Many people think of Amazon as a huge place to shop and spend money. But there’s another way to look at it: every time you buy something, there’s a seller making money. Instead of just spending, why not start selling? Switching from a shopper to a seller can lead to many new opportunities. It’s all about looking at things from a different angle.
Let me share a quick story with you. I used to be just a regular Pinterest user, looking for bathroom design ideas. I didn’t expect that this would lead to a new career opportunity. The more I used Pinterest, the more I realized it wasn’t just for pretty pictures—it had real business potential. As I explored further, I found ways to make money using Pinterest.
These days, I’m not just saving pretty sunset photos or tasty recipes on Pinterest. Now, I’m also sharing product details, posting articles, and directing people to my blog. Pinterest has become more than just a fun way to pass the time; it’s now a key part of my work and helps me make over $150,000 a year. It’s amazing how a hobby can turn into a source of income! Life is full of surprises.
You might think the only way to make money on Amazon is by selling products, but there are actually many other options! You can earn money by promoting products as an affiliate, handling deliveries, or even publishing your own Kindle book.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or an experienced online business pro, these smart tips work not just for Amazon but also for other major e-commerce platforms like Walmart, Shopify, and Etsy.
Ready to improve your online store? Let’s dive in and make some exciting changes!
1. Amazon Handmade
If you’re excited about making and selling unique items online, you’re not alone. I also love unique creations, and that’s why Amazon Handmade is a great option for you. It’s a special community where you can show off and sell your handmade items to people all over the world, using Amazon’s trusted name to help boost your sales.
I don’t think many people know about Amazon Handmade, so it feels like a hidden gem. I was surprised by the wide range of categories available, including wedding decor, gifts, jewelry, invitations, clothing, home decor, beauty products, handbags, and even pet accessories. It’s the kind of place where you’ll keep scrolling and discovering all sorts of unique and charming items. It’s a great spot that makes you excited to explore and find something special.
How to get started on Amazon Handmade
So, If you’re excited to join our community, follow these easy steps to get started:
Step 1: Create a seller account
To apply for Amazon Handmade, just share details about your products, how you make them, and your creative process.
Step 2: Set up your shop
After you’re approved and meet the requirements, you can begin setting up your shop. You’ll need to create a banner, a logo, and a description of your brand and products.
Many entrepreneurs in the creative field love using Etsy because it’s a great platform for their unique items. However, Amazon has an enormous audience and many potential customers who could discover your products. Setting up a shop on Amazon Handmade is easy, and it’s backed by Amazon’s trusted services. It’s a fantastic chance for talented artisans like you to get noticed!
Finally, consider listing your products on both Amazon Handmade and Etsy. This will help you reach more customers who are excited to buy your items.
2. Amazon Associates Program
Affiliate marketing is a timeless and effective way to earn money, and it’s my top choice! Picture this: you could make between $1,000 and $10,000 a month just by using your influence. I’ve personally earned over $100,000 from affiliate marketing alone, so I’m a big fan of this method.
Imagine making money while you’re relaxing with a glass of wine and a great meal at a cozy Parisian cafe. That’s the benefit of affiliate marketing!
Let me tell you about Amazon Associates, Amazon’s great affiliate program. It allows content creators, influencers, and personal brand enthusiasts to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products to their followers.
Here’s a simple way to explain it: When someone clicks your special link and makes a purchase, you earn a reward from the company for helping them make the sale. It doesn’t cost the buyer anything extra.
A big advantage of joining Amazon Associates is that you gain the trust that comes with Amazon’s reputation. When people click on your link and visit Amazon, they feel comfortable because they know and trust the site.
Here’s the deal: to succeed in affiliate marketing, you need a strong personal brand. It helps you build trust and stand out in your field. Without a loyal audience who follows your posts and trusts your brand, you won’t be able to sell any affiliate products. So, focus on growing your audience before diving into affiliate marketing.
To make money with this program, you need to create content that is so useful and engaging that people want to buy the products you recommend. If your content doesn’t capture their interest, they won’t bother clicking your link.
When talking about headphones, don’t just list their features. Share your personal experience! For example, you could explain how the noise cancellation is so effective that you can only hear your favorite music, even in a noisy office. Also, mention how comfortable they are—like wearing clouds on your ears, even after hours of listening!
