How to Sell Your Skills on Amazon

Almost every human on this planet has skills. Some of these skills are innate, meaning we’re born with those. Other skills are acquired over the years through education and sometimes, from a hobby or activity that we love. 

A few among us are fortunate enough to utilize innate skills for our job. Sadly, most persons relegate their innate skills or those acquired through hobbies and passion due to familial and work pressures. Lack of time is the common refrain among most persons that neglect or disregard skills they once held as precious.

With the pressure to earn an extra income, some folks engage in freelancing and side-gigs to earn a few extra dollars. They register on freelancing platforms and bid for work and where fortunate enough, they find good buyers.

But consider a situation where you wouldn’t really have to compete in the freelance market and take whatever comes your way? What if you could sell your skills directly without the hassles of bidding for work? 

This isn’t impossible.

As a matter of fact, its possible to sell your skills directly through Amazon worldwide and earn enough extra money, while enjoying the process.

Reasons to Sell Skills on Amazon

This might come as a big surprise. Amazon doesn’t sell only common or unique stuff online. In fact, Amazon also provides a superb platform for skilled persons to showcase and earn with their myriad talents. 

If you’re wondering how to sell your skills or make money with them through Amazon, continue reading this article till the end. I will be guiding you on eight amazing ways to sell your skills on Amazon and possibly, strike it rich.

Here’s some reasons you should consider selling skills or talents on Amazon.

Worldwide, Amazon has about 10 million sellers, including individuals, small and large businesses. This figure of 10 million includes all sellers, including those offering own skills.

Statistics from online research indicates, some 58 percent of all sellers on Amazon make profit from the first month while others within 90 days or, three months. 

Very few sellers fail on Amazon and those who do, generally overprice their stuff or skills while others aren’t able to sustain their market and flee. Yet others fail because of frequent rejections of their goods due to quality issues. And a few others flounder and collapse due to lack of business acumen.

Having said that and reverting to the topic, Amazon continues to encourage and provide a superb platform to anyone around the world willing to sell their skills. Understandably, nobody is going to hire you as a content writer or journalist, graphic designer or video editor on Amazon’s online retail stores, regardless how great your skills. Yet, there’re ways to market and successfully sell these skills worldwide through the Amazon platform.

Amazon’s Global Market

I will begin by saying that most skills that you list on Amazon.com, the flagship online store of the company, are seen and bought around the world. That’s because Amazon has whopping 400 million active customers worldwide of which over 200 million are also Prime members and avail special benefits of the paid loyalty program. 

Additionally, Amazon.com delivers orders across the world, except for countries such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, Syrian Democratic Republic, Democratic Republic of Korea or North Korea and Republic of Cuba, to name a few places. That’s due to US sanctions on such countries and restrictions on trade. Other than these handful of countries, you can expect Amazon.com to deliver almost anywhere in the world, unless logistics is a problem such as the Sahrawian Arab Democratic Republic or underdeveloped parts of Africa.

Skills to Sell on Amazon

That brings us to the question, what’re the various skills that you could sell on Amazon? A lot of skills in fact. You could sell skills that’re part of your profession or even hobby. However, as I said earlier, nobody is going to come knocking on Amazon.com to look for your skills as a plumber or electrician, beautician or engineer.

Here’re some of the ways to sell your skills on Amazon.

1. Kindle Desktop Publishing

By late-2024, Amazon’s self-publishing platform, Kindle Desktop Publishing or KDP, had over 1.5 million registered authors and poets. While some of these authors have inked novels and stories, others have written excellent educational books and technical books on myriad subjects ranging from space technology to metallurgy and lots more. Experts in beauty have written and published books on skincare, haircare and other such topics. Yet others are making money on Amazon KDP through recipe books or cookbooks as they’re called. 

As you can see, these sellers aren’t merely selling professional skills through their books; some are also sharing their skills in gardening, cooking, waitressing, plumbing and other such topics by creating books and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) guides. Successful authors can earn anything between $1,000 and $5,000 per year while very famous ones launched through Amazon KDP earn as high as $40,000 per year.

Therefore, if you have any skill, you can sell it on Amazon.com by creating e-books or even physical books. Creating a book on Amazon KDP is quite simple. Use your professional or persons skills to write one or more books. When ready, create an Amazon KDP writer’s account by completing all the necessary forms online. Once your account is approved, upload the final copy of the book in PDF or Word format and publish. You can set the pricing of the book, based on Amazon’s estimates. Once published, you get royalties for every book that sells.

