by Heather | Oct 16, 2023 | diy biz, social media content creator, social media influencer
Social Media Content Creator: Become an Amazon Affiliate
Here is a quick guide on becoming an Amazon Affiliate and sharing links.
When Should I Start An Amazon Affiliate Account?
As soon as you decide you want to take your social media content creator account seriously. You don't need a lot of followers, and it's important for you to get used to sharing links. It does feel a little weird at first, but it's just a mindset block that you will slowly overcome with the more you share your links. Think of it as providing a service for your followers. We all like convenience right, I rather have a link given to me then have to go search a product for myself, ha!
I recommend starting small and only share products you have purchased and used. Start with sharing 1-2 per week and increase to 3-5 links per week depending on how often you are online and how many followers you have and feel comfortable with sharing.
Amazon Affiliate Links: A Secondary Income
As a Social Media Content Creator, affiliate links are a secondary way to create income. Providing links to your social media audience is a great way to provide a convenient resource for them. It's also a fun way to share the products you use and love while making a little money.
I think everyone is used to people sharing links now. Before I became a social media content creator, I did have a negative outlook on accounts sharing links. Then I created my own Amazon affiliate account and realized that it's NOT a lot of money. Most products that I share will make $0.50 or $2.50 per product. Like, it's not a lot, lol! So, if you are reading this as someone who doesn't like clicking on those links, just know it's not a lot of money, but it's providing a little extra for the family.
Of course the more you grow your accounts and share it will add up and it's a nice way to receive extra funds.
Here's how you can become an Amazon Affiliate:
- Start by creating your own website or blog.
- Go to the Amazon Associates homepage and click on the Sign Up button.
- Fill in your account information.
- Enter the address of your website.
- Choose a store ID that you prefer.
- Explain how you drive traffic to your site.
- Select your preferred payment method.
- Now time to share (don't forget your disclosures)
That's it! Just follow these simple steps to get started with your Amazon Affiliate journey and continue reading for more guidance and tips and rules for becoming an Amazon Affiliate.
Rules & Responsible Link Sharing
It all comes down to integrity and honesty. Only share links to products you use and love or that you have done your research on. Imagine watching an Instagram story, seeing an exciting product someone shared, ordering it and getting it in and it's crap! You will remember that, and associate that crappy order with that person who recommended it… and most likely NOT click on their links again.
Disclosures:
Anytime you share a link, you have to disclose that you are sharing an affiliate link. It's part of FTC & Amazon's rules, and lets your audience know as well. You have to have a disclaimer on your blog/website/accounts as well. Here you can find mine.
Specific wording that Amazon wants you to use: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Amazon Affiliate Program Rules
Linked to here
How Much Money Can You Make With Amazon Affiliate Links?
This depends on how often you share. Keep in mind, that you don't want to bombard your audience with link after link. It looks salesy, and can push people away from your account. Just for reference: I can make about $100-$300/month from my blog – small, YouTube 1K followers, Instagram 6K followers and TikTok 13K followers, depending on how consistently I am on and sharing.
Amazon Affiliate Product Links & Sharing
There are two ways to share products. From the computer and from your phone. I personally like to use my phone. I also like to keep all my links organized using pretty links and my trello account. These are programs that I paid for years after I started and aren't necessary in the beginning.
Before that, I used notes on my iphone and had one called Amazon links and I added them all there. You could start an excel document or email them to yourself. It's just so much easier to have them all in one spot that I can reference at any time when using social media, blog posts or weeks later if someone asks me for it.
Step-by-Step for Sharing Amazon Affiliate Links:
From the Computer:
Go to www.amazon.com and sign in to your account.
Search for the item you want to share.
Screenshot the product image if you don't already have one & (don't include pricing) and remove the background on Canva or background remover Click on the product
In the right corner by the image, you'll see the share icon
You can share the product via Email, Pinterest, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Copy Link.
Once I copy my link, I paste it to my link organizer of choice so I have it easily available.
From the iPhone/Android:
Open the Amazon app.
Find the item for which you want to provide a link and navigate to its product page.
Select the “Share” icon on the product photo
Follow the same steps as above (capture the picture, remove the background etc)
Tips for sharing Amazon Affiliate Links on Social Media
Make sure you only promote niche-specific products. Think of it as becoming a community leader by delivering valuable products that help you and will hel your audience. Enhance your content by including product images and utilizing shortened URLs for affiliate redirect. Use fun descriptions for your link names on social media. “my fav tape measure” “no other drill needed” “can't work without this”
You should be sharing a touch of behind the scenes family/life snapshots in stories already. So, sharing more personal items you love even if it's not specific to DIY or home decor is ok. I love to share about plants, favorite kid products we love, home life, coffee stuff etc. It has to make sense with your stories.
