![\"Amazon](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Amazon_influencers_apqxp9.jpg\")
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Back in 2017, Amazon quietly debuted its Influencer Program <\/a>as an experiment of sorts.\u00a0Big influencers like Jillian Michaels and Mark Cuban were invited to promote curated product collections<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Over the past few months, it came out that Amazon is amping up the program.<\/a>\u00a0This includes opening access to the more \u201cengagement-friendly\u201d micro-influencer set. The program also offers\u00a0big commissions to influencers.<\/strong><\/p>\n As customers grow increasingly wary of big brands, micro-influencers have been huge for brands. They have proven to be a cost-effective way to establish trust with consumers<\/strong>. So naturally, Amazon wants a piece of the action.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at the program and how it works:<\/p>\n Amazon\u2019s Influencer Program<\/a> is a platform designed for digital content creators from YouTube and Instagram. It also includes less \u201cinfluence-y\u201d socials like Twitter and Facebook. Influencers receive a commission<\/strong> on Amazon items purchased by their followers.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking, oh, wow, that sounds an awful lot like their Associate Program, you\u2019re definitely not wrong. Amazon says that this program is “an extension” of the Associate Program.<\/a><\/p>\n To qualify, you\u2019ll need to submit your social media accounts and Amazon will look closely at your number of followers.<\/strong> They will also look at other engagement metrics before extending an invitation.<\/p>\n Still, the only real difference between the two programs is that influencers get to create custom shops and their own vanity URL.<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is a look at Mark Cuban’s shop, which is basically a compilation of nut butters, his books, and energy bars.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Associates, by contrast, don’t get their own shops on Amazon<\/strong>. Instead, they’d feature their recommendations as trackable links on social channels or a personal blog.<\/p>\n Like Amazon Associates, Amazon\u2019s influencers earn based on how many sales are made<\/strong> through their custom storefront.<\/p>\n The commission structure <\/a>is similar to the Associate Program as well. Amazon\u2019s private label clothing will net influencers 10% of the sale, while video games will yield only one percent per referral.<\/p>\n What makes Amazon\u2019s program different than other arrangements is the payout is coupled with the value influencers give back<\/strong> to the brand.<\/p>\n For example, every time someone purchases a belt hanger<\/a> (that’s a thing???) from WhatsUpMoms’ shop,<\/a> they earn a percentage of that sale.<\/p>\n By contrast, if you want an Instagram model to promote the latest FitTea-type product or Fashion Nova outfit, you\u2019d pay a fixed fee. The fee is based on the influencer\u2019s past performance. It’s more like paying a blogger for a project vs. affiliate commissions.<\/p>\n What\u2019s also interesting is that this commission-based payout is something just about any brand can leverage. It also might be an effective way to work with micro-influencers<\/a>.\u00a0Now, advertisers can spend less time and money on reaching out to individual influencers and invite them to apply to their program.<\/p>\n That said, Amazon has a massive catalog<\/strong>. Facebook and Instagram can\u2019t offer that same direct line to making a purchase, nor can most other retailers.<\/p>\n Amazon has been reaching out to micro-influencers, inviting them to join.<\/p>\n Potential influencers can apply to the program. However, they\u2019ll need to prove that they\u2019ve got the numbers<\/strong> and the engagement deserving of their very own vanity URL.<\/p>\n In order to qualify as an official Influencer, you\u2019ll need to submit your social media accounts.\u00a0 Amazon will look closely at the number of followers, as well as other engagement metrics before opening access.<\/p>\n What we think is kind of cool about the program, as well as Amazon\u2019s Affiliate Program is you can sell through multiple platforms.<\/strong> The custom URL makes it easier to promote a link where it might not be possible.<\/p>\n Influencers can easily add items to their shop as easily as they could create an Amazon wishlist or a registry. They can choose to promote an individual item or direct followers to check out their recommendations.<\/p>\n Amazon\u2019s Influencer Program hasn\u2019t made many waves in the two years it\u2019s been around.<\/p>\n However, change could be on the horizon. The affiliate structure payout only rewards those sellers who actually make a sale. This presents a potential solution for brands who pay upfront without an easy way to measure their return on investment.<\/p>\n On the influencer side, Amazon offers some creative freedom in exchange for adopting the new payout model. Amazon just asks that you stick to the ad disclosure rules <\/a>and that\u2019s about it.<\/p>\nWhat is Amazon\u2019s Influencer Program?<\/h2>\n
![\"Influencer\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/q_auto:eco\/v1555628571\/Influencer_uu9nfs.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/q_auto:eco\/v1555628971\/Mark_Cuban_influencer_kmluqk.webp\")
<\/p>\nHow much do Amazon influencers make?<\/h2>\n
![\"Amazon](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_jpg,q_auto:good,w_700\/v1554515760\/editorial\/Screen_Shot_2019-04-05_at_6.41.34_PM.webp\" "\\"WhatsUpMoms")
<\/p>\nSo, how do I become an Amazon influencer?<\/h2>\n
![\"Amazon](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_jpg,q_auto:good,w_700\/v1554515950\/editorial\/Screen_Shot_2019-04-05_at_6.40.50_PM.webp\" "\\"Amazon")
<\/p>\nCould Amazon shake up the influencer model?<\/h2>\n
![\"Make-up](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/f_jpg\/v1555630050\/Make-up_influencer_qrvkph.webp\")
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