Want to earn some extra cash? If yes, you are on the right page. Anyone will be okay with having a side gig in their free time and using it. If you are wondering how to make money on Amazon without selling, you will be amazed to see there are good ways to do it.
There are several ways Amazon lets you earn money through or on it, from affiliate marketing to publishing books on Kindle and writing review descriptions, to many more things.
Amazon is a reliable site where you can make money as a passive income. All the ways Amazon presents you are legitimate; yes, you will be paid.
Amazon has been trusted by its customers for many years. It certainly beats other online shopping platforms in giving opportunities to generate passive income.
Now, without any more delay, let us start with the article and learn how to make passive income using Amazon.
1. How do you Make Money on Amazon without Selling?
Below are the ways to make passive income on Amazon. Check all to see which one will be best for you.
1.1 Affiliate Marketing (Amazon Affiliate Program)
Affiliate marketing is certainly one of the best ways to make money on Amazon without selling.
All you need is an online audience, be it a blog, social media, or any channel, where you can put up ads relevant to your customers or users.
You can join an Amazon affiliate program and suggest its products on your site or blog.
Now, anyone visiting Amazon and buying products from your affiliate link will benefit you. How? As for every purchase made by them, you will be commissioned accordingly.
Around 4 to 10 percent of the product’s price will be your commission, and one can earn a pretty good amount.
Just make sure you do good data analysis and recommend products based on that to your blog viewers to benefit more.
Leverage Product Comparison Guides
One highly effective strategy I’ve found in affiliate marketing on Amazon is to leverage the power of product comparison guides. These guides allow me to showcase multiple products within the same category, highlighting their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks.
By providing comprehensive comparisons, I help my audience make informed purchasing decisions, which builds trust and increases the likelihood of them clicking through my affiliate links.
For instance, I create detailed blog posts and videos comparing similar products, discussing their differences in price, functionality, and user experience.
I include personal insights and recommendations based on my own testing or research to add value and authenticity to the content. Additionally, I ensure that each product comparison guide is optimized for search engines to attract organic traffic.
This strategy not only drives clicks and conversions but also enhances audience engagement as they appreciate the detailed insights and guidance provided.
As a result, I’ve seen significant increases in both commissions and audience satisfaction by implementing product comparison guides in my affiliate marketing efforts on Amazon.
Naima Ch, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Set Alarm Online
1.2 Kindle Direct Publishing
If you think you are a good writer and can publish books well enough to be read, I suppose Kindle Direct Publishing is the best option.
You only need some quality and steady content to make money through it. This will reduce the trouble of finding publishers for your content and will not consume much of your time.
You can choose either digital publishing or hard copies. Once you publish a book and if it is sold well, you will get 70 percent of its royalties. Only the promotion and marketing are yours; Kindle Direct Publishing will do the rest.
You will have to circulate or spread the word of your book for better reach. Anyone with creativity and good writing skills can use this opportunity to publish their books.
You can also suggest this to your friends if they are good at writing and have a flair. Let us see what are other ways now.
Maximizing Passive Income with Amazon’s Affiliate Program & KDP
Leveraging Amazon’s affiliate program and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has been a game changer in generating passive income for me.
Initially, [my focus was] on affiliate marketing, where I strategically promoted selected Amazon products on my blog and social media channels. A key strategy was [to create] comprehensive product reviews and how-to guides [that incorporated] affiliate links.
This approach [not only] boosted my traffic but also increased my affiliate commission rates. For newcomers, I recommend starting with products you are genuinely interested in and knowledgeable about; this authenticity resonates with your audience.
Transitioning into using Kindle Direct Publishing, I published a series of e-books related to digital marketing strategies. The key to success here was [to identify] niche topics with high demand but low competition, which I discovered through meticulous keyword research.
My top-selling book so far has provided a steady monthly income thanks to its relevance and [the evergreen] content it offers.
For those interested in KDP, [my advice] is to focus on quality over quantity and invest in professional cover design and editing services to make your book stand out in the crowded marketplace.
Combining [both] affiliate marketing and KDP has [not only] diversified my income streams but also reinforced my brand presence online. The synergy between creating valuable content for my audience and offering them products or resources [that] I stand by has proven [to be] effective.
For anyone looking to venture into these passive income avenues, my biggest [piece of] advice is to be patient and persistent. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort and strategic planning, you can build a sustainable passive income through Amazon’s platforms.
Haiko de Poel Jr, Chief Marketing Officer, Mass Impact
1.3 Amazon Merch
Amazon Merch is a great way to earn or earn passive income. If you are an artist with a general knowledge of art and can design, you can consider this way of getting passive income.
You should be updated about the ongoing trends and relevant software required.
Amazon will not charge you to make, sell, or design the merchandise. You have to create an account to get started with merch.
Make trendy designs for shirts or any other products, upload them, and don’t forget to add prices, descriptions, and colors.
Your passive income through this depends on the price of your merchandise and how much it takes Amazon to make and sell it.
Knowing a little about designing is simple and friendly because you don’t have to do any part of shipping, manufacturing, etc. Only the design part will be yours.