Let me know if you have any questions on how to become an Amazon affiliate or share links as a social media content creator
Here are some other resources related to this topic:
by Heather | Mar 1, 2023 | diy biz
When you are learning how to become a DIY influencer, knowing key Instagram marketing tips will help you grow and reach success. Standing out in a crowded space can be a challenge. There are over a billion people on Instagram. So, to help, I have put together a list on how to become a DIY influencer and make the most out of these Instagram marketing tips. Influencer marketing has become a popular and effective way for brands to reach their target audience on social media. With its large user base and visual nature, Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms for influencer marketing.
Define Your Niche and Audience
To become a successful DIY influencer on Instagram, it is important to define your niche and audience. A niche is a specialized segment under the DIY umbrella. Think about what you “mostly” want to help people with? Furniture finishing, crafting diy’s, old home renovations etc. This will help you to create content that resonates with your target audience and allows you to become an expert in your chosen niche. After you have been social media for a little while, you can identify your audience by analyzing the demographics and insights of your followers, such as age, gender, and location.
I know people who niche down very specifically and have done very well on Instagram. When you are providing information about something very specific, then you know your followers are there for that specific value. This allows you to connect faster and your audiences feels more inclined to engage with you.
Instagram Audits
When I was learning how to become a DIY influencer, I bought an Instagram audit. An audit where an expert gives you their professional opinion about your brand, your Instagram marketing strategies and overall profile from their perspective. I was told that I would probably do very well with high end furniture upcycling. That is one aspect of what I truly love to do, but it wasn’t something I wanted to niche down and only do. It’s ok to stick to your heart if niching down more specifically isn’t for you.
Build A Strong Personal Brand
Building a strong personal brand is crucial for influencer marketing on Instagram. Tips for creating your brand involves creating a consistent aesthetic, tone of voice, and maybe even a brand message that aligns with your niche and target audience. You can use Instagram's stories to connect with your audience and showcase your brand. You can use brand specific colors in highlight bubbles, word text and on your website. When you create your brand, keep it consistent.
It is fun to come up with engaging content that sets you apart from other DIY influencers.
It doesn’t have to be something that sets you apart dramatically. It can be as simple as being exactly who you are without holding anything back. Don’t think about judgement or what you should and shouldn’t say. It’s important to portray who you are from the start so that it’s authentic and truthful.
Collaborate With Brands That Align with Your Values
Collaborating with brands that align with your values is important for maintaining authenticity and credibility as a DIY influencer. I know a few that only care about getting paid, and it eventually starts to show. It is not ethical, and your audience will lose trust.
It is also essential to only promote products and services that align with your niche and audience as well.
A brand that didn’t align with me. I had a lighting company reach out to me about collaborating with them on light fixtures. The style was modern and a little eclectic. I could have designed a fun room around them, but it was not my typical style. So, I knew that would be taking a chance with my audience.
The other reason I didn’t work with them was that their fixtures were expensive. I know I would not have paid that much for them myself and knew the price point didn’t align with my audience either. I told the brand that I loved the lights and opportunity. But that the style and price point wouldn’t quite align with my audience, and it wouldn’t be a beneficial campaign on either end. They were so appreciative of my honesty, and it felt good to be that influencer on my end. This helps to build trust with your followers and can lead to long-term partnerships with brands.
Use Instagram Stories to Engage With Your Audience
When you are learning to become a DIY influencer, getting on stories is SCARY!!!! Extra exclamation points for that one, because it is true. It’s so nerve racking, but truly the more you do it, the better you start to feel. Instagram stories is a powerful tool for getting a bit more personal showing who you are while building your brand. This Instagram feature allows you to engage with your audience and build a community. You can use polls, questions, and other interactive features to encourage your followers to engage with your content and provide feedback. Stories is a great place to showcase behind-the-scenes content that gives your followers a glimpse into your personality and lifestyle.
Focus On High-quality Content
Creating high-quality content is essential for standing out as an influencer on Instagram. This involves educating yourself on what ratios to use when posting photos and reels. Learn how to create high-quality images and videos, creating engaging captions, and incorporating hashtags to increase the visibility of your content. You can use various top-rated editing apps to enhance the quality of your content and maintain a consistent aesthetic.
My favorite DIY influencer apps are inshot and lightroom.
Engage With Other DIY Influencers in Your Niche
Engaging with other influencers in your niche can help you to build relationships and expand your network. You can comment on their posts, collaborate on content, and even attend events together. I always try to engage back with influencers who engage with me. I want to support other people even more when they show their support for me and my small business. This can help to increase your visibility and exposure on Instagram and helps people become more aware of your business.
