Amazon Work From Home Jobs For Beginners (2024)

Quick Start Side Hustles

Amazon Video Reviewer:

• How it Works: Amazon invites you to create honest video reviews of products. You film yourself and submit the videos for potential compensation.
• Requirements: A smartphone or camera to record, basic video editing skills are helpful but not essential.
• Pros: Simple to start, no upfront investment needed, flexible schedule.
• Cons: Income varies, not every video will be approved, the potential for high earnings is limited.

Amazon Customer Service Associate:

• How it Works: Handle customer inquiries via phone, email, or chat for Amazon. Training is provided.
• Requirements: Excellent communication skills, patience and problem-solving abilities, comfortable with technology, generally a quiet home workspace.
• Pros: Remote work, reliable income, a potentially good entry point if you lack customer service experience.
• Cons: Can be repetitive, schedule may not be completely flexible, hourly pay rates may be lower than some other remote work options.

Amazon Mechanical Turk:

• How it Works: Complete small tasks (HITs) like image tagging, data entry, surveys, etc. Choose from a constantly updated task list.
• Requirements: None, simply register an account to get started.
• Pros: Work in tiny increments of time whenever you want, tasks are generally very easy to understand.
• Cons: Pay per task is often very low, reliable income requires a lot of hours, quality control can be strict.

Creative Money Makers

Amazon Book Publishing:

• How it Works: Write and format your book (fiction or non-fiction), publish on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for ebooks and/or use their print-on-demand services for physical copies.
• Requirements: Strong writing skills, book cover design, niche/market research, marketing knowledge is essential for success.
• Pros: Low upfront cost with ebooks, potential for passive income, full control over your creative work.
• Cons: The market is saturated, requires self-discipline, discoverability on Amazon takes dedicated effort.

Merch by Amazon:

• How it Works: Create designs for apparel, upload to Merch by Amazon, set your price. They produce and ship on-demand when customers buy, you earn a royalty.
• Requirements: Graphic design skills or access to affordable design resources, some market research to spot trending ideas.
• Pros: No inventory or shipping to handle, relatively easy to get started, can scale into a decent side income stream.
• Cons: Competitive market, designs may get copied, requires patience while building visibility initially.

Path to Full-Time Potential

Amazon Affiliate Marketing:

• How it Works: Recommend products with special affiliate links, earn when people click and buy. Requires a platform: blog, YouTube channel, social media following, etc.
• Requirements: Content creation (written, video, etc.), understanding of your niche audience, SEO to get traffic (if using a website).
• Pros: Great flexibility, high earning potential with the right niche, can become a passion project.
• Cons: Takes time to build, requires consistent content, good for long-term income, not quick cash.

Amazon FBA:

• How it Works: Find products to sell, source them, ship inventory to Amazon, create product listings, manage marketing /ads.
• Requirements: Product research skills, start-up capital, understanding of Amazon seller tools, competitive mindset.
• Pros: Scalable to a significant business, control over your brand.
• Cons: HIGH risk, requires inventory costs, competition is fierce, lots to learn about Amazon’s platform.

Building the Right Foundation for Amazon Success

The lure of Amazon side hustles is strong, but the potential depends as much on you as the gig itself. Forget about perfection; instead, let’s explore the practical skills and mindset traits that will take you further on this journey.

Practical Skills That Give You an Edge

You don’t need a fancy degree or to be a tech genius to do well, but a few key abilities make a noticeable difference:

• An Eye for Trends: Can you spot a hot new product category? Or a topic that’s blowing up on social media? This “trend awareness” fuels strong ideas in Merch design, affiliate marketing, or if you’re sourcing products to sell.
• Tech Comfort: Amazon involves uploading files, simple listings, and some internet sleuthing. If you can navigate email and websites, you already have the basics.
• Iterate and Improve: Nobody launches a perfect t-shirt design or writes a viral blog post on the first try. Success lies in being willing to refine your work, getting a little better each time.

