First of all, how are you and your team doing these days?
Taras: A large part of our team is Ukrainian, so it has been a challenging few years, but it also feeds our drive to achieve greater things. Overall, there is plenty to be excited about, as we are exploring new synergies with DMS and working on a major release you will hear about this year.
Tell us about yourself, your career, and how you founded or joined this company.
- Taras: I have been working in the performance marketing industry for over 15 years. Joined ClickDealer in 2012, and was appointed as General Manager to expand operations in North America, and following a 6-year string of achievements in that role, I gained my current position in 2018. So my position is CEO of ClickDealer and it requires overseeing the global affiliate network’s market strategy and managing international growth.
- Nataly: I was indirectly connected to marketing when more than 7 years ago I occasionally met a girl from the ClickDealer team. Though when I started to work I found out that there are a lot of people whom I already knew! So I started as a PR manager, dealing mostly with events and merch and then step by step grew to a Head of PR. I believe that I am that kind of example when there is always a path of self-growth when you like what you do, when you are eager to learn and not afraid to go outside of the box.
Can you give us a brief overview of ClickDealer and its mission?
Taras: ClickDealer is a global performance marketing agency active in over 40 verticals. We connect affiliates, publishers, and advertisers, facilitating optimal conditions for running CPA campaigns at peak performance.
Our mission is to eliminate frustrations and obstacles for our partners, creating unparalleled levels of advertising campaign efficiency. Our in-house platform’s purpose is to streamline and simplify the daily grind for anyone running CPA campaigns, giving them more time to create and try new approaches.
How has the landscape of digital advertising changed in the past five years, and how has ClickDealer adapted to these changes?
Nataly: Competition in performance marketing has become much more of a tech race than it was 5 years ago. A portfolio of exclusive offers or access to a wide range of verticals are still major selling points, but demand has been steadily increasing for tech solutions like deep linking, integrated page builders, smartlinks, etc. Doubly so these days, with everyone looking for new ways to integrate generative AI into their offerings. So, we are ensuring our dev team has everything they need to quickly integrate the latest ad tech into our platform and work on market-first tech solutions. Also, the median age of affiliates and publishers has been decreasing over the past 5 years, and that has been guiding our promotion strategy lately.
Can you share some of the key strategies that have contributed to ClickDealer’s success?
Taras: Keeping our offerings versatile is a strategy that has been paying dividends for many years. It is common knowledge that adaptability is crucial in performance marketing, but when a vertical suddenly gains traction, starting a pivot from square one can take too long to capitalize on a trend. When you have case studies to show potential demand-side partners and relevant offers ready to run for affiliates, it becomes much easier to change course when needed.
How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your clients and partners?
Nataly: We have a pragmatic approach to that. The main prerequisite to building and maintaining strong business relationships is consistently delivering a strong product/service, and the rest comes down to courtesy and transparency. Of course, we show our appreciation with gifts and exclusive events, but the factor that ultimately makes or breaks a partnership is whether or not there is mutual benefit and trust. Everyone is happy as long as everyone’s making a lot of profits, and that’s the main thing we are trying to facilitate.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role?
- Nataly: I spend a lot of time online (of course) watching different content, that inspires me. I can find some kind of inspiration even in films not related to marketing at all. I bet that the motivation and inspiration connected to our industry can be found in conferences, no matter international or local – that is always a good way to get insights on different innovations, approaches and to meet like-minded people! And to reset myself – I need some quiet place preferably by the sea shore or mountains
- Taras: I’m inspired by the dynamic and ever-evolving world of marketing, which offers endless opportunities to collaborate with intriguing individuals from around the globe. The chance to continuously learn and adapt to new marketing strategies invigorates me, as I explore diverse cultures and perspectives through travel. This global community not only broadens my understanding but also fuels my creativity, allowing me to bring fresh, innovative ideas back to my work. The blend of professional growth and personal experiences gained through these interactions and journeys profoundly enriches my life and career.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in performance marketing?
Taras: First of all, there is no barrier to entry, so just take the first step. There are ways to generate traffic and monetize it with a $0 budget as long as you have access to the internet, and once you get paid a few dollars for a few clicks, you are already doing the thing. Don’t get hung up on the popular idea that it has to be a solo endeavor. You can join a team, get an internship, or even a job in a performance marketing company, gain a lot of experience in every facet of the industry, and then pursue that 4-hour workweek self-employed dream with much better chances. Also, there is more educational content today, both free and paid, than there has ever been. Taking some time to find reputable resources will jumpstart your career.
Where do you see ClickDealer in the next five years?
Taras: Ideally, the number one performance marketing agency in the world. We have already been named as such by a few industry publications and became a public company last year, so I think we are on a decent pace.
How do you advertise ClickDealer?
Nataly: We employ an omnichannel approach. We run paid campaigns on search, social, display, video, and native. Our team builds organic growth through our own and guest content, as well as engaging with the community on forums and social media channels. We have a referral program, launch email campaigns, run cross-promos with other companies in the field, work with thought leaders, and promote our own. ClickDealer is present at most industry conferences as an exhibitor, and we sometimes even run offline campaigns. As a company in the advertising business, it only makes sense to use every tool in the toolbox.