2. Amazon Merch on Demand

Amazon Merch on Demand is another superb platform to sell merchandise you create. Over 1.5 million individuals are registered as Amazon Merch sellers. This figure speaks volumes of the popularity of the Amazon Merch program and how it’s making persons rich by simply utilizing their creative skills.

Therefore, I will explain workings of Amazon Merch. In simple words, Amazon Merch on Demand enables you to sell T-shirts and polos, hoodies, tablecloth, tops and dresses, tote bags, mobile skins, greeting cards or any such objects crafted with own and unique creativity. Unlike common run-off-the-mill products that’re mass produced at factories, Amazon Merch stuff is unique since they’re crafted with your creative skills and hence, uncommon or even rare.

Research indicates, newbies on Amazon Merch can earn $500 per month with income rising as their stuff becomes popular. Highly successful Amazon Merch sellers are currently earning $10,000 per month on average while others, even higher. The income depends on attractiveness of the merchandize you make using own creativity. Profits to sellers on Amazon Merch also depends on margins that range from 10 percent to 30 percent, type of merchandize and its cost price.

There’re no upper limits on the amounts of creative products you can sell through Amazon Merch. As a matter of fact, the higher the number of your creative merch, greater the chances of success and striking it rich.

3. Amazon Handmade

If you have the skills to create something such as jewelry, home décor, statues, art and paintings, scented candles, traditional cookies, among others, register as a seller at Amazon Handmade. This is a special service every craftsperson in the world to make money by showcasing and selling their special creative skills on the Amazon global website. As a matter of fact, nearly a million craftsmen from as many as 80 countries are sellers on Amazon Handmade.

Research reveals that artisans on Amazon Handmade earn between $1,000 to as high as $50,000 per month, depending on their artisanal skills and the stuff they create. Obviously, items made with precious metal such as gold or silver tend to be expensive and hence, such income figures are realistic. Additionally, Amazon Handmade sellers benefit from waived professional seller account fees of $39.99 per month and are instead charged a 15 percent referral fee per sale. Therefore, price your Amazon Handmade products accordingly.

Furthermore, Amazon also allows free advertising of your handmade products. You can also benefit from a special online “store” that can be created on Amazon.com to showcase products and provide own biography while showcasing skills. It’s possible to display as many as 20 of your handmade products on Amazon Handmade to reach a global clientele. Additionally, you can ship the stuff or utilize services of Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) by handing over necessary stocks for shipping to buyers.

Amazon Handmade is a superb platform that allows women and men entrepreneurs to market their products crafted with unique skills to a global audience and get orders. Amazon.com screens applications. This ensures that only artisans get to sell on Amazon Handmade.

4. Amazon Influencer 

For social media influencers with large followings on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and other acceptable platforms, Amazon offers the Amazon Influencer Program. This program is available only for influencers with a proven track record and not for newbies or aspirants.

To make money using your skills as influencer, the first step is to apply online for the Amazon Influencer Program. This can prove to be a lengthy process since you’ll have to provide very specific details to Amazon, to qualify. Upon submission, Amazon will screen your application to ascertain whether it meets their stipulated criteria. Once accepted, you can work as an Amazon Influencer.

This program is rather straightforward. Amazon provides a dashboard to create own storefront for selling products you’re promoting as an influencer. And for every confirmed, paid order from the affiliate links from your storefront or influencer accounts on social media, Amazon pays a wonderful commission.

Amazon Influencer Program makes it easy for followers to buy the stuff you promote. Additionally, it could also boost your following since the storefront of such stuff is visible online across the globe. This is a superb way to make money for influencers around the world by selling their social media skills through Amazon.

5. AWS Marketplace

For IT experts, software developers, game crafters and more, Amazon Web Services Marketplace or AWS Marketplace provides superb opportunities to showcase and sell your creations. 

Since this could prove a bit complex, here’s a detailed explanation to join AWS Marketplace.

Selling on AWS Marketplace allows Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and developers to offer software that runs on or integrates with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to sell your products on AWS Marketplace:

1.  Sign Up as a Seller

• Eligibility: You must be an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) or a software developer. You also need an AWS account in good standing.
• Registration: Start by registering as a seller on the AWS Marketplace Management Portal (AMMP). You'll need to provide company details, tax information, and agree to the AWS Marketplace Seller Agreement.

2. Choose Your Product Offering

AWS Marketplace allows you to sell various types of software products, including:

• Amazon Machine Images (AMIs): Pre-configured virtual appliances or software bundles that customers can deploy.
• SaaS (Software as a Service): Cloud-based services offered on a subscription basis.
• Containers: Docker-based applications.
• Data Products: Datasets that can be accessed via AWS services like S3 or Redshift.
• Professional Services: You can also list professional services associated with your software (e.g., setup, support).