1.4 By Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk is also a decent side gig you can consider to get extra cash. You will get tasks or HIT tasks from businesses and companies on the Mechanical Turk site.
See if you are qualified for them and finish them. All tasks have different payments, and requesters will validate your functions after 30 days of your finishing.
So, this can be helpful if you are looking for flexibility and work from home. After doing some jobs, you can get qualified for harder ones and earn more. This works globally, so citizens of any country can opt for this.
Create an account, submit relevant details, and select the tasks you want to do. Requesters will accept within 30 days.
The tasks include audio transcription, content moderation, brief surveys, etc.
1.5 Customer Support on Amazon
There are several customer support jobs on Amazon that you can consider if you are wondering how to make money on Amazon without selling.
If you want to help Amazon customers with their queries, you can apply for Amazon’s customer service jobs.
It does have a good amount of opportunities, and you can search for work-from-home or onsite jobs.
You will probably not need many qualifications except good speaking skills and matriculation. It’s flexible and easygoing.
Moreover, you will find customer service vacancies quickly and will be fine if you are free and want to earn cash at home.
1.6 By Writing Reviews
Are you the user who drops feedback on products purchased from Amazon? If yes, then maybe this habit is good for you. There is this Amazon Vine Program, which Amazon offers.
This is for you if you are a consistent user and leave reviews often. Only those who actively review can opt for this program. So yeah, writing reviews will also help.
You will not get cash but goodies and gifts for your reviews. Users must give honest and unbiased reviews of products they purchase and, in return, get assistance from Amazon. Isn’t it great?
Let’s see what are other ways to make money.
1.7 Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is also an excellent option to make some extra cash. Amazon has launched its Amazon Flex in most cities, which is very convenient.
You can deliver Amazon products to customers on Amazon’s behalf. Amazon has a delivery service, but with this, you can use your vehicle, sign up, get accepted, and start working.
The best part of this is convenience. One can choose which hours they wish to deliver or in which areas. This will help you have a schedule, and you can utilize the rest of your time for other work.
You can do this if you have a free vehicle and want to earn cash.
1.8 Write Amazon Product Descriptions
Yes, extra cash can also be earned by writing product descriptions. Studying and writing skills are all you need to write product descriptions.
Product descriptions are an essential part of any product on Amazon, so make sure you write correct and detailed descriptions.
It’s seemingly a simple and flexible way to earn some extra cash. If you have flair in writing, consider this and focus on keywords that enhance visibility.
Furthermore, features and the benefits of using the product will gain potential buyers.
Well, that says writing skills do not go to waste and are helpful in many ways for making money.
Mastering Product Description Writing: Tips for Success
Product description writing might be a viable side hustle for those looking to make [an extra] couple of dollars. However, [do] keep in mind that product description writing might not be as easy as it seems. Here are [a couple of] tips [that could] assist you on this new exciting journey.
Writing [an] effective product description is about more than what meets the eye. You will need to understand the product’s ins and outs. This will ensure [that you] accurately represent its benefits, features, and specifications. Assisting you to highlight its key points, driving sales.
Keywords are essential to great product descriptions; research relevant keywords that customers might use to search for the specific product. Then incorporate them into the description naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing at all costs.
Target your writing to the intended audience. Always use clear, concise, and benefit-orientated language for broader audiences. For more niche products you can use technical language.
Your product description needs to capture the [attention of] the reader while showcasing the product’s value. The best practice is to focus on the benefits and how the product will improve their situation. Remember, products are more than their features.
Don’t forget to structure your product description. This can be done by using bullet points, headings, and white spaces to break up the text [which will] improve readability.
Carefully [go through] your content to ensure [there are] no grammatical or spelling errors. A product description always needs to be presented professionally.
[Last] but not least, always include a clear call to action at the end of your product description. This can be anything from “Buy Now” to “Add to Cart”. This is vital to prompt the client to take the next step.
Sofia Perez, Owner/Content manager, Character Counter
1.9 Make Video Reviews (Influencer Program)
Another best way to make money on Amazon without selling is by making video reviews of Amazon products.
All you need is a social following for this. If you have many followers on social handles, you can make reviews on it.
You will also get a unique URL from Amazon. Using this URL, you can suggest the products to your users, and if anyone purchases through this, you will get a commission.
This Amazon influencer program is suitable for those with followers on social media other than blogs or sites.
This option will be good if you have convincing, engaging skills and good followers. Also, make sure you give honest and reliable reviews to your users.
Understand Audience Needs and Emphasize Credibility
Leveraging the power of video reviews and virtual assistant services on Amazon starts with understanding your audience’s needs. Dive deep into product benefits, showcasing real-world applications and simplifying complex features.
Highlighting user testimonials adds credibility. For virtual assistant offerings, emphasize customization and responsive support.
This dual approach, refined through my journey at ShipTheDeal, significantly enhances visibility and trust, carving a niche in the bustling Amazon marketplace for newcomers.
Cyrus Partow, CEO, ShipTheDeal
Showcase Uniqueness and Maintain Professionalism
As a sticker-printing e-commerce owner, I’d say that creating engaging and authentic video reviews is an invaluable strategy for attracting customers on platforms like Amazon.
