Becoming an Amazon Influencer sounds fancy, right? But before you envision yourself rolling in cash, there’s a bit of a process to follow. In fact, it’s less of a glamorous influencer dream and more of a strategic game involving products you already own (or can borrow from neighbors). Let’s dive into how to start and see if it’s actually worth it.
Step 1: Get Approved (AKA Cross Your Fingers)
So, first things first: you need to be approved for the program. But what does Amazon actually look for? Great question! They don’t exactly publish the qualifications. However, it seems to be a blend of follower count (somewhere between 500 and 10k) and good engagement. They’re not interested in ghost followers; they want likes, comments, and shares.
Amazon only accepts Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts—so if you’ve been building an empire on Twitter or Pinterest, you’re out of luck. But hey, if you’ve got a YouTube channel (or any other platform with a loyal fan base), that should work in your favor. And the approval process? Instantaneous! You can check every day and try your luck.
Step 2: Submit 3 Videos for Shoppable Video Approval
Once you’re accepted, you might think it’s smooth sailing. Think again. Now, you need to get approved for “Shoppable Videos.” These videos are what get you on actual product pages, where people see your face and might decide to buy something because of you.
This part is crucial, and they only give you three chances to get it right. Yes, only three. If Amazon doesn’t like your videos, it’s game over, and you’re out of the program. So, no pressure, right? Here’s where a solid game plan, and maybe some pre-recording tips, will come in handy (spoiler: I made a whole course on how to get these right on the first go).
Step 3: While You Wait, Get Organized
Patience isn’t fun, but while Amazon reviews your videos, use this time to prep for your new influencer life:
- Review What You Already Bought: If you’re an Amazon addict, this is the time for it to pay off. Start with everything you’ve ever purchased—don’t skip the kitchen sink.
- Find Other Stuff You Own: You likely have items you didn’t buy on Amazon that are still sold there. You can make videos for those too.
- Use Family and Neighbors’ Stuff: Run out of items? Just hit up your family and neighbors. I’ve even borrowed my neighbor’s $900 espresso machine to review—totally worth it.
The idea is to build a stash of products to keep filming. After all, consistency is key here, and you don’t want to run out of ideas.
Step 4: Start Cranking Out Videos
Congrats, you’re approved! Now the real work begins. You’ll need a solid strategy to produce lots of content without losing your mind. Here’s my approach to filming based on the item’s price point:
- Cheap products (under $10): Skip these unless they’re special—commissions are usually pennies.
- Low-priced products ($10-$25): One-take video, quick and to the point.
- Mid-priced products ($25-$75): One-take, but give it a bit more love—maybe 2-4 minutes.
- High-priced products ($75+): Multiple takes, B-roll, editing magic, 3-8 minutes of pure product bliss.
You might find another approach works for you, but it’s important to get a process down. Some people shoot every product they own; others are more selective. Either way, the idea is to film a lot. And, know that this might be tough at first, but it does get easier over time. Best part? You don’t actually have to show your face in these shoppable videos, just the product!
How to Make Your Videos Fast (And Still Good)
It’s tempting to hit “record” and wing it, but let’s be real—no one wants to watch a review that’s basically you mumbling to yourself. These videos need to be clear and convincing, not just “Hey, this is a thing I have.” Think show-and-tell with a purpose.
But don’t worry if you’re new to this—it’s all about practice. The more you do, the faster and better you get. So, film lots, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
What I Learned After 30 Days
After a month, here are some key takeaways:
- Dopamine is Real: You actually see results pretty quickly with this program. Upload a video, wait a few days, and boom—someone buys something. After grinding through years of online businesses with delayed gratification, this was refreshing.
- It’s Not as Easy as It Looks: Sure, it’s “easy” to make videos, but it does take a bit of knowledge about each product. My first three videos? Took me about five hours. Now, I’m down to under 10 minutes each.
- Process is Everything: Creating these videos is a numbers game, so efficiency matters. A solid process will save you tons of time.
- It Gets Boring Fast: Reviewing your new generator is fun. But socks and underwear? Not so much. To stay engaged, try finding unique features to highlight in each product. Makes it a tiny bit more interesting, trust me.
- High Ticket Items = Better Returns: Once you’re faster at this, focus on high-ticket items. Your commissions will be way better, and sometimes you’ll have less competition.
- Returns Are a Pain: Returns hurt your commissions. Avoid high-return items like clothing (just my two cents). Amazon holds your earnings for two months to cover potential returns, so be prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions (The Ones I Had, Too)
Q: What if someone watches another video after mine?
No luck—they get the commission. Aim to make your video engaging so viewers stop shopping around.
Q: What if the shopper returns the product?
Yep, you lose the commission, just like with Amazon Affiliates.
Q: Does the viewer really need to watch 30 seconds?
Supposedly, yes, for the commission to register. If your video is under 30 seconds, the entire video has to be watched.
Are You In? (Or Have I Scared You Off?)
The Amazon Influencer Program is a unique way to monetize the things you already own (or can borrow) with relatively quick results. It’s definitely not for everyone, though. If you’re willing to crank out videos, deal with a bit of tedium, and play the numbers game, it might just be worth your time.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to dive in, or are you already exhausted from reading? Either way, I’d love to hear your thought
