You're just leveraging the existing traffic that Amazon has."
This model allows you to create product review videos without having to worry about generating traffic yourself. Instead, you take advantage of the audience already present on Amazon.
By successfully integrating your video into Amazon's ecosystem, there's a higher chance that customers will view it. If they watch your video and make a purchase, you earn a commission.
"When you go to an Amazon listing, there is a little video icon... that’s where our Amazon influencer videos show up."
Amazon's platform displays a carousel of videos related to products, offering six slots that refresh, creating a dynamic viewing experience for consumers.
Although current video placements are not yet hyper-personalized, there is potential for content to be tailored to individual users based on their search habits.
"As long as you're approved and you start making videos, you will make money."
Beginners can expect to make hundreds of dollars each month simply by producing content and getting approved for the program.
With consistent effort and learning, it's realistic to scale earnings to between $1,000 and $3,000 monthly, while experienced creators can surpass $10,000.
"Talk like you're excitedly telling a story to your best friend."
Whether your video is short or long, authenticity and relatability are key. Maintaining an engaging tone encourages longer viewer retention.
Aiming for a video length of at least two minutes is advised, ensuring you have good lighting and sound for optimal results.
"The concept is way more important than the hardware."
You don't need expensive equipment to make successful videos; starting with a smartphone is adequate.
Content quality often trumps production logistics, with many impactful videos created in casual settings without high-end gear.
"I've done TikTok affiliates; it's a similar business model."
The model discussed not only works well for Amazon but can also be effective on platforms like TikTok, underscoring its versatility for different audiences.
This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide variety of content creators, regardless of their background or experience level.
"The Amazon Influencer Program is much simpler for the average person to start earning money online."
Creating content for the Amazon Influencer Program is more accessible than TikTok affiliate marketing, as it allows almost anyone to make their first dollar relatively easily.
Producing videos discussing a product and uploading those videos to a platform can earn commissions if they attract viewers.
For most people, crafting content for Amazon involves basic skills, such as reading a script and using a phone to record.
"Using a teleprompter app can significantly enhance your video production quality."
Some content creators utilize inexpensive tools, like a $20 teleprompter app, to improve the quality of their videos by displaying scripts as they record.
Voice-overs are a valuable technique where creators can overlay their audio over video footage, which can be done through free editing apps like CapCut.
"It's essential to choose the right products and create good videos to reach high earnings."
Earnings from content can vary widely, with top creators seeing monthly profits ranging from $25,000 to $40,000, depending significantly on their content strategy and the products they choose to promote.
While some creators may expect to earn large sums, it's important to understand that success is often the result of reviewing popular or high-demand products rather than quantity alone.
Creators can diversify their income by reselling products they own, earning commissions from Amazon, or even being paid directly by brands for promotional videos.
"Volume and strategic selection of products are key to success in the creator economy."
One individual reported earning up to $30,000 a month from about 700 low-effort videos, showcasing the potential earnings even with a basic number of uploads.
Another creator, with over 1,100 videos, earned $40,000 in a single month, demonstrating how compounded effort across content can lead to significant revenue.
An impressive case is noted where a creator's rapid production led to $15,000 a month after just three months of implementation, highlighting the scalable potential in this side hustle.
"Reviewing products you already own is a great way to start making money on Amazon."
Those new to the affiliate and influencer space can explore their Amazon purchase history for items they can review, promoting products they already own and have experience with.
While older products may have countless existing reviews, choosing those with continued sales on Amazon can still provide lucrative opportunities for new content creation.
Tools exist that help users analyze their previous purchases, helping to identify potential profitable products for review and maximizing earning potential.
"You can start this business with zero capital. You do not need to start shopping for anything."
It is possible to review products that you haven’t directly purchased on Amazon by using someone else's Amazon account, such as a family member's. For example, one can log into a relative's account and examine their order history to find products to review.
Even if your account has no history of the items you're reviewing, as long as those products are sold on Amazon, you can still post reviews on your account.
This method allows aspiring creators to enter the Amazon affiliate space without needing to buy products upfront, enabling them to start generating income with minimal financial investment.
"Amazon has their standard commission rates anywhere from half a percent up to 3%, depending on the category."
While Amazon's standard commission rates vary considerably based on product categories, they generally range from 0.5% to 3%. However, sellers often initiate campaigns to increase these commission rates substantially for specific products, offering creators between 10% to 50% commissions to incentivize content creation.
The most financially successful affiliates typically focus on products that have increased commission rates rather than just the standard listings. For instance, in one creator's experience, he earned $12,000 in commissions in the last month, with $10,000 coming from products with enhanced commission rates.
"Outdoor products like lawnmowers and weed whackers usually yield higher commissions compared to beauty products."
Certain product categories tend to provide higher commission rates, notably outdoor equipment, which can yield as much as 3%. In contrast, categories such as beauty products can be notably lower at around 0.5%.
