I've been making money on Amazon without knowing it!

52 replies
C/N: Just found out a forgotten, half-hearted Amazon site has made me a little bit of money.

I've been doing well with affiliate sites geared towards CPA and Adsense offers, and haven't delved into Amazon much.

A couple of months ago I decided to tinker around with an Amazon affiliate site and set up a simple review-style site for an electronic niche. The market and keywords are EXTREMELY competitive and after some serious SEO work still not leading me into the top 3 pages, I pretty much forgot about it and focused back on developing my CPA and Adsense sites. As it sat, the site only had 5 pages and 2 posts.

Fast forward 6 weeks later to today:
I got an email from Amazon stating that they were trying to pay me money owed but my payment info hadn't been filled in.

"Sweet!" I thought, maybe I got a couple buys randomly. Good times.

When I went to check however, I had earned $117.12 from my forgotten site from a total of 21 sales! 19 of the 21 sales were somewhat related to my product niche.

It just goes to show you, Amazon DOES convert well, even with a half-hearted effort on a review site. I'm just imagining what I can do with more posts and a bit more effort; I'll be sure to look more into Amazon sites now.
#accidentally #amazon #knowing #making #money
  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    Boy I could use some of your luck. Congratulations. Don't forget, rinse and repeat.
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    Tim Pears

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  • Profile picture of the author devonm
    Remember what you did and rinse this and repeat it. Try with different niches. I have started my FIRST Amazon affiliate review site. no I won't say what niche. I am getting ready to market the site and get it nto a few articles and blog comments and get with it and go at it between my other online gigs.
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    • Profile picture of the author LisaJordan
      When it comes to Amazon, try to pick a product that is at least $150-$200 because the first 6 sales are only 4% per product commission, so do the math. I didn't know this and I have a towel niche and of course when I sell a towel for $10.00 well, again, do the math and you will see what I mean. Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Ward
        Originally Posted by LisaJordan View Post

        When it comes to Amazon, try to pick a product that is at least $150-$200 because the first 6 sales are only 4% per product commission, so do the math. I didn't know this and I have a towel niche and of course when I sell a towel for $10.00 well, again, do the math and you will see what I mean. Good luck!
        Those 4% sales will retroactively be bumped up to 6% (or higher) when you reach the next bracket(s).

        There are arguments for promoting both expensive and cheap items. I wouldn't expressly say that one is better than the other.
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    • Profile picture of the author LisaJordan
      I have yet to have any luck with Clickbank, but I will need to go shopping and find some things. I need to kick this stuff up, getting lazy!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author PPC-Coach
    What you did is what 99% of affiliates do. They go into a project gung ho, guns a blazin' then lose interest when they don't see immediate results. It is nice to have pleasant surprises like that BUT now imagine you had kept at it this whole time.

    That check would most likely have a zero or two on the end. Amazon and free traffic never equals instant results, but the results do happen as you've proven. Now paid traffic is another story...

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  • Profile picture of the author ephame
    Good work, at least it shows that you didn't need rank 1/ page 1 to get results with that niche, would be pretty excited free money is always welcome.
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  • Profile picture of the author Craig McPherson
    Brilliant Luke. Dont ya love it when that happens.

    Keep going champ
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  • Profile picture of the author DSepanik
    I was making money with Amazon until the cut me off because I live in California.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by Craig McPherson View Post

      Brilliant Luke. Dont ya love it when that happens.

      Keep going champ
      I plan on it!

      What's crazy is I didn't even get a ton of traffic, but the conversion rate is fantastic! 6% of clickthroughs led to sales!

      I'll definitely be exploring the world of Amazon now...

      Originally Posted by DSepanik View Post

      I was making money with Amazon until the cut me off because I live in California.
      Ummm, ok. Thats a bit of a random comment. Why don't you get a NV LLC and biz license with a registered agent and address in NV? That's what I did, and I've never had any issues with Amazon or other vendors.
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    • Profile picture of the author celente
      Originally Posted by DSepanik View Post

      I was making money with Amazon until the cut me off because I live in California.
      do a bit of trouwling around the warrior forum, someone gave a lengthy posts on how to get your affilates account back if you are from calinfornia. it might be a WSO. Not sure. I would use the search function.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
    Haha, so lucky! What kind of site? WordPress?
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    • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
      Now thats COOL Luke LOL

      Now you can honestly say you made money while you were sleeping haha and it just confirms what we Amazon Affilaites say and that is if you FOCUS on Amazon and get those sites built they WILL make you passive income month after month.