3.  Product Listing and Configuration

• Create a Product: Use the AWS Marketplace Management Portal to create a new product. You'll need to provide product descriptions, logos, pricing details, and other metadata.
• Pricing Model: You can choose various pricing models such as subscription-based, pay-per-use, bring-your-own-license (BYOL), or free trials.
• Set Up Entitlements: Define the usage limits, licensing, and subscription details for customers to access your product.

4.  Testing and Verification

• Product Testing: Before your product goes live, AWS will review and test your software to ensure it meets the technical requirements. Ensure that your software is fully functional and complies with AWS Marketplace policies.
• Compliance and Security: Make sure your product meets security and compliance requirements for AWS, such as vulnerability scanning and adhering to data privacy regulations.

5.  Publishing

• Final Approval: Once your product passes AWS testing, you can publish it on AWS Marketplace. It will be made available for purchase by AWS customers worldwide.
• Product Maintenance: After publishing, you can continuously update your product, offer new versions, and manage customer subscriptions via the Marketplace portal.

6.  Manage Sales and Billing

• Payments: AWS handles the billing for you, charging customers on your behalf. AWS deducts a fee, usually between five percent and 20 percent depending on the product and then deposits the rest into your account.
• Metrics and Analytics: Use the AWS Marketplace Management Portal to track sales performance, customer engagement, and download activity.

7.  Support and Customer Engagement

• Customer Support: You are responsible for providing technical support for your product. AWS may also offer ways to manage customer feedback and reviews.
• Marketing and Promotion: AWS Marketplace provides tools to help you market your product, including promotional campaigns, paid advertising, and inclusion in AWS events.

For further details, you can visit the AWS Marketplace Seller Guide.

This process offers great potential to reach a large, global audience of AWS users while leveraging AWS’s infrastructure and payment systems.

6. Amazon Services

Also known sometimes as Amazon Home Services, this is a program that allows you to sell various kinds of services such as handyman, cleaners, electrician, plumber, gardener and more. This Amazon Services enables people in your area to get handyman services from individual or even companies, if you own one.

To sell your skills through Amazon Services is a very intricate process. That’s because you would be visiting homes or offices of persons and hence, Amazon has to take a lot of precautions and responsibilities.

Here’s simple steps to enroll and sell your skills on Amazon Services:

1.  Eligibility Criteria

• Licensed and Insured: You must have the necessary business licenses and insurance required for your services in your area.
• Background Checks: You and your employees (if applicable) must pass background checks to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of the services provided.
• Experience and Skills: Service providers need to demonstrate expertise in their chosen fields, with positive reviews and a solid portfolio if possible.

2.  Application Process

• Sign Up: Go to the Amazon Services website and click on the “Sign up to offer your services” button.
• Create an Account: Use your existing Amazon account or create a new one to get started.
• Submit Application: Fill out the required information, including details about your business, the type of services you provide (such as home cleaning, appliance installation, or handyman services), and your service area.

3.  Verification

• Background Check: You will need to undergo a background check, and Amazon may verify your business licenses and insurance documentation.
• Service Quality Review: Amazon may request proof of your experience, customer reviews, or other indicators of service quality.

4.  Get Listed

• Once approved, your business will be listed on Amazon Home Services, allowing customers to book your services directly through Amazon. You can receive jobs and manage your services via the Amazon platform.

5.  Pricing and Payments

• You can set your pricing or choose to offer pre-packaged services at a fixed price. Amazon takes a commission on the services rendered, which varies depending on the service category.

6.  Customer Management and Reviews

• After completing jobs, customers can leave reviews, and maintaining positive ratings is important for securing future bookings.

7. Amazon Courses through Audible

To create and sell courses via Audible (an Amazon company focused on audiobooks and spoken word content), you would typically publish your course in the format of an audiobook or audio content. Here's how you can go about creating and offering a course through Audible:

1.  Choose a Platform for Publishing: Audible via ACX

• ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is the platform through which content creators can produce and distribute audiobooks or audio content like courses on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
• You can use ACX to create, publish, and sell your audio course. ACX is designed to help authors, educators, and content creators convert written content into an audiobook or spoken word format.

Visit ACX here: https://www.acx.com

2.  Course Structure and Preparation

• Course Content: Your course must be developed in an audio-friendly format. This could be based on educational material you already have, such as an eBook, or it could be newly created for audio learning. The content should be well-organized, divided into sections or chapters, and should maintain clarity for audio listeners.
• Script Preparation: Write or adapt your content into a script that flows well when spoken. Ensure that your script is engaging and suitable for an auditory learning experience.

