9 Best Amazon Side Hustles in Canada

Traditional 9-to-5 job is no longer the only path to financial stability and Canadians are increasingly turning to side hustles to boost their income and explore entrepreneurial opportunities. According to a recent survey 1 in 3 Canadians looking to cash in on a side hustle.

Among the myriad of side hustle options available, Amazon has emerged as a powerhouse platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. But what makes Amazon side hustles so appealing? Is it the flexibility, the potential for passive income, or the opportunity to tap into a global marketplace?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the best Amazon side hustles tailored specifically for the Canadian market. Whether you’re a student looking to pay off loans, a stay-at-home parent seeking extra income, or a full-time employee dreaming of financial freedom, this article will provide you with actionable insights and strategies to kickstart your Amazon side hustle journey.

Understanding Amazon Side Hustles

Amazon offers numerous opportunities to generate extra income through various side hustles. These flexible options allow you to leverage the e-commerce giant’s massive platform and customer base.

What Is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is a way to earn money outside of your primary job. It’s typically flexible, allowing you to work on your own schedule. Side hustles can range from part-time gigs to passion projects that generate income.

For many people, side hustles provide financial cushioning and a chance to explore new skills. They can be particularly appealing if you’re looking to pay off debt, save for a big purchase, or simply boost your monthly income.

Why Choose Amazon for Side Income?

Amazon’s vast marketplace makes it an attractive platform for side hustlers. You can tap into a huge customer base without the need to build your own website or worry about marketing. Amazon offers various ways to make money, from selling products to creating content. The platform provides tools and resources to help you get started, making it accessible even for beginners.

One of the biggest advantages is the potential for passive income. Once you set up your side hustle, you can earn money with minimal ongoing effort. This is especially true for options like creating designs for Merch by Amazon or becoming an Amazon Influencer.

1. Getting Started with Amazon FBA

Amazon FBA offers Canadians an exciting opportunity to start an e-commerce business. This fulfillment method can streamline operations and boost sales potential for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Setting Up an FBA Account

To begin your Amazon FBA journey, you’ll need to create a Seller Central account. Visit Amazon’s Seller Central website and click “Start Selling” in the top right corner. Choose “Amazon FBA” from the options presented. Follow the prompts to set up your account, providing necessary business and product information. You’ll need to pay a required service fee to activate your account.

Finding Profitable Products

Selecting the right products is crucial for your FBA success. Start by researching market trends and analyzing bestseller lists on Amazon.ca. Use tools like Helium 10 to conduct thorough product research and keyword optimization. Look for items with high demand and low competition. Consider factors such as:

• Product size and weight (affects shipping costs)
• Seasonality
• Potential profit margins
• Brand restrictions

Don’t forget to account for FBA fees when calculating potential profits.

Understanding FBA Fees

Amazon charges various fees for using their FBA service. Familiarize yourself with these costs to ensure your business remains profitable:

1. Fulfillment fees: Cover picking, packing, and shipping your products
2. Monthly storage fees: Based on the volume of inventory stored in Amazon’s warehouses
3. Long-term storage fees: Applied to items stored for over 365 days
4. Referral fees: A percentage of the sale price, varying by product category

Use Amazon’s FBA Revenue Calculator to estimate your fees and potential profits for each product. This tool helps you make informed decisions about which items to sell through FBA.

2. Exploring Amazon Affiliate Marketing

Amazon’s affiliate program offers an accessible way to earn money online. You can monetize your online presence by recommending products and earning commissions on qualifying purchases.

How to Become an Affiliate

To start your Amazon affiliate journey, visit the Amazon Associates website and sign up for an account. You’ll need to provide basic information about your website or social media channels. Once approved, you can access your unique affiliate links. These links allow Amazon to track the purchases made through your recommendations.

Choose products that align with your niche and audience interests. This could range from books and electronics to home goods and fashion items.

Strategies for Affiliate Success

Create high-quality content that provides value to your audience. Product reviews, comparisons, and buying guides can be effective formats for showcasing affiliate products. Utilize deep linking to direct users to specific product pages. This increases the likelihood of conversions and improves user experience.

Diversify your promotional channels. Use your website, blog, social media, and email lists to reach a wider audience. Tools like AffTrack, Affilimate, Pretty Links, EasyAzon, AMZ Watcher, and AffJet can help you in your Amazon Affiliate journey.