      Now you just need to build 20 more and forget about them and you wil laughing even more.

      Well done mate

      Kickin it on Amazon

      Gaz Cooper
      Amz Training Academy
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  • Profile picture of the author nagidr
    Hey Gaz,i signed up to your service yesterday but got no contact from you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
      Originally Posted by nagidr View Post

      Hey Gaz,i signed up to your service yesterday but got no contact from you.
      Its automated so you should of got the email automatically, check your spam folder which sometime is the issue,

      I will send a pm so I can get your info and check for you

      Kickin it on Amazon

      Gaz Cooper
      Amz Training Academy
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      • Profile picture of the author cyberdenizen
        Congratulations! I hope I can duplicate your success with my half-assed sites. LOL! I think you're either brilliant or just very lucky -- or both. Keep it up! Rake in more money!
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  • Profile picture of the author Targeted Traffic
    One of the great things about Amazon is that it is a site people are familiar with, that they trust and that is very good at converting people to be buyers. They have honed their site to present people with relevant products to them (based upon previous surfing and buying habits) and over many years have tweaked their site to convert well.
    As a result I find that once you get people to visit Amazon (pretty much for any reason) that a percentage of them will naturally end up buying something. The cool thing is that whether they buy the thing you linked to or not – you’ll earn a commission.

    Congratulations btw!
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by Targeted Traffic View Post

      One of the great things about Amazon is that it is a site people are familiar with, that they trust and that is very good at converting people to be buyers. They have honed their site to present people with relevant products to them (based upon previous surfing and buying habits) and over many years have tweaked their site to convert well.
      As a result I find that once you get people to visit Amazon (pretty much for any reason) that a percentage of them will naturally end up buying something. The cool thing is that whether they buy the thing you linked to or not – you’ll earn a commission.

      Congratulations btw!
      Yeah, again I can't take too much credit for this success, it's definitely a bit of a surprise.

      I've been much more successful with CPA and Adsense but the conversions with Amazon are absolutely mind-boggling. I'm not even targeting "review" keywords either.

      Now I see why people love Amazon's associates program so much!
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  • Profile picture of the author derricks4
    Hmm...maybe that's a new WSO? "Set it up, forget about it and do something else for 6 weeks, and VOILA!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Lewis
    The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I had made some youtube videos for some products I was thrilled about and posted them around christmas time and didn't make any money in December but checked my Amazon account two weeks ago and found out I made some sales in May.
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    • Profile picture of the author celente
      Originally Posted by Michael Lewis View Post

      The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I had made some youtube videos for some products I was thrilled about and posted them around christmas time and didn't make any money in December but checked my Amazon account two weeks ago and found out I made some sales in May.
      too many times people underestimate the power of youtube and video sites out there.

      Especailly if you are giving really great content.
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  • Profile picture of the author sahuja
    Hi,

    Same story here. I learned Wordpress about a year back & tried my hand on building a website on Amazon store with the help of autoblog plugin which has been fetching the amazon product of its own at regular schedules. It is giving me an automated income from Amazon now, although it is less, but without touching it.
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  • Profile picture of the author tmoby
    It's the best isnt it? I thought about starting youtube marketing but quit later that day with a few videos up. 3 months later I've made 100$! Taught me that it's almost all about the niche!
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    • Profile picture of the author luckystepho
      A nice surprise!! Like you say, if you got that result with just a half-hearted try then you should be able to scale it up.
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  • Profile picture of the author puneet
    Congrats mate - I think this is the story of many people around here.

    I too created a site (men's watches niche) after going through Dan Brock's course, forgot about it and was pleasantly surprised to see the sales coming in couple of months later.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
    Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke View Post

    When I went to check however, I had earned $117.12 from my forgotten site from a total of 21 sales! 19 of the 21 sales were somewhat related to my product niche.

    It just goes to show you, Amazon DOES convert well, even with a half-hearted effort on a review site. I'm just imagining what I can do with more posts and a bit more effort; I'll be sure to look more into Amazon sites now.
    Hi Luke!

