Affiliate World Asia 2024: BlackHat is in the Air, Friends are Forever!

The journey to Affiliate World in Bangkok began with a necessary pause to adjust to the grueling time difference. After a 14-hour flight from São Paulo, Brazil, I made my way to Dubai, where I took two nights to unwind. The luxury and tranquility of the city were just what I needed to recharge. Dubai’s serene vibe allowed me to recover and reset before continuing my travels.

From Dubai, I traveled to Manila, Philippines, to further adjust to the time zone shift and reconnect with old friends. Manila turned out to be an unexpected bonus—many affiliates from Affiliate World also stopped by the city, making it the perfect opportunity to meet up with familiar faces and expand my network. It was a much-needed mix of business and relaxation, and I was able to catch up with both past friends and new connections.

Five days in Manila were enough to get my body on track, and I finally made my way to Bangkok. The city welcomed me with its usual chaos, but this time, it was heightened by the excitement of Affiliate World. The first night already felt like the start of something big.

The first couple of days before the official event kicked off were all about settling in and reconnecting with friends from the affiliate industry. I arrived in Bangkok a few days early to explore the city and catch up with past affiliates, and it turned into a whirlwind of connections. I met up with two friends who invited their friends, who in turn invited even more people. The energy was contagious, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by a vibrant group of industry professionals.

We spent the evening drinking, networking, and exchanging stories—some old friends, others new faces. This was the beauty of the affiliate world: it thrives on these personal connections that start small and grow exponentially. It was a perfect way to ease into the Affiliate World vibe, where the real fun begins through the relationships you build.

Day 0 of the official Affiliate World event arrived, and it started with an incredibly meaningful experience. I attended the Affiliate Business Club event, hosted by my best buddy in the industry, Akie Hamam. I took the stage at his event and decided to talk about something not about money. This wasn’t just another networking session—it was a chance to discuss something that’s been close to my heart: mental health within the affiliate space. I spoke openly about depression and how it affects so many in the industry, particularly with the immense pressure and stress.

Unfortunately, I’ve lost several friends to suicide, which has deeply impacted me. Instead of the usual talk about money and strategies, I focused on the importance of health—mental, emotional, and physical—as the foundation of success. I shared my own journey of overcoming depression, emphasizing how prioritizing health is just as crucial, if not more so, than focusing on profits.

The feedback I received after the talk was overwhelming. Many attendees expressed how refreshing and needed this perspective was. It was clear that people in the affiliate world often neglect their well-being in the pursuit of financial gain. I spoke about how health and money should go hand in hand, as good health is the ultimate strategy for success, both in business and in life. This talk wasn’t just about business tactics; it was about taking care of yourself so you can thrive in all areas of life.

BTW My hair is a trip…

Day 1 of Affiliate World was packed with networking, dinners, and meetups—truly a highlight of the trip. Bangkok is home to some of the most beautiful restaurants and bars, perfect for enjoying the evening while maintaining the right balance between entertainment and business conversation.

The atmosphere was lively but not overwhelming, allowing for meaningful discussions without the noise of a full-on party. I was lucky to have Mobidea invite me to one of their events, and it turned into a great night of connecting with both old and new contacts in a relaxed, yet productive environment.

This was also a unique opportunity to push my brand further. After over 15 years in the online world, I’m proud of what I’ve built and the connections I’ve made. Unfortunately, my books (Incomplete Guide to Affiliate Marketing) didn’t arrive in time for the conference—they would have shown up two days after the event.

However, Affiliate World graciously allowed me to host a meet and greet in place of the book launch, which turned out to be a fantastic way to connect with people, share my journey, and discuss my work. I’m incredibly grateful to both Affiliate World for making this happen and to everyone who came by to learn more about my brand. Even without my books in hand, it was a great reminder of how far I’ve come in this industry and the amazing people I’ve had the privilege to meet along the way.

This year’s Affiliate World conference felt different. The energy was still high, but there was a noticeable shift in the types of offers and players in the space. A lot of blackhat tactics were on display, alongside a heavy presence of gambling, crypto, forex, and FTD (First Time Deposit) offers being aggressively pushed. It felt like a more transactional environment, with less focus on long-term, sustainable strategies and more emphasis on quick, high-risk wins.

One moment that stuck out to me was a guy who spent the entire day hanging around the entrances, speaking to everyone who came in. Later, he casually mentioned that he was into crypto offers. It was almost as if he was spamming people in real life—just talking to anyone, hoping to hook them with his pitch.

The whole vibe felt a bit off, especially with some of the offers being pushed. There were a lot of blank sweeps with no real value or empathy for the people on the other side of those offers. It felt like there was no consideration for the quality or ethics of the offer being promoted.

Despite the overwhelming presence of these questionable offers, I was fortunate to meet a lot of legitimate affiliates. I connected with some who had been in the space for years and others who were newer to the game.

Even more rewarding was meeting new affiliates who shared how I had inspired them. Just by talking to them at the meetups, they felt motivated to push their businesses forward in a more ethical and sustainable way. It was a reminder that, even amidst the noise, the right connections can make all the difference.

It was great seeing familiar faces from STM and reconnecting with so many people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. But what really stood out this time was meeting new faces in the industry—fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that reminded me how dynamic and evolving affiliate marketing truly is.

And on a personal note, it was refreshing to see so many loyal husbands and boyfriends in the space, a nice change from the typical “I’m so glad to be away from my wife” conversations you often hear at these events. It’s always good to see the more grounded side of the industry!

The affiliate space is constantly changing. What was working last year may not be as effective today, and this conference truly reflected that shift. From the increasing presence of high-risk offers to the blending of gambling and crypto, it’s clear that the industry is in a state of flux. But despite these changes, one thing remains constant: the power of human connection.

Networking 26 hours away from home, face-to-face, is a world apart from chatting over Skype or sending messages in a Telegram group. There’s a depth to these in-person conversations that can’t be replicated online. The energy, the body language, the immediate feedback—it’s all part of building real, lasting relationships. And in the affiliate world, those relationships are invaluable.

Whether you’re meeting new people or catching up with old friends, these face-to-face interactions create opportunities and foster trust in ways that virtual meetings simply can’t match. For me, that’s what makes these events so special—beyond the offers and business deals, it’s the connections and the real conversations that keep this industry moving forward.