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In this week’s episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Mike Strahl and I discuss what Amazon Influencer success looks like in 2026 and beyond. If you’ve been around the space for a while, you know we’ve covered the Amazon Influencer Program in depth. But what we talked about in 2023 or even 2024 now feels like beginner-level tactics compared to what’s possible today.
The Amazon Influencer Program has matured significantly. It's no longer just about uploading simple product videos and hoping for commissions. Today’s top earners are leveraging Creator Connections, advanced analytics, off-site traffic strategies, YouTube monetization, and more. And Mike is leading the way, making up to $10,000 a month with a diversified approach where only about 40% of his income comes from the “classic” method.
Let’s break down what that updated model looks like and how you can replicate it.
Watch the Full Episode
Mike Strahl's Journey from Blue Collar to Full-Time Content Creator
Before diving into tactics, it helps to understand Mike's story.
Mike is a lineman by trade and runs a small family farm. Like many creators, his journey started with a side hustle, including an Etsy shop and a Facebook page to promote farm products. Things changed dramatically when a simple Facebook reel of him and his kids hooking up a livestock trailer went viral, racking up over 3 million views and boosting his followers from 200 to over 25,000.
That virality led him to the Amazon Influencer Program, which he joined in August 2023. By December, just four months later, he was already earning $5,800 a month.
Why the Old Way Isn’t Enough Anymore
If you're still relying entirely on uploading shoppable videos to Amazon product pages, you're missing out. Mike makes it clear that the approach still works, but it's just the starting point.
Here’s how his income is now broken down:
- Roughly 40% of classic on-site shoppable videos
- Another 40-50% from Creator Connections (both onsite and offsite bonuses)
- The rest from YouTube monetization, brand deals, and Creator Rewards for off-site sales
Creator Connections: The Game-Changer for 2026
Creator Connections is the new engine behind Mike’s growth. While it existed in 2023, it was invite-only and underdeveloped. In 2025 and now heading into 2026, it’s available to most influencers within a month of joining the program.
With Creator Connections, brands offer additional commissions, sometimes up to 50%, on top of the standard affiliate payout. This is where things get lucrative.
Some Creator Connections highlights:
- Currently active in 450 campaigns with only 840 videos
- Earns double or more on certain product sales through these enhanced commissions
- Regularly receives free products or paid offers from brands that like his work
Mike's average campaign boost might look like:
- $50 product = $1.50 base commission + $5 bonus from Creator Connections
- $1,000 product = $20 base + $100 Creator Connections bonus
Multiply that across hundreds of videos, and the numbers add up fast.
How to Win with Creator Connections
To maximize Creator Connections without getting overwhelmed, Mike recommends:
- Using tools like Viral Vue or Oink to analyze campaign opportunities
- Filtering campaigns based on product sales volume and the number of influencer videos
- Avoiding products with over 50 influencer videos unless you're creating off-site content
- Strategically requesting samples, focusing on brands aligned with your niche
Mike typically looks for:
- Products with fewer than 20 influencer videos
- Monthly sales of at least 100 units
- Items he can authentically speak about on camera (DIY, tools, camping gear)
Offsite Strategies: YouTube and Creator Rewards
Mike didn’t stop with just on-site video uploads. In fact, one of the biggest shifts in his income came when he started a dedicated YouTube review channel in 2024.
Here’s what he’s seeing so far:
- 80,000 views/month
- $400–500/month in YouTube ad revenue
- $500–1,000/month in off-site Amazon commissions
- Four-figure Creator Rewards bonuses, just for hitting shipped revenue goals
All of this came from repurposing the same product review videos he was already filming for Amazon.
How Creator Rewards Work
Creator Rewards is Amazon’s incentive program for driving off-site traffic. It’s tiered, meaning the more sales you generate, the bigger your bonus. While new creators might only earn $20–50/month, Mike knows creators earning $10,000–15,000/month in bonuses alone.
Even modest offsite traffic can pay off. For Mike:
- YouTube links → Amazon → Product sale
- Earns affiliate commission + Creator Rewards bonus
- Monetizes YouTube via ads at the same time
Smart Product Selection and Video Strategy
One of the reasons Mike earns more per video than most creators comes down to video quality and product selection.
Tips from his process:
- Focus on items you actually use so your passion and authority come through
- Make multiple videos for high-value items with different angles or use cases
- Track conversions and view duration to refine your editing and presentation style
On average, Mike now earns $10–15 per video compared to the common $1–5 per video range. That multiplier comes from using the same content across Amazon, YouTube, Creator Connections, and more.
Long vs. Short Videos: Does It Matter?
According to Mike, it depends on the item:
- Simple items (e.g., a spatula) need 30–60 seconds
- Complex tools or electronics deserve 3–5 minute reviews
- YouTube content often runs longer (10+ minutes) and benefits from deep dives
His more in-depth videos often answer questions others skip, increasing the chances viewers will buy directly after watching.
The Power of Software Tools
For serious creators, tools like Viral View and Oink have become essential.
What they do:
- Automatically scan all 367,000+ campaigns
- Show which of your videos have matching active campaigns
- Sort products by competition and sales volume
- Help auto-apply to campaigns or request free products
This automation saves hours and lets Mike focus on making better content.
What to Do Now to Win Q4 and Beyond
Mike’s strategy heading into Q4 2025 and early 2026:
- Double down on Creator Connections, focusing on seasonal items
- Upload consistently now so videos have time to get indexed before Black Friday
- Lean into YouTube, especially for buyers’ guides and product comparisons
- Use software to pick winning products, not just the ones that look cool
The holiday season is when most influencers make their biggest income, and small changes in your approach can make a major difference.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Influencer Program has grown up. The days of quick-hit videos earning you a full-time income are mostly gone unless you’re diversifying your strategy.
Mike's updated approach proves what's possible when you combine:
- Smart video production
- Creator Connections
- Offsite traffic
- Monetized YouTube content
- Strategic product selection
If you're in the program but seeing declining results or just not maximizing your earnings, this episode offers the roadmap to level up. And if you're just getting started, don't get stuck in 2023 tactics. Use this as your guide to enter the modern era of Amazon influencing and actually get paid like it.
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