Instead of just talking about the product, focus on the experience it offers. This approach grabs your audience’s attention and makes them feel like they might miss out if they don’t act quickly.
3. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Want to earn money from your writing? Check out Amazon KDP—your new best friend. It’s a fantastic tool for anyone who dreams of publishing their work without the hassle of traditional publishing. Getting noticed by publishers can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Amazon KDP simplifies the process and helps you keep more of the money you earn from your sales.
Amazon KDP is a platform where any story can find a home. Whether you’re telling magical tales, sharing real-life experiences, writing for kids, or reaching out to adults, you’ll find the right audience for every genre here.
Before you start with Amazon KDP, make sure your book is more than just a rough draft—it should be a polished final version. After you’ve finished writing, switch from being a writer to an editor. This is like adding the final touches to a sculpture: carefully fix any mistakes, smooth out rough spots, and make your book as polished as possible.
If reviewing your own writing isn’t your thing or you’re short on time, let an Upwork editor help you out. This will save you time and free up your mind so you can focus on other important tasks, like crafting a great marketing strategy.
After editing your manuscript, go to Amazon’s eBook Manuscript Formatting Guide. It explains the rules for margins, fonts, size, and other important details.
Now comes the moment you’ve been waiting for: uploading your work to your Amazon KDP account. Just fill in the basics, choose the best category for your book, and you’re on your way to getting noticed, or at least standing out in the e-bookstore!
4. Online Arbitrage
“Storage Wars” has kept viewers hooked for years, and it’s no surprise it’s still on TV. The excitement of searching for hidden treasures and the chance to make big money is really exciting. You can find a similar thrill in online arbitrage, where people buy items on one website and sell them at a higher price on another, like Amazon. Many people make good money from this side job, especially when they find a great deal.
You’ve probably heard people bragging about making five or six figures a month from buying and selling items online. Even Gary Vaynerchuk, a big name in the business world, has a segment on his YouTube channel called Trash Talk. In it, he takes us with him as he searches through garage sales for valuable items and then sells them on eBay or Amazon.
To begin with, online arbitrage, create an Amazon seller account to list the items you find. Be sure to read the guidelines to understand how it all works.
Now comes the fun part: finding items to sell. This is like a treasure hunt. Look for deals in places like clearance sales and garage sales, or check online sites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Sometimes, you might find items that are priced too low—grab them quickly!
After finding an item you like, look it up online. For example, if you see a pair of vintage Fendi sunglasses for $20, find out how much they usually sell for on Amazon. If they’re going for $200, buying them could be a good deal because you might make a profit.
And that’s the basics of online arbitrage. There’s no strict rule about how big the price difference needs to be for a good deal. If you think a $100 difference is worth it, then go ahead and take the chance!
5. Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is a special group for popular social media users. While it’s similar to the Amazon Associates program, it’s designed specifically for people with a big following on social media.
Do you have a lot of followers who are always excited about what you share? Here’s a great opportunity for you. By joining in, you’ll enjoy some cool benefits that might make your friends a bit envious. The highlight? You can set up your own Amazon Storefront. It’s a special page just for you on Amazon where you can showcase your favorite products and recommendations.
To help your fans find your digital shop, simply share your Storefront link everywhere – in your videos, posts, and bio. This way, your audience can easily find and click the link to check out the brands and products you’re promoting.
Now, Here’s the tricky part: how many followers do you need to get in? It’s a bit like guessing how many jellybeans are in a jar. Instead of stressing over the exact number, just go ahead and apply.
How much you can earn depends on what you’re promoting. Different product categories have different rates. For more details, visit Amazon’s website and check it out.
6. Amazon Home Services
Amazon is expanding its services! They’re not just going up against big retailers like Walmart and Target anymore. Now, they’ve introduced Amazon Home Services, which is similar to Best Buy’s Geek Squad. It’s like a digital bulletin board where you can find local experts to help with various home tasks and chores.
Amazon’s new service makes it easy from start to finish. Whether you need to find the right person for a job or want a smooth payment process, it’s all taken care of. Plus, Amazon checks each expert to make sure they’re reliable and qualified. You can trust it to be safe and secure!
House Whisperer: Whether it’s removing cobwebs, cleaning gutters, or making windows sparkle, people need your help.
