The most important asset in affiliate marketing is your relationships with advertisers
Unlike many digital businesses where technology or algorithms are the primary assets, affiliate marketing success depends heavily on human connections with the people who own offers. Jason emphasized that these relationships were the foundation of his business growth, providing consistent opportunities even as individual campaigns came and went.
When you succeed with a new offer, that advertiser will keep bringing you more opportunities
Advertisers are constantly developing new offers and products. When you successfully promote one of their offers, you become their go-to person for testing new campaigns. Jason specifically mentioned that by performing well with new offers (especially ones others hadn't yet tested), advertisers would continually approach him with their latest opportunities first.
Treat the business as a service provider, not an ATM machine
Many affiliates view campaigns purely as ways to extract money quickly. Instead, approach affiliate marketing as providing a valuable service to advertisers by connecting them with quality customers. This mindset shift changes how you communicate, how you optimize campaigns, and creates sustainable partnerships rather than short-term extractions.
Always do what you say you'll do
In an industry with many unreliable players, simply following through on commitments makes you stand out. If you say you'll test an offer, test it thoroughly. If you commit to certain volume, deliver it. Jason built his reputation on reliability, which became extraordinarily valuable over time.
Treat people fairly and pay on time
This applies especially if you grow to where you're working with other affiliates or sub-affiliates. Pay promptly, don't change terms unexpectedly, and be transparent about results. Jason noted that his reputation for fair dealings meant people rarely talked negatively about him – which he considered a significant achievement in the industry.
Never try to squeeze every last dollar from an advertiser
Jason specifically mentioned avoiding taking "the advertiser's last dollar." When campaigns are working, some affiliates constantly push for higher payouts until the campaign becomes unprofitable for advertisers. Instead, be satisfied with reasonable profits that allow both parties to win, creating sustainable relationships.
Be honest and direct in all business dealings
Be straightforward about campaign performance, challenges, and expectations. If something isn't working, say so. Don't misrepresent results or capabilities. Jason built trust by being honest about what was and wasn't working, which paradoxically led to more opportunities.
Use a staged approach to testing - don't try to jump from first contact to conversion immediately
Jason used the analogy of dating and marriage – you wouldn't ask someone to marry you on the first date. Similarly, in campaign testing, break down the process into stages: first get attention, then engagement, then clicks, then landing page optimization, etc. Each stage should be optimized before moving to the next.
Follow metrics through the funnel at each stage before advancing
For each stage of your campaign, identify the key metrics that matter (click-through rate, landing page conversion, checkout initiation, final purchase). Make sure each metric is optimized before focusing on the next step. Jason mentioned they now especially focus on the initiate-checkout-to-purchase ratio since it provides 3x more data points than purchase events alone.
Recognize that upfront investment in finding winners pays off exponentially
The methodical testing approach requires more upfront investment before scaling, but once you identify a true winner, the scaling potential more than makes up for it. Jason explained that any time and budget spent finding a winning campaign is minimal compared to the profits from aggressively scaling that winner.
Success requires 7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day of dedication, especially at the start
Jason explicitly stated that in the early days, he was working 12-16 hours daily, 7 days a week. This level of immersion is often necessary to develop the skills and insights needed to succeed. While work-life balance may improve over time, the initial learning curve requires intense dedication.
If you don't genuinely enjoy the process, you'll struggle to compete
The constant optimization, data analysis, and problem-solving in affiliate marketing must be something you genuinely find interesting. Jason explicitly advised that if you don't love the work itself, choose a different career path, as those who do love it will outwork and outperform you.
Treat it like the most engaging video game you've ever played
Jason literally described affiliate marketing as "the best video game I'd ever found." He found the process of tweaking variables, seeing results change, and optimizing performance inherently rewarding – like leveling up in a game. This intrinsic enjoyment of the process helps sustain motivation through inevitable setbacks.
Begin with standardized images (faces with blue eyes work well to capture attention)
Jason revealed they primarily use static images, not video, and specifically faces with blue eyes tend to stop people scrolling. By standardizing the images initially, you isolate copy as the variable you're testing. This simplifies the process of identifying what messaging works.
Structure ad sets by copy variations
Instead of testing different images, audiences, and copy simultaneously, Jason's team organizes their initial ad sets specifically around copy variations. This means creating multiple ad sets that differ only in the written messaging while keeping other variables constant, allowing clear identification of which messages resonate.
Identify the winning messages before testing creative variations
Only after establishing which messaging angles work best do they begin testing different images or creative approaches. This sequential approach prevents the confusion that comes from changing multiple variables simultaneously and not knowing which change drove results.
When an ad works in one geography, test it across multiple regions
Once you've proven an ad works in one location, Jason recommends immediately testing it in other regions and countries. The cultural differences between regions may affect performance, but often a winning concept will work across multiple markets with minimal adjustments.
The work required to make a converting ad is the same regardless of scale
Jason pointed out that creating a successful ad requires the same effort whether you show it to 100 people or 1 million. Once you've done the hard work of finding a winning message and creative, the incremental effort to expand its reach is minimal, so you should maximize your return on that initial work.
Don't limit yourself to small markets when you can go national or global
Jason used the example of pet stores - why focus solely on Austin if you could target the entire country? Many affiliates unnecessarily restrict their geographic targeting out of caution, missing significant scale opportunities. If targeting constraints aren't explicitly required by the offer, test broader reach.
