As a middle editor, I've covered many various subjects related to affiliate marketing and other adjoining spheres. But I rarely have a chance to reminisce on all the topics we've brought up as a digital journal, so I used to be remarkably heedless of the number of things we discuss in our articles, interviews, and podcasts. If a remotely interesting question comes within our orbit, we strive hammer and tongs to get to the bottom of it, using all our knowledge and connections. But how many "bottoms" did we actually get to? How significant were they? Are we really making history?
It's for you to judge, my dear hypocrite lecteur. I'm here to merely provide a concise overview that would sum up all our achievements, paving our way to new heights.
January
January is a month you somewhat want to skip: it is traditionally tricky, and you often find yourself playing the guessing game you normally avoid.
People have celebrated Christmas and moved into Happy New Year with garlands around their necks, and, keeping that same garland, they start mapping out their plans, forecasting a prospective acme of their success. How in the world do we know what’s expected to be on trend? Should we lay out Tarot cards to take a glimpse at the future? Hire a local Madame Lenormand to follow Napoleon's suit?
Alas, I had little proficiency with Tarot decks, and all Lenormands had been appointed to other positions, so we chose a far simpler way: as any other educational/media portal, we were eager to hog the limelight, but at the same time, we were not afraid to face the music.
So, we placed our bet: in January, right off the bat, we decided to explore Facebook from all angles and sprinkle this effusive gush of information with a few tips that could help you reach the ideal customer. That hit the spot, especially when combined with a useful overview of YouTube algorithms. After all, with all that Facebook hype, there's always an affiliate who harbors a hope of becoming a star on another platform.
February
Quick! Name one thing you absolutely must not do if you're in affiliate marketing! Three... two... one... your time's up!
Correct answer: affiliate marketers must not miss SiGMA and Affiliate World conferences. Now that we mention these two affiliate giants, it feels legitimate to bring up the sweet memories and relish them in a calm and orderly fashion.
These two enormous events tend to compile all sorts of activities affiliates find particularly captivating: exclusive reports, loud parties, vigorous networking sessions, heated panel talks, and a brief cultural tour to help you settle down in a city cherry-picked by the organizers striving to deliver unforgettable experiences. In our articles, we often exhort you to purchase a ticket and book your flight, and we don't do it for advertising purposes. On the contrary, it's a genuine desire to render you an avid learner who wants to scale up and try a new tack. We've been to the shows; we've basked in the iridescence of success and soaked in the aura of vivacity. We know what we are talking about.
If you don't trust me, your devoted middle editor going by the glorious name of Margarita, fine, I understand: I keep yammering about such conferences for days on end. I'm only happy to provide a second opinion: try checking Roma Seet's account, who, not unlike the legendary Scheherazade, wrote a charming fairy tale.
March
What did we do in March? I remember having my birthday, blithely chilling with my friends in a random cafe, among other things... and fervently scrolling all my feeds and chats, keeping a tab on all the tasks happening at work.
And you know what? I was absolutely elated to read an article written by my exceptionally talented counterpart, who took the time to dissect marketing campaigns aimed at women. Why is it important? What makes women tick? How can you elevate your skills? What tools and techniques should you use to become a ladies' man — in a strictly affiliate sense of the word?.. Take a guess and check your answer in the article. The newly acquired knowledge won't ruin the game for you: now I know how the sausage is made, and I am supposed to become a more careful version of myself, but hey, when I see a smart strategy, I swallow the bait. It's that simple.
Also in March, we gave accolades to native ads. We approached the subject from different angles to provide a thorough analysis, but it all boiled down to one thing: once natives came into play, your profit would go up tenfold. Unlike flashy banners that harry and importune customers from all corners of the site, native ads subtly nudge people in the right direction, mildly convincing seesawing buyers to make a purchase.
