Amazon, what to sell? The question should be Amazon don't be a seller and save time doing something productive. They must hate affiliates.
Amazon slashes affiliate commissions.
Affiliate commissions at Amazon have been low for a long time and the terms of trading really suck. But they have gone to a whole new level of belt-tightening on commissions.
I don't want to be negative about this as for years I have suggested Amazon as a good starter product to learn internet selling. Yes, it has had its problems but we managed to live with them in the hope of making money.
For example, just last week furniture allowed an 8% commission rate on all sales. Most importantly this is a low figure but a thousand-dollar chair made you $80 so it may have been worth the effort.
Subsequently and from today that same sale will make you $30, therefore a real game changer
Another Amazon problem
Amazon cookies have a 24-hour shelf life. If your referred buyer does not take the opportunity within 24 hours, the customer will return to Amazon. No one else I know could get away with such a ludicrous term.
Finally, you build a site and load it with products referring to Amazon. The buyer decides to wait a day and then logs directly into them and pays money. Your commission is lost.
And there is more.
If you don't make a sale within three months your account is closed.
When you start out in this industry there is a lot to learn and it takes a while to get traffic flowing hence buyers spend. I have had this happen to me a couple of times as I attempt different marketing trials.
Likewise, you can't sell to family and friends to earn money. Amazon tracks this and doesn't pay any commission on these sales, a starting position for any new player.
Furthermore, they have increased pricing on many products and the same things can be bought locally at a better price. Moreover, while they have a convenient position this will not last all that long
My problem with the Amazon changes
First of all, as affiliates, we spend a whole bundle of time learning a craft and setting up sites to reflect on Amazon. Certainly hours of training and site costs are often a life's work and future income required to live.
You will understand that this has been done in the middle of the Covid crisis and this is a time when many of us want an income just to live.
People like you have a huge investment in this however the ship has now hit the sand and it's not funny.
To be fair, yes, you can still make money and just accept the situation and ride the distance. Will Amazon do a backflip? I believe it is a possibility when buyers depart the scene and someone recognizes what they have done.
But there again I still believe in the Easter bunny so maybe I am delusional.
Importantly, we consider Amazon what to sell and your position.
What position can you take?
If you have invested in Amazon and have an established role I would suggest you let it ride the distance and accept the pennies that flow your way.
However, I would put all the skills learned in a new direction and with someone that respects you more than they do.
Newbies find a better supplier and save your time and money.
Other supply options
If you have an Amazon background I am sure you will find acceptance among these few suggestions of ethical competitors with much better margins.
However, this is just the peak of a very large list of companies looking for good affiliates. Nearly every major organization has an affiliate program and many of minor ones as well.
Other income options
Above all else, if your boat can't be floated by Amazon, where else can you launch all your skills?
Moreover, I am a firm believer in the recurring billing industry where a sale continues to pay you over time. The amount every month for the life of the customer. My fixation follows many years of running businesses just like this.
The principal benefit is that you can build a business that has real value based on history.
Meanwhile, in month one you may have a customer that pays $20 a month but by month 12 say 40 customers paying $20 or $800 a month. Yes, some will fail but others will thrive as you build.
Furthermore, if you have two bases doing the same thing you are both protected from failure and promised double the income. It's a sitting on the beach lifestyle as your bases grow.
Beware of scam products
Most importantly you should only use products that are legitimate and have a history of success.
In addition, don't let bright shining profits lure you into the trap of paying money to get more. Believe me, these are everywhere and waiting to take your money and deliver disappointment.
As you move away from Amazon, consider your options carefully and make a plan for the long-term future.
What are the best recurring income products?
| Web hosting | Wealthy Affiliate |
| Backup companies | Amazon (haha). Cloud services |
| Email delivery | Constant Contact |
| Video Making | Making and storing |
| Training sites and courses | Lots of opportunities |
| Software Program SAS | Selling SDAS as a product or as an affiliate |
| Service and retainers | Monthly billing services |
| Product Subscriptions | Men's monthly shaver deal |
Certainly, this is a list of a range of ideas that you can become involved in. Therefore, choose one or all of them depending on your customer profile. In fact, I still do most of these and earn a five-figure income.
So where is best to start an affiliate program?
I unashamedly recommend Wealthy Affiliate as a must for anyone seeking a regular income. As a five-year subscriber, I run all my websites through them, completed all the training, and am a top performer in the community forum.
