How To Make Money On Amazon: 8 Battle-tested Ways (2023)

Are you searching for ways to make some extra cash in 2023? Well, look no further than Amazon! It’s not too late to start selling on this eCommerce giant and making a profit.

Whether you’re interested in selling your products or reselling items through retail arbitrage, there are endless opportunities to make money on Amazon. So what are some tried and true ways to make money on Amazon in 2023? Let’s read on to find out!

Why Amazon?

With 300+ million active users, Amazon is undoubtedly one of the largest marketplaces in the world. In 2022, more than half of online purchases in the US were made through Amazon.

So why choose Amazon as your go-to platform for making money? The answer is simple: reach and convenience.

One significant advantage of selling on Amazon is its massive customer base. With over 300 million active users worldwide, Amazon provides sellers access to an enormous market they would not have otherwise. Furthermore, its robust fulfillment network ensures sellers can deliver their products quickly and efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Secondly, Amazon is a trusted brand. It is known for quality products and excellent customer service. Potential buyers are more likely to trust your products if you sell them on Amazon because they know they’ll be protected. This level of trust increases your chances of making a sale and leads to positive reviews and repeat purchases.

Thirdly, Amazon is easy to use. It provides numerous tools and resources, making it easy for new sellers to start without prior experience. Whether you want to sell physical products or digital content (like eBooks), Amazon has everything you need to start quickly and easily.

Finally, with helpful services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can use Amazon’s extensive warehouse network and shipping services to streamline your business operations.

How to Make Money On Amazon?

But how exactly can you make money on Amazon? Several tried and true methods have proven successful for sellers over the years.

#1. Sell your private-label products

This involves finding a product with high demand but low competition, creating your brand and product, and marketing it to potential customers on Amazon’s platform.

By selling private-label products, you can control the quality and pricing of your product. You can also build your own brand and establish your reputation in your niche.

First, to start with private labeling, identify a product with high demand but low competition on Amazon. Then, find a manufacturer to produce the product and apply your branding. Make sure to negotiate pricing and minimum order quantities to ensure profitability.

Once your branded product is ready, create an optimized listing with high-quality images and compelling copywriting. Use targeted keywords in your title and description to help your product rank higher in search results. You need to optimize your product title, description, and images to make them more appealing to your potential customers.

Continuously monitor your sales performance and customer feedback to adjust and improve your offering over time. Use Amazon advertising to promote your product and drive traffic to your listing.

Pros	Cons
High-profit margins: Private label products typically have higher profit margins than other selling methods. Control: As the seller, you control the product and brand. Brand Recognition: If you create a successful brand, you can build brand recognition and customer loyalty.	Initial Investment: To start, you must invest in product development, marketing, and inventory. Competition: Private label products are becoming more popular, so there is more competition on Amazon’s platform. Inventory Management: You must manage your inventory and ensure enough stock to meet demand.

💡 Selling private-label products can be a great way to generate income from Amazon. Yes, there is an initial investment and competition, but the rewards can be worth it.

#2. Publish books/ ebooks via Kindle Direct Publishing

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform for authors and publishers. It’s a wonderful way for you to reach a large audience and earn money from your writing. With KDP, you can publish both eBooks and paperbacks and sell them on Amazon’s platform.

This program is great for those who love writing and want to share their stories. With the ever-growing popularity of e-readers and mobile devices, it’s the perfect time to get your writing in front of millions of potential readers!

First, you can write your book in a word processing software like Microsoft Word. Use Amazon’s KDP guidelines to ensure your book meets the formatting requirements.

Next, create an account on KDP and upload your book to the platform. You have to decide on a price for your book, considering the length, genre, and competition.

Finally, use social media, email marketing, and other marketing channels to promote it and increase its visibility on Amazon!

Pros	Cons
Easy to use: KDP is very easy to use. You can upload your book within minutes. Large audience: Amazon is the largest eCommerce in the world, so you have access to a large audience. Royalties: You can earn up to 70% royalties on your book sales.	Competition: Amazon’s marketplace has a lot of competition, so it can take a lot of work to stand out. Marketing: You need to self-marketing your book, which can be time-consuming and challenging. Limited control: Amazon has certain guidelines to follow when publishing your book.

💡 Publishing books on KDP or publishing eBooks on Kindle is a great way to earn money from your writing. While there is competition, you can reach a large audience and earn royalties on your sales with the right niche, quality, and marketing strategy.

#3. Apply for Amazon Launchpad

Another way to make money on Amazon is by applying for Amazon Launchpad.

Amazon Launchpad is a program that helps startups launch and sell their products on Amazon’s platform. It provides startups with resources and tools to help them succeed, such as access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, marketing and PR support, and analytics and insights.

For example, Launchpad provides marketing support through social media campaigns, email newsletters, and other promotional efforts. It also helps with product development by providing feedback from beta testers and early adopters.

First, you apply for Amazon Launchpad by completing the application on the Amazon Launchpad website. You will need to provide Amazon the information about your company and products.

Then, Amazon will review your application and approve or reject it based on their criteria. If approved, you will need to set up your product listings on Amazon’s platform and start selling your products!

