lisarelatableme - Tumblr blog

lisarelatableme · 1 year ago

Text

A Guide To The Amazon Influencer Program Vs Amazon Associate Affiliate Program

Now more than ever, so many people are looking into the option of earning money online working from home.

Digital Marketing and Affilliate Marketing are both great options for anyone looking to generate passive income.

Over a year ago, I decided to turn my sales skills online and join the affiliate marketing train, one of the first programs I signed up to was Amazon.

I have to confess right now that I was completely clueless about the whole process and in particular, the differences between the Amazon Influencer Program and the Amazon Associate Program.

Before we go any further just a quick heads up to let you know that in true affiliate style this blog does contain affiliate links which I may recieve pennies for should you be kind enough to purchase any of the products and resources.

Even now I see people trying to entice others onto the platforms with the promise of easy money for little work and whilst I hate to be a bubble breaker, regardless of which program you opt for there is still a lot of trial and error involved as well as hours spent, finding out what works for you and if you do not understand the do’s and dont’s, no sooner will you get your new empire up and running it could be shut down in an instant rendering all of your hard work pointless!

Deciding whether or not affiliate marketing through either of the Amazon programs is a viable way for you to earn additional income is certainly something to be considered but before diving head first into either, you need to understand that there are distinct rules and regulations that govern each of these programs.

From understanding target audience and platform requirements to the practical aspects of generating affiliate links and advertising them correctly, there’s a lot to learn.

So let’s get the wet suit on for a dive deep into these two programs to try and help you make an informed decision on which, if either, could be an option for you:

Amazon Influencer Program vs. Amazon Associate Program

1. Target Audience and Platform Requirements

Amazon Influencer Program:

Target Audience: This program is tailored for social media influencers or those with a genuine modest but consistent following on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Platform Requirements: Influencers must have an engaged audience and be posting quality content prior to applying for the program simply thinking that you can up your game once you get accepted is a strategy not worth risking. Amazon also evaluates social media metrics, including follower count and engagement rates.

Amazon Influencer Program

Amazon Associate Program:

Target Audience: The Associate Program is open to bloggers, website owners, small business owners, and anyone who can drive traffic to Amazon.

Platform Requirements: While having a website is common, it is not the be all and end all which is something that I didnt realise in the beginning. before spending weeks setting up my own WordPress website!

Associates can use social media platforms, YouTube channels, and other online spaces where they have a presence and can generate traffic.

Amazon Associate Program

2. Application Process and Requirements

Amazon Influencer Program:

Application Process: The application is straightforward but requires verification of social media accounts. Amazon assesses the influencer’s reach and engagement so please be honest on your application because if not, you can be sure your sins will find you out!

Requirements: A strong social media presence with significant follower engagement. The exact number of followers needed isn’t specified, but the emphasis is on the quality of content and engagement of your audience.

Amazon Associate Program:

Application Process: The process is simple and accessible. Applicants need to provide details about their website, social media accounts, or other online spaces.

Requirements: Less stringent compared to the Influencer Program. Even those with smaller audiences can join, provided they have a platform to generate traffic to Amazon.

3. Linking and Promotion

Amazon Influencer Program:

Linking: Influencers get a unique URL to their personalised Amazon storefront, where they can add product recommendations.You will be given the option to customise your own storefront and also create different categories to showcase your products.

You are able to create specific links to each category but NOT to individual products on Amazon marketplace so your customers will need to peruse your store to find certain products.

Influencers also have the benefit of submitting product review videos onto the platform and if accepted, can earn extra commission if Amazon showcase your video and receive product orders because of them. You can take a look at my Amazon Money Masterclass just here.

Promotion: Promotion is done anywhere online or offline. This means that you can share your store through social media posts, videos, and other content. as well as Emails, newsletters, private groups, ebooks or pdf.

Influencers can directly link to their storefront in social media bios.

Amazon Associate Program:

Linking: Once approved you get access to Amazons affiliate linking facility ‘Site Stripe’, Associates can create product links for pretty much every individual product on the marketplace which means you can direct your audience to the exact product they have in mind.

Associates are also able to generate banners and widgets to integrate into their content.

Links must not be included in any offline marketing including emails or PDF attachments, even if you think this is an easy get around it is still against the rules!

Promotion: Can be done through blogs, websites, social media posts, and other online content. Strict rules govern how links are used and advertised and by being a rebel to the cause you risk your account getting terminated.

Associates also have access to other special offers to share with your audience and receive ‘bounties’ if anyone signs up through your link for Amazon prime, Kids Kindle Subscription or Amazon Music.

4. Monetising International Traffic

Amazon Influencer Program:

International Traffic: Influencers primarily focus on their local Amazon storefront because at the moment you can only create 1 store per marketplace, so for example if you join the program as an Amazon.com influencer, you only get to display products sold in the US, even if an international customer finds your link you would not gain commission on a different Amazon platform in the UK for example.