You can start the affiliate program from day one even as a free subscriber.
Not only do you learn with them and earn money, but they will also introduce you to other affiliate programs that have got a tick of approval.
Keyword tools are a must for everyone
You and everyone involved with Internet marketing must have a very deep knowledge of keywords. These are the differences between being read or being ignored. You must understand competition and page placement in everything you do. It is not nice to do it's a must-do.
I have written about Keywords but you can try them for free at Jaaxy which also has an affiliate program, Jaaxy is owned by one of the Wealthy Affiliate directors.
Above all, Jaaxy is the industry's only keyword and research platform that was developed by affiliate marketers FOR affiliate marketers. There is an incredible number of hands-on processes that are very time-consuming when it comes to your business. Keywords and competition research can now be a breeze!
With Jaaxy you are getting the most advanced yet useful platform in the world for managing all aspects of keywords, websites, competition, and market research. In addition, you will need it for any internet activity you are involved with.
Training to make an online income
First of all, training at Wealthy Affiliate covers most aspects of your internet journey, but if you want a more hands-on approach and a faster road to the end, you may like my mate Roy Carter. Roy who lives on an island in the middle of the Pacific and has escaped from London to live the ideal lifestyle. He puts up with a few cyclones and catches a boat to go to the local Restaurant.
But Roy takes the journey with you to find wealth – a shorter journey than traveling solo.
However, be warned, Roy will give you a full rundown of what he is about and may not accept you into the fold unless you have a chance of success.
Finally, fast-tracking your learning comes at a small cost but at a cost that will be returned many times over. Roy Carter a personal invitation.
Amazon what to sell when the margins disappear
Can you earn money with Email marketing?
Email marketing is the most direct and cheapest form of marketing on the internet.
It certainly works today as well as it ever did before and will continue to grow in leaps and bounds.
However, if you are not involved in this you are missing out big time.
| Reminder emails | An everyday item |
| Single sales emails | Follow every lead |
| Bulk emails | Mail your list |
| Autoresponder emails | Any new inquiry |
| Newsletters | Most important |
| Affiliate opportunity | Selling email services |
There is a lot that can be done with email at the very least for your own customers. You can teach email marketing and provide local services. Write newsletters and create autoresponders.
Certainly, the best training and services are available at Constant contact where for just a few dollars following your free trial you have access to every part of the service.
Consequently, I email most days and send a newsletter every week to a list of 10,000. This list keeps my customers informed and creates regular sales opportunities.
Meanwhile, just last week I was watching a video presentation by a well-known speaker who asked his audience if they had been receiving his emails. In short, the answer, of course, was a resounding yes.
He then asked how many had been getting emails from him for a period of greater than 12 months, again a large response.
His answer was simple ” they have a long shelf life don't they”.
They had been following him for over a year before making a commitment.
I also find this is the case. One day you just hit a hot spot and a new buyer emerges from the mire.
Therefore learn the game at Constant contact and never come back.
Blogging is a great choice
Above all else, I enjoy writing blogs. It fulfills my creative side and may just help a small business or online marketer somewhere along the line.
On the other hand, it is a slower approach to income however it takes many months to build a following.
However, you are building a business that can pay handsome dividends over a long period. Furthermore, it can contain as many affiliate links as you wish, therefore creating a diversified income spread.
Importantly, you could also add Amazon advertising to your page to grow your low commission sales.
Consequently, your increased sales provide that return that you were getting prior to the downturn.
Finally, Amazon may see the error of their ways in post-COVID times and you are back in business. We can only hope.
How to market on the internet
Conclusion
If Amazon does not provide the opportunities you are seeking, then diversify.
I don't recommend trashing all the effort you have put in. Therefore accept the reduced commission and trust that time will grow your sales.
Furthermore, spread the eggs into a few different baskets so that one calamity is not a tragedy.
First of all my advice is don't try spreading your efforts too widely. Establish one new idea before moving on.
Secondly, pick the tools to suit your market. Identify what your readers want and provide a solution to their needs.
Finally, enjoy the returns and always invest some for the future of your business.
Certainly and above all else, enjoy the journey and plan to win the race.
About
Amazon what to sell by Peter Hanley
Finally, Amazon what to sell is a wake-up call to diversify your offerings
my PS, always remember Black Friday shopping
