PODCAST · business
The Affiliate Guy with Matt McWilliams: Marketing Tips, Affiliate Management, & More
by Matt McWilliams, Award-Winning Affiliate Manager
The Affiliate Guy Podcast is your source for affiliate marketing news, tips, and strategies to take your online business to the next level. Learn how to boost your commissions, manage affiliate programs, and so much more. More information at theaffiliateguy.tv and mattmcwilliams.com.
Episodes
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Affiliate Program Legal Requirements: What Every Affiliate Manager Needs to Know
Legal stuff might not be the most exciting part of running an affiliate program, but it's one of the areas you can't afford to just wing. If your affiliates are making false claims, skipping disclosures, spamming people, mishandling data, or breaking your terms, that can come back on you. In this...
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How to Create Affiliate Relationships That Last
Affiliates stick around when they know you're not treating them like a name on a spreadsheet. Strong relationships are what keep partners engaged, responsive, and willing to promote again, even when another program comes along with a bigger commission or a flashier offer. In this episode, I'm...
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How to Tell Affiliates When Something Goes Wrong
Something is going to go wrong in your affiliate program eventually. A launch gets delayed. A tracking issue pops up. A commission changes. A promo doesn't go the way you expected. The mistake most people make is waiting too long, saying too little, or trying to make the problem sound better than...
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How to Plan Your Day as an Affiliate Manager
Affiliate managers have a lot pulling at their attention: recruiting new partners, activating the ones who signed up, answering questions, checking stats, creating resources, following up, and keeping the program moving. So what should you actually do each day? In this episode, I'm showing you…
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How to Fix the Biggest Problems Holding Back Your Affiliate Program
Every affiliate program runs into problems. Some show up before you ever recruit your first affiliate, like choosing the right tracking software, fixing website issues, dialing in conversions, setting commissions, and getting your program policies clear. Others hit once the program is live, like...
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Affiliate Fraud: Red Flags Every Program Should Watch
Affiliate fraud is rare, but when it happens, it can cost you real money, damage your program, and create a mess you wish you'd caught sooner. The good news is, you don't have to spend hours every week hunting for problems. You just need to know which red flags to watch. In this episode, I'm...
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How to Make Affiliate Webinars Convert Better
Affiliate webinars can bring in a flood of leads and still leave a lot of sales on the table. The difference usually comes down to what happens before, during, and after the webinar. In this episode, I'm showing you how to make affiliate webinars convert better, including how to promote an offer...
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How to Find What's Wrong with Your Affiliate Program and Fix It
You started an affiliate program, but it's not growing the way you expected. Before you recruit more partners, raise commissions, or start changing everything at once, you need to figure out what's actually broken. In this episode, I'm showing you how to find what's wrong with your affiliate...
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Affiliate Program Support: 5 Things Your Partners Need
Affiliates can't promote well if they're guessing. They need more than a link and a login. They need the right tools, the right direction, and the right kind of support from you as the affiliate manager. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 things affiliates need to succeed, based on nearly 17…
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How to Recruit Affiliates Who Keep Promoting
An affiliate program gets fragile when all the sales come from one or two big partners. The goal is to build a deep bench of loyal promoters who believe in what you sell, know how to talk about it, and keep coming back to promote again. In this episode, I'm showing you how to grow an affiliate...
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How to Recruit Affiliates from Competitor Leaderboards
Your best affiliate prospects are usually hiding in plain sight... on other people's leaderboards. In this episode, I'm breaking down how to recruit affiliates from competitor leaderboards, including exactly where to find the lists, how to choose the right prospects, and how to reach out in a way...
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How to Get Affiliates to Plan Their Promotions in Advance
Affiliates promote more when you stop asking them to "just send something" and start giving them a clear plan. In this episode, I'm showing you how to create promotion plans for affiliates so they know exactly when to promote, what to say, who to send it to, and how to pace it without burning out...
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How to Make Your Affiliate Program Stand Out to Affiliates
Affiliate programs are everywhere now, so if you want the right partners, you can't just be "another program with a link." In this episode, I'm breaking down how to make your affiliate program stand out to affiliates, so you attract quality partners without relying on nonstop cold outreach…
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How to Expand Your Affiliate Program Internationally
Expanding your affiliate program internationally can unlock growth you'll never get if you only recruit in one country, but it also comes with a few practical wrinkles that catch people off guard. In this episode, I'm breaking down how to expand your affiliate program internationally, including...
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The 6 C's of Elite Affiliate Programs (Part 4)
Most affiliate programs don't lose affiliates because the product is bad... they lose them because it's harder to promote your offer than someone else's. In this final episode of the 6 C's series, we're covering the last three C's: Competitive Commissions, Customization, and a Centralized Hub.…
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The 6 C's of Elite Affiliate Programs (Part 3)
One of our clients did about a $5 million affiliate launch and he estimated roughly 40% of that came from one thing... coaching the affiliates. Not "here's your link, good luck" coaching, but real training: what to say, what to send, how to position the offer, and how to avoid the little mistakes...