    Congrats on your success! Just be sure that as you build up your base of sites that you don't use any sort of autoblogging setup on your sites. Google does not look to those types of sites favorably.

    Backlinking is an important component of the process so do more of it to get your sites to rank higher. Your conversion rate is really good so just repeat what you've done for future sites.

    Again, congrats!

    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Joshua526
    Congratulations and very inspiring, truly set and forget!
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  • Profile picture of the author maximum117
    this would be a good surprise , you must keep attention with amazon may be you will be surprised with your other clickbank products
    good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author SeanSeely
    Forgotten Amazon money is always great. The same thing keeps happening to me. I forget about my Amazon account, and then a check appears.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trent Brownrigg
    Well done! It's always nice when things like that happen.

    I have a similar story actually. I logged into my bank account a couple days ago and noticed I had been sent money from Amazon. I didn't even know I was earning anything from them. Oh well, I'll take it!
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by Trent Brownrigg View Post

      Well done! It's always nice when things like that happen.

      I have a similar story actually. I logged into my bank account a couple days ago and noticed I had been sent money from Amazon. I didn't even know I was earning anything from them. Oh well, I'll take it!
      Exactly my thoughts. I was focusing on my much more lucrative sites and then got this email saying "Hey, we owe you some money" from Amazon. I definitely won't turn down $117 from a neglected site.

      Maybe the "set it and forget it completely" thing can work after all.
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  • Profile picture of the author SuccessMarketer
    Funny enough last month I had a similar experience with a product from Clickbank that I decided to promote last year... BUT other than writting a simple blog, I did not do anything to it and forgot about it. Checked my stats last month and... there it was! a $20 commission which (unfortunately) do not have a clue where is really coming from and there are quite a few clicks

    Anyway, Well done mate, I am not doing well with Amazon myself and have found it -so far- hard to convert
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  • Good for you, that's happened to me before, too! I bet now you'll be taking a closer look at that forgotten site to see what you can do to improve it, huh? Either that or try to model another one similar to it.

    All the best,
    amanda
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    I had something similar happen with me. I was promoting a coaching certification but it didn't convert after a few months so I just kinda gave up on it. I logged into my account randomly one day to realize I had several thousand dollars sitting in it waiting to be sent to my Paypal. That made me happy.
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  • Profile picture of the author SpikeS
    Awesomely good news.

    Most over look the fact that Amazon know how to sell and people know & trust Amazon.

    A few more of those 'half hearted' efforts would be sweet
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    I absolutely love Amazon's affiliate platform for numerous reasons, but one
    of which is you get commission for everything that they buy and not just that
    specified product. Amazon, you rock!
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  • Profile picture of the author zachary0611
    What page is your site on now?
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by zachary0611 View Post

      What page is your site on now?
      Its scattered between pages 5-20 for the keywords I was targeting, which is why I was surprised. Not for long though, I'm about to ramp it up!
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      • Profile picture of the author athenistic
        I've been busting my ass on amazon sites for nearly two months straight with only a handful of sales to show for it Maybe I'm doing it wrong! Maybe I need to half-ass it and forget about it!

        In all seriousness -congrats on your success, and here's to plenty more!
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  • Profile picture of the author Netwarrior11
    Hey Luke,

    Could you let us know what is your website address? Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
      Originally Posted by Netwarrior11 View Post

      Hey Luke,

      Could you let us know what is your website address? Thanks.
      Not always a wise move to place your niches onto a public board especially one so busy as this as you might find you have some competition all of a sudden LOL

      I find when I expose one of mine the product gets copied LOL which is why when I do use an example I expect that.

      I don't think you will get your request NetWarrior but some people do post example sites.

      Kickin it on Amazon

      Gaz Cooper
      Amz Training Academy

      Gaz Cooper
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    I have been monitoring my Amazon earnings... I have not been making money... and I have known it. Hey!
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  • Profile picture of the author agababryn
    Congs thats really nice, u site has potential just pump it up
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by athenistic View Post

      I've been busting my ass on amazon sites for nearly two months straight with only a handful of sales to show for it Maybe I'm doing it wrong! Maybe I need to half-ass it and forget about it!