3. Leveraging Amazon Handmade for Creatives

Amazon Handmade offers a unique platform for artisans to showcase and sell their crafts. You can tap into a vast customer base while maintaining the authenticity of your handcrafted items.

The Basics of Amazon Handmade

To start selling on Amazon Handmade, you’ll need to apply and get approved as an artisan. The platform is designed specifically for handcrafted, hand-altered, or handmade customized products. You’ll be required to sign up for a Professional Seller account, which costs $39.99 per month. However, Amazon waives this fee for Handmade sellers.

The main expense you’ll encounter is the 15% commission fee on each sale. This fee covers payment processing, marketing, and customer service. Your handmade items will appear in Amazon’s regular search results, increasing visibility for your products.

Best Practices for Selling Handcrafted Goods

To maximize your success on Amazon Handmade, focus on creating high-quality, unique products. Customers seeking handmade items often value originality and craftsmanship. Make sure to optimize your product listings with clear, attractive photos and detailed descriptions. Highlight the handmade nature of your items and any customization options you offer.

Pricing is crucial. Factor in your materials, time, and Amazon’s fees to ensure profitability. Don’t undervalue your work, but remain competitive within your niche.

Lastly, it important to provide excellent customer service to build a positive reputation. Respond promptly to inquiries and address any issues quickly and professionally.

4. Amazon Merch Opportunities

Amazon Merch offers a creative way to earn money through custom designs. You can tap into this platform to sell unique products without handling inventory or shipping.

Merch by Amazon Explained

Merch by Amazon is a print-on-demand service that lets you create and sell custom-designed products. You upload your designs, and Amazon handles production, shipping, and customer service. The program is free to join, making it an attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs. You earn royalties on each sale, typically around 13% of the purchase price.

Products available include t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, and more. As your sales increase, you gain access to more product types and higher upload limits.

Creating Designs That Sell

To succeed on Merch by Amazon, focus on creating eye-catching designs that resonate with your target audience. Make sure to research trending topics and popular niches to inform your design choices. Use high-quality graphics and fonts that look good on various products. Consider seasonal themes and evergreen concepts to maintain year-round sales.

Optimize your product listings with relevant keywords to improve visibility. Price your items competitively while ensuring a good profit margin.

Experiment with different design styles and monitor your sales data. Use this information to refine your strategy and create more designs that appeal to your customers.

5. Kindle Direct Publishing for Writers

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing offers a lucrative opportunity for Canadian writers to self-publish and earn royalties. This platform allows you to reach a global audience and retain creative control over your work.

Getting Started with KDP

To begin your KDP journey, create an account on the Amazon KDP website. You’ll need to provide your personal and tax information. Once set up, you can upload your manuscript in various formats, including Word or PDF.

Design an eye-catching book cover using KDP’s Cover Creator tool or hire a designer. Set your book’s price and choose distribution options. You can offer your book in digital format, paperback, or both. KDP offers a user-friendly interface to guide you through the publishing process. Take advantage of the preview function to ensure your book looks perfect before hitting publish.

Maximizing Royalties and Reach

To boost your earnings, price your e-book between $2.99 and $9.99 to qualify for the 70% royalty rate. For paperbacks, you’ll earn 60% royalties minus printing costs. Promote your book through social media, author websites, and book promotion sites. Consider enrolling in KDP Select for 90-day exclusive periods to access additional promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions.

Expand your catalog by writing series or in popular genres. Some authors find success by hiring ghostwriters to increase their publishing output. Regular releases can help maintain reader interest and boost your visibility on Amazon’s platform.

6. Amazon Services: A Path for Entrepreneurs

Amazon offers various opportunities for entrepreneurs to start and grow service-based businesses. You can leverage the platform’s massive customer base and established infrastructure to build a thriving enterprise.

Launching a Service Business

To begin your Amazon service business, sign up as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner. This program allows you to start your own package delivery company with Amazon’s support. You’ll need to invest in a fleet of vehicles and hire drivers. Amazon provides training and technology to help you manage operations efficiently.

Another option is to offer professional services through Amazon Home Services. You can list your skills in areas like home improvement, electronics repair, or pet care.