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The 6 C's of Elite Affiliate Programs (Part 2)
Most affiliate programs communicate in a way that makes affiliates tune out... or walk away. Too many emails, not enough clarity, missing details, last-second requests, and "helpful" messages that don't actually help anyone promote. In this episode of the 6 C's series, we're talking about the...
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The 6 C's of Elite Affiliate Programs (Part 1)
Most affiliate programs look different on the outside... but the ones that win year after year all have a few fundamentals in common. This episode kicks off my 6 C's series, and we're starting with the first C: CONTESTS. I'm going to show you how to run an affiliate contest that gets affiliates...
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How to Choose the Right Affiliate Manager
Choosing an affiliate manager can feel like a guessing game... until you know what to look for. In this episode, I'm breaking down the traits and skills that actually matter, where great affiliate managers tend to come from, and how to tell the difference between someone who "knows affiliates"…
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How to Get Affiliates Excited to Promote
Got a promotion coming up soon? In this episode, I'm breaking down how to get affiliates excited to promote and keep that energy building right up to launch day... using the exact pre-promo strategy we use with clients to turn "I might promote" into planned emails, scheduled posts, and a strong...
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How To Avoid The Biggest Affiliate Program Mistakes (Part 2)
Over the years, I've made enough affiliate-program mistakes to fill a small handbook... and a few of them were the kind you don't forget because they come with real consequences. In this episode, I'm continuing the "killer mistakes" series with the stuff that can get you in trouble fast…
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How To Avoid The Biggest Affiliate Program Mistakes (Part 1)
Most affiliate programs don't blow up overnight... they bleed out slowly from a handful of preventable mistakes. In this episode, I'm breaking down the "killer" errors that quietly wreck tracking, relationships, motivation, and momentum, and I'll show you the simple fixes that get you back on…
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How to Decide Between an In-House Affiliate Manager and an Agency
Most people make this decision backwards... they pick "in-house" or "agency" based on budget, then hope it works out. In this episode, I'll show you how to decide between an in-house affiliate manager and an agency based on what your program actually needs right now. We'll walk through the real...
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How to Help Affiliates Write Emails That Convert
Most affiliate programs leave email performance up to chance... and then wonder why some promos flop. In this episode, I'm sharing how to help affiliates write emails that convert without turning into their copywriter. You'll get a simple framework you can teach, the few elements every...
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How to Fix the 7 Beliefs That Kill Affiliate Programs
Most affiliate programs don't fail because of tactics... they fail because the person running them believes the wrong things. In this episode, I'm breaking down 7 common beliefs that quietly kill affiliate programs, from what you think affiliates want, to how you think motivation works, to what…
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How to Become an Affiliate Manager
Affiliate management is one of those careers people stumble into... and then wonder why nobody told them about it sooner. In this episode, I'm breaking down how to become an affiliate manager. What the job actually is day to day, the core skills you need to build, and the fastest ways to get real...
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How to Build a High-Converting Affiliate Webinar Funnel
If affiliates are promoting your webinar and you're seeing plenty of registrations but not enough sales, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing the exact strategies we use to triple webinar sales when affiliate traffic is in the mix. Not theory... the specific levers that have worked across...
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7-Figure Affiliate Launches: The Exact Launch Plan
A seven-figure affiliate launch isn't luck. It's planning, sequencing, and a few leverage points most people skip. In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact launch plan we use to turn affiliate promos into a coordinated push, not a scattered shout into the void. We'll cover what happens...
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How to Screen Affiliate Applications (My Approval Criteria)
Every affiliate application is a tiny fork in the road. Approve the right people and your program gets stronger. Approve the wrong ones and you get refunds, brand headaches, and a whole lot of noise. In today's episode, I'm sharing my approval criteria for screening affiliate applications, plus…
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How to Set Up Affiliates to Win (Onboarding Checklist)
You've got affiliates raising their hand. Now the real question is: what do they get in the first few days after they say yes? In this episode, I'm giving you my affiliate onboarding checklist. The exact pieces that help new affiliates feel confident, find what they need fast, and start promoting...
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How to Grow Affiliate Program Revenue 20X in 48 Months
Most affiliate programs grow by inches. This one grew by miles. In today's episode, I'm breaking down how we grew affiliate revenue 20X in 48 months. No fluff. No "one weird trick". Just the exact moves that changed everything: what we focused on first, what we stopped doing, the leverage points...
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How to Fix the Biggest Affiliate Marketing Mistakes
If affiliate marketing feels harder than it should, chances are you're making a few mistakes you don't even realize are mistakes. And the frustrating part? Most affiliates repeat the same ones over and over. In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common affiliate marketing mistakes I see…
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How to Get Affiliates to Trust You (So They Actually Promote You)
Trust is what separates good affiliate programs from great ones. It's the reason someone says yes to your offer... and keeps showing up promo after promo. If your affiliates don't trust you, or don't believe you've got their back, they'll disappear, fast. In today's episode, I'm sharing exactly…
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How to Get Affiliates to Actually Promote
If you want affiliates to actually promote, it's on YOU to make it happen. Because the truth is… most affiliates don't wake up thinking about your program, your product or your launch. They need a spark—and if you don't light the fire, no one will. In this episode, I'll show you how to activate...