      In all seriousness -congrats on your success, and here's to plenty more!
      Thanks! After a bit of research through what was driving my traffic I think I've got it now, and I'm about to ramp it up.

      Originally Posted by Regal Content View Post

      That's definitely a great feeling. As long as you're not in California that is!
      I am in California, but I have a Nevada-based LLC. So, no worries for me!

      Originally Posted by Netwarrior11 View Post

      Hey Luke,

      Could you let us know what is your website address? Thanks.
      Sorry, but there is not a chance I would do something so silly.

      Originally Posted by GazCooperOnline View Post

      Not always a wise move to place your niches onto a public board especially one so busy as this as you might find you have some competition all of a sudden LOL

      I find when I expose one of mine the product gets copied LOL which is why when I do use an example I expect that.

      I don't think you will get your request NetWarrior but some people do post example sites.

      Kickin it on Amazon
      Gaz I always appreciate your insight as far as Amazon goes, I may need to look at your training vids to see what I'm doing right!
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
        Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke View Post

        Thanks! After a bit of research through what was driving my traffic I think I've got it now, and I'm about to ramp it up.
        That's so key....Double/Triple up on the key traffic drivers. If you need some creative boosters that will help your rankings, just send me a PM and I'll send you some out-of-the box ideas.


        Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke View Post

        I am in California, but I have a Nevada-based LLC. So, no worries for me!
        Good for you!

        I tell people in California and other Amazon "unfriendly" states who are interested in Amazon to setup an LLC or other entity in a "friendly" state but many of them are afraid...Why? I don't know but it really is the best solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
    I think the reason People are scared Michael, is lot of posts here on WF say that its illegal and its just a loophole, its tax evasion etc, and I think thats just a simple case of a quick consult with a tax advisor to get the real story.

    People have to remember that the advise given here from a legal status should be taken with a pinch of salt, and real accurate advice should be sought from a proffessional and not listen to legal advice on a public forum from poster not qualified to give legal advice.

    I dont see any problem with Michaels suggestion, and would have no problem doing it myself if I lived in CA, but I would still seek legal advice to ensure I am complying with local and state tax laws.

    Kickin it on Amazon

    Gaz Cooper
    Amz Training Academy
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Congrats on the passive income! I havent done much with Amazon, but I've had a few old articles bring in Clickbank sales which is always nice :-p
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  • Profile picture of the author mandom
    That's a great surprise. This is why I outsource. I love the initial build/development of a site but I don't like the grunt work. Instead, once I have a site up and running, I send it over to my outsourcers and let them work on it. Then I just get monthly reports. It might be something you consider if you get burnt-out quickly.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
      Originally Posted by Michael Franklin View Post

      That's so key....Double/Triple up on the key traffic drivers. If you need some creative boosters that will help your rankings, just send me a PM and I'll send you some out-of-the box ideas.

      I tell people in California and other Amazon "unfriendly" states who are interested in Amazon to setup an LLC or other entity in a "friendly" state but many of them are afraid...Why? I don't know but it really is the best solution.
      You're exactly right; so many people who are actually doing well with Amazon's associates program are freaking out now. I explained to a few of them EXACTLY what I did to get my NV-based LLC (less than $500 total for LLC formation, biz license, registered agent and address) yet they STILL are panicking.

      Oh well, maybe I should turn my info into a WSO, and when they PAY for the info they might value it and use it.

      Originally Posted by Justin Stowe View Post

      Congrats on the passive income! I havent done much with Amazon, but I've had a few old articles bring in Clickbank sales which is always nice :-p
      Thanks Justin, that's what is so cool about the whole thing. The money I've made there was made from a simple-themed, 2 post Review style site and I hadn't even logged into the site for a month or done anything else Amazon-related. It really was "set it and forget it"
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  • Profile picture of the author Kronom
    I am also trying hard with Amazon, it is probably the easiest method knowing that they pay for advertising. I do not want thousands initially, like all the hype marketers advertise when sell new products. $50 days would be fantastic initially so I can quit my job and do this full time. very soon hopefully
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  • Profile picture of the author Hobo82
    Wait to go Luke. I am preparing to do a review site on Amazon as well, hope I do well. Any suggestions or tips? Thanks.

    Hobo82
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  • Profile picture of the author catcat
    Time to build more sites to "set and forget" ...
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