Most people think you must own a product, set up an online store, or deal with customers before earning money from Amazon. But that’s only one side of the story. Amazon is a giant ecosystem with many hidden opportunities, especially for people who want to make money without ever touching a single product.
Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, a freelancer, or just someone looking for extra income, this guide is for you. And here’s the best part: you can start right from Nigeria or anywhere in the world, using just your smartphone or laptop.
Let’s explore the many clever and creative ways you can make money on Amazon without selling anything!
How to Make Money on Amazon Without Selling
1. Earn with Amazon Affiliate Marketing (Amazon Associates)
If you’re looking for a simple way to earn from Amazon without selling anything, affiliate marketing is a great starting point.
With Amazon’s free Associates Program, you can promote any product on their platform using special links. When someone clicks your link and buys, you earn a small commission, whether they buy the item you recommended or something else entirely.
Imagine writing a blog or making a video on “Best Budget Phones in Nigeria.” Add your affiliate links, and when someone makes a purchase, you earn a commission. No inventory, no customer support, just content and clicks.
Tips to succeed:
- Pick products your audience needs
- Share links on blogs, YouTube, or WhatsApp
- Focus on solving real problems through recommendations
You must make 3 sales in your first 180 days to stay in the program, that one of the important requirements set by Amazon.
2. Join the Amazon Influencer Program
If you’re active on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook, the Amazon Influencer Program lets you earn just by recommending products.
It works like affiliate marketing, but better, you get a personal storefront on Amazon where you showcase your favorite picks. Share the link with your followers and get paid when they buy.
Let’s say you review skincare products. You can add them to your storefront and direct your followers there to shop your full routine. Every sale earns you a commission.
It’s perfect for:
- Creators with good engagement
- Niche-focused content (beauty, tech, home)
- Anyone wanting to monetize their audience without selling
You don’t need a huge following, just good content and active engagement.
3. Publish eBooks or Journals with Amazon KDP.
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, widely known as KDP, is a goldmine for creatives and knowledge sharers who want to earn without physically selling anything. It allows you to publish eBooks and paperback books for free, and you earn royalties every time someone buys your work.
With KDP, there are no upfront costs, no printing fees, and no shipping hassles. Amazon takes care of all the logistics while you focus on creating.
What’s amazing is that you don’t need to be a professional author to get started. Whether you’ve written a guide, a short story, a children’s book, or even a motivational journal, you can turn your content into a published book on Amazon. Once published, your book is listed in over 10 Amazon marketplaces worldwide, meaning readers from the US, UK, Canada, and beyond can discover and buy it, even while you sleep.
Don’t want to write a full novel? No problem. You can create low-content books like:
- Planners
- Journals
- Coloring books
Using tools like Canva, you can design and publish in just days. For example, you could create a “2025 WAEC Study Planner” and sell it to students on Amazon. You can also learn how to create and sell an eBook profitably.
KDP is ideal if you want to:
- Share knowledge.
- Build a long-term passive income stream.
- Work from anywhere (including Nigeria).
- No inventory, no shipping, no stress.
4. Make Money with Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)
Amazon Mechanical Turk, often called MTurk, is a micro-tasking platform where people get paid to complete small online jobs. These tasks, known as HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), are things computers can’t easily do, like verifying data, categorizing images, or filling out short surveys.
It’s a great way to make extra money without selling anything or needing advanced skills. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and time. Once you create a free account, you can browse thousands of simple tasks, choose the ones that interest you, and start earning.
For example, a task might ask you to check if a product image matches its title or answer a few questions in a survey. Most HITs pay between a few cents to a couple of dollars, but they add up over time, especially if you’re consistent.
While MTurk is based in the U.S., some Nigerians have been able to register and work by using foreign bank details or virtual payment platforms that accept Amazon payouts. It’s worth exploring if you’re looking for flexible online work.
Success Tips: Focus on high-paying, quick tasks to maximize your hourly earnings.
5. Become a Self-Publishing Audiobook Creator with Audible (ACX)
If you’ve got a clear voice and a quiet space, creating audiobooks through Amazon’s ACX platform can be a fantastic way to earn passive income without selling physical products.
ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is where authors and narrators connect to turn written books into audiobooks for Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. If you’re confident in reading aloud or can narrate in a way that keeps listeners engaged, you can get paid per finished hour, or even share royalties with the book’s author.
You don’t have to write your book. Instead, you can offer your voice to authors looking for narrators. You audition for roles, record the book (usually in chapters), and once it’s approved, your voice becomes a published audiobook available globally.
This method works well if you:
- Enjoy reading or storytelling
- Have basic recording tools (a mic and quiet space)
- Want long-term royalty earnings from just one project
Even better? If you’re tech-savvy, you can write short books and narrate them yourself, earning full royalties from both writing and voice work.
Pro Tip: Start by practicing with free tools like Audacity and use Fiverr to get small gigs to build your confidence before jumping on ACX.
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6. Join Amazon’s Merch by Amazon (Print-on-Demand Program)
If you’re creative and enjoy design, Merch by Amazon is a brilliant way to make money without handling any inventory. It’s Amazon’s print-on-demand platform where you upload your designs, and they handle the printing, shipping, and customer service, while you earn royalties from every sale.
Here’s how it works:
You create a free account, upload your artwork or catchy phrases, and choose the products you want it printed on, like T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and phone cases. Once your design is live, anyone shopping on Amazon can buy it. When a sale happens, Amazon prints and delivers the product while you get paid.
Let’s say you’re good at creating fun slogans or have a talent for drawing. You can design shirts with phrases like “Naija to the World” or “I’m Not Lazy, I’m on Energy Saving Mode” and publish them on Merch. People love personalized, unique designs, and if your creation catches attention, it can keep selling for months or even years.
Merch is especially appealing because:
- You don’t need to invest in stock
- You earn while Amazon handles everything
- You can scale by uploading more designs
Note: Approval to join can take time, so apply early and be patient. Use free tools like Canva to design your graphics.
7. Work as a Virtual Assistant for Amazon Sellers
Behind every successful Amazon seller is a busy person who needs help, and that’s where virtual assistants (VAs) come in. You can earn good money by offering your time and skills to Amazon business owners who are too busy to do it all themselves.
Many sellers need help with tasks like:
- Product research
- Customer service
- Inventory tracking
- Managing ads
- Writing product descriptions
You don’t need to be an expert to get started. Many Nigerian freelancers have learned on the job and built profitable careers by starting with basic tasks and growing their skills over time.
The best part? You can work remotely, choose your hours, and get paid in dollars through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or direct freelance contracts. If you enjoy detail-oriented work and are ready to learn Amazon tools like Seller Central, Helium 10, or Jungle Scout, this path is worth exploring.
To get started:
- Learn Amazon basics through free YouTube tutorials
- Create a simple portfolio showing what you can do
- Start offering your services on freelancing platforms
Success Tip: Combine this skill with social media marketing or customer support, and you’ll become even more valuable to Amazon sellers.
8. Offer Product Review Services to Amazon Sellers
Amazon sellers rely heavily on customer reviews to boost their product rankings and increase sales. If you have a knack for writing honest, helpful reviews, you can turn this skill into a side hustle by offering product review services to sellers.
Many sellers look for trusted people who can provide genuine feedback on their products. You don’t need to buy every product yourself; sometimes, sellers send free samples in exchange for honest reviews. However, it’s important to keep your reviews authentic and comply with Amazon’s rules to avoid any problems.
Writing detailed reviews helps customers make buying decisions and improves the seller’s credibility. Plus, you can build relationships with multiple sellers, which could lead to consistent work.
To succeed in this:
- Focus on writing clear, balanced reviews
- Highlight pros and cons based on real use or research
- Communicate professionally with sellers about expectations
This option works well if you enjoy writing and want to work flexibly from anywhere. Over time, you can expand your services to include managing seller feedback or creating product description content.
9. Participate in the Amazon Trade-In Program
Amazon’s Trade-In Program allows you to exchange eligible used items, like books, electronics, or video games, for Amazon gift cards. This program is a simple way to make money or get value from things you no longer need.
The process is straightforward: You send your items to Amazon for free, and once Amazon receives and verifies them, you receive a gift card equivalent to the item’s trade-in value. You can then use the gift card to shop on Amazon or even resell products using other methods.
