In this article, I’ll be covering 11 ways you can make money on Amazon every month, and I’m talking big bucks not just a few dollars. You don’t even require a website for some of them.
Amazon is one of my favorite online destinations for hair, health, beauty products, and much more. Free and fast shipping and flexible return policies. What’s not to love?
Amazon is one of the world’s biggest online retailers if not the biggest. Amazon is also one of the many ways I make money online.
Everyone is familiar with the popular Amazon Affiliates program, which I covered in-depth already but did you know there are several other ways to make money on Amazon?
If you’re looking to grow your extra income this year, then you may want to explore these avenues for creating profitable side hustles.
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How to Make Money with Amazon
1. You Can Sell Anything on Amazon
If you have a pile of stuff lying around your apartment or office that you need to get rid of, Amazon is one of the avenues you can use for this venture. The stuff can be used or new.
With an Amazon account, just click “Sell Your Stuff”, skip the professional option and add FBA to your seller account. FBA is fulfilled by Amazon.
Afterward, list everything you want to sell on your account then gather it into boxes and send your products to Amazon.
Amazon will pack and ship your products once they’re purchased. There are fees associated with selling on Amazon.
There is a minimal fee for every product sold on the individual selling plan while approx. $39.99/month plus additional selling fees on the professional selling plan.
It’s a good idea to start with the individual selling plan and then decide how you want to move forward from there.
You don’t have to stop at the pile of stuff lying around. You can also start a small business buying and reselling items on Amazon.
I used to buy items on sale or about to go out of production and resell them at a higher price when I was paying down debt. This is aka retail arbitrage.
Additionally, you can also sell private label products on Amazon. These are generic products you purchase and rebrand with your own packaging and logo.
If you would rather package and ship the products yourself, this is also an option but you do all the work. However, you might save more money this way.
To learn more and start selling on Amazon, create a seller account HERE.
If the items you want to sell include electronic items, you may want to consider the Amazon trade-in program instead.
2. Join Creator Connections
This program was created for influencers and Amazon associates to unlock additional bonus commissions by working directly with brands.
These commissions are on top of the Amazon Associates standard commissions.
There are over 100 brands in the Creator Connections program you can partner with and all you have to do is sign up.
You can pick and choose who you want to partner with and the content you create is up to you.
This is a relatively new program and I’m still learning more about it. I will create a separate post once I’ve had some experience with it.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the Amazon Creator Connections program here. The program is free to join.
3. Join the Amazon Affiliates Program
This is one of the most popular options for making money with Amazon. You can earn up to 10% in referral fees on the sale of all the products available on the Amazon website.
You also earn certain bonuses once your income passes a certain threshold every month.
This is one of my biggest earners. However, it took a lot of time and effort to start generating a good income from the Amazon Affiliate program.
Beyond placing links to relevant products on your website, there are so many other important components to succeeding as an Amazon Affiliate.
4. Host a Virtual Experience on Amazon
You can make a healthy income by hosting virtual experiences on Amazon. You can host a virtual experience across multiple areas including arts and crafts, food, meditation, shopping and so much more.
You only need some gear to get started once your application to host an experience is approved by Amazon.
Amazon also provides training and support to help you launch your virtual hosting business on Amazon Explore. Learn more and apply here.
5. Sell Your Apps and Games on Amazon
As a developer, you can sell your Android apps and games on the Amazon Appstore and reach millions on Kindle Fire, Amazon Fire TV, and select Android devices.
Amazon developer services and technologies on Amazon include Alexa, Amazon Appstore, and Dash Services.
For more information and to get started check out the links below:-
6. Join Amazon Influencer Program
This is Amazon’s monetization method for people who don’t have a website but have a great social media presence.
The program allows you to create a storefront on Amazon. You can then share the link to your store everywhere without the risk of breaking Amazon’s terms and conditions.
This program is perfect if you don’t want to go through all the hassle of setting up a new website and getting it to rank online.
I covered Amazon’s influencer program, how to join, the best ways to start making money with your storefront, and more at How to Make Money with Amazon Influencer Program.
7. Become an Independent Contractor for Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is a program that provides an opportunity to become a delivery partner for Amazon.
You will be delivering packages to customers who order products via any of Amazon’s companies.
You can make up to $25/hour doing this as long as you have a car and a suitable phone for the app. In some areas, bikes are also acceptable.
