How Trevin Peterson Turned Rejection into Almost $40K/month

In this week's episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, Trevin Peterson, founder of Viral Vue, joins me to discuss his remarkable journey in the online marketing space, the evolution of the Amazon Influencer Program, and how his new software, Viral Vue, is helping influencers scale their businesses. Trevin’s story is one of constant evolution, from starting with side hustles at a young age to building successful ventures in Amazon FBA, TikTok affiliates, and ultimately creating a software solution that has transformed how influencers approach their marketing.

Trevin's journey into the Amazon Influencer Program began unexpectedly in late 2022, and it quickly evolved into a multi-faceted success story, driven by his knack for spotting opportunities and leveraging them. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the various elements of his journey and explore the strategies he uses to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of influencer marketing.

Watch the Full Episode

From Side Hustles to Full-Time Success

Trevin Peterson’s entrepreneurial journey began as a child. From a poop-cleaning business to a lawn-mowing service, he was always looking for creative ways to make money. By the time he entered college, Trevin had married young and found himself searching for ways to provide for his growing family.

This led him down the path of online side hustles, trying everything from affiliate marketing and MLMs to dropshipping and Amazon FBA. Trevin's first major success came through building private label brands in Amazon FBA, which he eventually transitioned into focusing on part-time as his time became more consumed by his latest venture, Viral Vue. 

By 2023, Trevin’s work with Amazon’s influencer program had grown into a full-time business. However, what’s truly impressive about Trevin’s journey is how he seamlessly transitioned between different business models, capitalizing on trends before they became mainstream.

Amazon Influencer Program: A Game Changer

Trevin’s deep involvement in the Amazon Influencer Program allowed him to uncover the program’s potential. He first became aware of Amazon influencers in late 2022, when he saw videos from creators showing up on his Amazon listings without any clear explanation. Initially confused about how these videos worked, he quickly dove into research and figured out how influencers were making money by creating videos about Amazon products. 

His curiosity paid off when he and his family began experimenting with influencer videos, generating their first $3,000 in just the first month. Before long, the Peterson family was fully immersed in the Amazon Influencer Program. They made 10,000 videos as a family, covering a wide range of products. 

This success even led them to expand into renting out bounce houses they received through brand deals. Trevin’s unique perspective as both a seller and influencer led him to see the program’s untapped potential. This inspired him to create Viral Vue, a tool designed to help influencers more efficiently find products to promote and scale their businesses.

Building Viral Vue: Solving Operational Challenges

Viral Vue was born out of Trevin’s need to streamline the process of finding viable products and managing influencer campaigns. Initially, Trevin and his family were manually reviewing the products they already owned, making videos, and hoping for success. 

However, they quickly realized the inefficiency of this approach. With thousands of influencer videos already posted for some products, standing out in Amazon’s crowded influencer carousel became nearly impossible. This led to the creation of Viral Vue, which now includes features like:

• Product Scanning: Identifying products in your order history with good sales potential.
• Influencer Video Count: Showing how many influencer videos already exist for a product, so users can focus on products with low competition.
• Creator Connections: A tool to help influencers find and accept higher-paying campaigns offered by sellers.
• Viral Score: A metric that combines revenue, competition, and merchant video presence to determine a product's potential for influencer success.

Viral Vue has grown substantially since its launch, with key features like Creator Connections making it easier for influencers to find campaigns that fit their product reviews. This has allowed influencers to significantly increase their earnings. Trevin’s success story is a perfect example of how identifying gaps in a marketplace and building a solution to address those gaps can lead to massive growth.

The Earning Potential of Amazon Influencer and TikTok Affiliates

One of the highlights of Trevin’s journey has been his ability to leverage both Amazon Influencer and TikTok Affiliate programs for significant earnings. While Amazon’s Influencer Program traditionally focuses on shoppable videos, TikTok Affiliates operates in a very different space with more aggressive, clickbait-style videos.

Trevin's record month with TikTok Affiliates saw him earn nearly $40,000 in a single month. While TikTok’s earning potential is high, it requires a unique skill set to succeed. TikTok videos tend to be faster-paced and highly engaging, requiring influencers to have a strong personality and a knack for viral content creation.

Conversely, Amazon Influencer marketing, while still requiring effort, can be more accessible for newcomers. Trevin’s brother and his family generated $15,000 in a month, mainly from commissions and brand deals. This demonstrates that even part-time participation in the Amazon Influencer program can generate substantial income, especially when using tools like Viral Vue to optimize the process.

Here’s a breakdown of Trevin’s success:

• TikTok Affiliates: His best month saw $39,000 in profit.
• Amazon Influencer Program: His family made $10,000 in a month through commissions, brand deals, and product reselling.
• Sister-in-Law’s Earnings: She’s on track to earn $30,000 this month with TikTok affiliates alone.

Daily Workflow for Amazon Influencers in 2025

As the landscape of Amazon Influencer marketing continues to evolve, Trevin recommends influencers focus on a few key activities every day to stay ahead:

1. Accept Creator Connection Campaigns: Accepting campaigns from brands offering higher commission rates is now a vital part of succeeding as an Amazon influencer.
2. Consistent Uploading: Regular video uploads are essential for maintaining visibility on Amazon and TikTok.
3. Product Research: Carefully selecting products with low competition and high sales potential is crucial for generating consistent commissions.

Using tools like Viral Vue makes this process more manageable, allowing influencers to automate certain aspects of their workflow and save valuable time.

Viral Vue’s Impact and Growth

Viral Vue’s success has been nothing short of impressive, especially given the challenges Trevin faced while bootstrapping the company. After facing months of uncertainty and sleepless nights, the software became profitable in May 2025. Trevin's willingness to reinvest his earnings from other ventures, like Amazon FBA and TikTok, into developing the tool ultimately paid off.

The software now boasts a thriving community of influencers using the platform to find products, secure brand deals, and scale their businesses. What started as a small, niche tool has grown into a must-have resource for any serious Amazon influencer.

Final Thoughts

Trevin Peterson’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and persistence in the online marketing world. From side hustles to software development, he’s proven that by spotting opportunities early, taking calculated risks, and building solutions to everyday problems, success can be achieved on multiple fronts.

If you’re an Amazon Influencer, TikTok affiliate marketer, or looking to get started in these areas, Trevin’s journey provides invaluable insights into what it takes to thrive. Whether you’re leveraging software like Viral Vue or finding new ways to engage your audience, remember that consistency, creativity, and the willingness to adapt are your best tools for success.

In a world full of noise and competition, Trevin Peterson continues to set himself apart by always skating to where the puck is going. And with the tools he’s developed and his focus on solving influencer challenges, he’s not only built a business, but he’s also built a community that’s helping others achieve the same success.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Viral Vue
• Trevin's YouTube Channel

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