Growing Your Clientele on Amazon

Expanding your customer base on Amazon requires a strategic approach. Focus on providing exceptional service to earn positive reviews and ratings. These are crucial for attracting new clients. Make sure to optimize your service listings with clear descriptions and competitive pricing. Use high-quality images to showcase your work or team.

You can also consider offering promotions or discounts to encourage first-time customers. Another option is to bundle your services with related products to increase visibility and sales.

Lastly, stay responsive to customer inquiries and address any issues promptly. This level of customer service will help you build a loyal clientele and grow your business on the platform.

7. Amazon Flex: Driving for Dollars

Amazon Flex offers Canadians a flexible way to earn money by delivering packages. You can use your own vehicle to make deliveries on your schedule, with potential earnings of between $22-27 per hour.

Becoming a Flex Driver

To start driving for Amazon Flex, download the app and create an account. You’ll need to pass a background check before you can begin. Once approved, you can reserve delivery blocks through the app.

Choose blocks that fit your schedule. Each block shows expected earnings and duration. You’ll primarily deliver Amazon packages or Whole Foods orders.

Requirements include:

• Valid driver’s license
• Smartphone (Android or iOS)
• Reliable vehicle
• Proof of auto insurance

Optimizing Your Delivery Routes

To maximize your earnings, plan your routes efficiently. Familiarize yourself with your delivery area to avoid wasted time. Group deliveries by neighborhood when possible.

Use the Amazon Flex app to navigate and track your progress. It provides turn-by-turn directions and helps you manage your deliveries.

Consider factors like traffic and parking when planning your route. Aim to complete deliveries quickly while maintaining safety. Adjust your work schedule to coincide with peak delivery times for potentially higher earnings.

Stay organized by keeping your vehicle tidy and packages easily accessible. This can help you complete deliveries faster and take on more blocks.

8. Amazon Trade-In Program

The Amazon Trade-In Program offers an easy way to exchange your old electronics for Amazon gift cards. You can trade in devices like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles to get value from items you no longer use.

How Trade-In Works

To start the trade-in process, visit the Amazon Trade-In page and select your device. Answer a few questions about its condition and submit your trade-in request. You’ll then have two options for sending in your item:

1. Drop it off for free at participating locations
2. Ship it back at no cost within 45 days

Once Amazon receives and inspects your device, you’ll get an Amazon.ca e-gift card credited to your account. This gift card has no expiration date, giving you flexibility for future purchases.

Tips for Successful Trade-Ins

To maximize your trade-in value, ensure your device is in the best possible condition. Clean it thoroughly and remove any personal data before sending it in. Check the eligibility of your device beforehand to avoid disappointment. Amazon updates its list of accepted items regularly.

Be honest about your device’s condition when answering questions. Inaccurate descriptions may lead to a revised offer or rejection upon inspection. Consider timing your trade-in strategically. Values can fluctuate based on market demand, so you might get a better deal during certain periods.

9. Revamping Retail Arbitrage

Retail arbitrage on Amazon can be a lucrative side hustle in Canada. By sourcing discounted products locally and reselling them on Amazon, you can turn a tidy profit with relatively low startup costs.

Sourcing and Selling Products

Start by scouting local stores for clearance deals and seasonal markdowns. Big box retailers, discount stores, and pharmacies often offer great opportunities. Use retail arbitrage apps like Keepa to check product prices and sales history on Amazon.

Look for items with a healthy profit margin after factoring in Amazon fees and shipping costs. Popular categories include toys, home goods, and electronics. Be mindful of restricted brands and categories on Amazon. When listing products, optimize your titles and descriptions for search. Take clear, high-quality photos to attract buyers. Price competitively but ensure you maintain a good profit margin.

Scaling Your Arbitrage Business

As you gain experience, expand your sourcing methods. Try online arbitrage to find deals from the comfort of your home. Build relationships with store managers to get insider info on upcoming sales. Reinvest your profits to increase your inventory and expand into new product categories. Consider using Amazon’s FBA service to handle storage and shipping, freeing up your time to focus on sourcing.

Track your sales data and adjust your strategy accordingly. Identify your most profitable products and focus on scaling those. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new niches to diversify your offerings.

Amazon Side Hustle Resources in Canada