Creator's Leverage Guild

Big Amazon Influencer Changes: Halo Sales, Sponsored Clicks, and What’s Next

In this episode, Mike and Ben break down their February earnings inside the Amazon Influencer Program and discuss several important Amazon Influencer changes that creators should be paying attention to right now.They share their February results, with Ben finishing the month at over $10,600 and Mike finishing around $9,200, along with a breakdown of where that revenue came from. The conversation covers Amazon onsite commissions, offsite earnings, Creator Connections campaigns, brand bonuses, international affiliate sales using Geniuslink, and YouTube traffic driving additional income.A major focus of this episode is the potential end of halo sales, what that means for Amazon Influencers, and why creators may need to shift back toward the fundamentals of product research and consistent content creation if reporting and attribution continue to change.Mike and Ben also discuss the growing opportunity around Amazon sponsored clicks, which is emerging as another potential offsite revenue stream for creators working with major brands. They talk about how creators can combine platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, and Amazon onsite videos to diversify traffic and reduce dependence on a single platform.Other topics include recent mobile carousel changes that may impact clicks, the expansion of excluded product categories, strategies for capturing TV viewers using QR codes, and why focusing on long-term creator fundamentals is still the safest path forward.If you’re an Amazon Influencer, affiliate marketer, or content creator building income through Amazon and YouTube, this episode covers the key updates, strategies, and mindset shifts you should be thinking about right now.Oink Video for Excluded Products WorkaroundClick Here____________________JOIN THE COMMUNITYIf you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that.Learn more and join here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BENGet personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business.• Book a 1-hour coaching call• Save with a 4-session coaching package⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_________________________JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITYConnect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_________________________TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORSViral VueMake smarter content decisions and grow faster.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeOinkTrack earnings and performance across platforms.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeDescriptEdit podcasts and videos faster and easier.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠⁠VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights!⁠⁠Try VidIQ⁠⁠Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Keepa⁠⁠⁠⁠Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Lasso⁠⁠Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogs⁠Try Kadence⁠Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.__________________________CONTACTHave a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request?Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

YouTube Demonetization, AI Content, and Why Quality Still Wins

In this episode, Mike and Ben break down recent platform updates, creator tools, and a larger shift happening across YouTube and content creation as a whole.We start with updates that matter for creators, including Amazon’s new sponsored content link that allows you to earn from clicks, new Oink features like Agent Oink for automated Creator Connections research, and the Daily Fetch automation that helps prevent missed campaign accepts when you’re busy or traveling. We also touch on upcoming Viral View updates and share that the podcast is now officially available on YouTube.A big part of this episode is sparked by a recent Think Media discussion about YouTube demonetizing two high-earning, faceless, AI-driven channels. That conversation highlights important risks around over-reliance on AI, repetitive templates, and what YouTube considers “interchangeable” content.Referenced Think Media discussion:We unpack what this means for creators who are using AI in their workflow and why simply producing more content isn’t always the answer. Mass uploads, templated formats, and fully automated channels can create short-term momentum but also long-term vulnerability.The core theme of this episode is that quality still wins. Creators who build a recognizable brand, add personality, break patterns, and avoid being interchangeable are far more resilient over time.We also discuss diversification. YouTube should be viewed as a distribution platform, not your only income stream. Between Amazon onsite videos, brand deals, YouTube Shopping tagging, email lists, and other monetization paths, creators who diversify are far less exposed to sudden platform shifts.If you’re scaling content, experimenting with AI, or trying to protect your monetization while growing on YouTube, this episode will help you think more strategically about the long game.____________________JOIN THE COMMUNITYIf you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that.Learn more and join here:⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠_____________________WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BENGet personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business.• Book a 1-hour coaching call• Save with a 4-session coaching package⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠_________________________JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITYConnect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now.⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠_________________________TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORSViral VueMake smarter content decisions and grow faster.⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeOinkTrack earnings and performance across platforms.⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeDescriptEdit podcasts and videos faster and easier.⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights!⁠Try VidIQ⁠Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠Try Keepa⁠Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube⁠Get Lasso⁠Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogsTry KadenceAffiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.__________________________CONTACTHave a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request?Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