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How to Sell With Confidence (Not Desperation)
When it's time to sell, do you suddenly sound… different? A lot of people do. Their tone changes. Their words change. Their confidence changes. And without realizing it, they stop sounding like themselves. They stop sounding confident and start sounding desperate. That shift kills trust, hurts...
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Is AI the End of Affiliate Marketing?
What if the biggest threat to affiliate marketing right now… is also its biggest opportunity? There's been a lot of noise lately about AI replacing content creators… killing SEO… making affiliates obsolete. But is that actually true? In today's episode, I'm discussing the real impact of AI on...
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How to Grow Your Affiliate Program with Podcast Interviews
If you're looking to grow your audience, boost your credibility, and build your email list in a big way, podcast interviews might just be your secret weapon. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I've landed more than 600 podcast interviews… and how I turned those into affiliates who became a...
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2026 New Year's Resolutions for Affiliate Marketers
Let me ask you something… what if 2026 is the year you stop hoping affiliate marketing works and start treating it like it actually matters? Not more random promos. Not more last‑minute emails. Real commitments that change how you show up, how you promote, and how you get paid. In this episode…
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New Year's Resolutions for Affiliate Managers
What if 2026 was the year your affiliate program finally took off? Today, I'm sharing the resolutions smart affiliate managers are making this year. These are the type of resolutions that lead to bigger launches, more evergreen sales, and stronger affiliate relationships. If you want this to be...
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The Future of Affiliate Marketing: 2026 Edition
What does 2026 look like for affiliate marketers? Let's just say… it's not business as usual. From AI taking over the grunt work to virtual influencers and voice-driven SEO, the landscape is changing fast. In this episode, I'm sharing 13 bold, research-backed predictions for where affiliate...
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How Affiliates Can Make More Money This Holiday Season
What if you could turn the busiest shopping season of the year into your biggest affiliate payday? Today, I'm sharing the strategies top affiliates use to make more money in December without burning out, posting nonstop, or guessing what might work. If you want a simple plan to increase your...
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The Affiliate Manager Holiday Survival Guide
The holidays are here… which means chaos for most affiliate managers. There are promos flying everywhere, inboxes are packed, and your affiliates? Half of them are over-promoting, and the other half have gone silent. So how do you stay sane and strategic when the whole season is moving at…
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Why Every Author Should Be Using Affiliate Marketing
Writing a book is hard. Making real money from it is harder. In this episode, I'll show you how to add affiliate offers to your book so it drives more revenue and creates long-term passive income. Links Mentioned in this Episode The Book on Affiliate Management Affiliate Marketing for Authors...
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Inside the Mind of a Strategic Affiliate Marketer
If you're serious about affiliate marketing, you'll love this conversation. Today I'm talking with someone who's written for top publications, built affiliate programs from scratch, and approaches every campaign with strategy and intention. We'll break down his process... what actually works...…
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The Affiliate Book Launch Blueprint
"If you're launching a book and want more sales, more exposure, and a bigger impact, affiliates are the secret weapon. But most authors screw up the launch because they don't know how to use affiliates the right way. In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact blueprint we've used to…
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How I Found Affiliates for My Book (And How You Can Too)
So you wrote a book… now what? If you want it to actually, you need affiliates. The truth is, books don't magically fly off the shelves. Even bestsellers usually have a small army behind them. In today's episode, I'll walk you through how I found affiliates for my book… and how you can do the…
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The Shocking Truth About My Affiliate Program
What I'm about to share with you might honestly shock you. It used to be the single worst part of my entire business. Something that held me back for nearly three years. I'm ashamed to admit that the worst part of our company was our affiliate management. In this episode, I'm pulling back the...
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How Affiliate Managers Can Get Focused and Stay Focused
Ever feel like your brain is juggling 47 browser tabs—only none of them are loading? That's what it's like trying to stay focused as an affiliate manager. Between answering affiliate questions, navigating fast-changing platforms, staying on top of launches, and replying to Slack messages at all...
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$5.7 Million Affiliate Launch Secrets: The Prep Course & Bonus Strategy That Put Heidi Easley in the Top 3
Ever wonder how a niche audience and the right bonus strategy can put you in the Top 3 of a $5.7 million affiliate launch? Today, I'm bringing back a return guest to show you exactly how she did it. She used prep courses, long-term funnels, and collaborated with other affiliates to absolutely…
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$5.7 Million Affiliate Launch Secrets: Top 10 on the Leaderboard Using Instagram
Want to know how someone with a small email list still landed in the Top 10 of one of the biggest affiliate launches of the year using a single social media network? In this episode, you'll hear directly from a social media pro who leveraged Instagram — not ads, not email — to crush it on the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Affiliate Guy Podcast is your source for affiliate marketing news, tips, and strategies to take your online business to the next level. Learn how to boost your commissions, manage affiliate programs, and so much more. More information at theaffiliateguy.tv and mattmcwilliams.com.
HOSTED BY
Matt McWilliams, Award-Winning Affiliate Manager
CATEGORIES
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