Assembly Guru: Great with flat packs? Help those who struggle with putting together IKEA furniture.
Home Heroes: If you can fix annoying house problems like a leaky faucet or old floors, this is for you!
Lawn Magicians: Can you turn an ordinary garden into something amazing? Make your space stand out and impress everyone who sees it.
With Amazon expanding its services, It’s not just about fast 2-day shipping anymore. If you have the skills, why not show them off on Amazon? You could earn some extra cash!
7. Amazon FBA (Fulfilled By Amazon)
When you’re shopping for luggage on Amazon and see “Sold by ABC Company and Fulfilled by Amazon,” it means that ABC Company is selling the luggage, but Amazon is taking care of storing, packing, and shipping it for them. This setup helps sellers focus on growing their business while Amazon manages the logistics.
Using Amazon’s FBA service means they handle all the shipping and storage for you, and they do it well. This lets you focus on finding buyers and selling your products. In fact, many FBA sellers have seen their sales increase by more than 20%!
First, choose the products you want to sell. You can buy these from a wholesale supplier on Alibaba. Next, set up your Amazon seller account and check that your products follow Amazon’s rules, like having the right labels, barcodes, and packaging. After that, send your products to an Amazon fulfillment center. Amazon will then handle storing, packaging, and shipping your products when customers buy them.
To get the best results with Amazon FBA, you should improve your listings so customers can easily find your products. This involves experimenting with different titles, images, and descriptions to make them more appealing.
Don’t forget how important customer feedback is. Although Amazon handles reviews, it’s a good idea to encourage your customers to leave great reviews.
8. Driving For Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex offers a chance for proactive people to earn money using their own vehicle. Instead of just commuting, your car can help deliver packages directly from Amazon to customers. Join this delivery program and be a key part of getting Amazon’s products to people’s doorsteps.
One big advantage of this role is the freedom to set your own schedule. Instead of a fixed 9-to-5 workday, as an Amazon Flex driver, you can choose when you want to work based on what suits you best.
First, download and open the Amazon Flex app. Create your account by entering your full name, preferred contact method, and social security number.
Make sure you’re at least 21 years old. Do you have a valid US driver’s license? Great! Here’s a tip: having a big car is really helpful. More trunk space means you can carry more packages and make fewer trips to the warehouse.
Curious about how much you can make? You can expect to earn between $18 and $25 an hour. How much you make can vary based on your location and how generous your customers are with tips. And guess what? All the bonus tips you get are yours to keep. So, as you deliver packages, remember you’re not just dropping off items—you’re bringing a little bit of happiness too.
9. Selling Used Products
Amazon is known for having the latest gadgets and popular books. But did you know that anyone can sell things on Amazon too? That means you can start selling your own products on the platform!
Don’t let your old stuff just collect dust in the attic or clutter up your garage. Selling items on Amazon is a popular way for people to make some extra money.
Think about it: you have a stack of limited-edition DVDs that still work, but you haven’t watched them in years. Someone out there would love to own them. And those old video games you have? There’s definitely a collector who wants them.
You can sell your used items on Amazon, like gadgets, books, or sports gear, as long as they’re complete and in good working condition. They must be real, not fake—Amazon doesn’t allow counterfeit items. For details on what you can and can’t sell, check Amazon’s condition guidelines.
Selling on Amazon is great because it’s really easy to use. Amazon’s seller tools help you manage your inventory and keep track of sales without any hassle. You can get your products selling quickly with just a few clicks!
If you’re finding that selling used items isn’t enough for you and you want to get more serious about selling on Amazon, consider the Professional Seller plan. It costs $39.99 a month and lets you list and manage many products at once, create promotions, and use selling apps.
But if you just want to sell things as a side hustle you can do from home, the Individual Seller plan might be a better fit. It costs $0.99 for each item you sell, so it’s a more affordable option to start with.
No matter which plan you choose, your products can reach a large audience because millions of people visit Amazon every day.
10. Amazon Vine
How would you like to get free stuff just for sharing your honest opinions? That’s what an Amazon Vine invite offers. Amazon selects customers to test out products, and all they need to do is write a detailed and honest review.
Amazon Vine is a special, invite-only group where Amazon asks people to review new products. Want an invite? It depends on how helpful and high-quality your previous reviews have been.