Pros

Cons

Exposure: Amazon Launchpad provides startups with exposure to a wider audience and helps them get discovered by potential customers. Resources: Amazon Launchpad provides startups with resources and tools to help them succeed, such as access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, marketing and PR support, and analytics and insights. Credibility: Being part of Amazon Launchpad can help boost a startup’s credibility and reputation.

Competition: It’s difficult to stand out because there is a lot of competition. Fees: Amazon charges fees for selling on their platform, which can affect a startup’s profits. Limited control: Amazon has certain guidelines to follow when selling your products on its platform.

💡 Amazon Launchpad is a very good way for startups to get exposure and sell products on Amazon. While competition and fees are involved, startups can succeed and make money on Amazon with the right products, optimization, and leveraging of Amazon’s resources.

#4. Become a blogger (Amazon’s affiliate marketing program)

Another effective and highly popular way to make money on Amazon is by becoming a blogger and joining Amazon’s affiliate marketing program.

This program, Amazon Associates, allows bloggers and website owners to earn commissions by promoting Amazon’s products on their websites. As an affiliate, you can earn commissions by placing Amazon affiliate links on your website and promoting Amazon’s products to your audience.

First, create a blog on a niche topic you’re passionate about, and build an audience.

Then, sign up for Amazon Associates and create your unique affiliate links. These links allow Amazon to track purchases made through your blog and reward you with a percentage of the sale.

Next, choose products that align with your blog’s niche and audience. If you’re a fashion blogger, consider promoting clothing or accessories available on Amazon Fashion. When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

It’s important to disclose that you are an affiliate in your blog’s product reviews or promotions. Additionally, consider creating helpful tutorials or guides around the products you promote to increase engagement and drive traffic to your site.

Pros	Cons
Easy to get started: It’s super easy to sign up for Amazon Associates and start promoting products on your blog. Passive income: Affiliate marketing is a form of passive income. You can earn money even when you’re not actively promoting products. Large audience: Amazon is the largest marketplace in the world, so you have access to a large audience.	Commission rates: Amazon’s commission rates can be low, depending on the product category. Competition: Affiliate marketing has a lot of competition, so it can be difficult to stand out. Amazon’s policies: You must follow certain policies when promoting their products.

💡 Becoming a blogger and joining Amazon’s affiliate marketing program can be a great way to make money on Amazon. While competition and low commission rates exist, with the right products, promotion, and performance monitoring, bloggers can earn commissions and passive income through Amazon Associates.

#5. Become an Amazon Influencer

Amazon Influencers are social media people who promote Amazon’s products to their followers. They earn commissions on sales made through their unique affiliate links. Amazon Influencers have their own Amazon storefront, where they can curate and share their favorite products with their followers.

One advantage of being an Amazon influencer is that it lets you monetize your content without creating and selling products yourself.

To become an Amazon Influencer, you must have a large follower base on big social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, or Facebook. Then, you have to sign up for Amazon Influencer Program and create your influencer account.

Once approved, you will receive a unique URL directing your followers to your personalized page on Amazon, where they can buy the products you promote. You then earn up to 10% in commission for each sale made through your link.

Pros	Cons
Easy to get started: It’s easy to sign up and start promoting products to your followers. Large audience: Amazon has a large audience, which can help influencers reach a wider audience. Additional revenue stream: Amazon Influencer Program can be an additional revenue stream for social media influencers.	Qualification: Amazon has certain criteria that you need to meet to become an influencer. Competition: There is a lot of competition, so it can be difficult to stand out. Amazon’s policies: You need to follow certain policies when promoting their products.

💡 Becoming an Amazon Influencer can be a great way to make money on Amazon for social media personalities. While competition and qualification criteria exist, with the right products, promotion, and performance monitoring, influencers can earn commissions through the Amazon Influencer Program.

#6. Sell crafts on Amazon Handmade

Do you love crafting and want to turn your hobby into a lucrative business? Have you considered selling your handmade goods on Amazon Handmade?

Amazon Handmade platform allows artisans to showcase their work to millions of potential customers worldwide. It is a way for you to make money with Amazon FBA.

Firstly, sign up for an Amazon seller account and apply for the Handmade program. Once approved, set up your shop and start listing your items with captivating descriptions and high-quality photos that showcase the unique features of your craft.

To get started, create an Amazon Handmade account and set up your shop. Be sure to showcase high-quality photos of your products and write compelling descriptions that will entice potential buyers.

One great thing about selling on Amazon Handmade is that it takes care of all the logistics, from order processing to shipping, by utilizing Amazon FBA. As a seller, you only need to create beautiful crafts that people will love.

Pros	Cons
Access to a large audience: Amazon has a large audience, which can help sellers reach a wider audience for their handmade products. Easy to use: Amazon Handmade has a simple interface and tools to help sellers manage their stores. Support: Amazon offers support to sellers, including marketing and promotional tools, to help them succeed.	Fees: Amazon charges fees for selling on their platform, which can eat into sellers’ profits. Competition: There is a lot of competition on Amazon Handmade, so sellers can need help to stand out. Quality control: Amazon has strict quality control standards for handmade products can make it difficult for some sellers to qualify.