Successful affiliates prioritize reviewing and promoting products that not only have a good commission structure but also tap into categories with higher consumer demand, which ultimately maximizes their earnings potential.
"There's so much opportunity, and one product can be completely different for different people."
The variability in product success on Amazon underscores the vast opportunities available for affiliates. Each creator can have distinct best-sellers based on niche markets and individual strategies.
An example discussed involved an umbrella base that generated consistent revenue from a video published two and a half years prior, demonstrating the value of content longevity and product visibility.
Creators may capitalize on successful products by expanding their content around similar items or categories, as long as they observe steady sales and engagement from their audiences, which can continue generating passive income over time.
"You can still do that. Just throw up as much content and see what sticks, but you're going to waste a lot of time."
Many creators find success by reviewing unconventional products that others overlook, like showerheads or unique fixtures. This approach taps into an underexploited niche, where a simple review can yield unexpected income.
The return on investment for these short reviews can be significant, as they require little time to create while still offering the potential to generate a few hundred dollars, depending on the video's performance.
Short-form content can be likened to a lottery; it provides a chance to 'win' without any monetary risk involved. This method capitalizes on free opportunities around us, where the only requirement is to film and upload the content.
"There's literally no excuse."
Many aspiring creators face psychological barriers, such as fear of judgment or embarrassment about putting their voice or persona online. However, the argument is made that these doubts should not prevent someone from taking action, especially as technology now allows for voice translation and other assistive tools to ease the process.
In contrast to the past, where starting a business could require substantial investments and long months of compliance, the current landscape allows almost anyone to enter the market with minimal effort and cost. The barriers are significantly lower now, with the existing customer base ready to engage.
"The program has just evolved and brands are starting to become more aware."
The Amazon influencer program opened in early 2020 and initially faced skepticism due to its favorable conditions for creators. Competition has increased since then, yet it's reported that creators are often earning more today due to higher commission rates in conjunction with more brands recognizing the value that influencer marketing delivers.
The number of available campaigns and products has surged, from around 30,000 to over 800,000 in just a year, indicating a growing recognition from brands of the benefits offered by creators’ promotional efforts. This expansion signifies that those who learn to navigate these platforms effectively can find substantial rewards in varying levels of competition.
"We're always early."
The mentality of feeling 'late' to opportunities is debunked by emphasizing that with each new wave of innovation—like Bitcoin or e-commerce—there's still considerable room for growth and success. The sense of being late often holds people back, yet the reality is that we are still in the early stages of many platforms and technologies.
The notion that opportunities are fleeting is challenged by the perspective that as long as the world continues to evolve, new avenues for success remain available. This encourages individuals to take the leap rather than second-guess their timing.
"Things will change; you must pivot and find the other opportunity."
The landscape of online business, especially on platforms like Amazon, is constantly evolving due to various external factors such as Facebook's pixel changes and Apple updates. Adapting to these changes is crucial for success.
Being early or late in the market is a simplistic viewpoint, especially in a two-sided marketplace. In 2021, many content creators were early, but brands were still catching up to recognizing the potential of platforms like Amazon.
The speaker highlights their realization about a unique business model by observing how video reviews were impacting product listings on Amazon.
The challenges of selling products on Amazon include high fees, prompting the speaker to shift focus to product reviews as a risk-free and simple model for making money.
"Focus is overrated, and momentum is underrated."
The speaker reflects on their early entrepreneurial endeavors, such as running an iPhone repair shop, which was both challenging and low margin. They found a more lucrative avenue when they started selling wholesale iPhone screens, demonstrating a shift driven by momentum rather than strict focus.
Maintaining momentum in business is vital; even if you're distracted, continual movement can lead to discovering better opportunities.
Just like in sports, a team's performance can affect fan loyalty, which parallels how Amazon's rate cuts can shake off less committed sellers while solidifying opportunities for those who persevere.
"If you want to really go to step one, it's getting the account approved."
To start with the Amazon Influencer Program, one must first get their account approved, which often results in rejections if applicants give up too easily after a setback.
The application process includes linking a social media account, which can be intimidating for potential applicants who don’t see themselves as influencers. However, the actual model allows for a wide range of content creators to participate.
Social media accounts must be public to validate the applicant's identity, which some may find concerning. However, this is mainly a verification step and does not significantly affect privacy.
New users can establish a presence on platforms like TikTok or create a public Instagram account to facilitate application approval without needing to modify their existing private profiles. It's essential to have some post history to enhance the chances of getting accepted.
"The first three videos you post need to be of high quality, as these are critical for your approval."
To connect your account to Amazon and get started, you must first post three videos that need to be approved by actual humans. This process is essential to gain visibility for your videos on product detail pages.
The first round of approval checks whether you are a legitimate user, and the second round evaluates the quality of the videos. If you do not pass the second round, you must restart the process.
"Avoid claims and personal information in your videos, as these can lead to instant disqualification."