Stefan Muehlbauer (source: his LinkedIn page)
For those fed up with long reads, we prepared a special treat: an exclusive podcast with Stefan Muehlbauer, incumbent CEO of Affpal. The conversation took an unexpected turn: Stefan reflected on the dubious practical effect of education, eventually segueing to more complicated subjects, like, for example, intricacies of management.
April
History enthusiasts no doubt remember a massive shift in religion in 1517, but have you ever thought about a similar event in affiliate marketing? But who could pull that off, sticking to a certain structure and providing clear and concise directions for generations to come?..
Not unlike Martin Luther in pre-Reformation Germany, Roma Seet, our trustworthy sidekick and valuable asset (your eyes do not deceive you: you have met this name before, and you will reencounter him later), decided to bear the burden and sum things up, releasing 25 Theses for affiliate marketing. He briefly described his views on meetups, offering a fresh vision and changes that could transform industry events and make them more beneficial for all stakeholders and participants involved.
Digesting this bulk of information, we realized we needed a break: after all, wise thoughts always require some space and solace. So, instead of writing another profound material, we switched to podcasts, calling our friend Alen from LGaming. He was a perfect fit, as he peppered his stories with jokes, mentioned unexpected trivia, and shared tips on how to enthrall potential partners. By the way, if you're a trifle too camera-shy, Alen is your go-to person: in this podcast, he advises on how to feel more confident during filming.
And of course, we scored a major coup. It goes without saying that we are one respectable journal: our reputation is bolstered by our well-known partnership with SiGMA and Affiliate World brands; at the same time, you don't fully comprehend your authority and status until something noteworthy occurs. And here's the kicker that may have made our readers gasp: we interviewed Craig Campbell. The Craig Campbell you're thinking about. The Craig Campbell who knows SEO inside out, the man who—
Just watch it, damn it!
May
It's crucial to stay in the loop, and you can do it in many ways: by connecting with the most influential players, reading top-notch blogs, following the brightest influencers, watching every interview related to the sphere, or attending events. We rake all options together, hoping to crank out a bunch of articles to keep you ahead of the curve. These benevolent intentions justified our little jaunt to Cyprus, where we slipped behind the doors of the highly promoted Island Conference, one of the youngest events on the market. When I say slipped behind the doors, this is exactly what I mean: we managed to buttonhole Alex from Nexxie Group, one of the renowned organizers of i-Con, standing behind the curtain. In that podcast, Alex backtracked a little and spoke about experiences, challenges, and, the most surprising of all, the art of cosplay. No typo, I'm fully compos mentis. Why don't you don a fantasy outfit and tell people about your iGaming brand in character?..
However, fantasy armor doesn't solve one ongoing issue: no matter how benign the audience is, sometimes you just want to cower in the farthest nook, in a cleft between compartments, so no one would ever find you. I feel you: during my first conference in Barcelona, I experienced this emotion tenfold, and it took me quite a while before I realized that I simply lacked proper knowledge. How do I behave? What should I do? How do I approach that lovely person over there? Should I introduce myself first, or are they interested in the services I offer? Reminiscing and reflecting on my mistakes, I resorted to my Japanese training, which inspired me to write an article on networking techniques based on the conversational art of geisha.
Armed with this impressive set of skills, I could give new events a once-over and attend them with a gush of confidence welling up in me. At least, this might be one of the reasons why TikTok Meetup proved even more profitable than I initially expected. Even more so, after listening to the podcast with July from TikTok Meetup, I could envision a journey every organizer had to go through in order to address different challenges and provide the utmost experience. July's heartfelt comments personalized the event, adding an intimate ring to it.
June
June was crazy. Hectic would be an understatement. I was tottering slowly from one trend to another until I claimed my new role for the month: an AI aficionado I became. This is how three articles on AI technologies were born, each flying from under my digital quill with a focus on a different aspect.
Google AI Overview comes to mind straight away. This state-of-the-art system went up in flames; it failed so spectacularly that the internet was buzzing for weeks, if not months, which rarely happens to newsbreaks.
