It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned YouTube creator, Blogger or new to the videos. Understanding how to create Amazon shoppable videos is not as easy as you might often hear online.
There are a few silly things you may not even realize you are doing that can lead to rejection. Therefore, I want to help you understand the entire process.
Yes, there are rules, but don’t worry – they’re easy to comprehend once you get the hang of it.
You’ve only got three attempts at approval, so starting off on the right foot is essential.
And if you’re already in, there are always ways to tweak your videos to increase sales conversions.
Here’s your comprehensive guide on creating effective shoppable videos on Amazon.
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Before You Start
Make sure to practice before you upload your initial three Amazon Shoppable Videos. These are crucial because they determine whether you get approved for on-site placement or not.
You’ve got only three shots, so use them wisely. Amazon will either give you the green light or decline your application based on these videos.
If your videos are not accepted, you won’t get any helpful feedback from Amazon. So, knowing that your first three videos are as good as you can make, will increase your chances of getting accepted the first time.
I was accepted on my first attempt and in this article I’ll share with you have I was able to manage that.
You definitely don’t want your first videos to be the ones they judge you on, right? So, take the time to polish them up and make a great first impression!
Dos and Don’ts of Creating Amazon Shoppable Videos
Before we get into it, let me quickly share what you should steer clear of to avoid rejection and highlight the key steps to make your video stand out.
Things to Steer Clear Of:
- Exclude External Products or Logos: Refrain from referencing items not available on Amazon and ditch any display of Amazon logos.
- Content Isn’t for Kids: Make sure your content isn’t geared towards children, for the first three videos. You can review childrens products but the criteria is a little more strict. So, to be on the safe side for your first three videos. Let’s keep clear from children’s products.
- Avoid Alcohol References: Stay away from showcasing or discussing alcoholic beverages.
- Keep Branding on Clothing Minimal: Abstain from donning clothing with prominently visible branding and logos.
- Omit Barcodes and Personal Identification: Don’t display product barcodes and steer clear of sharing personal identification information.
- Prioritize Natural Presentation: Don’t stress about perfection in acting or video quality initially. Concentrate on being helpful and genuine, as viewers value authentic opinions from regular individuals.
- Personal Information: Don’t show personal information in the video ie: Street names, addresses, or even wedding photos in the background. I was rejected due to the shipping label on the packaging.
Recommended Actions:
- Highlight Close-ups and Details: Use close-ups to accentuate product features and materials.
- Ensure Well-lit Videos: Guarantee your video is well-lit with either natural or artificial lighting.
- Opt for Optimal Resolution: Record videos in 1920×1080 resolution and in landscape orientation.
- Illustrate, Educate, Elaborate: Demonstrate the product, educate viewers on its features, and provide detailed descriptions.
- Prioritize Honesty: Be forthright in your review. Communicate objective truths about the product rather than making subjective claims.
- Efficient Communication: Start communicating promptly in most cases to avoid wasting the viewer’s time.
- Avoid Copyrighted Music: Refrain from incorporating copyrighted music into your videos.
Additional Pointers:
- Learn from Peers: Practice and derive insights from commendable reviews on platforms like YouTube. Observe speaking styles, content focus, and apply a style that resonates with you.
- Abstain from Personal Info: Steer clear of mentioning personal identifying details, such as location, phone numbers, or email addresses.
- Provide Objective Feedback: Instead of categorizing a product as “junk,” offer objective feedback. For example, discuss specific aspects like thin plastic and its impact on the product.
- Refrain from Calls to Action: Avoid urging viewers to make purchases, click, follow, like, subscribe, leave comments, or take specific actions.
- No Health Claims: Refrain from asserting that a product can cure or prevent diseases.
- Silence on Price and Sales Info: Abstain from discussing the price or mentioning sales, discounts, or promotional details in your videos.
For your first three videos, we are going to PLAY IT SAFE and make your videos very vanilla!
For complete guidelines see here. and best video practices for influencers here.
How Long Does It Take to Create Amazon Shoppable Videos?
