Amazon is continuing its trend of disrupting industries.
Amazon recently announced an expansion of its Delivery Service Partner program.
The updated program encourages current Amazon employees to quit their jobs and start a package-delivery business.
Greg Zakowicz, an e-commerce analyst forOracle Bronto, said the program is a smart move by Amazon.
Postal Service and FedEx cant.
But is it a win for entrepreneurs?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…
Thats the million dollar question.
No one knows yet, Zakowicz said.
Its a hard lesson to be the Guinea pig.
The program aims to entice delivery-savvy workers to start their own business ferrying Amazon packages full-time.
Amazon provides basic training and guidance, but the hiring and leasing of delivery vehicles is on its partners.
The recent expansion focuses on Amazons current employees.
Those accepted into the program go through three weeks of intensive training, which includes travel to Seattle.
The good news is that there are several options that dont require buying a fleet of delivery vans.
This is calledaffiliate marketing.
Use an affiliate link in your review.
When someone clicks to buy that awesome gadget, youll pocket up to 10% of the purchase price.
Not allproduct categoriesearn 10% commission.
Beauty products earn the full 10%.
Home improvement, furniture, kitchen, pantry and gardening supplies earn 8%.
Other products earn less or arent eligible for the program.
To qualify, you need a phone with the Flex app and a car.
In some areas, bikes are acceptable.
The program recruits in various areas across the country based on need.
Book Publishing
Amazon offers several options, including publishing to Kindle, print or audio.
Youll earn up to 70% royalty through Kindle Direct Publishing.
Publishing to print throughAmazons print-on-demand serviceis also free.
Here, youll be able to create, publish and distribute your book within a few days.
Youll still own your copyright and set your list price.
Youll earn up to 60% royalties.
Youve got severalroyalty rate optionshere.
Mechanical Turk
Mechanical Turk, aka mturk or turk, is a crowd-sourced marketplace by Amazon.
Each task is called a HIT, or Human Intelligence Task.
you’ve got the option to complete these tasks from home and in your own time.
Common HITs include opinion surveys, transcriptions and data entry gigs.
How much you make will depend on which tasks you accept and how much time they take.
After that, its unlimited.
And theyre not just buying from the corporation.
Thousands of individual sellers post items for sale on the site.
Broader Effects of Disruption
Who isnt winning from Amazons bold push into delivery and entrepreneurship?
Its been hemorrhaging billions of dollars a year.
In 2013, the postal service partnered with Amazon as a way to plug the money hole.
Since then, postal workers dedicate Sundays to delivering Amazon packages only.
The new delivery service program could be a way to phase out the USPS partnership, Zakowicz suggested.
But not without a lot of sweat from the new partners.
These guys are going to be busting their a****.
Adam Hardy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
He specializes in ways to make money that dont involve stuffy corporate offices.
Read his latest articles here, or say hi on Twitter@hardyjournalism.
Staff WriterCarson Kohlercontributed to this article.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