AI Avatars were not inferior. They didn't compete with Google in terms of notoriety, whose jejune and rushed breakthrough would eventually end up in history books, but it was a trend we couldn't miss. Then, Apple breathed us in the neck, demanding a review of their unique Apple Intelligence. Who would resist? Not me.
Apart from AI, the world was clattering about TikTok restrictions in the United States. Diligent as I am, I delved deeply into the subject, unearthing all details, unraveling political feuds, reflecting on the vestiges and repercussions of the Cold War made in China, and finally, perusing all the controversies that took place on the Congress floor with a loup.
Oh, these complex subjects got me winded. How about we try something more inspirational and unconventional, say, Fashion marketing and Meme marketing?..
July
Can a month have its own mascot? Judging by the frenzy the world witnessed in July, not only can, but will, should such an opportunity arise. Hamster Kombat caught people in a chokehold, inducing them to tap incessantly: some hoped to scrape up a fortune by just jabbing their fingers into the screen; others were driven by sheer hazard so that we couldn't resist. Proclaiming the hamster July's mascot, we wrote an article that helped readers better understand the algorithm behind the addicting game.
The case of Hamster Kombat illustrated that an iGaming project can build a community and keep up the suspense, engaging people to download, act, and play. Sounds like a tempting offer, doesn't it? But is it possible to find the right iGaming project that would cater to your needs regarding payment options? What if you are ready to consider the niche only if the payment method suits you? Ask Anton Konvertov; there's no point in lurking in the dark, contriving the right approach. Delegate the difficult part to an expert and create your campaign from scratch.
Aren't you a little tired of reading all those unbearably serious reports, making your gears lock? The more I write this, the more I understand that I need a snack. But what's a snack without a lovely video playing in the background? Enough of Markiplier's yelling, smash that PLAY button and clank glasses with Roma Seet, who came up with his detailed review on the Island Conference in Cyprus. Anticipating your questions: yes, they are already selling tickets.
August
In August, we exposed our swashbuckling side and wondered why not make Reddit great again. It was a wonderful platform once, attracted a fair share of traffic, and didn't seem to be wilting with age like many other such portals. Why not give it another shot? So, we scampered into the rabbit hole, highlighting the most significant points that can pique your curiosity. Who knows, maybe you're destined to launch your next successful campaign on Reddit. Not that it's going to be a breakthrough in the world of affiliate marketing, but you won't have to deal with unexpected debacles popping up on more exotic platforms. Besides, this is exactly the place where you can ask for advice... not related to your job.
So, are you planning a gutsy move on Reddit? Good! Now, you're ready to get acquainted with the do's and don'ts silently accepted by the community members. Consider it a set of unwritten rules and regulations you should follow to attain the goals you've previously mapped out. You can do this! Reddit will eventually surrender, and you will secure a stable crop of profit.
Speaking of profit, did you think of such an exciting traveling destination as Bucharest, Romania? I'd love to spare you another Dracula joke, gurgling at the back of my throat, but sorry, I don't wield any power over my remarkably questionable sense of humor, so bear with me for a while longer. Read a brief review on AWSummit and book your ticket — your personal track record won't be complete without Dracula's signature.
September
Everybody works in September, right? No subterfuge to avoid your daily duties because the sweet summer days are gone, and you are locked in your office, bound to scroll through endless feeds and tally up the digits.
But it was a crackerjack month. Refreshed and invigorated, affiliates rushed into the fall, ready to strike deals, share insights, and exchange opinions they'd weighed during June, July, and August, chilling somewhere far away, quite possibly, in Count Dracula's mansion (sorry!)
We went to Budapest, and I tell you, this was the best decision we'd ever made. As I stated somewhere earlier in the text, you can't afford to miss SiGMA and Affiliate World conferences, so we followed our inner inclinations to fly to Budapest, and it was gorgeous. Okay, you might be a little sidetracked by my constant shenanigans, but here's a speaker you can trust: Roma Seet reviewed SiGMA East Europe for us and then helped us with Affiliate World Budapest.