Measure The Success of Your Efforts
Becoming a DIY influencer takes work and setting goals. So, measuring the success of your marketing efforts on Instagram is essential for understanding what works and what doesn't. You can use Instagram's analytics tools to track your engagement rate, reach, and follower growth. You can also use third-party tools such as Iconosquare and Social Blade to analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement. This helps you plan for what type of posts and reels your audience wants to see.
Final Thoughts
Unquestionably, becoming a successful DIY influencer on Instagram requires a combination of dedication, creativity, and consistency. Sometimes growth is as slow as a snail crossing the road, and other times virality might hit. By following these tips, you can effectively engage with your audience, maintain authenticity, and build a strong personal brand that resonates with your followers.
One major thing I learned from the Good Influencer course, is that treating this as a business is key. With patience and persistence, you can become a successful DIY influencer on Instagram and establish yourself as an authority in your niche. By continuously refining your approach and experimenting with new strategies, you can keep your audience engaged and continue to grow your brand as an influencer on this powerful social media platform.
No matter how becoming a DIY influencer goes for you, I hope you find joy in the process. Sometimes those slow months are there for a reason. Take a step back to evaluate your situation, your headspace and embrace them.
by Heather | Feb 26, 2023 | diy biz
Should you create a website as a social media influencer? Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It is a platform where we connect with people, share our ideas and business. The rise of social media influencers has been phenomenal in the last decade, and the impact has been felt across all industries. As a social media influencer, you may be wondering why you need a website when you can just use social media “as your website”. In this blog post, we'll discuss the top 6 reasons why you should have a website as a social media influencer.
Searchability
One of the biggest advantages of having a website is for searchability – SEO. People are using the internet and searching constantly. Having a website where all your content can live can bring new eyes to your content and brand. When someone who doesn’t follow you on social media searches for content and lands on your website, that is a potential new follower or customer. It’s a great place to send your social media followers for detailed instructions or more information in regard to posts. Even if it’s a simple website, it’s important to have one and continue to build it up over time. It will become more visible and increase traffic which gives you more opportunities in the future.
Control Over Your Brand
It’s important as a social media influencer that you have complete control over your brand. Social media platforms come and go, although the major ones are here to stay. But the rules of the game change all the time and so many have felt that with the changes of the “algorithms”. By having a website, you can create a brand that is entirely your own, and you don't have to worry about losing your audience if a particular platform shuts down or is temporarily unavailable which we have all experienced with Instagram. Your website is your space, and you can create your brand in the way you want.
Professionalism
A website gives you a level of professionalism that you can't achieve with just a social media presence. Having a website shows that you are serious about
your work as a social media influencer, and it gives potential collaborators, clients, and brands a place to go to learn more about you. A well-designed website can make a big difference in how you are perceived by others, and it can help you stand out in a crowded field.
Expanded Reach
While social media platforms are great for building an audience, some platforms are limited in their reach. Not everyone is on social media, and some people prefer to consume content in other ways. By having a website, you can expand your reach and connect with people who might not have found you on social media. You can also use your website to promote your social media accounts and vice versa, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Monetization
One of the primary goals of many social media influencers is to monetize their platform, you don’t want all your eggs in one basket. Social media platforms are a great way to earn money through brand partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising. But by having a website, you can sell your own products and services, whether digital or physical. You have complete control and get to keep all the profits. You can connect with your followers on a deeper level through newsletters. You can also use your website to promote your social media accounts, creating a cycle of promotion that can lead to more monetization opportunities. Find monetization tips on how to become a successful DIY influencer.
Long-term Content Storage
Social media platforms are great for short-term content, but they are not ideal for long-term storage. Once you publish a post on social media, it's there for a while, but it can quickly get buried in the feed and become difficult to find. A lot of social media platforms are making it easier to highlight or categories projects, but you still have to sift through to find it. By having a website, you can create an archive of your content that is easy to access and search. You can also create a blog on your website, where you can publish longer-form content that doesn't fit on social media.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, having a website as a social media influencer can be incredibly beneficial. It provides you with control over your brand, a level of professionalism, expanded reach, monetization opportunities, and a platform for long-term content storage. By investing in a website, you are investing in your brand and your future as a social media influencer. Remember, this is a business, and your website is the foundation of that. It’s where you can create a brand that is entirely your own and create multiple streams of income from it as well.
So, if you haven't already, consider building a website to enhance your social media presence and take your influencer career to the next level. If you need help creating your website, I have a DIY website creation course that I created while building mine myself.
