656: $5k/mo Reviewing Products Part-Time: An Amazon Influencer Update

Podcast Summary: The Side Hustle Show – Episode 656: $5k/mo Reviewing Products Part-Time: An Amazon Influencer Update

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation | YAP Media
Guest: Tyler Christensen of Creator Side Income

Introduction

In Episode 656 of The Side Hustle Show, host Nick Loper welcomes back Tyler Christensen to delve into the evolving landscape of the Amazon Influencer Program. The episode provides an in-depth analysis of how product reviewing on Amazon has transformed over the years, exploring new strategies, challenges, and opportunities for side hustlers aiming to generate significant passive income.

Amazon Influencer Program Updates

Tyler Christensen on Program Evolution

At the outset, Tyler Christensen reflects on the state of the Amazon Influencer Program compared to two years prior. He notes, “The Amazon influencer program is largely the same as it was two years ago… Probably as close to passive income on the Internet as you can get” [01:06]. Tyler emphasizes the low barrier to entry, highlighting the ease of creating and uploading product review videos with minimal production quality.

Nick Loper's Experience

Nick shares his personal success within the program, stating, “To date I've earned over $2,000 as an Amazon influencer” [01:44]. This sets the stage for Tyler's impressive achievement of earning over $130,000 annually, averaging around $5,000 per month, alongside his day job [01:49].

Navigating Increased Competition

Challenges Faced

Tyler discusses the significant increase in competition within the program: “There are definitely way more players in the space” [03:29]. With more influencers creating similar content, standing out has become more challenging. He explains that previously, fewer videos per product meant higher visibility, but now, the saturation dilutes individual contributions.

Strategic Product Selection

To combat this, Tyler advises focusing on a balance between trendiness and uniqueness: “You want trending products, you want products that are popular right now that are bestsellers… There’s a sweet spot where they're popular but not too popular or new but not too new” [04:21]. He employs software tools and personal systems to identify optimal products that offer better visibility and commission rates.

Creator Connections: Enhancing Commission Opportunities

Introduction to Creator Connections

A significant update discussed is Amazon’s introduction of Creator Connections. Tyler explains, “Creator Connections is where brands pay influencers directly instead of relying solely on Amazon commissions” [06:39]. This feature allows influencers to engage in sponsored reviews, offering commissions up to 20%, compared to the standard 0.5% to 4%.

Maximizing Earnings

Tyler shares a personal success story: “I had one product that… paid a 10% commission instead of a 1% commission. That one review has resulted in about $5,000 in the last six months” [07:45]. This illustrates the potential of targeting high-commission products through Creator Connections.

Accessing Creator Connections

To join, influencers navigate to the Creator Connections tab within their Amazon Associates account: “If you're in your associates account, just scroll down the tabs, there's a little button for creator connections” [08:52]. This easy access allows existing influencers to tap into new revenue streams without extensive additional effort.

Onsite vs. Offsite Commissions

Defining the Two Streams

Tyler distinguishes between onsite and offsite commissions:

Onsite Commissions: These are earned when customers watch review videos directly on Amazon product pages and make purchases. Commission rates here are generally lower.
Offsite Commissions: Earned through external platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where influencers use affiliate links to drive traffic to Amazon. These typically offer higher commission rates and better incentives [11:15].

Strategies for Maximizing Both

By cross-posting content and enhancing video quality for offsite platforms, influencers can benefit from both commission types. Tyler mentions, “You have to put a little bit more thought into how you label things and how you title things” [41:46], optimizing content for higher click-through rates on YouTube and other platforms.

Enhancing Video Production and Quality

Balancing Quality and Quantity

With increased competition, Tyler underscores the importance of higher production values for certain segments, particularly technology products: “If you're reviewing a granola bar… there's no need to scale up those videos. But for tech products, you need to up the quality” [16:54].

