Hello everyone, and welcome to this exclusive interview with Dmitry Vigar, the co-owner of AdCombo, one of the top CPA affiliate networks. Today, we dive into the captivating story of AdCombo, including the growth and strategic vision that brought AdCombo to where it is today.
In this interview, Dmitry shares his 14-year journey in affiliate marketing, starting from running doorway traffic to Wap Click/ Mobile content subscription offers, to forming a media buying team, and eventually starting the AdCombo CPA network. His initial motivation was the joy of creating websites, but over time it evolved into a profitable venture as he mastered traffic acquisition and CPA marketing.
He also goes further to share insights on the current trends in the affiliate marketing industry, what to observe in 2024, and advice for newcomers who are just starting in the industry.
We are excited to present this interview with a true veteran affiliate marketer and industry thought leader. If you are working within the affiliate marketing space, or looking to join. You surely don’t have to miss this.
Dmitry Vigar, the co-owner of AdCombo
So, the first question is about your journey in the affiliate marketing industry. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in affiliate marketing? What motivated you to enter this space?
Hello, my name is Dmitry Vigar, the co-owner of AdCombo. I have been working as an affiliate marketer for 14 years. Started running doorway traffic on the wap click CPA-platforms, then the toolbar traffic on E-commerce. In 2015 we created a media buying team in AdCombo, that runs nutra offers with native ads and FB ads.
What motivated me?
At first, it was super-interesting just to make websites, then I began making money off of it, and then learned how to buy traffic and do CPA marketing 😁
In the early days, what was the moment that sparked that “aha” moment in your mind, proving that this is the industry you will work in for the rest of your career?
It was not one particular moment, you know. Rather, it was the process of the gradual realization of professional growth, expansion of my working team, and income increase. I did and continue doing what I love, so my career path was quite predetermined.😁
Adcombo is one of the veteran CPA networks that has stayed on top till today. Can you share the story of how the network was founded, including the initial challenges you faced in launching it?
Oh, it was a road full of pitfalls and hurdles. Success is something that you need to conquer, you know. Before AdCombo was created, I launched an SMS marketing startup, but it was doomed to failure. After nearly 4 months of finding myself, I teamed up with other AdCombo founders and we created a CPA startup that has become one of the most successful CPA networks in the world.
What unique values do you think made AdCombo a top CPA network in the space?
A great and dedicated team of true specialists who are united by the same values and ambitions. And, of course, charismatic and wise leaders 😉
Can you share insights into the current state and scale of your Affiliate Network?
The AdCombo leading GEO is LATAM. Speaking of nutra, we are the top in Europe. But also, we offer our affiliates a wide range of different verticals, including apps, betting, e-commerce, etc.
Without revealing sensitive details, could you discuss any notable trends or milestones that highlight the growth of your CPA network?
It will be extremely difficult not to reveal sensitive details, but I will try 😅. Well, I can tell you that only during this year AdCombo has 58,000+ new affiliates, 5 new GEOs, and 1,000 new offers. These are the striking examples of the AdCombo growth.
How many affiliates are working with you in total? How many offers, and how many GEOs?
Only in 2023, we have more than +58000 more new affiliates (in 10 years we have more than 100000 affiliates), 986 new offers (more than 7000 in total for now), and around 100 GEOs. And, as always, we are not going to rest on our laurels: for AdCombo there are no numbers that we are not going to achieve!
In your opinion, what key opportunities exist for affiliates in today's affiliate marketing space? How does your CPA network support affiliates?
Well, from my point of view, the key opportunities for newcomers in CPA marketing are to work in a team and learn how to run traffic from large traffic sources like Google and AdWords. For the experienced affiliates, it is the opportunity to run traffic on different verticals. For instance, nutra gives less profit than crypto, but it is much more stable and safer. The key is to find a reasonable balance.
From our side, AdCombo supports beginners: we invite them to internal buying, train them, and help them to grow 👍
Building strong relationships with affiliates is very important for CPA networks. What strategies does your CPA network use to foster positive relationships and build trust with affiliates?
In my view, the best strategies for strengthening the relations with affiliates are contests, meetups, close communication with affiliate managers, and direct communication between network owners and top teams. That is what we do in AdCombo!
