Amazon is a retail giant known for its vast array of products and services. But did you know it also offers numerous ways to make money?
With nearly 2 million active sellers, Amazon’s marketplace provides a plethora of opportunities for anyone looking to earn extra cash, even without having their own products.
From seasonal work and side gigs to remote jobs and specialized skills, Amazon’s diverse platforms cater to various money-making ventures.
If you’re considering a job change or a side hustle, here are 15 creative and effective ways to make money on Amazon in 2024.
1. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) allows sellers to outsource the fulfillment process. This method is particularly beneficial for high-volume sellers rather than those selling individual or handmade items. Here’s how it works:
- Source products from wholesalers like Alibaba.
- Privately label these items with your branding.
- Ship the products to an Amazon fulfillment center.
- List the products on Amazon.
When an item is sold, Amazon handles the shipping directly to the buyer. While there are costs involved, such as the $39.99 monthly fee for a Professional Selling Account and additional storage and fulfillment fees, the potential for profit is significant if you balance wholesale costs and retail pricing effectively.
2. Amazon Influencer Program
If you’re active on social media, the Amazon Influencer Program could be a lucrative avenue. Unlike the Amazon Associates program, this one requires you to have a qualifying social media account on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Once accepted, you’ll get your own Amazon storefront where you can showcase product recommendations.
You’ll earn commissions on every product sold through your storefront. Success in this program depends on your follower count and engagement metrics.
Read More: Amazon Influencer Earns Thousands With Simple Side Hustle
3. Wholesale via Business-to-Business Sales
The Amazon Business program is designed to help sellers reach business customers. By registering for a Professional Selling Account, you can create a business profile and list products targeted at business buyers.
Sellers with diversity credentials or quality certifications can highlight these in their profiles to attract specific business customers. The program suits both high-volume and small-business sellers, offering perks like quantity discounts and insights into buyer demographics.
Business sellers who join Amazon Business Prime enjoy additional benefits, such as cash back on a Business Prime credit card and free one-day business delivery.
4. Affiliate Marketing Program
Through Amazon Associates, content creators, influencers, or anyone with a substantial audience can earn commissions of up to 10% on sales made through their affiliate links.
To qualify, you need to regularly publish original content on your website and comply with Amazon’s mobile application policy.
Your application will be reviewed after you generate at least three sales within the first 180 days. Commission rates vary depending on the product category.
5. Publish a Book
If you have a flair for writing, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers a straightforward route to passive income. You can list an electronic version of your book on Amazon in under five minutes, and it will be available to Kindle users within 48 hours.
Authors can earn royalties up to 70% on Kindle sales. To maximize sales potential, you can use CreateSpace to produce a physical copy or ACX to create an audiobook. However, you’ll need to handle your own marketing to build a reader base.
6. Sell Under Amazon Private Brands
Amazon Accelerator helps entrepreneurs launch private-label brands by offering marketing support and customer feedback opportunities.
In return, sellers agree to market their products exclusively on Amazon.
This program has seen success with a wide variety of products, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and snacks.
7. Sell Handmade Products
Amazon Handmade is an excellent platform for selling artisan products. Sellers from over 80 countries use this service to market their handcrafted goods.
After passing an audit to verify product authenticity, you can create a shop and list products for free.
Each sale incurs a 15% referral fee, but the remaining revenue goes to the artisan. Amazon Handmade also provides a custom URL to make it easy for buyers to find your shop.
8. Sell Custom Merchandise
Merch by Amazon allows you to sell custom merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, and keychains without handling production or shipping. Simply provide the artwork and choose the product type and color.
Amazon takes care of the rest, including listing the product on its site. You can promote your merchandise on blogs, social media, or apps, and you’ll earn a royalty on each sale.
9. Write Reviews
If you have a knack for writing helpful reviews, consider joining Amazon Vine. Amazon invites top reviewers to become Vine Voices based on their reviewer rank and the quality of their reviews.
While Vine Voices don’t get paid in cash, they receive free products from vendors in exchange for their honest reviews.
These reviews must adhere to Amazon’s posting guidelines but are otherwise uncensored.
10. Retail Arbitrage
Retail arbitrage involves buying products from retail stores and reselling them on Amazon at a markup.
This method can be seen as a form of FBA selling but focuses on products with one-time availability. Successful retail arbitrage requires knowledge of market values and strategic purchasing during sales or deep discounts.
While competition can affect profit margins, savvy sellers can find lucrative opportunities.
11. Sell Used Goods
Amazon allows limited sales of used electronics. Eligible products can be listed and sold for Amazon gift cards.
Although this method doesn’t provide cash, it offers a way to trade in unwanted items for credit towards new purchases.
Be sure to check the restrictions on which products are eligible for this program.
12. Sell Professional Services
Amazon Home Services connects customers with professionals who can help with tasks like assembling or installing new products.
This “white glove” service covers a range of needs, including home theater setups and appliance installations.
Although Amazon sometimes closes this service to new applicants, interested providers can apply on the Professional Services website when positions open.
13. Crowdsourcing
Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform allows businesses to outsource tasks to a virtual workforce.
Workers can complete tasks on a pay-per-task model, which often includes repetitive work like data entry, surveys, and content moderation.
While the pay rate varies, MTurk offers flexible work that you can do on your schedule, providing an extra source of income.
14. Delivery Driver for Amazon
Becoming an Amazon Flex driver is another way to earn money directly from Amazon. Flex drivers deliver packages on their own schedules, choosing time blocks through the Amazon Flex app.
To qualify, you must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, a midsize or large vehicle, and a smartphone. Flex drivers typically earn between $18 and $25 per hour.
15. Work for Amazon Remotely
Amazon offers remote customer service associate positions that allow you to work from home.
Associates support customers from over 40 countries in 16 languages, assisting with tasks like tracking packages, returns, and device support.
Communication is done via phone, chat, email, or Alexa, eliminating the need for a traditional office environment.