Andreea Matei, a 47-year-old mom turned her Amazon side hustle into a steady source of passive income by leveraging the power of the Amazon Influencer Program. Matei has managed to earn over $21 700 in just eight months. In this article, we'll dive into the details of her success, hear from Matei herself, and learn how you too can create a thriving side hustle.
Getting Started
Andreea Matei's side hustle journey started in November when she earned her first $1.28 from a 75-second video review of an electrolyte powder. Recognizing the potential, Matei was elated and recalls, "It wasn’t much, but considering how easily I earned the cash, I knew I was onto something."
Since then, Matei has dedicated herself to posting nearly 1 000 reviews over eight months, with each video taking up to 20 minutes to film and edit. Through this commitment, she has generated an average of $2 700 per month. Matei emphasizes the ease and passive nature of her side hustle, stating, "Once you create videos, it’s totally passive. I have not had any time to make videos this week, and the money still keeps coming in."
Mastering the Side Hustle
As a media consultant and the founder of Launch Grow Joy, a media consulting site, Matei understands the importance of finding an audience and meeting their needs. She shares her golden rule, saying, "Find an audience, listen to what it wants, and deliver." In addition to her Amazon side hustle, Matei manages a podcast, YouTube channel, and health content website. However, she highlights that none have been as lucrative as reviewing products on Amazon.
Matei discovered the Amazon Influencer Program while watching a YouTube video titled "The World's Easiest Side Hustle." She applied for it and was immediately accepted due to her huge social media following, with over 12 000 followers on LaunchGrowJoy's Facebook page.
Reflecting on her initial experience, Matei recalls, "I made $40 a day, then $50 the next day, then $100. I had to keep going. It was so much fun."
Strategic Approach
To optimize her time and productivity, Matei reviews two or three products in the morning while focusing on running LaunchGrowJoy.com during the day. She also adopts a strategic approach, "I try to 'stockpile' videos, so I can occasionally pause the side hustle while still making money."
Initially, Matei reviewed products she found around her house or at family members' homes. As her influence grew, Amazon sellers began sending her free products and paying her to review them on her social media channels. Sharing her experience, Matei explains, "Amazon is fickle, so I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, but my goal is to make it a six-figure side hustle on top of my regular business."
Challenges and Opportunities
Matei acknowledges that her success may not be replicable for everyone. The Amazon Influencer Program requires a "meaningful social media following" on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Additionally, she notes that payouts can vary due to changes in Amazon's algorithms.
Matei highlights, "Your income definitely changes based on whatever Amazon is testing. I can go from having a $280 day to only making $50 the next because they change the placement of the video."
Conclusion
Andreea Matei's journey from earning $1.28 to creating a thriving side hustle is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. By leveraging her social media following and the Amazon Influencer Program, she has discovered a lucrative source of passive income. While challenges exist, Matei's dedication and determination have set her on a path toward transforming her side hustle into a six-figure venture. If you're looking to explore a rewarding side hustle, consider following Matei's footsteps and tap into the potential of the Amazon Influencer Program. As Matei herself encourages, "Find an audience, listen to what it wants, and deliver."