The "unique mechanism" and angle are critical differentiators
Every successful campaign has a unique angle or positioning that makes it stand out. For Jason's famous example, while others advertised "saggy arms" for a skin firming product, he focused on "turkey necks" because the product's copy emphasized neck firming. Finding the right distinctive angle can transform campaign performance.
Use AI for ideation of angles and pain points, not just copywriting
Jason revealed they use AI tools like GPT not primarily for writing final copy, but for brainstorming different angles, pain points, and customer motivations. They create detailed prompts describing customer avatars and use AI to generate diverse perspectives on why someone might need their offer.
Create detailed avatar profiles to understand user motivations
Jason described creating specific customer personas (like "a 45-year-old guy in Austin, Texas who's down on his luck and looking to save money"). These detailed avatars help identify precise pain points and motivations, making advertising messages more relevant and compelling.
Sometimes it's luck or finding the right angle (like "turkey necks" instead of "saggy arms")
Jason shared his breakthrough moment of using "turkey neck" images instead of the "saggy arms" everyone else was using. This insight came from actually reading the offer's sales page carefully, not from data analysis. Sometimes the key breakthrough comes from creative insight rather than optimization.
Track everything but trust your instincts when you see a winner emerging
While data-driven decisions are essential, Jason also emphasized the importance of developing and trusting your intuition. Experienced affiliates often sense when a campaign has potential beyond what early numbers might suggest, allowing them to invest in scaling opportunities others might miss.
Not every affiliate can crack every offer - that doesn't mean you're not good
Jason mentioned being the "seventh guy in" on an offer that became one of their biggest successes, after six other affiliates couldn't make it work. Conversely, his team has failed with offers others succeeded with. Success with specific offers often comes down to finding the right angle or timing, not just skill level.
Maintain strong communication with advertisers for feedback on lead quality
Jason emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication channels with advertisers to get feedback on the quality of traffic and leads you're sending. This feedback loop allows you to continuously refine targeting and messaging to improve conversion rates further down the sales funnel.
Better quality leads make your advertising partners look good to their buyers
In multi-tier affiliate relationships (where you're sending leads to an aggregator who sells to end buyers), the quality of your leads affects your partner's relationship with their buyers. By sending higher-quality leads, you help your partners maintain their downstream relationships, making you more valuable.
Quality relationships last longer than quick profits
Jason repeatedly emphasized that maintaining a reputation for quality and integrity creates long-term business opportunities that far outweigh short-term profit maximization. His decade-long relationships in the industry continue to provide opportunities based on trust built over years.
There's always someone running more volume
Jason shared an anecdote about one of his media buyers who runs 7 figures monthly in ad spend meeting someone who thought his $250,000/month was impressive, only to learn she spent that much daily. No matter how successful you become, maintain perspective - there's always bigger players in the space.
Today's success can disappear tomorrow
Jason stressed that winning campaigns eventually stop working, platforms change policies, and market conditions shift. Even when you're "crushing it," remember that affiliate marketing success is often temporary, requiring continuous adaptation and new campaign development.
Learn from others who have experience
Despite his own success, Jason continues to learn from others in the industry. He emphasized that being open to guidance from experienced affiliates accelerates growth and helps avoid costly mistakes. The willingness to be taught is a competitive advantage.
Attend industry events and conferences
Jason specifically mentioned the value of attending affiliate conferences and events in person. While much of affiliate marketing happens online, the relationships built through face-to-face interactions create unique opportunities that aren't available to those who remain isolated.
Build face-to-face relationships
In-person meetings create stronger bonds than digital communication alone. Jason noted that showing up consistently at industry events, even when you already know many attendees, reinforces relationships and keeps you top of mind when new opportunities arise.
The person who likes you will introduce you to new opportunities
Jason explained that organic introductions from people who already know and trust you are the most valuable lead source for new business relationships. Someone who trusts you will vouch for you to others, opening doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Help others who are starting out
Jason mentioned that he actively helps newcomers who reach out for advice, remembering how valuable guidance was when he was beginning. This generosity not only supports the community but builds your reputation and network, potentially leading to partnerships and opportunities.
Share knowledge about campaign structures and testing processes
While Jason keeps specific campaign details and copy private, he freely shares his testing methodology and campaign structures. This strategic openness helps others while building his authority in the space without compromising his competitive advantages.
Remember those who helped you when you were beginning
Jason explicitly referenced the people who helped him when he was starting and how that motivates him to assist others now. This mindset of gratitude and giving back creates a positive reputation in the industry that pays dividends in unexpected ways.
Consider long-term value versus short-term gain
Throughout the interview, Jason contrasted "smash and grab" short-term profit maximization with building sustainable business value. The latter approach might mean less immediate profit but creates compounding opportunities over time, including eventual exit possibilities like Jason's publishing business sale.
Build a reputation for consistency and reliability
Jason shared the story of being told he had "no reputation" - meaning nobody talked negatively about him because he was consistently reliable and fair. This clean reputation became increasingly valuable over his decade in the industry, opening doors closed to those with checkered histories.
Focus on sustainable growth rather than volatile spikes
Jason mentioned that when positioning a business for sale, consistent, predictable growth is more valuable than erratic performance, even if the latter occasionally produces higher peaks. Buyers and partners value predictability and proven systems over occasional home runs.
Affiliate marketing rewards those who combine technical expertise with relationship building. Your reputation in the industry is your most valuable asset, and it's built through consistent performance, ethical operations, and genuine relationships.