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Stepping into affiliate marketing can feel like standing at a crossroads of endless possibilities.
Here you are, an enthusiastic marketer, eager to make your mark. But with so many programs to choose from, each promising great opportunities, it can be tough to decide which one to run to.
Let's clear a path and zoom in on a program that stands out from the crowd – Amazon Associates. It checks all the boxes when it comes to:
- Niche compatibility
- Wide product selection
- Fair commission payouts
- Affiliate resources & support
- A good reputation
- and so much more!
That’s right, Amazon isn’t just an online shopper's paradise. Its affiliate program provides prosperous grounds for affiliate marketers too.
Ready to get started? Great! This guide will walk you through the 5 steps on how to become an Amazon affiliate marketer – from the initial setup of your account to picking and promoting products that align with your passion.
We’ll also introduce some nifty Amazon affiliate marketing tools nestled within the ThirstyAffiliates plugin.
What is Amazon Associates?
Amazon Associates, also known as Amazon's affiliate program, started back in 1996, just a few years after they set up shop in the online world. Back then, their virtual shelves were only filled with books.
Even with such a limited product offering, they recognized the power of affiliate marketing and how building a program was a great way to drive sales and broaden their brand's reach.
Wow, were they right!
Look at Amazon today. It's clear they've grown into something much bigger. What started as a humble online bookstore has expanded into a gigantic marketplace, boasting over 12 million products across a diverse range of niches.
But this ecommerce giant isn’t bringing in an impressive daily revenue of $1.4 billion all on its own. They're backed by a vast network of over 900,000 affiliate marketers from all corners of the globe.
Content creators – yep, people just like you – are “working” for Amazon. But let's be real, calling it ‘”work” is a bit of a stretch. How the Amazon affiliate marketing gig works is:
- Amazon assigns you a unique product link This personalized link becomes your ticket to promote Amazon products any way you wish – be it a blog article, a social media post, or any other type of content you create.
- When someone clicks on your link and heads to Amazon's site, if they buy something within the next 24 hours, you get a cut of the sale.
Essentially, you're turning your Amazon shopping addiction into a monthly paycheck. How awesome is that!
What are the Benefits of being an Amazon Affiliate Marketer?
There's more to being an Amazon Associate than bringing in a little extra cash (although that's a big part of it).
This program is packed with a bunch of awesome benefits, making it one of the most popular and rewarding affiliate programs out there.
Let's explore a short list of things that make Amazon Associates so great:
- Free and Simple Signup: Getting started with Amazon Associates is as simple and cost-effective as it gets. There are absolutely no charges to sign up and no ongoing fees to worry about. It's an excellent choice for anyone wanting to step into the world of affiliate marketing without any financial commitment or complications.
- Diverse Range of Products: As an Amazon affiliate, you have access to a massive selection of products. With over 12 million items across various categories, there's something for every niche. Whether you're into tech gadgets, books, fashion, or home goods, you can find products that align with your content and audience.
- Trusted Brand: Amazon is a household name, and its reputation for reliability and customer service can work in your favor. People are generally more inclined to buy from a trusted source, so featuring Amazon products can lead to higher conversion rates compared to lesser-known retailers.
- Passive Income Opportunities: One of the biggest perks is the potential for earning passive income. Once you add affiliate links in your content, they can continue to earn you money long-term, as long as people are clicking and buying. It's a way to monetize your blog, social media, or website with minimal ongoing effort.
With these compelling benefits, it's easy to see why Amazon Associates stands out in the affiliate marketing world. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just starting out, these advantages open up a world of possibilities.
Now that you're familiar with what makes Amazon Associates an excellent choice, let's move on to the real exciting part: How to become an Amazon Affiliate in 5 simple steps!
How to Become an Amazon Affiliate Marketer (In Just 5 Steps)
Amazon Associates didn't earn its reputation as the “best affiliate program” by accepting every application submitted. They've set some basic standards that you'll need to meet:
- If you're a blogger, your website should have at least 10 posts, with some of them being recently published within the last 60 days.
- If you prefer social media, you can share Amazon affiliate links on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, as long as you have a minimum of 500 followers.
Clearing these eligibility hurdles is just your ticket through the front door. The real key to thriving as an Amazon Affiliate lies in building your brand, forging strong connections with your audience, and consistently delivering top-notch content.
Step 1: Sign in to your Amazon Account
First off, click the button below and we’ll take you straight to the Amazon Assocaites headquarters – aka Amazon.com Associates Central.
Guess What: Notice when you click the button, it opens up in a new window, side by side with this article. That'll make it so much easier to follow along with these steps!
