STM 3 – 2016 Affiliate Mastery Challenge

The 6 Week Affiliate Mastery Challenge (AMC) course is delivered via video and accompanied by live interactive sessions every week, as well as robust support from course coordinators and partner organization representatives. Learners get a step-by-step walk through of current best practices in affiliate marketing. Learning materials include case studies and Q&A with accomplished industry pros. Core technical components of the curriculum, such as setting up a server, configuring DNS, or crafting website landing pages, are supported via technical help provided to students..

The Opportunity

In addition to receiving video instruction, students also get daily homework assignments and the chance to interact with fellow learners for networking and collaboration. Program materials emphasize transferable skills that affiliate marketers can use to adapt to changing opportunities and an array of traffic sources. Novice and experienced marketers are welcome to sign-up; posted testimonials indicate that AMC “works” for affiliate marketers of all skill and experience levels.

In addition to the knowledge dispersed by the program, AMC participants get roughly $4,000 in free advertising bonus credits from AMC’s program partners. Participants are also moved to the top of the list for approval with affiliate networks’ and traffic sources’ programs and services. Program materials include specialized scripts for running your own server (that you can use after the program concludes). Those who complete the program can receive a certificate to demonstrate your commitment to the field.

AMC is limited to 100 sign-ups per session. Program partners – such as vendors and traffic sources – are listed on the program home page, so prospective students can take a look at associated companies.

Course materials indicate that participants can expect to spend up to three hours a day on AMC study to really immerse themselves in the class and complete the assigned work. Program prerequisites include $1,000 available for investment in marketing campaigns, and the personal qualities necessary for success – self-motivation, determination, and perseverance.

The registration fee for AMC was $2997 the last time the program was offered in June 2016.

The Verdict

AMC’s highly specific testimonials and descriptive program materials make the course sound really good on paper; the website is stylish and slick. However, the lack of company contact names, a mailing address and phone number suggest a lack of transparency as to who this company is and what they do that is concerning, even though there is no outward indication that the program isn’t on the up-and-up.

That said, a minimum $4,000 investment up-front is not the for faint-of-heart, even if you are guaranteed the equivalent in affiliate credits – that’s not going to pay the bills. Some testimonials report that course paid for itself before it was over (albeit, due to diligence in following the program and a lot of hard work, as acknowledged by the program participant). Common sense requires that one take that experience as the exception, rather than the rule, though.

Overall, the amount of money required to invest in this opportunity is considerable in comparison to the risk involved, and so is recommended only to those with realistically can afford to lose that much money, if, in fact, the program does not live up to expectations, and those who already have some experience in the field and are committed to pursuing their affiliate marketing goals.