Have you ever wondered how to become an Amazon affiliate?
Like so many of us during work, you’ve likely taken a time-out to explore your favourite blogging website, only to discover that more than you’d like you’re browsing is interrupted by ads and banners.
What’s more, all the ads and banners are displaying goods and services held at the biggest online superstore in the world: Amazon!
But why? What gives, why are so many sites structured this way, and what’s in it for the middleman?
After reading this guide on what Amazon affiliate marketing is and how to become one yourself, you’ll not only have the answers to these questions – but also, you’ll be tempted to host a few ads and banners yourself!
Ready?
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Simply put, affiliate marketing is the process of being rewarded for successfully promoting another firm’s product and services. By promoting, or making the referral through your medium, you get a lovely piece of commission or a discount the next time you shop there.
This used to occur only in the physical world with, say, your gardener giving you a 10% discount on your next hedge trimming because you passed along a neighbour who also needed his lawn cut. Today, however, affiliate marketing means bridging the digital divide by driving clicks, leads, sales and more.
Affiliate marketing officially entered the digital world of clicks and leads in 1989, spearheaded by an entrepreneur named William J. Tobin. Once he patented the idea in 1996, Amazon wasn’t far behind in adopting a similar program that to this day helps online business owners.
What is an Amazon Affiliate?
In fact, an entire network of web developers, marketing enthusiasts and Amazon sellers make an income by helping, or directly advertising millions upon millions of products on websites of their own. Customers who click such referral links and make purchases initiate a payment process back to the affiliate who pays no initial sign-up fee, while earning up to 10% in sales commission.
Talk about a winning scenario.
Taking all that into consideration, online affiliate marketing really only requires four key participants: a merchant (here, Amazon.com), a network (again, Amazon.com), a publisher (hopefully, and not in the too distant future…you!) and a customer (your readers).
Now, while there are different ways to make money being an affiliate marketer as measured in pay-per-click or pay-per-lead, Amazon operates on a pay-per-sale model where the Associate only makes a commission when the customer buys something off his or her network.
Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? But is being an Amazon affiliate right for you?
Read on to see whether this monetization scheme fits with your business plan.
Should You Become an Affiliate Marketer With Amazon?
There’s little argument that Amazon is ruling the e-tail and e-commerce space, but is it the right platform for you, your blog, or your personal page?
The answer is: it depends.
It’s hard to argue with Amazon’s vast assortment of product and service offerings, but if your retail location is already on Shopify, WordPress or just getting ready to bridge the digital divide, then you may want to consider their affiliate programs.
By joining, not only can you leverage the platform’s bevy of entrepreneurs, educators, influencers, content creators and the like, but you can also market your own stuff with an average return of $58 per referral and up to $2,000 for each ‘Plus’ referral.
What’s the bottom line? There are certainly endless opportunities in affiliate marketing, advertising and digitizing programs that range from astrology to music to movies and more. But in terms of market penetration, reach, and generosity, you’d be hard-pressed to find a network and merchants with Amazon’s size or scope.
So, with such consistent payouts and a seemingly endless assortment of goods, why not read on and at least get started on the seven easiest steps you’ll take today when it comes to getting paid?
How to Become an Amazon Affiliate in 7 Easy Steps
1. Go to the bottom of the Amazon.com page or simply click here to get started.
2. Click ‘Join Now’.
3. If you don’t have an Amazon account, you’d need to fill out a form (it’s not as bad as it might look at first glance).
4. Enter your website details, especially how much traffic you get.
5. Complete your Affiliate profile.
6. Verify your identify via your phone.
7. Choose how you want to get paid (e.g., check, direct deposit, gift card, etc.).
And your done!
Ready to Become an Amazon Affiliate Marketer?
Admit-tingly, becoming an Amazon Affiliate Marketer may not appeal to you, but if you’re already online and publishing your own content as a blogger, microblogger, or author, then you may want to try monetizing your pre-existing site to see whether you could earn a few extra bucks each and every month.
Alternatively, if you’re still selling things in the physical, bricks-and-mortar space or are just now migrating to an e-commerce platform, then this type of marketing might not only help you earn a little extra cash, but also drive traffic to your offerings, whether they be online or in-person.
Ultimately, however, the call is yours! Just know that this how to become an Amazon affiliate guide will be ready when you need it.
