Comparing Walmart Creator, Amazon Influencer, TikTok Pilot Program & Benable

If you’re already sharing your favorite canning tools, gardening finds, or off-grid essentials with friends, you might be sitting on an untapped income stream. You don’t need a huge social media following to earn a little side money and get free stuff.

Whether you’re posting product tips on TikTok, writing blog reviews, or just texting your must-haves to friends, platforms like the Amazon Influencer Program, Walmart Creator Program, and even TikTok’s Pilot Program make it surprisingly easy to earn a little money from the things you’re already using every day. Plus get useful free stuff to promote. I got the kids’ electric dirt bike above free through the Amazon Influencer program in exchange for a review video.

I’ve tested out all of these programs myself, and although I’m not making big money on any of them I still think they’re great options. Here’s a breakdown of how the Walmart Creator Program compares to the Amazon Influencer Program, along with a quick look at TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program and a platform called Benable, which is super beginner-friendly.

Keep in mind that if you have much of a social media following at all, you can certainly do better than I have. I got off of all social media while my kids were little and just recently rejoined so I don’t have much of a following.

Amazon Influencer Program

Best for: Anyone who’s already sharing product reviews, tutorials, or favorites online — especially on video
What you get paid for: Sales made through your links or shoppable videos
Where it works: Social media, blogs, storefront links, YouTube, Pinterest (you can use your storefront recommendations)

I’ve been using the Amazon Influencer Program since last November. Once you’re approved (which is based on your social media account), you get your own little storefront on Amazon. You can create idea lists, share your favorite products, and upload demo videos — which is where most of the earnings seem to come from.

Pros:

Massive range of products to promote
You get your own Amazon page to share
Videos can keep earning over time
You can use ‘SiteStripe’ to share affiliate links without having to make a video about the product
Free products through Creator Connections

Cons:

Commission rates vary (some are super low)
Amazon is picky about video quality and link usage
Amazon is strict about not selling to family or friends (makes things difficult)
It takes time to build up consistent income unless you already have a following
Significantly less generous earnings than reported a few years ago (from what I’m hearing in FB groups)

I’ve earned at least $350 in six months. Nothing too exciting but I don’t mind. Here’s my Amazon Storefront amazon.com/shop/ashleycuevas. Probably not worth it for everyone. After getting approved for the Influencer program, you have to submit product videos for approval to be in the ‘onsite’ program. That allows you to make money on your videos being placed in the product pages. If you’re not approved for that, it will work just like any other affiliate program. You’d just get commissions for the sales you refer to Amazon.

What probably makes this worth continuing is the free ‘samples’. I’ve received hundreds of dollars worth of things I actually want. The sellers have usually reached out to me but I have requested some products through Creator Connections. On top of getting the free things, I get commissions on the sales of them. Examples of free things I’ve been sent: allergy-friendly protein powder, livestock fence post brush, dog joint supplements, and I have a goat milking machine on the way now!

Walmart Creator Program

Best for: Beginners who want to share with friends
What you get paid for: Sales through your links
Where it works: Social media, text messages, blog posts — anywhere you can drop a link

Walmart’s Creator Program is newer, and a lot more relaxed. There’s no follower minimum and no application review (at least for now), so it’s a great way to get your feet wet with affiliate content. The dashboard is clean and easy to use, and they suggest trending items you can promote. The best part about Walmart’s program is that you can get commission from family and friends, unlike Amazon.

Pros:

No follower requirement
Very easy to join and use
Up to 20% commission

Cons:

Commission structure isn’t super clear
Sometimes glitchy
Lower traffic compared to Amazon, so you’ll need to promote a bit more

I haven’t made a whole lot on Walmart’s Creator Program but I really love how relaxed the rules are. It’s so easy to create an affiliate link when you’re already recommending a product to someone. For example, I gave some neighbors part of my Kombucha scoby and recommended a container to store it in. That link I sent them gave me commission from their purchase. I can get commission on any eligible products in their next Walmart Pickup order. Here’s my storefront walmart.com/creator/storefront?creator=ashleycuevas. You can see below that the commission is pretty fair if you have the audience for it.

TikTok Shop Creator Pilot Program

Best for: People already creating TikTok videos with good watch time
What you get paid for: You earn commission on sales generated from your product links or live shopping posts
Requirements: 1K+ followers at the moment, I think

TikTok’s newer Pilot program is paying creators for quality content promoting products in the TikTok Shop. I’ve seen mixed reviews. Some creators are making a few bucks per video, others quite a bit more.

Pros:

You can link products you already use and love
You earn a percentage of each sale — the rate varies by product and seller
Great if you’re already active on TikTok
Amazon sellers often will pay for you to post on TikTok

Cons:

Earnings can be inconsistent and low at first
Violations can be unclear and pull your video (probably AI sorted)
Sound options are limited for commercial use

I was just approved for this last week so my experience is limited. It appears to have nice commission rates, as you can see in the screenshot above. Plenty of products I love and use are in the TikTok shop. Here’s my TikTok account, tiktok.com/@ashleycuevas. If you’re not already on TikTok, joining through my referral link should give you TikTok Shop cash. Right now it’s $20.

Benable

Best for: People who like curating and recommending without making videos
What you get paid for: Affiliate links or partner commissions
Where it works: On your Benable page or wherever you share your link

Benable is like Pinterest but provides you with affiliate link options for potential income. It’s perfect if you love organizing your favorite books, kitchen tools, travel gear, etc., into neat little lists. You just create a list, add products, and share the link. If someone buys through it, you earn a commission — depending on the brand.

Pros:

Super easy to use
Looks clean and professional
No pressure to make videos or go viral
No following needed

Cons:

Not every brand is integrated (some links are manual)
Still growing, so visibility is lower than Amazon or Walmart
Claims to have a waiting list that you can skip with a referral link
$80 minimum payout

I’m not sure if there is actually a wait list but here’s my Benable referral link just in case. I think I’ve been on Benable a few months now and have earned $71 of commission. Find me on Benable here, https://benable.com/AshleyCuevas.

Easiest Affiliate Program

If you’re just getting started, Benable is goign to be the easiest. If you have a little following, the Walmart Creator program is a great no-pressure place to sharing links on your social networks. If you’re already talking about products or filming how-to videos, Amazon’s Influencer Program has a lot more earning potential long-term. For those already making TikToks, it doesn’t hurt to try out TikTok Shop’s Pilot Program.

No matter which one you try, remember these are slow-burn income streams. They won’t pay all the bills overnight, but with consistency, they may turn into a nice trickle of income for things you’re already using and loving anyway.

If you want help setting up your storefront or choosing beginner-friendly products to recommend, drop a comment or send a message — I’d be happy to share what’s worked best for me!