The Creator Tools & Subscriptions We Pay For and the Ones You Don’t Need Yet

In this episode, Mike and Ben break down the creator subscriptions, software, and tools they personally pay for, and which ones are actually worth it for Amazon Influencers and content creators.As you grow in the Amazon Influencer Program, YouTube, or content creation in general, it’s easy to feel like you need to pay for every tool that promises faster growth. The truth is, most creators can go very far using free tools, and upgrading too early often leads to wasted money without improving results.We talk through the free tools every creator should start with, including Canva, iMovie, CapCut, and cloud storage, and when it actually makes sense to upgrade to paid software like Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or other editing platforms.We also break down the tools that can directly improve efficiency and increase earnings, including Oink and Viral View for Amazon Influencer product research and Creator Connections, Geniuslink for international affiliate linking, vidIQ for YouTube optimization, Keepa for product research, and ChatGPT for workflow efficiency.In addition, we share how we personally manage our creator subscriptions, including how to audit tools regularly, avoid unnecessary monthly expenses, and evaluate whether a tool is truly saving time or making money.We also discuss real-world creator tool costs, what we currently spend per month and per year, and how we decide whether a subscription is worth keeping or canceling.If you’re an Amazon Influencer, YouTube creator, or content creator trying to grow your income while avoiding unnecessary expenses, this episode will help you understand which tools matter, which ones can wait, and how to build your creator stack the right way.________________________JOIN THE COMMUNITYIf you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that.Learn more and join here:⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BENGet personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business.• Book a 1-hour coaching call• Save with a 4-session coaching package⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠_________________________JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITYConnect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now.⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠_________________________TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORSViral VueMake smarter content decisions and grow faster.⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeOinkTrack earnings and performance across platforms.⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeDescriptEdit podcasts and videos faster and easier.⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!Try Geniuslinks!VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights!Try VidIQKeepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!Try KeepaLasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTubeGet LassoKadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogsNotion: Super helpful AI Agenthttps://www.notion.com/productCanva: So many uses! Our go to for creating thumbnails.https://www.canva.comChatGPT: My go to for AI help with brainstorming and planning!https://chatgpt.comAffiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.__________________________CONTACTHave a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request?Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

The Truth About Consistency, Burnout, and Long-Term Earnings

In this episode, Mike and Ben break down one of the most important topics for long-term success in the Amazon Influencer Program: staying consistent without burning yourself out.Consistency looks different for everyone, and the key is finding a pace you can realistically maintain long-term. We talk about what burnout actually is, why it happens, and how it often shows up as creative fatigue rather than laziness. Whether it’s pushing too hard, reviewing products you’re not excited about, or feeling discouraged when earnings don’t match effort, burnout can slow down even the most motivated creators.We share practical ways to reduce decision fatigue, including sourcing products you already own, checking your Amazon order history, and focusing on items you have real experience with. These types of videos are often easier to create and more valuable to viewers because they come from genuine use.We also discuss how to use your performance data to guide your decisions. Instead of guessing, you can look at your reports, identify which videos and product angles are working, and replicate those patterns. This helps increase your dollars per video over time and shifts your focus toward quality and intentional content instead of chasing volume.Another major theme in this episode is understanding the natural ups and downs of earnings. We talk about seasonality, why slower months happen, and how planning ahead for major events like Prime Day and Q4 can make a significant difference in your long-term results.We also cover the importance of focusing your efforts instead of trying to grow on every platform at once. For most creators, the best move is to establish a strong foundation on Amazon first, then expand to platforms like YouTube and Facebook once you have momentum.Whether you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or just trying to find a better rhythm, this episode will help you build a more sustainable and effective content strategy.________________________JOIN THE COMMUNITYIf you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that.Learn more and join here:⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BENGet personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business.• Book a 1-hour coaching call• Save with a 4-session coaching package⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠_________________________JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITYConnect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now.⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠_________________________TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORSViral VueMake smarter content decisions and grow faster.⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeOinkTrack earnings and performance across platforms.⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeDescriptEdit podcasts and videos faster and easier.⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.__________________________CONTACTHave a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request?Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

Amazon Influencer Program 101: Getting Started & Building the Proper Foundations

In this episode of the Creators Leverage Guild podcast, Mike and Ben break down the Amazon Influencer Program from the ground up, with a strong focus on beginners and those early in the process.We walk through what the Amazon Influencer Program actually is, how Phase One works, and the different ways you can apply using your existing social media accounts. We also share practical tips for getting approved and setting yourself up for success right from the start.From there, we move into Phase Two and talk through what your first three videos should and should not look like. We cover common mistakes that can slow people down early on, what Amazon is really looking for, and how to avoid unnecessary rejections.A big part of this episode focuses on the importance of volume and consistency, specifically why creating your first 100 videos matters so much. We explain how those early videos help you build confidence, improve your filming process, and better understand the metrics that actually drive engagement and conversions.We also touch on basic equipment considerations, technical tips to make filming easier, and how being part of a community can shorten the learning curve as you grow in the program.If you’re brand new to the Amazon Influencer Program or looking for clarity on what to focus on next, this episode lays out a clear path forward.________________________JOIN THE COMMUNITYIf you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that.Learn more and join here:⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BENGet personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business.• Book a 1-hour coaching call• Save with a 4-session coaching package⁠Sign Me Up!⁠_________________________JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITYConnect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now.⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠_________________________TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORSViral VueMake smarter content decisions and grow faster.⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeOinkTrack earnings and performance across platforms.⁠Try Oink here⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for lifeDescriptEdit podcasts and videos faster and easier.⁠Check out Descript here⁠Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.__________________________CONTACTHave a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request?Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com