The Mindset That Wins on Amazon

Forget those overnight fortune stories – here’s the honest mindset shift that leads to lasting success with Amazon side hustles:

• Stick with It: Most successes here are the result of consistent effort, Even carving out small chunks of time regularly moves you forward faster than sporadic bursts of activity.
• Adapt and Thrive: Trends shift, Amazon’s rules evolve. Being flexible and ready to learn separates those who fizzle out from those who build something lasting.
• A Sprinkle of Passion: Now, this isn’t always a must, but when you have genuine interest in what you’re doing (writing book reviews, solving customer problems, etc.), the whole journey gets much more fulfilling.

Don’t see yourself as ‘perfect’ for any of this? That’s okay! Recognizing where you already have a head start, and where you’re willing to grow, is a powerful first step in choosing the right Amazon path.

The Real Deal: What You Need to Know Before Diving In

Amazon side hustles are tempting, but let’s be upfront – success takes more than just signing up. Here’s our honest take on some common pitfalls and the types of work that might not be your cup of tea:

The Not-So-Obvious Challenges

• The Niche Factor: With Merch by Amazon or selling your ebooks, finding your profitable niche is a challenge. Prepare for some trial and error, not instant bestseller status.
• The Competition is Real: Amazon is a crowded marketplace. Whether it’s similar t-shirt designs, tons of customer service reps, or bloggers all covering the same topic… you need a way to stand out.
• The Learning Curve: Even the “easy” side hustles have some things to master: MTurk’s best practices, how to write compelling product descriptions, or basic online marketing.

Know Thyself (And Which Side Hustles to Avoid)

• Hate Dealing With People? Skip customer service roles on Amazon. The pay may be tempting, but patience and a problem-solving mindset are crucial.
• Zero Interest in Writing? Book publishing, and to a large degree affiliate marketing, require a love of the written word (or hiring someone who does!).
• Crave Instant Gratification? Most Amazon paths take time. If you need cash this week, look at local temp agencies or gig-work apps instead.

Join the Amazon Side Hustle Revolution!

The road to Amazon side hustle success is often more fun with a little company. We’re building a community [consider including a link if you have a relevant forum, Facebook group, etc.] for those dedicated to turning their Amazon efforts into lasting results. Come swap tips, celebrate wins, and navigate the challenges together. Your journey starts now!

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Work From Home Jobs

Can I do Amazon side hustles if I’m not in the US?

Yes, many Amazon opportunities are available globally. Mechanical Turk is open to workers in various countries. Selling ebooks or Merch by Amazon designs can often be done internationally (though double-check tax implications in your specific country). Amazon’s customer service sometimes hires remotely outside the US as well. Always check the eligibility details for each specific side hustle.

I’m overwhelmed by the choices – where do I even start?

It’s normal to feel that way! Ask yourself these questions: 1) How FAST do you need income? (Prioritizes “Quick Start” gigs), 2) How much time can you COMMIT per week, realistically? (Helps you gauge ambition level), 3) Do you LOVE creating things (writing, design, etc.)? (Narrows focus to creative hustles).

What if I mess up on Amazon? Could I get my account banned?

This risk exists, particularly for Amazon sellers (FBA). Violating Amazon’s rules CAN lead to suspension. The best defense is education. Thoroughly research the rules for your chosen hustle and find a few trusted online resources to stay updated on any changes.

I have kids/a demanding job… can I REALLY make this work?

Honesty time! Success requires carving out pockets of time. This MAY mean less TV, early mornings, or utilizing childcare help if possible. “Quick Start” hustles, even done sporadically, add up. Set realistic expectations for yourself to avoid burnout.

What about taxes on the money I make?

Sadly, taxes aren’t something you can ignore. Amazon may report your earnings if you exceed certain thresholds. Whether it’s freelance income or running a small business, it’s wise to consult a tax professional (even just once) to ensure you’re setting aside enough from your Amazon earnings to stay compliant.