Sell custom products without inventory
Curious to learn how to make passive income on Amazon without selling physical products?
With options like Amazon Web Services, Kindle Direct Publishing, and affiliate marketing, there’s no need to handle goods yourself or manage inventory and shipping.
From digital downloads and content creation to small tasks, look no further to discover how to make money on Amazon without selling.
Key takeaways
- Earn commissions through the Amazon Associates Program and Amazon Influencer Program for passive income opportunities.
- Get royalties by self-publishing books with Kindle Direct Publishing or narrating audiobooks for Audible through Amazon Creation Exchange (ACX).
- Complete tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to earn money through data entry, surveys, and content moderation, or deliver packages through Amazon Flex.
- Leverage your tech skills by promoting and integrating Amazon Web Services (AWS) for businesses looking to adopt cloud solutions.
- Sell custom products through Printify’s print-on-demand service for an alternative, easy way to make money on Amazon without handling inventory or production.
1. Become an Amazon Associate
Amazon Associates is the platform’s very own affiliate marketing program.
Sign up, share affiliate links on your website, blog, or social media, and earn a percentage of every sale made through your links. It’s free to join and provides access to millions of items to match your audience.
Amazon tracks affiliate links using cookies, which record purchases made within 24 hours of a user clicking your link. Even if they buy a different product, you still earn a commission.
- Visit the Amazon Associates Program page and create an account.
- Browse and pick products to promote that match your audience’s interests.
- Generate a custom Amazon affiliate link using the program tools.
- Share your links by adding them to your content and start earning commissions.
Earnings vary by sales volume and product category. High-commission products from in-demand niches can significantly raise profits.
2. Join the Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is an affiliate program made for social media creators.
Influencers with active accounts and a minimum of 1,000 followers can earn commissions by promoting Amazon products on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Unlike Amazon Associates, this program provides a custom Storefront where influencers can showcase recommended Amazon merch. Share the Storefront URL in posts and videos and make a percentage of sales through these links.
- Visit the Amazon Influencer Program to check your eligibility and sign up.
- Set up your Amazon Storefront featuring your recommended products.
- Promote your storefront through your social media accounts.
- Earn commissions when followers purchase items from your Storefront.
Success depends on engagement, trust, and strategic promotional content. Do reviews, unboxings, and tutorials that encourage followers to buy.
3. Publish eBooks with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
If you have a knack for writing, Kindle Direct Publishing offers a great way to turn your creativity into income without selling physical products.
KDP is Amazon’s self-publishing platform, letting writers sell eBooks directly to millions of active readers on the Kindle platform.
It’s free to use and gives you full control over content, pricing, and royalties. Whether you write fictional, educational, or niche topics, KDP lets you sell on Amazon without inventory.
- Sign up for Kindle Direct Publishing.
- Write, format, and upload your eBook along with a cover design.
- Set your price and choose a royalty plan – earn up to 70% on sales in select markets.
- Publish and promote your book to attract readers.
Optimizing your book’s title, description, and keywords helps improve visibility. Share on social media and run promotions through KDP Select to attract more readers through free book promotions and Kindle’s countdown deals.
4. Try Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)
MTurk is a crowdsourcing platform where businesses and researchers pay for small tasks that require real users, also known as Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs). MTurk relies on human input for accuracy, making it a flexible way to earn money online without selling.
Pick from a list of micro-tasks, such as data entry, analytics reporting, moderating content, identifying objects in images, or filling out surveys.
- Sign up for Amazon Mechanical Turk and create a worker account.
- Browse available HITs and choose tasks that match your skills.
- Complete tasks according to the instructions and submit them for approval.
- Receive payments after approval, either via bank transfer or an Amazon gift card.
Earnings vary based on task complexity and volume. While individual tasks pay small amounts, consistent work and selecting higher-paying HITs can help generate a steady income over time.
5. Deliver packages with Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex pays people to deliver packages for Amazon using their personal vehicle. It’s a flexible gig where you choose when and how often you work.
The program operates through the Amazon Flex app, where drivers claim delivery shifts called Blocks that show estimated earnings.
Drivers pick up packages from Amazon warehouses, Prime Now hubs, or physical stores and use the app’s navigation to complete assigned routes.
- Visit Amazon Flex and create an account.
- Complete the onboarding process, including uploading the required documentation for background checks.
- Reserve delivery blocks using the Flex app based on your availability.
- Pick up packages from a designated Amazon location and use the app’s navigation to deliver them to customers.
Earnings typically fall between$18 and $25 per hour, depending on the location, demand, and number of deliveries completed. Payments are made via direct deposit twice a week, making it an excellent way to generate extra cash on the side.
6. Promote Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers earning opportunities for tech-savvy entrepreneurs by helping companies adopt and optimize Amazon’s cloud technology.
AWS partners can resell cloud services, provide consulting, or develop applications using AWS infrastructure and tools. This might involve setting up cloud storage, improving cybersecurity, or optimizing business performance.
Some partners earn by directly selling AWS solutions, while others offer expertise to companies transitioning to cloud-based systems.
- Visit AWS Partner Program to explore available opportunities and sign up.
