Alright, let’s talk about something I learned the hard way—if you want to make money doing Amazon Influencer videos, the worst thing you can do is get bogged down by products that take ages to film. Spending half a day trying to figure out how to assemble a contraption just to make a 60-second video? You’re probably losing more than you’re gaining. Let’s rip the bandaid off: fast, easy products are where the real magic happens.
And what about the money? When will you see the cash start to flow? I’ll dive into the details about that too, further down the page!
Good Products? Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeeze
Let’s start with the winners. Stick to products that are essentially “plug-and-play”—stuff that doesn’t require hours of setup or a Ph.D. to figure out.
Keep It Simple (and Stupid-Easy to Demo)
Take a dog collar, for example. You read the product description (takes about five seconds), you show off the collar (another five seconds), and boom—you’re done. Unless it’s some high-tech, zap-your-dog-into-behavior electronic collar, you’re good to go.
Same deal with a lamp. How hard is it to screw in a bulb and hit a switch? Done in under a minute. Next product, please.
Pro Tip: If you’re on the hunt for products that are practically designed for fast videos, check out our article on picking the perfect review products.
Bad Products? The Time Sucks to Avoid like the Plague
Now for the losers—the ones that’ll eat your time alive and leave you wondering why you even started this whole influencer thing in the first place.
Avoid the DIY Disasters
Let me tell you a story. Early on, I signed up to film a shoe rack. It was flimsy, annoying to put together, and took me 45 minutes of my life that I’ll never get back. It didn’t make me a single dollar. Seriously, save yourself the hassle.
And then there are products that require special settings. Let’s talk about pickleball paddles. You really want to be at a court showing those bad boys off, right? But then you’re coordinating trips, lugging gear around, and trying not to look like a total amateur. Electronics can be even worse—by the time you’ve figured out what button does what, your motivation is probably dead.
“Wait, So How Can I Recommend a Product in a Quick Video?”
Great question. The answer? You don’t. Instead of saying, “I 100% recommend this product, and you should too,” keep it real.
Honesty Is the Best Policy (No, Really)
When I make videos, I just show people what the product is, talk about its features, and give a little demo if needed. I’m not out here telling them they need this in their lives—unless it’s a life-changing dog collar, of course. Viewers aren’t dumb; they’ll know if you’re faking enthusiasm. Just show them what the product does, and let them decide if they want it.
The faster you can shoot quality videos, the better. The key is to keep moving, keep filming, and don’t let yourself get buried in half-assembled shoe racks and 10-button remotes. Hit those easy wins, churn out those videos, and keep your sanity intact.
Understanding the Amazon Pay Cycle
The very first time you see your Earnings Report, you can just imagine the money starting to flow… but hold on for a second. There’s a slight catch! You don’t see that payout immediately. In fact, you won’t see it until two months down the road.
In the Amazon world, Influencers (and Associates) get paid on a monthly cycle. Your earnings are posted on the first day of the month (for the sales period two months prior) and then that amount is deposited in your account on the last day of the month.
The reason for the delay? Consider the return window on Amazon. They aren’t going to pay you for sales you’ve driven that are then returned a month down the road. While it can be frustrating to wait, it’s definitely worth it in the end.
How Reliable Are the Payments?
One word: reliable. While the day the month ends on will vary, the fact that you are paid on the last day of the month does not. If it’s September, you know you’re going to see that commission payout hit your bank account on the 30th of the month. No questions there!
In all of my experiences as an Influencer (starting in February 2023) I have only ever seen the payment show up once two days late, and that was, in part, my own stinkin’ fault. A quick online chat with a representative from Amazon was all it took to get the cash flowing. Turns out, I made a spelling mistake when providing my offsite Amazon ID and that was what caused the delay. The payment was delivered almost immediately once I discovered the mistake and corrected it.
Wrapping It Up (Because Time Is Money)
The journey as an Amazon Influencer is a fun one, but not without its challenges. However, the faster you can shoot quality videos, the better. The key is to keep moving, keep filming, and don’t let yourself get buried in half-assembled shoe racks and 10-button remotes. Hit those easy wins, churn out those videos, and keep your sanity intact.
And remember to be patient. What’s that saying? Good things come to those who wait! And in two month’s time you can spend and purge or tuck away all the amazing profits there are to be made as an Amazon Influencer plying your trade!
Remember: Make quality videos, make videos quickly, and above all—make money without losing your mind.
