If someone told me three years ago that I’d be earning money in my sleep, I would’ve laughed.
Passive income always felt like a buzzword influencers threw around until I found a way to make it real for myself through Amazon.
I’ll walk you through my actual experience earning passive income on Amazon, what worked, what didn’t, and how you can get started, even if you’re a complete beginner living in the USA like me.
How to Earn Passive Income on Amazon?
- The Spark – How I Got Started
I stumbled into this world in late 2021. I was scrolling TikTok when I came across a creator talking about Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).
The idea was simple: create low-content books like journals or planners, upload them, and Amazon handles the rest: printing, shipping, and customer service.
I had zero design experience, but I gave it a shot. I used Canva to create a basic gratitude journal and uploaded it to KDP. My expectations were low.
To my surprise, I made my first sale in two weeks. It was only $2.34 in royalties, but it felt like a million bucks.
Amazon KDP – Low Investment, High Learning Curve
Over the next few months, I created 20+ low-content books. Some flopped. A couple became steady sellers.
Pros:
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Free to start
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No inventory
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Global reach (but especially strong US customer base)
Cons:
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Trial and error take time
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Discoverability can be tough without proper keywords
I took a few Skillshare classes and learned how to optimize titles and keywords for the U.S. audience. That helped a lot.
Venturing into Amazon FBA – A Bigger Commitment
After KDP, I decided to explore Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). This one required more upfront investment.
I sourced a product (reusable silicone food bags) from Alibaba, created custom packaging, and sent 200 units to an Amazon warehouse.
This was a learning curve; listing optimization, PPC ads, customer reviews, but once the setup was done, it became mostly hands-off.
Within 4 months, I broke even and started seeing monthly profits of $300–$500.
If you’re in the USA and want to go the FBA route,
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Research products thoroughly (use tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout)
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Start small – don’t blow your savings on your first batch
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Treat it like a real business, not just a get-rich-quick scheme
The Unexpected Win – Amazon Influencer Program
One of the most surprising income streams was through the Amazon Influencer Program. I applied using my small Instagram account (under 5,000 followers), and to my shock, I was accepted.
I started creating short video reviews of products I already owned, kitchen tools, pet accessories, tech gadgets. If someone watched my video on a product page and purchased, I earned a commission.
It now brings in around $200–$300/month and takes very little time. Best part? I can do this from my phone while binge-watching Netflix.
Breaking Down My Passive Income Streams on Amazon (Monthly Avg.)
| Income Stream | Monthly Passive Income |
| Amazon KDP | $150 |
| Amazon FBA | $400 |
| Amazon Influencer Program | $250 |
| Total | $800 |
It’s not life-changing money (yet), but it pays for groceries, utilities, and the occasional weekend getaway.
Tips If You’re Starting Fresh in the USA
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Pick one stream first: Don’t try to do KDP, FBA, and affiliate marketing all at once. It’s better to go deep than wide.
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Understand your audience: If you’re selling on Amazon.com, think like an American buyer. What’s trending? What problem can you solve?
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Leverage free tools: Start with free platforms like Canva, Helium 10 (free version), and YouTube tutorials to learn the ropes.
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Be patient: Passive income is a long game. Some months are slower than others, but consistency pays off.
Final Thoughts – It’s Possible (Just Not Instant)
How to earn passive income on Amazon isn’t just a trending Google search—it’s a very real possibility for everyday people.
I’m not a tech wizard, influencer, or big investor. I’m just someone who took small steps, made mistakes, and kept learning.
If you’re in the USA and looking for a side hustle that can grow into something substantial over time, Amazon offers more than one path.
It may not make you rich overnight, but it can build long-term wealth if you stick with it.
Feel free to drop questions below; happy to share more of what I’ve learned.
Read: How to Earn Money on Facebook $500 Every Day – What Worked for Me