The time required to make Amazon Shoppable Videos depends on the length and complexity of your content creation process.
For a 2-3 minute video, the entire process can be completed in approximately 30 minutes. Simply upload from your phone and don’t worry too much about achieving professional-level filming.
However, if you opt for longer videos in the range of 6-8 minutes, involving extensive editing, the entire process may take around 1-2 hours.
It’s essential to consider your desired video length and the level of editing to determine the time commitment for your Amazon Shoppable Videos.
I wouldn’t recommend for the first three videos that you make anything longer than 1 minute. The longer your video the more risk you have of saying or showing something that they will not like and get you rejected.
Required Gear for Producing Amazon Shoppable Videos
Creating Amazon Shoppable Videos doesn’t demand pricey equipment, yet having some essential basics is crucial.
Here’s a rundown of what you need.
- Phone Stands or Tripods: Ensure the stability and professionalism of your videos by using reliable phone stands or tripods. These accessories help maintain a steady shot and eliminate unnecessary shaking, providing a more polished and visually appealing final product. Here’s a link to the tripod I use. AMAZON *Affiliate Link*
- Good Lighting: Lighting plays a crucial role in video quality. Invest in good lighting equipment to ensure that your videos are well-lit and visually clear. Adequate lighting enhances the visibility of your products and contributes to an overall professional look. The lights I use are available on Amazon here. *Affiliate Link*
- Quality Microphone: Don’t overlook the importance of audio quality. Invest in a good microphone to capture clear and crisp sound. While the visuals are important, ensuring that your audience can hear you clearly is equally vital for delivering a professional and engaging video. My Mic on Amazon *Affiliate Link*
- Basic Phone Camera: You don’t need an extravagant camera setup to create compelling Amazon Shoppable Videos. A regular phone camera can produce high-quality visuals. However, it’s crucial to prioritize a good microphone for superior audio quality, as clear communication is key in conveying product information effectively.
By assembling this set of equipment, you’ll be well-prepared to create engaging and effective Amazon Shoppable Videos that showcase your products in the best light possible.
Planning Your Amazon Shoppable Video
To create a successful shoppable video on Amazon, it’s all about careful planning.
- First things first, identify your target audience by considering factors like age, gender, interests, and buying habits.
- Make sure your video content speaks to their needs, making it more engaging.
- Then, move on to crafting a compelling video concept that effectively showcases your product.
- Be REAL. It’s the number one advice i can give you.
Unlike YouTube reviews, people shopping on Amazon are looking for real people with real advice. Your videos do not need to be YouTube quality to get sales.
This strategic planning approach significantly boosts your chances of success, driving more sales.
It’s all about nailing down your target audience and developing a captivating video concept for a solid strategy.
Once you upload your first 3 videos
Once you upload your first three videos, You need to sit back and wait. Don’t be tempted to delete and upload new ones if you don’t hear back quickly.
The approval can take anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks!
Honest, it’s so random how fast they will approve or reject the videos.
You have three attempts to upload three videos for approval.
If your first three videos are rejected, take a close look and check for the following.
- Quality of the image, and sound quality
- Did you offer medical advice? or say that state things that cannot be proven. ie: This office chair will ease your back pains. Nooooooo! That will instantly be rejected
- Did you show personal information in the video, even in the distant background. A car number plate will get you rejected for sure.
- Barcodes! OMG the number of times I have forgotten to cover up the barcode with a blank sticker. It’s an instant rejection. Even QR codes will get rejected.
- Finally, Bad language or even your tone of voice can get a video rejected.
Here’s a good example of a first video
SortioX Will Help You Choose Products for Your Next Amazon Shoppable Video
For your first three products it’s all about unlocking that padlock on your shop page and unleashing the ability to upload shoppable videos and start making some money.
Once you have those videos approved, the floodgates are open and you’ll need to start finding the best and most profitable products to purchase and review ( Once you have filmed everything in you home for free first )
Check out the SortioX Chrome extension tool – it’s a real game-changer when it comes to finding the right products for you.