This method is ideal if you have gently used products lying around that are still in demand. It’s not exactly cash, but Amazon gift cards can stretch your budget or be a step toward buying items to resell or review.
Keep in mind: Not every item qualifies, and trade-in values vary, so check the list of eligible products before sending.
10. Create and Sell Handmade Products on Amazon Handmade
If you’re skilled at making crafts, jewelry, art, or other handmade items, Amazon Handmade is a great platform to showcase and sell your creations without managing a traditional storefront.
Unlike regular Amazon selling, Handmade is focused on artisans and small businesses offering unique, handcrafted products. You don’t have to worry about large inventories or complicated shipping, Amazon helps handle the logistics once you make a sale.
For example, if you create beautiful beaded necklaces or custom home decor, you can open your shop on Amazon Handmade and reach millions of buyers worldwide. It’s a wonderful way to turn your hobby into a business while leveraging Amazon’s massive customer base.
To get started, you’ll need to apply and get approved, which may take a bit of time. But once accepted, you can:
- List your products with detailed descriptions and photos
- Build your brand with personalized storefronts
- Benefit from Amazon’s customer service and fulfillment options
Pro Tip: High-quality photos and clear storytelling about your craft help attract buyers. You can also read about the 14 Profitable Craft Business Ideas you can learn.
11. License Your Photos and Videos to Amazon
If you enjoy photography or videography, Amazon offers a unique way to earn by licensing your content for use in product listings and advertising.
Many sellers and brands need professional images and videos to showcase their products better. By offering your photos or videos through platforms connected to Amazon, you can earn royalties or one-time payments without selling any physical goods.
Think about this: Your stunning picture of Nigerian landscapes or creative product shots can help sellers stand out on Amazon’s crowded marketplace, and you get paid for your work by selling your stunning photography online.
This option is ideal if you:
- Have a portfolio of high-quality photos or videos
- Want to build a passive income stream from your creative work
- Enjoy working behind the scenes, without direct customer interaction
Tip: Start by uploading your work to popular stock image sites that feed into Amazon’s content ecosystem and watch your earnings grow as your files get used.
12. Combine Blogging or YouTube with Amazon Associates
One of the smartest ways to make money on Amazon without selling your products is by combining blogging or YouTube with the Amazon Associates affiliate program. This method lets you earn commissions by recommending products through your content.
If you enjoy writing or creating videos, you can build an audience around a topic you love, like tech gadgets, fashion, cooking, or even books. Within your blog posts or videos, you include special affiliate links to Amazon products. When your readers or viewers click these links and buy something, you earn a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to them.
For example, if you have a YouTube channel reviewing the best kitchen tools, you can add Amazon affiliate links in the video description. When viewers buy those items, Amazon rewards you with commissions.
This approach is powerful because:
- You don’t need to handle inventory or shipping
- Your content can keep earning money over time
- It builds trust if you recommend products you genuinely like
To get started, create helpful, honest content that solves problems or answers questions. Over time, your blog or channel grows, and so does your Amazon affiliate income.
Success Tip: Focus on building quality content and audience engagement first, then naturally include affiliate links where relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Do I need to have an Amazon seller account to make money without selling?
No, Many ways like affiliate marketing, Mechanical Turk, or Amazon’s Influencer Program don’t require you to sell or manage inventory.
2: Is affiliate marketing profitable on Amazon?
Yes, with the right content and audience, affiliate marketing can generate consistent commissions by promoting products you trust.
3: Can Nigerians participate in Amazon Mechanical Turk?
Amazon MTurk is primarily for U.S. residents, but some Nigerians access it using virtual payment methods. Be sure to check the current eligibility rules.
4: Can I do more than one of these money-making methods at the same time?
Absolutely! Many people combine several approaches, like affiliate marketing and selling print-on-demand designs, to build multiple income streams.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to make money with Amazon that don’t require selling physical products. From writing eBooks and designing t-shirts to promoting products through affiliate links, the options are vast and exciting.
You don’t need a big budget, warehouse, or even technical experience to get started. All you need is a skill (or willingness to learn one), a device, and consistency.
Start with the method that best fits your interest and resources. And remember, just because you’re not selling products doesn’t mean you can’t
build a profitable Amazon-based business. So, which method will you try first?
