Who makes money in affiliate marketing: professions, roles, skills, and pitfalls
From the outside, affiliate marketing looks like “one person and a lot of traffic.” But in reality, it’s an entire ecosystem with dozens of roles. If you want to get into the industry, it’s vital to understand what professions exist, which skills are truly valued, what the pitfalls are, and where you can grow.
💻 1. Media Buyer
What they do: Drives traffic, tests hypotheses, rotates creatives, analyzes metrics, scales winning combinations (bundles).
Hard skills:
- Experience with Facebook Ads, TikTok Ads, Google UAC, Native, Push, Pop
- Ability to work with trackers (RedTrack, Voluum, Keitaro)
- Analytics (Excel, Google Sheets, basic BI, multi-slicing)
- Knowledge of metrics: ROI, CR, EPC, eCPM, CTR, LTV
Soft skills:
- Quick reaction to changes (bans, rejections, budget shifts)
- Capacity for A/B testing and systematic thinking
- Patience and persistence – 80% of hypotheses won’t work on the first try
Challenges: Burnout, working with large budgets under pressure, constant algorithmic changes Pros: High speed of growth, can earn well both in a team and solo
🎨 2. Creative / Video Maker / Designer
What they do: Creates banners, videos, pre-landers, stories, and creatives for paid traffic.
Hard skills:
- Proficiency with tools: Figma, Photoshop, Canva, CapCut, Premiere, After Effects
- Editing skills for various formats (UGC, stories, native ads)
- Knowledge of platform specificities (FB, TikTok, Push)
Soft skills:
- Creativity and a feel for trends
- Mental flexibility, ability to deliver results quickly
- Working according to a brief (ToR) and collaborating with the Media Buyer
Challenges: Many iterations, constant search for novelty, risk of burnout Pros: Can start without traffic experience, easy entry into the niche via freelance or an agency
🧠 3. Analyst / Tracker Specialist
What they do: Sets up trackers, monitors traffic, analyzes data slices, fights fraud.
Hard skills:
- Keitaro, RedTrack, Voluum, Google Analytics, BI-tools
- Knowledge of link structures, postbacks, SubIDs, cloaking systems
- Basic SQL, working with API
Soft skills:
- Attention to detail, systematic approach
- Teamwork with Buyers and Tech specialists
Challenges: High responsibility, must keep track of thousands of clicks and parameters Pros: Rare and valuable expertise, can work remotely with top teams
🤝 4. Affiliate Manager (AM)
What they do: Communicates with affiliates (Webmasters), issues offers, monitors KPIs, helps with scaling.
Hard skills:
- English at a conversational level (B2+)
- Knowledge of verticals: dating, mVAS, sweepstakes, nutra, etc.
- Skills in CRM, Google Sheets, offer analytics
Soft skills:
- Communication skills, stress resistance
- Ability to sell and maintain loyalty
- Quick reaction time and data orientation
Challenges: High volume of communication, stress, KPI pressure, 24/7 interaction with affiliates Pros: Quick entry into the industry, growth potential to Team Lead, BD, or Product Manager
🛠️ 5. Technical Specialists (Dev / Support / Product)
What they do: Builds trackers, anti-detect systems, tools, admin panels, API integrations, writes backends/frontends for affiliate networks and teams.
Hard skills:
- Backend (PHP, Node.js, Python)
- Frontend (React, Vue, JS)
- DevOps (Docker, CI/CD, servers)
Soft skills:
- Ability to work with fast feedback cycles
- Understanding of arbitrage tasks and adapting to use cases
Challenges: Unstable tasks, non-standard cases, speed demands Pros: Highly paid niches, ability to create your own products or integrations
📈 6. Business Development / Sales Manager
What they do: Searches for partners, closes deals, opens new GEOs, builds relationships with operators, platforms, and networks.
Hard skills:
- English (C1+), presentations, email correspondence, meetings
- Negotiation skills, CRM knowledge, market and terminology (CPA, CPI, RevShare)
Soft skills:
- Nose for win-win deals
- Flexibility, diplomacy, speed of decision-making
Challenges: Deal cycles can be long, money-based KPIs Pros: Growth to Partner or Co-founder, strong industry connections
🎤 7. Event Manager / Community / PR
What they do: Organizes participation in conferences, exhibition booths, merch, networking events, parties, manages informational presence.
Hard skills:
- Event organization, logistics, printing, design, timing
- Knowledge of the industry and how to maintain a professional image
Soft skills:
- Communication, creativity, visual sense
- Time management and stress resistance
Challenges: Deadlines, force majeure situations, budget constraints Pros: Excellent networking, strong connections, growth into Brand or Marketing roles
📲 8. SMM / Content / Copywriting
What they do: Manages social media, writes texts, nurtures the community, builds the informational presence of the affiliate network/team.
Hard skills:
- Telegram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium, Notion, Canva
- Skills in copywriting, storytelling, visualization
Soft skills:
- Sense of style, humor, and industry specificities
- Quick reaction and adaptation to format
Challenges: Lots of ideas but lack of content, difficulty in measuring results Pros: Exciting work, quick visible effect
How to break into the industry?
- Choose a direction: Tech, Traffic, Community, Visual, or Product.
- Look for internships in teams or affiliate networks — there are many.
- Complete test assignments — this is already experience.
- Read blogs, subscribe to channels, network at conferences.
You can start in any role within affiliate marketing. The main thing is not to be afraid, to learn, and not to give up after the first mistakes.
Welcome to the world of affiliate marketing!
We always have open vacancies for those who want to grow in affiliate marketing: from Media Buyers and Creatives to Tech Specialists and Affiliate Managers.
📩 Current positions are available at affdragons.com/careers