With SortioX, searching for products becomes super easy, and you can set filters to see only the info that matters to you.
Imagine scrolling through a bunch of items, and SortioX pops up with important details under each one.
It’s like your personal guide to product info!
The coolest part is when you set filters.
You can be super specific, like only wanting to see products that sell over 1,000 units a month, have a killer 4.5-star rating or higher, and even ones with 1-5 influencer video slots available.
So, SortioX isn’t just a tool – it’s like having your own assistant for finding the perfect products online.
It makes searching easy, shows you what’s important, and helps you make smart decisions. Get ready for a whole new way to explore products with SortioX!
Get the Sortiox Chrome extension here, and you can buy this tool here.
Why SortioX? SortioX, designed exclusively for you, the Amazon influencer, offers powerful tools for efficient product research and content management. Quickly filter Amazon listings by video availability with Video Feature Sorting, save time with Search Page Insights, and seamlessly integrate with Amazon’s Creator Hub to monitor top-performing products. Your personalized solution for maximizing success on Amazon.
Technical Aspects of Amazon Shoppable Videos
When uploading videos to Amazon, adhere to specific criteria to ensure compatibility and optimal user experience.
First, confirm that your video file is in either .mp4 or .mov format and does not exceed the 5GB limit.
Additionally, ensure that the duration falls within the range of 5 seconds to 60 minutes.
Following the upload, meticulous configuration is crucial.
- Tag all relevant products featured in the video, aiding customers in discovering and exploring your offerings.
- Craft a descriptive title that provides clarity on the video’s content, facilitating customer comprehension.
- Equally important is the selection or upload of an appropriate thumbnail, as it serves as the initial visual impression influencing users’ decisions to engage with your video content.
Maximizing Conversion Rates
Your journey in creating a shoppable video transcends the mere presentation of products; it’s a calculated strategy focused on optimizing conversion rates.
Effectively optimizing these videos entails aligning them with the distinct stages of the sales funnel: awareness, interest, decision, and action.
Tailor your content strategically – introduce the product and its benefits to create awareness, provide detailed information during the interest phase, and highlight unique selling points.
Live streams and events emerge as dynamic platforms for heightened product exposure.
Platforms like Amazon Live enable real-time interaction with customers, presenting an exceptional opportunity to showcase your products.
Seize pivotal shopping events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday to amplify conversion rates. Crafting shoppable videos during these periods, featuring product highlights and exclusive discounts, can profoundly impact customer engagement and drive conversions.
In essence, comprehending the intricacies of the sales funnel dynamics and leveraging live streams and events emerge as indispensable strategies, propelling the effectiveness of your shoppable videos and concurrently enhancing both product visibility and conversion rates.
If you’re planning to use Amazon Live Shoppable Videos, it’s important to know about their content guidelines. These cover how you present products, language use, and respecting copyrights. Amazon aims for a positive and professional space, so familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure your content meets their standards. It’s a good way to make your experience on Amazon Live smooth and enjoyable for both you and your audience.
Measuring Success and Analytics
Unlock the full potential of your shoppable videos on Amazon by utilizing Amazon’s analytics tools.
Analyze metrics such as views, clicks, and sales to gain insights into your content’s performance.
Delve into viewer retention, product interactions, and sales data to make informed decisions for improved conversion rates, engagement, and sales.
With a nuanced understanding of Amazon’s metrics, adapt your strategy by adjusting video length or content to maintain audience interest.
Use analytics to identify high-performing products and focus your strategy on the most lucrative offerings. This iterative process of monitoring and adjusting based on metrics allows you to continually refine your shoppable videos, enhancing their effectiveness and increasing your chances of success on the competitive Amazon marketplace for sustained growth and impact.
Final Words
That’s all you need to know about how to create Amazon Shoppable Videos. If you follow best practices and avoid the most common reasons for rejection on Amazon, have basic gear, and know how to pick the right products (by using SortioX), making Shoppable Videos on Amazon will be profitable.