Can you also explain the meetups and events Adcombo holds/ attends?
Being one of the most successful and important players in the sphere of CPA marketing, AdCombo attends all of the landmark events of the industry, to keep up with the developing trends and fast-changing game rules. For example, this year our team is going to AWA Dubai 2024! Also, we will have two meetups in LATAM: and all of this will happen only in February! Moreover, AdCombo very often acts as an organizer of grandiose parties during the conferences and after the draws, where the air is saturated with the luxurious vibes of CPA marketing! 😎
How do the AI-generated ad creatives and landing pages perform in comparison to the regular human-created landing pages? Also, what are the advantages of using AI landing pages and creatives compared to regular ones?
At present, we still do not use landing pages created by AI for traffic running. We do it in the old-fashioned way: ask our creative department. Nevertheless, we are testing making creatives by AI, and the most evident advantage revealed is time-saving. It means that we have much more options for split tests in a shorter time. And speaking about time: now it is the most expensive resource at all.
What advice would you give to new affiliates aiming for success in the competitive affiliate marketing space? Are there common mistakes or pitfalls they should avoid?
We advise you to choose reliable partners such as AdCombo and try to work more carefully with crypto-offers/verticals 😉 And as I have already mentioned, it is highly advisable for all the affiliates that work alone to join teams.
What are the benefits of working in a team rather than being a solo affiliate?
Oh, it is quite easy to explain. In short, no man is an island. It is much more productive and easier to work with people who are as highly interested as you to score a success. In practice, I can give you a striking example: for one buyer it is difficult to test very different ad creative and landing page pairs at once, and therefore to get more profit in the future. Whereas working in a team means that there are people who can support you in every step while you are trying to find the most effective campaigns.
And, of course, volumes. The more people work together, the more they gain. The difference in income between a CPA lone wolf and a team is enormous.
Do you pay attention to the changing regulations in the affiliate marketing industry?
No doubt about it, of course, there should be a specific certification for promoting our products in every GEO is a must. And AdCombo fully complies with this requirement. All the regulatory changes are being taken into account by the respective departments.
Looking ahead to 2024, what trends do you anticipate will shape the affiliate marketing industry? How is your CPA network preparing to capitalize on these trends, and what advice and opportunities do you have for affiliates to stay ahead?
It's hard to look for a whole year ahead, nevertheless, I think that in 2024 we expect the expansion of verticals apart from nutra. We are branching out to mobile apps and gambling.
Speaking about the traffic sources, FB, IG, AdWords, and local advertising sources will definitely be the leaders. If we consider the most popular trends, it is necessary to point out that customers are longing for high-quality goods. So, the offers that are good for subsequent purchases are in big demand.
Now that AdCombo has turned out to be a big venture, what are your future plans for your business? What major milestone are you aiming for, and what's the next goal you want to achieve?
More offers, more GEOs, more profitable approaches, and, of course, more affiliates! Frankly speaking, in AdCombo we adhere to a philosophy that working hard and passionately dooms you to success. That is what we do and what has brought us where we are now.
How can affiliates and advertisers get to contact you or reach out to your team?
We are open to any questions via this email contact@adcombo.com. Our managers will be glad to help your readers with every issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our conversation with Dmitry Vigar, the co-owner of AdCombo, has provided us with a fascinating insight into the journey and strategies that have established AdCombo as an exceptional CPA affiliate network. Dmitry's 14-year evolution within the affiliate marketing industry, from experimenting with traffic in the early stages to developing a successful media buying team and CPA network, showcases the dynamic nature of the industry.
AdCombo's story is one of resilience and a commitment to excellence, evident in their ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Their proactive approach to building relationships not only keeps them at the forefront of industry trends but actively influences them.
Looking ahead to the future of affiliate marketing, Dmitry's insights serve as a valuable guide for affiliates. The emphasis on teamwork, exploring diverse verticals, and staying informed about industry updates pave a clear path to success. AdCombo's integration of AI demonstrates its adaptability to technological advancements, ensuring a future of ongoing innovation.
For affiliates and advertisers seeking a reputable affiliate network, AdCombo emerges as a beacon of trust and support. Their open communication and dedication to nurturing affiliates fosters a positive environment for growth and collaboration.