You can set your own schedule and deliver only when you’re available. Payments are made out twice a week.
If you’re available on weekends, evenings, or in-between jobs right now, Amazon Flex might be right up your alley.
Learn more about the program and how to get started as a Flex Associate HERE.
8. Join Merch by Amazon
With this program, you can upload your artwork on Amazon, choose a product type such as a t-shirt or mug, customize with color, and product description and price.
Amazon will take care of the rest. They will create a product page and handle production, shipping, and customer service without any upfront costs.
Once the product is sold, you earn a royalty for every product sold. This is a very hands-off way to make some money on Amazon.
You can create the designs yourself on platforms like Canva and Placeit or hire someone to create them for you but make sure you own the rights to the artwork before uploading it on Amazon.
The program is also non-exclusive so you can sell your designs in other places apart from Amazon.
At the moment, Merch by Amazon is by invitation only due to the overwhelming response but you can request an invitation HERE.
You can find out more about the royalties you’ll earn per product, which can help you set optimal rates HERE.
9. Sell on Amazon Handmade Marketplace
Amazon Handmade is a place for artisans to sell their unique handcrafted goods. There are no upfront costs and you only pay once you make a sale.
All you have to do is register and list your handcrafted products. Amazon will do the rest. Amazon charges a 15% referral fee for every product sold. Handcrafted products categories include:-
- Jewelry
- Home products (Art, Baby Bedding, Bath, Bedding, Clothing & Shoes, Furniture, Home Décor, Kitchen & Dining, Lighting, Patio, Lawn & Garden, Storage, and Organization)
- Party Supplies
- Stationery
- Accessories
- Toys & Games
- Sports
- Beauty & Grooming
- Pet Supplies
Like Merch by Amazon, this is a non-exclusive option. You can list your handcrafted products in other places if you like.
There is a strict approval process for this to ensure only authentic artisans sell via Amazon Handmade. Approval can take up to a week. Find out more and apply to join the program HERE.
10. Sell Digital Products
Got great writing skills and an idea to share with the world? You could parlay this into an e-book you can sell on Kindle, Amazon’s digital publishing platform.
Self-publishing no longer has a negative stigma attached to it and many people now self-publish their work.
I write fiction under a different pen name and it sells quite well. You can see my work HERE.
It takes only a few minutes to upload your work and publish it on Kindle. Your e-book will become available on all Kindle platforms worldwide within 24 – 48 hours.
You control cost and rights and it’s all you. You can also turn the e-book into a print book if it’s big enough.
This used to be done on Createspace but Createspace has been rolled into KDP, which I love so far.
Many people, including me, earn a substantial amount from selling their work on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Learn more about selling your e-books on the Kindle platform HERE.
11. Become an Audio Narrator on Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)
Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) is an Amazon marketplace where authors, literary agents, and publishers connect with narrators, engineers, recording studios, and other producers.
These producers turn e-books into audiobooks. As an ACX producer, you can create a profile to signal your availability to narrate books. You can also audition for posted titles.
How do you make money through ACX? Whenever a title is sold, the profits are split between the author and the narrator or producer. There’s also the option to get paid per-finished hour.
Learn more about how to become an audio narrator with ACX and create a profile HERE.
You can read about the experience of an audio narrator with ACX on Audiobooks Are Not Easy Money.
Summary of Ways to Make Money With Amazon
Below is a summary of all the suggestions in this article for easy reference:-
- You Can Sell Anything on Amazon
- Join Amazon Creator Connections
- Join the Amazon Affiliates Program
- Host a Virtual Experience
- Sell Your Apps and Games on Amazon
- Join Amazon Influencer Program
- Become an Independent Contractor for Amazon Flex
- Join Merch by Amazon
- Sell on Amazon Handmade Marketplace
- Sell Digital Products
- Become an Audio Narrator on Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)
I make money from at least five of these avenues. None of it was easy. I still had to work hard and continue to work hard to maximize the revenue I make.
If you find the list overwhelming, start with the simplest thing for you and your skills and go on from there. I started with Amazon Affiliates many years ago.
Anna gave up her 9 – 5 to implement her life plan after paying off over $40,000 in debt. She started The Writer Entrepreneur to share her journey and encourage other people to pay off debt and pursue their life plans. She has been featured on HuffPost, YouQueen & Fitnancials among others. Learn more about Anna HERE.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.