💡 Selling crafts on Amazon Handmade can be a great way for artisans and craftspeople to make money on Amazon. While there is competition and fees, sellers can earn money through the Amazon Handmade platform with the right products, promotions, and customer service.

#7. Sell designs via Merch by Amazon

Selling designs via Merch by Amazon is a popular way for designers to make money on Amazon. Merch by Amazon is a print-on-demand platform that allows designers to upload their designs, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel. Then sell them on Amazon.

The best part? There are no upfront costs or inventory requirements! All you have to do is: create an account, upload your designs, and let Amazon handle the rest.

Once a customer purchases your products, Amazon handles production, shipping, and customer service. All while giving you a healthy percentage of each sale. It’s a hassle-free way for creative minds who want to make money on amazon without spending much startup capital.

Pros	Cons
Low overhead: Selling Merch by Amazon has low overhead costs since the platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service. Passive income: Designers can earn passive income on each sale once designs are uploaded. Huge audience: Amazon has a huge audience base, which can help designers reach a wider audience for their designs.	Competition: There is a lot of competition on Merch by Amazon, so it can be difficult for designers to stand out. Approval process: Merch by Amazon has an approval process, making it difficult for some designers to qualify. Pricing: The prices set by Merch by Amazon for printing and shipping can impact the product’s final price, affecting sales.

💡 Selling designs via Merch by Amazon can be a great way for designers to make money on Amazon. While there is competition and an approval process, with the right designs, optimization of product listings, and promotion, designers can earn passive income through the Merch by Amazon platform.

#8. Flip online retail store products using online arbitrage

Online arbitrage involves finding products at a lower price on one platform, then reselling them at a higher price on Amazon or other eCommerce platforms. This can be done with almost any product category and requires minimal investment.

For this way of money-making, you can open an Amazon store to sell your products.

To start, you need to find a reliable source of products with super competitive prices.

One option is to look for clearance items in other online retail stores or search for overstocked or discontinued products sold at a discount. Or you can consider buying from Chinese sites, like Taobao or 1688.

Once you have found a product you want to sell, it’s important to research its sales history and demand before investing in inventory. Also, you should determine your product price by checking the prices of other online competitors on the platform you’re selling in.

Now it’s time to list your products for sale on Amazon and/or Shopify to start getting that money.

Pros	Cons
Low investment: Online arbitrage requires low investment since you don’t need to create your own products. Flexibility: Online arbitrage can be done anywhere and anytime. Scalability: Online arbitrage can be scaled up quickly since you’re not limited by the production of your own products.	Competition: There is a lot of competition in the online arbitrage space, making it difficult to find profitable products. Risk: There is always the risk of the product not selling or losing value before you can sell it. Time-consuming: Online arbitrage can be time-consuming, especially if done manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you really make money on Amazon?

Yes, it is possible to make money on Amazon. In fact, many people have built successful businesses and generated substantial income through Amazon’s various platforms.

However, success on Amazon requires effort, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt to change. Additionally, competition on Amazon can be fierce, and it may take time for you to establish a profitable business.

Nonetheless, making money on Amazon is achievable with the right strategy and dedication.

2. How do I make money from Amazon?

You can make money from Amazon by providing your products or services. As mentioned above, the 8 most popular ways to make money on Amazon are:

• Sell your private-label products
• Publish books/ ebooks via Kindle Direct Publishing
• Apply for Amazon Launchpad
• Become a blogger (Amazon’s affiliate marketing program)
• Become an Amazon Influencer
• Sell crafts on Amazon Handmade
• Sell designs via Merch by Amazon
• Flip online retail store products using online arbitrage

3. Does Amazon pay you to sell?

The answer is no. Amazon does not pay you to sell on its platform.

Instead, Amazon charges you various fees for using their platform. Such as a referral fee and a per-item fee. Still, these fees are deducted from the sale price before you receive payment.

Amazon also offers various tools and services to help you streamline your operations and increase sales. However, these services are not provided for free, such as services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

In short, Amazon does not pay you to sell on its platform. Rather, it provides a platform and various services to generate revenue through your sales efforts.

4. Can you start Amazon FBA with no money?

Starting an Amazon FBA business with no money is challenging but possible. While there are various costs associated with Amazon FBA, such as purchasing inventory and paying for shipping, there are ways to minimize these costs.

One approach is to start small by sourcing products from local thrift stores or garage sales and gradually reinvest profits into more inventory. Another option is to partner with a supplier or manufacturer willing to offer a payment plan or extend credit.

Overall, making money with Amazon FBA business requires hard work, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. Still, building a successful business with little or no upfront capital is possible with the right approach and mindset.

Final words

Amazon is an ever-evolving platform that can help you realize your financial goals. Whether you’re looking for a full-time career or a side hustle, the eight methods outlined here are tried and true ways to make money in 2023.

Want to make money on Amazon the “old-fashion way” – selling? Then keep in mind that during your journey of making money, you’re losing money on countless other costs and expenses too. Without close attention and timely adjustments, your costs will add up, eating your profit margin.

Discover what proper profit-tracking looks like at trueprofit.io