This tradesperson earns US$10K a month from Amazon in only 20 hours by filming product reviews— and Canadians can do it, too

Strahl works full time. He’s a husband and father of two. Despite his busy schedule, he spends no more than 20 hours a month on his side hustle — and the returns are significant.

For Canadians already stretched between the cost of groceries, housing and everyday expenses, the idea of earning a meaningful second income without an additional job is more than appealing. It’s a question worth asking: could a program like this work for you, too?

The Amazon Influencer opportunity

An Amazon Influencer is a content creator who inspires their audience with product recommendations, according to the official Amazon website (2). In plain language, the program pays creators like Strahl to funnel buyers to products through informative videos and affiliate links.

The model is straightforward: a viewer watches a video, clicks a product link and completes a purchase on Amazon, with the creator then earning a commission. Strahl’s product focus is on tools, camping gear, automotive accessories and household items — products he can demonstrate credibly as a tradesman.

“I made about US$5,800 (C$7,950) in revenue in my fourth month after joining the program,” Strahl said. “And it kept growing from there.” He recommends shooting and posting 100 videos as a way to learn the ropes — assuming Amazon approves your application.

To join, you must apply with an active YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok account. Amazon reviews follower counts and engagement, among other criteria (2). And if you’re accepted, the program can become a valid stream of additional income.

On a 2025 Reddit thread, Amazon influencer McKay Christensen also recommends the program — with some caveats (3). Christensen runs the GoTechGeek Amazon storefront and, like Strahl, earns through high-quality product videos. He calls the program “life changing,” despite recent changes that other influencers describe as making top-tier earnings harder to reach (4).

“When I got started in June 2022, it was pretty easy money,” Christensen posted. “Now, those days are gone.” Even so, he believes there are still real opportunities for creators willing to put in consistent work.

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The road to earning $10,000 a month

So what does it actually take to reach Strahl’s income level?

He credits his success to “in-depth, highly descriptive, long-form videos.” His content isn’t cinema quality, but it’s detailed — using B-roll footage (product visuals that play during a voiceover) to give viewers an accurate sense of what they’re buying.

Christensen echoes this, adding that the platform you post your video to matters just as much as the content itself. Most of his earnings now come from YouTube rather than Amazon directly. He estimates that he would only earn one-third to one-quarter of his current income without his YouTube channel.

Strahl launched his own YouTube channel in 2024 — a year after joining the Amazon Influencer program — reposting his best Amazon videos there to drive additional traffic. It took him 11 months to reach monetization.

“I started by reviewing products with no prior knowledge of video editing, and learned everything from scratch,” Strahl said. “I believe it’s still a good time to get started.”

Christensen cautions against treating the program as a get-rich-quick opportunity. He points to dedication, consistent learning and persistence as the real drivers of his success.

What Canadians can realistically expect

Big earners like Strahl aren’t typical, and income through the Amazon Influencer program varies widely. A popular 2024 thread on the r/Amazon_Influencer subreddit suggests the average creator earns roughly US$300 (C$410) a month. Many report inconsistent results, with one user noting earnings anywhere between US$165 and US$1,200 (C$230 to C$1,640) in a single month (4).

For Canadian context: Statistics Canada data shows that about 5.4% of employed Canadians held multiple jobs or supplementary self-employment activity as of August 2025 (5). Among digital content creators and gig workers, supplemental earnings can vary widely — the income potential is real, but it’s rarely instant and usually involves active participation.

The Amazon Influencer program isn’t limited to U.S. creators. Amazon.ca supports Canadian participants in the program, with commissions paid in CAD for purchases made through Canadian links (6).

What you need to know before establishing a content creator side hustle

Before you start reviewing camping stoves on camera, there are some important Canadian financial and tax considerations to keep in mind.

Self-employment income and the CRA: Income earned through the Amazon Influencer program is considered self-employment income by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You must report it on your T1 personal income tax return, using Form T2125 (Statement of Business or Professional Activities). You can deduct legitimate business expenses — such as equipment, internet costs and home-office expenses — against your earnings.

GST/HST registration: If your gross self-employment income exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, you’re required to register for GST/HST (and QST if you are in Québec). Below this threshold, registration is optional but still available.

RRSP room: Earning self-employment income creates more Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution room — calculated at 18% of the prior year’s earned income, up to the annual maximum: $33,810 for the 2026 tax year. Reinvesting some of your creator income into an RRSP can reduce your taxable income.