- Choose a program that aligns with your expertise, such as AWS Reseller or AWS Consulting Partner.
- Access resources, training, and tools to support your business or help clients adopt AWS services.
- Promote AWS solutions to clients or integrate them into your offerings to unlock rewards.
AWS offers tiered benefits based on how successful your promotions are. For instance, retailers can use AWS-powered solutions to build personalized loyalty programs with tailored rewards and incentives to enhance customer engagement and retention.
7. Narrate audiobooks
Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) is a platform owned by Audible, an Amazon company. If you have a great voice and an interest in storytelling, narrating audiobooks through ACX is a fantastic way to explore how to make money on Amazon without selling.
The platform connects narrators with authors and publishers who need their work converted into audiobooks. You can audition for projects and earn through upfront payments or royalty shares. They’ll distribute the completed audiobooks on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
- Visit ACX and create a profile.
- Build your portfolio by uploading samples highlighting your narration style and range.
- Browse available audiobook projects and audition by submitting a recording of the provided script.
- Once selected, work with authors and publishers to record and produce the audiobook.
- Earn a one-time payment or royalties from audiobook sales.
The quality of your recordings is important, so invest in good equipment and soundproofing.
8. Drive traffic to Amazon products
The Amazon Bounty Program pays a fixed commission – called a Bounty – for referring customers to Amazon’s subscription services, such as Prime Video, Audible, and Kindle.
Instead of earning a percentage of a sale like affiliate marketing, you receive a set fee for each successful signup. Promote these services by sharing referral links on your website, blog, or social media.
- Visit the Amazon Associates page and create a free account.
- Navigate to the Bounties section to find available programs and their rates.
- Share these links with your audience, incorporating them into relevant content.
- Earn Bounties for each qualifying registration or subscription initiated through your links.
This program is ideal for content creators looking to generate income without selling physical products. By focusing on services that align with your audience’s interests, you can successfully add a new revenue stream.
Don’t like the options? Sell without inventory using Printify
If none of these options feel right, Printify offers a simple way to make money on Amazon without managing inventory.
A print-on-demand (POD) business model lets you create and sell custom products with no upfront costs – our network handles all production and shipping.
1. Sign up for free
Create a Printify account – no subscription fees mean you can start designing and selling immediately.
2. Choose your products
Browse our extensive Catalog for product ideas – find customizable items from t-shirts to home decor. Pick products that fit your particular niche and target audience.
3. Add custom designs
Use Printify’s Product Creator to add your artwork, generate mockups, and prepare products for listing.
4. Integrate with Amazon
Connect Printify to your Amazon account to sync products. Once you receive orders, our reliable supplier network will print and ship items directly to your customers.
5. Promote and earn
Focus on building your own brand, marketing, and optimizing your Amazon product listings while we handle fulfillment.
This scalable, low-risk model lets you earn passive income through your Amazon store with none of the overheads of a traditional retail business.
FAQ
Yes. Make money on Amazon without selling products with strategies like affiliate marketing, advertising Amazon services on social media platforms, publishing eBooks, doing voicework for Audible, or delivering Amazon packages.
Start generating income from home by joining Amazon’s affiliate marketing program, the Amazon Influencer Program, or advertising Amazon Web Services (AWS).
If you want to join other independent sellers and online retailers on the Amazon marketplace but don’t want to deal with production constraints or logistics, sign up for a print-on-demand service like Printify.
It’s the best way to sell products from home, save money, build your own brand, and outsource fulfillment to achieve high profit margins.
Yes, making money on Amazon is possible with the right approach.
Many remote entrepreneurs earn at least $1,000 per month with affiliate marketing, digital products, or Print on Demand.
Amazon sellers offering physical products can increase earnings by optimizing listings, setting competitive prices, and improving customer loyalty.
It still takes effort, but with the right approach, you can establish a sustainable Amazon business.
Whether you sign up for the Amazon affiliate program, become an Amazon seller, or join the Handmade Sellers program, success relies on strategic pricing and marketing.
Focus on optimizing search results, automating inventory management, and offering discounted products to drive initial traction. Leverage Amazon’s vast ecosystem and tools to manage and grow your sales.
While it’s difficult to grow to $10,000 from scratch, there’s potential to generate income at this scale through a combination of strategies.
These may include affiliate marketing, offering digital products, and content creation, which don’t involve selling physical goods but require strong marketing.
Join the Amazon Associates Program to promote products like Audible or Prime Video and earn commissions. Publish eBooks through Kindle or monetize a YouTube channel by creating content that drives traffic to Amazon’s services.
Start generating passive income on Amazon through the Amazon affiliate program, Kindle Direct Publishing, or promoting services like Audible and Prime Video.
These methods provide revenue without managing inventory, handling fulfillment, or running a store.
To summarize
There are many ways to make money on Amazon without selling products through an online retail store. Popular options include affiliate marketing, eBook publishing, and programs like MTurk and AWS.
With the right tools and a focus on customer satisfaction, you can build a profitable business and generate passive income from home.
Want more opportunities to profit? Tap into Amazon’s vast customer base and sell products with Printify’s Print on Demand. No upfront investment, inventory, or logistics – just manage sales and marketing and watch your revenue climb.