There are specific rules that must be followed when uploading your three initial videos. For example, you should avoid background noises, personal identifiable information, or any claims, such as stating a product is eco-friendly.
If your videos contain elements that Amazon’s AI flags, they might not even reach human reviewers. Therefore, maintaining a clean and simple backdrop, along with carefully chosen language, is crucial.
"For the initial videos, use horizontal format, good lighting, and avoid potential claims."
Best practices for producing these videos involve using a horizontal format with good lighting and sound. Avoid topics that could involve health or safety claims, focusing instead on simple, easily reviewable products.
For tagging products in your video, ensure that they match exactly with what is available on Amazon, including brand, color, and specific features to avoid rejection.
"Horizontal videos tend to perform better as they are favored by Amazon's algorithm."
Data indicates that horizontal videos are more discoverable, especially when consumers are shopping from desktops. This is due to the increased screen real estate on computers compared to phones, where videos may go unnoticed.
Consumers often perform in-depth research while shopping on desktop devices, compared to impulse purchases on mobile. Thus, the format and content of your videos can directly impact viewer engagement.
"Choosing between ethics and profit can be challenging, but presenting genuine reviews reflects integrity."
Reviewers often face dilemmas when reviewing subpar products. While some might feel tempted to overlook negative aspects for profit, maintaining honesty and only promoting quality products builds trust with viewers.
Ethical practices are critical, and while some individuals may return products after reviewing them, this behavior can lead to account suspension as it violates Amazon's policies.
"Content creators are going to love this. Very easy to use, and I myself love it and use it every day as well."
In the video, the host discusses an extendable tripod that simplifies recording both horizontal and vertical content. It showcases features such as adjustable height and a phone holder that allows easy switching between filming styles, which is beneficial for various types of content creators.
The ease of collapsing the tripod for storage highlights its convenience for creators who are always on the go, making it an essential tool for daily filming needs.
"It's more dynamic, and it does add that retention effect."
The discussion transitions to filming techniques and the advantages of using both a tripod and a secondary person to capture multiple angles of a product to enhance viewer engagement. The addition of B-roll footage showing the product in action can significantly improve the final video quality.
The host shares that straightforward video editing is sufficient for producing engaging content and recommends employing simple techniques to keep the audience's attention.
"I will take these same videos and I will cross-post them to mainly YouTube."
The video highlights the potential of earning income through various platforms by repurposing content. By posting the same product review videos on platforms like YouTube, creators can reach a broader audience and also provide affiliate links in their descriptions.
The success story shared in the episode includes the host earning $500 in one month from his YouTube content, showcasing the viability of this cross-platform strategy for income generation.
"If you drive a link click and they end up not buying that specific product, but they buy another product, you get a commission."
A significant focus is placed on the intricacies of affiliate marketing, particularly through Amazon's system where users can earn commissions on various products bought after clicking an affiliate link. The concept of “Halo sales” is introduced, explaining how creators benefit from any purchases made within 24 hours after a link click.
The hosts illustrate how even postings about specific items resulting in minimal direct sales can lead to substantial earnings through related purchases.
"There weren't any tools for Amazon influencers when we first started."
The conversation shifts to tools that can aid Amazon influencers in optimizing their workflow and product selection. The host reveals a tool developed to analyze order histories and identify products with strong potential for promotion.
The tool automates cross-posting and deep linking, streamlining the process of sharing product links across multiple platforms, thus allowing creators to focus more on content creation and less on manual posting tasks.
"A deep link will pull them out of Instagram's browser and into the YouTube native browser where you're already logged in so you can comment, like, and subscribe."
Utilizing deep links is crucial when sharing YouTube videos on platforms like Instagram, as they allow users to navigate outside of the Instagram browser. This shift enhances user engagement, enabling them to like, comment, and subscribe more easily.
In the same vein, deep links can redirect users from YouTube to Amazon, where they have their payment information set up. This streamlined process can significantly increase commission rates for influencers and content creators.
"The total influencer video count is one of the most important data points."
Influencer marketers should be aware of specific metrics that can influence their strategies. For instance, knowing the total number of influencer videos attached to a product can indicate how much competition exists in that niche.
New creators are encouraged to focus on products with fewer influencer videos to increase their chances of success. Understanding these metrics is critical for scaling their efforts effectively.
"This program can truly change someone's life in a very short period."
The experiences shared highlight the life-changing potential of the Amazon influencer program. One participant revealed she was able to buy a new car in cash and was only working a few hours a week.
Another individual, a mom of four in Idaho, reported earning $12,000 monthly from her part-time efforts through the program. This remarkable income showcases the program's effectiveness for individuals seeking supplementary income.
"There are people that hire virtual assistants to do all the videos."
Creators looking to scale their business can delegate video content creation by hiring virtual assistants. This allows them to focus solely on the content itself, while others handle production and editing.
An example is given of a Canadian user who employs multiple creators across the United States to produce video reviews, demonstrating that leveraging a network can simplify the content creation process significantly.