Thumbnail and Title Optimization

Improving thumbnails and titles can significantly impact visibility and engagement. Tyler shares his approach: “Adding a little bit more thought into how you label things and how you title things” [42:46]. Simple enhancements, like featuring the product clearly and incorporating intriguing elements, have improved his video performance on platforms like YouTube [28:06].

Expanding to TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop Overview

Tyler introduces TikTok Shop as a burgeoning platform distinct from Amazon. Unlike Amazon’s broad product range, TikTok Shop focuses on viral, inexpensive products that appeal to trend-savvy audiences. “TikTok really focuses on viral trending products… people are riding the trends” [17:58].

Success and Challenges

While TikTok Shop offers lucrative opportunities, it demands a different strategy. Successful influencers produce numerous short, engaging videos to capitalize on trends, whereas failure to adapt can result in minimal earnings: “Some are doing really well… but more people on TikTok shop are making no dollars” [19:27].

Content Strategy and Monetization

Sponsored Videos and Consistency

Tyler highlights the importance of consistency and volume in video production. “Being consistent, looking for different things and improving over time” [30:54]. He emphasizes treating content creation like a job to ensure steady income streams from various monetization avenues, including sponsored videos, Creator Connections, and YouTube AdSense.

AI Tools for Efficiency

Incorporating AI tools like Google’s AI Studio, Tyler enhances his workflow by transcribing and summarizing content, saving time and improving content quality: “AI Studio… it will summarize it for you, they will transcribe it for you” [43:45].

Donating a Business Idea: Starting a YouTube Channel

Building Expertise through Content Creation

Tyler advocates for starting a YouTube channel as a business idea, arguing that consistent content creation builds expertise and opens doors to additional revenue streams. “Start a YouTube channel… As you gain expertise, people will reach out to you for your knowledge” [34:58].

Case Study: Chasing Junk

He shares his personal project, Chasing Junk, a channel focused on 80s collectibles. By documenting his collection journey, Tyler not only enjoys the process but also attracts sponsorships and opportunities: “It's been super helpful for me as a parent, as a teacher, and it's even improved my YouTube videos” [37:02].

Triple Threat: Marketing Tactics and Continuous Improvement

Optimizing Titles and Thumbnails

One key marketing tactic Tyler employs is adding intrigue to video titles to enhance click-through rates. “Instead of saying review of product, I'm trying to create intrigue in the title” [41:46]. This subtle shift has led to significantly higher view counts on YouTube [42:46].

Leveraging AI for Content Efficiency

Utilizing AI for transcribing and summarizing content allows Tyler to streamline his content creation process, ensuring that his YouTube descriptions are comprehensive and engaging without excessive manual effort: “AI Studio… is really a powerful tool for me” [43:45].

Favorite Book: "The Power of Moments"

Tyler recommends The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath, highlighting its relevance in creating meaningful experiences both personally and professionally: “It talks about how we can elevate different things, how we can create moments out of fear or maybe out of creating connection” [45:20]. This book has influenced his approach to teaching and content creation, emphasizing the importance of impactful interactions.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Nick and Tyler summarizing the interconnectedness of various revenue streams within the Amazon Influencer Program and beyond. Tyler underscores the importance of consistency, strategic content creation, and adaptability in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of online monetization. Nick encourages listeners to explore these opportunities, leveraging the insights shared to enhance their own side hustles.

Notable Quotes:

Nick Loper [00:00]: “Think of it like outsourcing for your side hustle.”
Tyler Christensen [01:06]: “Probably as close to passive income on the Internet as you can get.”
Tyler Christensen [06:39]: “Creator Connections… brands will pay you this amount.”
Tyler Christensen [34:58]: “As you gain expertise, people will reach out to you for your knowledge.”
Tyler Christensen [41:46]: “My marketing tactic is simply put a little bit more thought into how you label things and how you title things.”
Tyler Christensen [45:20]: “It talks about how we can elevate different things, how we can create moments.”

Resources Mentioned

Creator Side Income: creatorsideincome.com
Book Recommendation: The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
AI Studio by Google: aistudio.google.com

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