3.  Recording Your Course

• Professional Audio Quality: Audible places a high value on audio quality, so you should either have access to a good microphone and recording setup or consider hiring a professional narrator or audio producer via ACX.
• Narration Options: You can narrate the course yourself or hire a professional narrator. ACX allows you to connect with professional narrators who can record your course for you.
• Recording Standards: The audio files must meet Audible's technical standards. These include a specific format (MP3 or WAV), sound quality requirements, and file naming conventions.

4.  Edit and Format Your Audio

• Post-production: Edit your audio to ensure it is free of background noise, and any errors or unnecessary pauses are removed. Many creators use tools like Audacity or Adobe Audition for editing.
• Chapter and Section Divisions: Organize your course into clear, titled sections or chapters. This makes it easier for listeners to navigate the content.

5.  Upload to ACX

• Create an ACX Account: Sign up for an account on the ACX website.
• Choose Your Rights: When uploading content, you will be asked to specify whether you own the rights to the content or whether you're working with someone else's material.
• Submit Audio: After preparing your content, upload your audio files, making sure they meet ACX’s requirements for file size, length, and quality.

6.  Monetization Options

• Royalty Options: ACX offers two types of royalty options:
  • Exclusive Distribution: You earn 40% royalties if you grant ACX exclusive rights to distribute your audiobook.
  • Non-Exclusive Distribution: You earn 25% royalties if you retain the right to sell your audiobook elsewhere.
• Payment: Royalties are paid monthly for sales made through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. You can choose a pay-per-purchase model or use a “royalty share” model where you split earnings with a narrator if you hired one through ACX.

7.  Marketing and Promotion

• Promote Your Course: Once your course is available, you can use Amazon and Audible’s promotion tools, but it's also important to market your course across your social media platforms, mailing lists, and other networks.
• Customer Reviews: Encourage listeners to leave reviews and ratings to boost the visibility of your course on Audible.

8.  Audience Reach

Audible has a large customer base, providing a good platform for exposure to a global audience. With millions of users worldwide, especially those looking for self-help, education, and business courses, you can potentially reach a wide audience for your course content.

Some essential tips to sell your skills on Amazon audible are that you should focus on clear audio quality: Since this is an auditory medium, crystal-clear audio is essential. Also, structure the course nicely. Ensure the course is structured logically and flows naturally to keep listeners engaged. Use a conversational and engaging tone in your narration to hold the attention of listeners for long periods.

8. Amazon Gourmet

Should you possess amazing skills to make foodstuff such as cookies, jams, spice blends, pickles and other edibles, sell your stuff through Amazon Gourmet. However, this too is a complex process since Amazon prescribes very strict and exacting standards for all the food items it sells through Fresh, Marketplace and Gourmet.

Selling food products made with your skills on Amazon's Gourmet & Grocery category can be a great way to expand your business. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate the process of selling your gourmet food products:

1.  Understanding the Amazon Grocery & Gourmet Food Category

The Grocery & Gourmet Food category on Amazon includes a wide range of consumable products, from everyday pantry staples to high-end gourmet items like artisanal cookies, specialty snacks, chocolates, and more. Selling on Amazon allows you to reach millions of potential customers looking for gourmet and specialty food products.

2.  Meet the Legal and Regulatory Requirements

• Licensing and Permits: Ensure you have the necessary licenses to manufacture and sell food. In the US, food sellers must comply with both state and federal laws, which typically include health permits, food business licenses, and adherence to food safety standards.
• FDA Regulations: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all packaged foods sold in the US This includes mandatory labeling such as ingredients, nutrition facts, allergens, and expiration dates.
• Cottage Food Laws for Small Bakers: Some states in the US allow home-based food businesses to sell certain types of food without a commercial kitchen under Cottage Food Laws. Check your local regulations to see if this applies to you.
• Tax Permits: Depending on your state or country, you may need a sales tax permit to sell food products online.

3.  Packaging and Labeling Requirements

• Tamper-proof Packaging: Amazon requires that all food products be properly packaged to ensure the product remains fresh and safe. Use tamper-evident packaging, airtight seals, and food-safe materials to prevent contamination.
• Labeling: Your product must be labeled according to local regulations. This includes listing:
  1. Product name
  2. Ingredients, in descending order of weight
  3. Nutritional information
  4. Allergen warnings such as contains nuts, milk, gluten
  5. Expiration or “best by” date
  6. Storage instructions if necessary
  7. Manufacturer or business name and address

Packaging should also appeal to consumers visually, as the aesthetics of gourmet food packaging often contribute to product appeal.