If you shop on Amazon a lot, try leaving helpful reviews for the products you buy. Share your honest thoughts and provide useful details to help other shoppers know what to expect or to highlight great products.
You might not make a lot of money from your reviews, but you’ll get free products from Amazon. These usually include the items you’re reviewing, like books, electronics, clothes, and home goods.
Since there’s no pay involved, this can’t be your main job, but it’s a great way to get free items on the side!
11. Amazon Jobs
There are hundreds of Amazon jobs available. You can apply if you’re a student, need a warehouse job, or have tech skills and want to join the software team.
Students can find opportunities in many ways. Amazon provides internships that let you experience their exciting work environment, and they also offer entry-level jobs in different places across the US and Canada.
If you’re looking for hourly warehouse jobs, Amazon has positions available in many places worldwide, including the US, Canada, Mexico, and the UK. You can work in different types of facilities like fulfillment centers, grocery warehouses, delivery stations, or sortation centers.
Do you have over 10 years of experience in software development? Amazon has senior positions available for you.
They’re also looking for talented people in:
- Amazon Design
- Admin Support
- Business Development
- Data Science
Feeling anxious about the interview? Don’t stress! They’ve put together some helpful tips to handle unexpected questions and give you an idea of the different interview styles you might face. Get ready and prepare to land that dream job at Amazon!
12. Wholesale Selling
Are you thinking about buying in bulk? It’s like getting a backstage pass: you get the items without paying extra retail prices. Plus, when you sell these items individually, you can really boost your profits.
Before you get too excited, take a moment to fine-tune your plan. Understand how wholesale buying works, especially for the items you want. Keep in mind that selling is competitive, with everyone trying to offer the best deals.
If you find the same product on sale for less money somewhere else and your calculations show that you won’t make much profit, it might be time to reconsider. It looks like the effort may not be worth the small gain.
Instead, Look for products that aren’t being sold by too many sellers. This way, the resale prices will stay stable, and you’ll have a better chance of making a good profit when you start selling.
SaleHoo and Alibaba are great for finding trustworthy wholesalers for the products you want. These sites make it much easier to connect with various suppliers. Just remember, like any online marketplace, there might be some scammers to watch out for.
Before shaking hands with any seller, take some time to do your homework. Read reviews and ask others who have worked with the same suppliers. Doing this research now can help you avoid surprises and financial issues later on.
13. Amazon Launchpad
Made something you’re excited about and want to get noticed? Try Amazon Launchpad. It’s made to help you stand out on Amazon and possibly increase your sales. With this program, your business won’t just blend in; you’ll get special listings, fun email mentions, and some online attention.
Also, when Amazon gives you a thumbs up, it’s like getting a shout-out from a major celebrity. Online shoppers can be skeptical, but seeing that Amazon supports you makes them much more likely to trust your products.
And the best part? It’s free to join! The only condition is that you stay in the program for a year. That way, you’ll be ready for Prime Day, when your sales will really take off.
Want to get into Amazon Launchpad? Your small shop needs to meet a few requirements. You need a great product that people really want, a serious Amazon seller account, and sales under $10 million. Amazon is looking for startups with standout products, so make sure you’re a good fit for their program.
14. Merch By Amazon
Some people have a natural talent for creating eye-catching designs and clever slogans. Their minds are full of creative ideas. However, they might struggle when it comes to turning those ideas into products that make money.
Amazon Merch on Demand is a program that makes things easy for creative people. You don’t need to worry about printing, shipping, or customer service—Amazon takes care of all that. All you need to do is upload your designs and promote them. You can relax and watch your earnings come in.
This program is great for content creators with a big following. If your designs or logo are popular with your audience, you can easily put them on shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more. Amazon will handle all the details for you, so you can keep creating content and attracting more followers who will want to buy your merch.
Amazon Merch on Demand isn’t just for big businesses. If you’re just getting started, you can still make money with your ideas. Remember, Amazon has over 300 million users, so there’s a good chance people will see what you create.
Remember, Amazon has strict rules for the size and format of your designs. Before you begin, make sure to check their guidelines and templates for details.
I recommend you find out how their royalties work. Overall, this program is excellent, especially for beginners. However, if you notice that the platform seems to be benefiting Jeff Bezos more than you, it might be worth considering a more flexible website.