Go ahead and read through the basic rundown of what their program is all about. Once you hit the bottom of the page, you're that much more prepared to give that “Sign up” button a click.
Next, you'll land on a page asking you to log in with your existing Amazon account. If you don't already have one, just hit the “Create your Amazon account” button, and it'll direct you to a sign-up page:
After setting up your account or logging in, head back to the Amazon Associates homepage to start filling out your application.
Step 2: Provide Your Personal Information and Website Details
On the Account Information page, you'll need to re-confirm personal details, like your name, address, and mobile phone number:
Continue down the page to specify who will be the primary contact for the account. If that's you, simply select “The payee listed above”. If someone else will be handling this, choose the second option and enter their details.
After you've made your selection, click the “Next” button to proceed to the Website and Mobile App List page:
This is where you'll list the platforms you plan to promote Amazon products. Add the URLs of any websites, blogs, social media profiles, and mobile apps you'll use to share your Amazon affiliate links.
Step 3: Create Your Profile
Now it’s time to create your identity in the Amazon Associates world! On the Profile page, Amazon asks you to assign yourself an Associates ID.
This could be your name or your website's name, but keep in mind, this ID will also show up in your affiliate links.
In the section labeled “Tell us about the content you create,” you get the chance to describe your content in detail. This helps Amazon understand the types of products you're likely to promote.
After that, select the content type that best aligns with your style.
But before you complete this step, make sure to review the Associates Program Operating Agreement. Think of it as the rulebook for Amazon Associates. Knowing the rules well now can save you from any surprises once you’re in the game.
Step 4: Set Your Payment Preferences
Once you've completed your profile, you'll land on a confirmation page indicating that your application has successfully been submitted. Congratulations! You can officially start promoting affiliate products.
And you might want to get on that sooner, rather than later…
Over the next 180 days, Amazon will be keeping a close eye on your newly established affiliate status. You'll need to make at least 3 sales in that time period, or else they’ll kick you out of their program.
Additionally, on this same page, Amazon will prompt you to enter your payment and tax information:
Don't worry if you're not ready to provide this just yet – you can always come back and complete these details later.
Step 5: Search and Select Your Amazon Affiliate Product Links
Amazon has upgraded the process for generating affiliate links, streamlining it alongside your regular online shopping.
When you spot a product you'd like to promote, you can use Amazon's SiteStripe tool to create your affiliate link:
SiteStripe offers several options for showcasing products on your website: Text, Image, or Text and Image.
But these are nothing like the link-enhancing tools inside the ThirstyAffialites WordPress plugin…
Upgrade Your Amazon Affiliate Links with ThirstyAffiliates!
ThirstyAffiliates is here to revamp those long, unmemorable Amazon URLs into neat, branded, and easily shareable links.
Just look at that Amazon affiliate link up there! It's an endless jumble of letters and numbers!
With ThirstyAffiliates, you can transform that page-long link into something more streamlined and catchy, such as: yourcoolbrand.com/reccommends/storage-bins
This not only makes your links look way better, but it also makes them more intuitive. They fit seamlessly into your social media posts, blog articles, and emails, without taking up too much space or appearing out of place.
Then we also have our ThirstyAffiliates Amazon Link Importer. This tool streamlines the affiliate link creation process, allowing you to search for Amazon products directly within the plugin.
With just a few clicks, you can find the product you want to promote and generate a link instantly.
This eliminates the need to toggle between Amazon and your ThirstyAffiliates dashboard, saving you time and making the process of link creation faster, more efficient, and user-friendly
Introducing NEW ThirstyAffiliates Product Displays
ThirstyAffiliates has upped its game with a brilliant new add-on: Product Displays. This tool lets you turn simple affiliate links into stunning product displays, giving your promotions a visual edge.
With these displays, readers get an enticing preview of the products you recommend, complete with essential details, making the “buy now” button irresistible.
Stay tuned for more details on ThirstyAffiliates Product Displays! Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to catch the exciting reveal.
Conclusion
Amazon Associates really is a top-notch affiliate program. It's got everything – great commissions and a huge range of products to choose from. Perfect for anyone looking to add some extra income to your online activities.
Here's how you can get started:
- Sign up for the Amazon affiliate program.
- Provide your personal details and website URL.
- Create your profile.
- Choose your preferred payment method.
- Begin generating your affiliate links.
To really nail it as an Amazon Associate, you NEED ThirstyAffiliates by your side. It's your go-to for:
- Turning those lengthy Amazon links into snappy, branded ones.
- Finding Amazon products straight from your WordPress site.
- Creating cool, eye-catching product displays.
Alright, you've got the lowdown on Amazon Associates and a shiny new tool to shake things up – time to show the affiliate world what you're made of!
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