4.  Setting Up Your Seller Account

• Choose the Right Seller Plan: Amazon offers two types of seller accounts:
  1. Individual Plan: Suitable if you’re selling fewer than 40 items per month. No monthly fees, but a $0.99 per item sale fee.
  2. Professional Plan: Costs $39.99 per month, no additional per-item fees, and access to Amazon’s advertising tools. Best for larger operations.

Create your seller account here: Amazon Seller Central

5.  Listing Your Food Products

Once you’ve set up your seller account, it’s time to list your products in the Grocery & Gourmet Food category.

• Product Title: Make sure it’s clear and descriptive such as “Artisan Chocolate Chip Cookies – Gluten-Free, Handmade” to appeal to a broad audience.
• Product Description: Highlight the unique aspects of your product. Mention its gourmet qualities, such as handcrafted, organic ingredients, or unique recipe. Keep SEO in mind to help customers find your product through search.
• High-Quality Images: Upload clear, high-resolution images of your product from different angles. Include photos of the packaging and the cookies themselves to give customers an idea of what they are buying.
• Keywords: Use relevant keywords to improve search visibility on Amazon. For example, “gluten-free cookies,” “artisan baked goods,” “handmade snacks.”
• Pricing: Set competitive pricing by researching similar gourmet products on Amazon. Factor in Amazon fees, shipping costs, and your desired profit margin.

6. Choosing Fulfillment Options

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): With FBA, you send your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and customer service. This can save time and effort, but it’s best for products with a long shelf life and minimal fragility.
• Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM): With FBM, you manage your own inventory, storage, packaging, and shipping. This may be more suitable for freshly baked goods that need to be shipped promptly or in small batches.

7.  Shipping and Handling

• Ensure your shipping method maintains product freshness and integrity.
• Choose insulated shipping materials if necessary, and partner with reliable courier services to avoid delays.
• Factor shipping costs into your pricing strategy to ensure you don’t lose money on deliveries.

8.  Marketing and Promotion

• Amazon Advertising: Use Amazon’s internal advertising tools, such as sponsored product ads, to promote your products to relevant customers.
• Customer Reviews: Positive reviews are crucial for building trust in the food category. Encourage your customers to leave reviews, and respond promptly to any customer inquiries or concerns.
• Brand Registry: If you have a unique brand, consider enrolling in Amazon's Brand Registry to protect your intellectual property and access advanced marketing tools.

9.  Compliance and Ongoing Management

• Inventory Management: Keep track of your stock levels to avoid running out of products or having stale stock.
• Quality Control: Regularly check the quality of the products you're selling, especially if you're using FBA. Ensure that items shipped to Amazon are fresh and packaged correctly.

10.  Monitor Analytics and Sales

• Use Amazon Seller Central’s reporting tools to track your sales, traffic, and customer demographics. Adjust your strategy accordingly to boost sales and visibility.
• Keep an eye on competitor analysis and monitor trends in the food category to stay competitive.

Additional Tips:

• Artisan Appeal: Leverage the appeal of artisanal, small-batch production, which is often a selling point for gourmet products.
• Subscription Service: Consider offering a subscription service for regular customers, providing them with fresh batches of your baked goods every month.
• Seasonal Promotions: Take advantage of holidays and festive seasons when consumers are more likely to purchase gourmet foods as gifts.

By following these steps, you can sell your gourmet cookies or other food products on Amazon's Grocery & Gourmet Food category, potentially reaching millions of customers looking for high-quality, artisanal products.

What This Means for You?

These platforms offered by Amazon.com could mean a lot and launch you on the way to make a fortune or even a millionaire. However, to fulfill such plans or dreams, it’s necessary to comply with all rules and regulations as well as high standards stipulated by Amazon worldwide. That’s because Amazon lends its brand to you for selling skills and serves as a platform for you to connect with buyers indirectly, through orders.

Before venturing to sell skills on Amazon worldwide, ensure that you’re able to meet their strict standards and qualify. Furthermore, maintaining consistency combined with speed is supreme to getting orders from Amazon. Therefore, I encourage you to read their terms and conditions fully and comprehend them completely before embarking on the journey. With some dedication, you could reap huge profits with these amazing programs from Amazon.

Wrap Up

As you could see, it’s possible for almost anyone with a few special skills to sell on Amazon. In fact, you don’t need to sell skills on Amazon fulltime. Instead, you could simply do that for a side income or as a side-gig to make extra cash in spare time. All it requires is a commitment to make your mark on the global marketplace, utilizing skills combined with dedication and some extra grind.