We all knew that it wouldn't be long, with the global change, for Amazon to change the game once again and lower their commission rates. Plus with them prioritising what they classify as 'essential purchases', many of us are being hit on our websites with a double whammy shock.

If I'm really honest (as I am sure you guys will have to admit too), I have been really lazy with my website, affiliating with very few companies, with the majority of my reviews and best of's and editorial material being about products on Amazon.

Let's face it, they are easy to refer to, easy to track and just easy to use in general. Readers and customers also seem to feel the same. I have experienced that if I link to amazon, they tend to buy, whereas purchases and take up to other sites is considerably lower.

However, is this because of how I have positioned my business?

In these unique times of global change, we as businesses, writers, influencers and affiliate marketers, have to evolve and change too. There is no Norm or comfort zone anymore and in many ways this is good.

We all have to find different ways of connecting, doing business, marketing and living.

I have been incredibly excited by my website of late, it is showing signs of great success with another 22 sales in the last week. However, all of these are from Amazon, so this means that my earnings from all of this work could be slashed by 5%.

Instead of crying about it, and protesting this is wrong, that Amazon are wrong (lets face it, we could spend all isolation doing that), I spent a day finding new schemes and companies to affiliate to. I applied to 15 companies and have this morning just found out I have been excepted to my top choice.

Not only did this company send me a really nice email, complimenting me on my website and saying they look forward to working with me, but they are forwarding editorial and promotional material too! The icing on the cake, is that by going direct I get 10% commission, not Amazons 3%.

If I get the same response from the other companies, not only have I increased my commission, but I am building relationships with companies, becoming the influencer I wanted to be. Amazon Slashing their commission is a Win/Win for me. Because it forced my hand to stop being lazy, and actually take my website, my vision seriously.

Believe me, your readers will respect your site more if you diversify. I intend to leave my editorial material, referring to Amazon, but now add in my new relationships and affiliate companies.

The only way we survive this global pandemic and global change in doing things, is to evolve and adapt and change ourselves. I am excited to step out of my Amazon comfort zone. By doing so, I now have material to write for at least another few months and beyond.

If your Niche is suffering from the pandemic and shut-downs, my advice is keep writing, keep building, because the pandemic will pass, the world will resume business. Let's hope we do it as a more pro active, more mindful and conscious (and less lazy) group of humans.

Wishing you and your families good health, your websites much success, and the courage to step out of your Amazon comfort zones. I promise, if you leap, the net of other opportunities will catch you!

Much Love

Sara