While I was busy walking the streets of Budapest and filming every single booth I could at Affiliate World, my colleagues had to break a sweat to deliver the most exciting podcasts imaginable. First, they chatted with a self-made businessman Jon Weberg, whose story somewhat resembles certain bits from Richard Feynman's biography and harks back to Irwin Shaw's character Rudy Jordache. Second, they contacted Andrey Blosh from PropellerAds, and he was kind enough to devote his time to us and elucidate the technical part of all processes. We've done a lot. And it's nearly not quite what we're capable of.
October
Spooky, scary skeletons
Send shivers down your spine!
Andrew Gold, 1996
I couldn't resist the temptation of throwing in the most predictable line in the universe, but I heard it so often that it felt par for the course. I know you concur with me: there's not a single soul that can ignore this annoying earworm! But do you know what can divert your attention and steer your energy on the right course? A spooky, scary article revealing the secrets of October's promotional campaigns launched by various brands.
But I wouldn't call it the icing on the cake. Halloween happens every year, and we want to play big. So, to help you get rid of the cloying tune plaguing your mind, we initiated another talk with Jon Weberg, who expanded the topic of personal brand and concluded that this is your ultimate conversion, which nonetheless calls for flexibility and sagacity.
Personal brand, however, isn't the final destination (pardon me for bringing up the indelible mark the movie left on you with that log truck scene!), there's so much more to explore. To prove that statement, we dived into HR, thanks to Alina from Private Inc. In the podcast, she clarified the current situation in the area, spoke about the hallmarks of the sphere, and explained what measures should be taken to ensure flawless integration while scaling up businesses.
To sum things up for October, let me hurl in our final scoop for the month: this time, Roma Seet, our phenomenal partner, interviewed Attila Odri. Just a little peek into the interview to whet your appetite: neural networks, AI, Google, and many other trends and prospects of making money on the internet. Now, go watch that video: it hasn't got old yet!
November
Why hide the light under a bushel while there's a clear stroke of genius, especially in all this hullabaloo of false information, constant ploys, and malarkey? We don't do that in this establishment. While some people succumb to their fantasies, we make them come true.
Traditionally, our fantasies start with SiGMA, this time in Malta. An innovation hub by nature, the conference garnered real headliners, influential leaders, iGaming and tech bigwigs ready to mingle with other affiliates, eager to take a closer look at the incipient trends and new technologies.
We didn't forget about Affiliate World, which always follows in SiGMA's wake, as a trustworthy partner it is. We just tried another tack: we invited Matej Cechvala, COO of Affiliate World, for a podcast, and he gladly accepted, willingly sharing his thoughts on Affiliate World's early days, emotions, challenges, and key milestones that shaped the brand.
But it isn't our final surprise. Remember the grand interview with Craig Campbell we conducted in April? Here's something just as impressive: a huge interview with Eman Pulis, founder and CEO of SiGMA. There he revisits his personal journey, reflects on the achievements of his brand in affiliate marketing, speaks about responsible gaming, and philosophizes, sharing his view on charity.
December
December isn't over yet, and we're already in the thick of it, refreshing connections, talking to our partners, ensuring the plans for the new year, and actively cultivating our media presence online and offline. We began our path into the new year with an interview with Maor “The Wolf” Benaim, a full-stack media buyer and entrepreneur and author of Unleash Your Inner Wolf.” In this interview, Maor summarizes his book, dwells on Google Ads and updates that may or may not have made affiliates' lives more unbearable, and speaks about his personal experiences as an Affiliate World speaker. Following his lead, we burst into Affiliate World ourselves: in this article, we contemplated the unique approach invented by the brand and the seamless organization that helped founders and their teams achieve these heights.
Stay tuned, there's more to go: we've already opted to refine our expertise further and remain a trustworthy source of information. Thank you for the groundswell of support: without you, it wouldn't be the same.
Yours,
Traffic Cardinal
