TechCrunch reported Amazon’s Influencer Program, which helps social media personalities earn commissions on Amazon products they promote, now allows YouTube influencers to apply. Until recently, the program operated in closed beta.
It works like this: Social media influencers apply to the program, applications are vetted and Amazon invites people to join based on their influence, audience size and relevancy. Over time, Amazon plans to extend the program to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram influencers.
“The program [allows] Amazon to better tap into social media’s power to drive sales,” TechCrunch reported. “Today’s influencers regularly promote products they like in their online postings, including YouTube videos — often either as part of a brand relationship or as a means of generating income through affiliate sales. Amazon wants to now insert itself more directly into that action.”
Cam models and affiliate programs
Harriet Sugarcookie, owner of HarrietSugarcookie.com, provided her thoughts about the program and what it means to be a social media influencer.
Sugarcookie said she doesn’t think of herself as a social media influencer. Her site is strong, but Sugercookie said she’s relatively weak on social media.
“I’m still learning,” she said. “I didn’t even pay any attention to Facebook and Instagram until this year, and I’ve given up on YouTube now. My channel has been deleted four times.”
Although Sugarcookie doesn’t have millions of social media followers, she does have quite a few opinions about influencer campaigns and affiliate programs.
I don’t wear bright red lipstick often.. what do you guys think? Yes? No? https://t.co/BVJfltEuSq pic.twitter.com/clYf7RQvt5
— Harriet Sugarcookie (@HSugarCookie) September 7, 2017
The problem with affiliate programs
Sugercookie said she’s making efforts to reverse the importance of the affiliate/influencer trend.
“These influencer/affiliate schemes assume that the only value your brand is giving the advertiser is a percentage of what gets spent,” she said. “So, they’re getting access to some influencers too cheaply. It takes a long time to build a brand people trust. They’re getting the goodwill of association with a trusted brand and revenue.”
Sugercookie used to send 20,000 visitors a month to My Free Cams before the company closed its revenue program, at which point she lost interest. Now, she has a good partnership with ImLive. “I must say [ImLive has] been fantastic to work with so far,” she said. “I tried other webcam affiliate schemes, but they haven’t been worth the effort. I also monetize my traffic with other adult industry schemes and more-honest-for-users dating sites.”
Sugercookie added most affiliate programs reward the last click from her site and social media traffic doesn’t convert well. She said people seem to use social media for discovery and then use other sites to investigate further, which means affiliates often don’t get paid what they should for promoting products.
“I suspect review sites and discount sites get most ‘last clicks,’” she said. “So, at the moment, I’m moving away from affiliate/influencer schemes and beginning to sell branding opportunities based more on their complete value.”
um guys… did you see we hit 100K?? That’s the power of HARRIET BOOBIES APPRECIATION DAY!!! pic.twitter.com/tB1RhCHbkj
— Harriet Sugarcookie (@HSugarCookie) September 4, 2017
It’s all about brand building
Sugercookie explained people know high numbers on social media count for something, but affiliate programs haven’t figured out the best way to harness those numbers.
“What I love about social media is the fact it brings you closer to your audience,” Sugercookie said. “There’s a connection, a sort of intimacy, that’s truly invaluable to a brand. I don’t want to betray my followers by simply using them as numbers or pushing products on them.”
AngelNDemon4u, a successful cam model, agreed social media helps a brand stand out.
When she began using social media, she quickly accumulated followers.
“In six months, I gained almost 7,000 followers, and I consider it helpful to adult industry workers,” she said. “You can promote yourself, share your life with your followers and interact with a lot of people from the adult industry. [You] also can talk and share opinions and comments that you can’t on a cam platform.”
You know you wanna buy my WORN panties. Exclusively sold here https://t.co/DKZt9bMJsC pic.twitter.com/ObJFEiNDk2
— ?AngelNDemon4u? (@AngelNDemon4uok) August 27, 2017
Find Harriet Sugarcookie on Twitter at @HSugarCookie.
Find AngelNDemon4u on Twitter at @AngelNDemon4uok.
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Abbie Stutzer is a writer and editor from Lawrence, Kansas. Find her on Twitter at @abbiestutzer and on Insta at @abbiestutzer. Email her at abbie@ynotcam.com.
Image: Amazon.com influencers program
