Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Education Resources: Learning is Earning

Summary (TL;DR):

Affiliate marketers have a wealth of resources available to enhance their skills and stay ahead in a competitive industry. Trade groups like the AMA and PMA offer networking, advocacy, and education, while podcasts such as The Affiliate Guy Podcast and Smart Passive Income, deliver free expert insights. News platforms like Adweek and PerformanceIN provide updates on trends and strategies, while online communities on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit foster peer collaboration. Events like Affiliate Summit and Traffic & Conversion Summit allow marketers to learn from industry leaders. These tools empower affiliate marketers to build successful, informed programs and grow their impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trade Groups –  Organizations like the AMA and PMA provide advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for affiliate marketers.
  • Podcasts – Free resources such as The Affiliate Guy Podcast and Authority Hacker Podcast offer strategies and expert advice.
  • News Platforms -Stay informed with Adweek, Affiliate Insider, and PerformanceIN for the latest trends and analysis.
  • Networking –  Join communities on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit to connect with peers, share insights, and solve problems.
  • Conferences* – Events like Affiliate Summit and Traffic & Conversion Summit offer in-depth learning and networking opportunities to advance your skills.

Whether you're a seasoned affiliate marketer or just getting started, there is a wealth of resources – both online and in-person – that can help you stay informed, get educated, hear from leading experts, and connect with others in the affiliate ecosystem. Increased knowledge puts affiliate marketers in a position to create and sustain successful programs.

We are big fans of leveraging all available resources that provide affiliate marketers with a diverse mix of learning opportunities. We are also a fan of free (who isn't?) and many of those listed below cost nothing. Score!

There are also plenty of courses, gurus and so-called experts/coaches that want to charge you for education or mentorship. Not to disparage this entire sector, but often much of what these folks are teaching is available for free, if you know where to look. If you do decide to pursue learning (beyond conferences and trade association memberships) that are paid, please do all your research and vetting prior to spending any money.

Trade Groups

These organizations offer educational resources, networking, and advocacy to help affiliate marketers stay informed and connected in a dynamic industry. Many of these associations also offer webinars. Most trade groups require a paid annual membership.

  • Affiliate Marketing Association – The AMA is a global community focused on best practices, industry news, and connecting affiliate marketers with resources and support.
  • American Marketing Association – While not specific to affiliate marketing, the AMA is one of the largest marketing associations, offering resources and events relevant to affiliate marketers.
  • Digital Marketing Association – Formerly the Direct Marketing Association, DMA provides resources and advocacy for digital marketers, including those in affiliate marketing.
  • Interactive Advertising Bureau – Although IAB covers broader digital advertising, it advocates for standards that impact affiliate marketing, particularly in data privacy and digital advertising standards.
  • The Performance Marketing Association – The PMA, a non-profit association founded in 2008, has a mission to champion and protect accountable performance marketing.

Podcasts

Hearing experts speak on a variety of topics from affiliate marketing fundamentals to advanced online marketing strategies is an ideal way to consume info for anyone looking to grow their digital presence. Free. Free. Free.

  • The Affiliate Guy Podcast – Hosted by Matt McWilliams, this podcast covers affiliate marketing strategies, interviews, and industry trends.
  • Affiliate Nerd Out with Dustin Howes – Host Dustin Howes talks with partnership marketing enthusiasts and affiliate marketing gurus who share their best strategies for affiliate program growth and what is working in the affiliate ecosystem.
  • Affiliate Underground Podcast– Features discussions on trends, case studies, and tips for affiliate marketers, especially in e-commerce and lead generation.
  • The Authority Hacker Podcast – Hosted by Gael Breton and Mark Webster, this podcast covers SEO, content creation, and affiliate strategies.
  • The DigitalMarketer Podcast – Host Mark de Grasse interviews various experts and covers a range of online marketing topics, including content strategy, paid ads, and e-commerce.
  • eCommerce Fuel Podcast – Host Andrew Youderian focuses on e-commerce entrepreneurs, discussing growth strategies, technology, and industry news.
  • Marketing School – Hosts Neil Patel and Eric Siu provide short daily episodes on SEO, content marketing, and online advertising.
  • Niche Pursuits Podcast – Host Spencer Haws focuses on affiliate niche sites, SEO, and content marketing for niche and authority websites.
  • Online Marketing Made Easy – Host Amy Porterfield offers practical strategies for content marketing, email marketing, and business growth.
  • Perpetual Traffic – Hosted by digital marketing experts Ralph Burns and Kasim Aslam, this podcast covers paid traffic, conversions, and affiliate strategies.
  • The Profitable Performance Marketing Podcast – Jake Fuller, CEO of affiliate management agency JEB Commerce, talks with industry leaders about everything affiliate marketing.
  • Smart Passive Income – Pat Flynn shares strategies, insights, and interviews on affiliate marketing and passive income generation.
  • Social Media Examiner Podcast – Host: Michael Stelzner takes a look at social media marketing strategies and best practices for digital marketers.