You should be able to join multiple marketplaces and display the various links on your social media profile but this may become confusing for your audience to have to select the correct option and lead to duplicating work for you which is time consuming.

Amazon Associate Program:

International Traffic: Associates can use Amazon’s OneLink tool to convert links for international traffic, ensuring they earn commissions from sales made in different regions. Once this is up and running your affiliate links will automatically geo-locate where your audience clicks from and take them to their local Amazon marketplace meaning a greater coverage for you which in turn can equal more commissions!

5. Commission Structures and Earnings

Amazon Influencer Program:

Commission Structure: Similar to the Associate Program, with varying rates depending on product categories, these do change frequently so its worth keeping an eye on them for any updates.

Commission usually sits anywhere from 1% – 20% per product.

Earnings: Influencers sometimes benefit from higher conversion rates due to the trust and loyalty of their audience and repeat custom.

Amazon Associate Program:

Commission Structure: Rates vary by product category, with some categories offering higher commissions than others.

Earnings: Earnings depend on the amount of traffic driven to Amazon and the conversion rate of that traffic, the more you promote, the more chances there are of getting outbound clicks to your products. The Bounty programs usually have a set amount per transaction for sign ups and purchases. Again these can change so always make sure you keep up to date with any amendments made.

Subscribe to Relatable Me!

Get updates on the latest posts and more from Relatable Me straight to your inbox.SUBSCRIBEI consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.

6. Disclosing Your Relationship with Amazon

Mandatory for Both Programs:

You MUST include a disclaimer stating your partnership with Amazon each time you include an Amazon affiliate link whether Influencer or Associate with ZERO exceptions.

You must ALWAYS make people aware that you are affiliated with a company and therefore could earn commission for clicks/purchases made through your link.

It doesnt have to be War & Peace, just something simple!

An example of a disclaimer could be something like:

“As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“[Your Name] earns commissions from some of the services/products listed on this site.”

7. Account Termination Policies

Amazon Associate Program:

Your account can be terminated if three sales are not made within the first 180 days.

Must adhere to Amazon’s rules, such as not cloaking links (this means hiding your links in text, images or in a format that disguises your affiliate relationship) or misusing the Amazon trademark.

If you do not meet the required sales, you are able to reapply for the program at a later date in most circumstances.

Amazon Influencer Program:

Risk of account termination if there is a period of inactivity, generating ‘evergreen’ content on platforms like Pinterest can be really useful for either affiliate program.

Must maintain active promotion and engagement so regular posting or promotion is a must.

6. Recommendation: Which Program is Best for You?

For Bloggers with Websites:

Best Program: Amazon Associate Program.

Why: Bloggers can integrate product links into their content, taking advantage of linking tools and detailed analytics to optimize their strategies.They also have the benefit of being able to use search engine optimisation to increase the chances of their blogs, and therefore, links being seen by a wider audience without having to constantly promote on social media platforms.

By having an email capture facility on your website, you can also use email marketing to direct traffic back to blogs on your website giving you another marketing outlet to increase traffic on your site and make more in commission!

For Influencers without a Website:

Best Program: Amazon Influencer Program.

Why: Influencers can leverage their social media presence to direct followers to their Amazon storefront, enhancing the shopping experience and potentially increasing conversions due to the browsing experience.

As influencers tend to build up a regular following, you may find that your audience automatically comes to you for opinions and advice giving you an insight of new up and coming products to add to your store making keeping up with current trends easier whilst getting repeat business, which equals repeat commission!

Joining the Associate Program Without a Website:

How: It is possible to be part of the associate program without a website, getting your links to the right audience can take time but is certainly an option for those wanting to join this program but still continue to promote accross social media.

You can use platforms such as , YouTube, Facebook or Tik Tok to promote products. Please make sure that you create engaging content that drives traffic to Amazon whilst always ensuring compliance with Amazon’s strict linking and advertising policies.

Subscribe to Relatable Me!

Get updates on the latest posts and more from Relatable Me straight to your inbox.SUBSCRIBEI consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Amazon Influencer Program and the Amazon Associate Program depends largely on your audience, platform, and marketing strategy. If you have a substantial and engaged social media following, the Influencer Program offers a personalised and effective way to monetise your influence.

On the other hand, if you are a blogger or content creator with various platforms, the Associate Program provides a flexible and accessible avenue to earn commissions through affiliate marketing.

By understanding the key differences and requirements of each program, you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your goals and maximises your earning potential through Amazon’s affiliate opportunities which is always the name of the game!

If you would be interested in setting up your own website you can check out my earlier blog Website Solutions For Beginners Just Here.

You can also check out my resources for promoting on Amazon, Pinterest, Tik Tok, Facebook & You Tube by visiting my store just here.

Please note that whilst I have tried to include the most updated information in this blog you must always do your own research before going ahead with any of the information contained within this blog post or website

#affiliate marketing #affiliate program #affiliate links #marketingtips #amazon #digitalmarketing #passive income

0 notes