Start with showcasing the uniqueness and quality of your stickers, perhaps by demonstrating their durability or how they can be creatively applied.
Highlighting the story behind your designs can also resonate with viewers, making the product more appealing. Moreover, when providing virtual assistant services on Amazon, it’s important to establish clear communication with your clients.
This means setting expectations from the beginning, such as response times and availability. Maintaining professionalism and being reliable are key to building trust with clients. It’s also helpful to research and stay updated on Amazon’s policies and guidelines for virtual assistants.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Marketing Head, Sticker It
1.10 Become a Virtual Assistant
You can also become a Virtual Assistant on Amazon and make money. The virtual assistant will help sellers with business-related queries and doubts.
He or she works and addresses behind-the-scenes issues to the sellers and solves them.
This is also an essential role for Amazon, and you can use it if you think you are suitable for the job.
1.11 By Referring to Audible Free Trial
Yeah, this is an easy way to make money on Amazon. As you read above, you must refer friends, family, or relatives to get an Audible free trial or sign up for it.
Yes, that sounds pretty simple and easy.
Audible has over 180,000 audiobooks to choose from and is one of the best audiobook applications out there.
It offers a one-month free trial and unrestricted access to all the audiobooks. After that, you must pay for a subscription or cancel the free trial.
For every sign-up for a free trial with your link, you will get a 15% commission. That is a good choice, I suppose.
2. How do you Make Money on Amazon by Selling?
Now that you know how to make money without selling on Amazon let us see the best ways you can make money by selling products.
2.1 Amazon Handmade
Do you make handmade things? Many prefer handmade items since they look classic, exquisite, and friendly.
If you make jewelry, art, apparel, or anything handmade, you can sell it on Amazon.
Also, selling handmade things on Amazon is better than other places. You will get a custom URL to help your customers locate your shop quickly.
Furthermore, sellers on Amazon will have to pay $39.99 every month. However, handmade sellers only have to pay 15% of what they earn or the total sale price. So, if you do not make anything, you will not even pay for Amazon.
If they are into making handmade things, you can recommend this easy way to make money to your peers.
Now, you can sell handmade things and make money on Etsy and Amazon.
2.2 Fulfilment By Amazon
FBA, or Fulfilment by Amazon, was launched in 2015 and has been very useful to Amazon sellers since then.
What does FBA mean? Well, you can store your products and manufactured items in Amazon warehouses. Amazon service will look after everything from packing, picking, marketing, and shipping. You don’t have to deal with any of these. It does these jobs just like any other product.
However, Amazon sellers must pay an amount to store the items in the warehouse. It’s good because there is no hassle of packing, and you can focus on the administrative stuff of your business.
You will profit more if your items sell quickly or do not stay on shelves longer, as you will have to pay for storing.
2.3 Sell a Service
Yeah, you read it right. You can sell not only products or advertisements but also services on Amazon.
Services such as tutoring subjects, music, or any other service can help you make a nice income.
Here, Amazon will help you connect with clients and people who may need your service or potential customers.
All you need is a background check, which should be clear, and general liability insurance with an occurrence cap of $1000,000.
You will not have to pay anything to Amazon unless you make earnings. Your pay to Amazon depends on what service you sell and how much you will make out of it.
2.4 Trade-in Programs on Amazon
Trade-in programs on Amazon are another excellent way. However, this way, you cannot make money but get gift cards, etc.
You can trade your products on Amazon, preferably niche products, because niche products are in higher demand.
You have to make sure your item is in good shape and can be considered because Amazon can be picky at this. How much credit can you get? Well, you may get around 25% of the original retail price.
Therefore, if you see any local garage sale at lower prices, you can get and trade them on Amazon.
That is one way to get your hand on gift cards by Amazon’s trade-in programs.
Prioritize High Profitability and Sales
Profitability is always a top consideration when deciding which activities to prioritize.
This involves assessing the potential profit margins of each opportunity, as well as the estimated volume of sales that could be generated. Activities with higher profitability and potential for significant sales are usually given top priority.
An additional key consideration involves the time and resources needed to engage in a specific activity.
For example, some opportunities may require more upfront investment in terms of time and money, while others may have a quicker turnaround time for generating profits. This needs to be carefully evaluated to optimize time and resources.
Lastly, market trends and competition also play a crucial role in decision-making. It is important to research the current demand and supply of products or services related to a particular activity, as well as the level of competition in that niche.
This can help determine the potential success and sustainability of an income-generating activity on Amazon.com.
Alex Taylor, Head of Marketing, CrownTV
Key Takeaways
These are some ways to make money on Amazon with and without selling. All the methods mentioned are proven and legitimate; you will need patience and steady work to see the results.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
As a writer, I was looking for a way to increase my earnings while having fun. After reading this article, I am convinced that Kindle Direct Publishing is the best option for me. I am happy that I can publish books that are easily accessible to readers. With Kindle Direct Publishing, I can avoid the delays and complications that come with traditional publishing methods.