News

It’s paramount to stay on top of new trends and product developments. Also getting analysis on the most crucial issues that face online marketers is necessary to help brands make informed decisions and succeed. Some of these do not require a subscription or have a paywall. Plus, many offer the ability to sign up for a newsletter that can be emailed in a digest form on the frequency of your choosing (daily, weekly, etc.).

  • Adweek  – Primarily focused on advertising and marketing, Adweek includes stories on affiliate marketing, influencer marketing, and digital strategies.
  • AffDaily – Offers daily updates on affiliate marketing trends, technologies, and insights into best practices for affiliates.
  • Affiliate Insider – Provides news, insights, and resources specifically for affiliate marketers, with a focus on actionable strategies and industry updates.
  • Business Insider Marketing (BI Prime) – Reports on affiliate marketing in the context of e-commerce, retail, and digital media.
  • Content Marketing Institute – Covers broader content marketing news with insights beneficial to affiliate marketers focused on content strategies.
  • Digiday – While covering a wide range of digital marketing news, Digiday often features stories on affiliate marketing, performance marketing, and related ad tech.
  • Forbes – CMO Network – Covers marketing strategies, trends, and affiliate marketing insights, often discussing its impact on business growth.
  • Marketing Land – Covers digital marketing trends, including affiliate marketing news, technology advancements, and case studies.
  • PerformanceIN – Covers affiliate marketing, performance marketing, and influencer marketing news, along with case studies and reports.
  • Stacked Marketer  – A newsletter that delivers daily news on digital marketing, including affiliate marketing, performance marketing, and SEO updates.

Networking Groups and Communities

It’s comforting and valuable to be able to go online and have discussions with peers, which often helps in solving problems, sparking new ideas, and creating a strong community bond. Search within each of these platforms to find additional groups. Once, again…free!

Facebook Groups – Affiliate Marketing Ninjas is a community for discussing affiliate marketing strategies; Affiliate Marketing Mastermind is a group focused on sharing tips and insights on affiliate marketing.

LinkedIn Groups – LinkedIn has several active groups for affiliate marketers, including Affiliate Marketing Worldwide and Affiliate Marketing Professionals, where members can share insights and network.

Reddit Communities – r/AffiliateMarketing is Reddit’s affiliate marketing community for discussing trends, sharing resources, and troubleshooting challenges.

Conferences

Tradeshows, conferences, and in-person events are great ways to get immersed for a few days in conversations around topics, challenges, and forward-thinking ideas by industry leaders. Additionally, attending events is an expedient way to network with peers and get educated quickly. These events are for paid attendees, but they often offer a variety of acess levels to meet your budget needs.

  • Affiliate Summit – One of the largest affiliate marketing events, held annually in North America and Europe, featuring workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
  • Etail – A premier retail and e-commerce event that brings together industry leaders, brands, and digital marketers to explore trends in online retail, omnichannel strategy, customer experience, and digital innovation. Held annually in various locations.
  • PI Live (PerformanceIN) – A global conference focusing on performance and affiliate marketing, with top speakers, workshops, and networking events.
  • Traffic & Conversion Summit – While broader in scope, this summit covers affiliate strategies, lead generation, and digital marketing trends.
  • LeadsCon – Focuses on lead generation and performance marketing, with relevant insights for affiliate marketers, especially in e-commerce and B2B.