In this episode, Charles sits down with Lee-Ann Johnstone of Affiverse Media, a seasoned affiliate marketing expert with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Lee-Ann shares her invaluable insights on navigating the complex world of affiliate marketing and offers practical advice for businesses looking to scale their affiliate programs. Discover the key differences between affiliate marketing and paid advertising, and learn why affiliate marketing is a powerful long-term strategy for sustainable growth. Lee-Ann breaks down the essential questions to ask before launching an affiliate program and reveals the critical components of a successful affiliate marketing campaign. Throughout the episode, Charles and Lee-Ann dive deep into the technical aspects of affiliate marketing, exploring the various tools and platforms available to businesses. Lee-Ann provides guidance on choosing the right affiliate marketing solution based on your business’s unique needs and budget. Gain valuable insights into the common mistakes even experienced affiliate marketers make and learn how to avoid them. Lee-Ann shares her proven 5-step flywheel for perpetuating success in affiliate marketing, offering a simple yet effective framework for businesses to follow. Whether you’re a business owner looking to scale your affiliate program or an experienced affiliate marketer seeking to enhance your skills, this episode is packed with actionable advice and expert guidance. Tune in to discover how you can leverage the power of affiliate marketing to drive long-term, sustainable growth for your business. Key Takeaways: Uncover the little-known advantages of a marketing strategy that can outperform paid advertising in the long run Learn the crucial steps you must take before embarking on a campaign that could make or break your business Discover the surprising pitfalls that trip up even seasoned marketers, and find out how to steer clear of them Head over to scaleitlab.com to download your exclusive workbook, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. Key Points: 0:24 What is affiliate marketing? 3:37 When is affiliate marketing right? 5:42 Questions before starting 12:02 Consideration phase leverage 13:44 Leveraging network for trust 23:55 Profitable affiliate programs 32:44 Affiliate managers as funds managers 36:08 Front end website visibility 37:40 Affiliate onboarding experience 39:44 Loyalty and retention 48:56 Long-term agency relationships 50:28 Authentic agency partnerships 52:21 Constantly evolving industry