Amazon Associates traffic generation -- CPA or SEO??

My website is nearly completed as a seller for amazon associates and I need to start getting traffic. I realize that it probably depends a lot on the niche that I chose, but my questions are just based on general practices. My question is this: What do you think is the most efficient method for long term profit?

1) Should I get out the wallet and buy some ads to get the traffic? If so, which route should I take? Facebook, Google, Bing, Pinterest?

2) Would social media traffic generate amazon leads? If so, which networks should I build?

3) Would it be best to go the route of SEO? Building backlinks and making content to get ranked for keywords in my niche?


I am really interested to hear from people who have / are already using the amazon associates method on a website. I already dropped load of cash on hosting and such and need to start making some money. At the same time, I want to build something that is sustainable and could potentially run on autopilot. Any input would be appreciated.

1. Should I get out the wallet and buy some ads to get the traffic? If so, which route should I take? Facebook, Google, Bing, Pinterest?

You can take any route you want but remember the way you approach them should be different. People in FB would like post which are entertaining or something which creates curiosity, something like "you never have to iron your shirt again" or "this present made the girl cry" - promote gift items and add some attractive picture..

When it comes to Google & Bing make a list of best products in any particular category and use it as landing page.. "Best gaming mouse" - "Top10 Iphone case" and so on..

2. Social media does generate amazon leads.. just make your posts on FB entertaining or something that create curiosity..

3. Instead of telling SEO is the best route, I would say use SEO as one of the traffic generating source. The traffic which you get from organic Google search is High quality & better conversion rate. But, SEO is time consuming alike paid traffic. I insist to work on both SEO and paid traffic at the same time so that in near future you would have traffic coming from Google adding more traffic & income..

@DoubleD3 This is good stuff man. So this might not be the right forum to ask, but whats the first few steps in doing the SEO?