Here’s an application of Twitter that will generate hard cash for you. Amazon has made its affiliate programme Twitter-friendly.

Members of the Amazon Associates programme can share products with their network by clicking on a Twitter icon within the affiliate menu bar or stripe. This generates a tweetable message and unique URL.

When people click on the link and make a qualifying sale you’ll earn a referral fees via the affiliate programme – the entry level is typically 5 per cent of the value of a sale.

You can foresee less wise individuals spamming their networks with inappropriate messages. But abuse will quickly be stamped out by using block and unfollow functions.

Used with care in conjunction with other online marketing efforts Amazon’s initiative could be a neat way of monetising content.