N1 Partners: “In iGaming, one of the biggest shifts has been the impact of AI on advertising platforms”

What matters more in affiliate marketing: performance or partnerships? At first glance, the answer seems obvious. But in reality, one rarely exists without the other. Sustainable growth is built on trust, transparent communication, and a shared commitment to moving forward together.

In this new edition of N1 Faces, Polina Bogatko, Affiliate Manager at N1 Partners, shares how she quickly found her place in the industry, why stress management remains one of the most underrated skills in affiliate marketing, and what truly separates a strong partnership from just good cooperation.

How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realise this was the industry you wanted to grow in?

I entered affiliate marketing from an Account Manager position. It was a completely new industry for me, so I set myself an ambitious goal: to dive in as quickly as possible and understand how everything worked. I spent a lot of time diving into industry content, watching interviews, talking to colleagues, and absorbing new knowledge every day. Within just a month, I had grown into the Affiliate Manager role.

That was the moment I realised I had found the right industry for me. I enjoy the combination of analytics and communication, the challenge of solving complex problems, and the opportunity to work with different people. I’ve also always loved starting from scratch and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone – those challenges are what keep me motivated.

What brought you to N1 Partners, and why did the opportunity seem so attractive?

I’ve always been drawn to companies where you’re not just completing tasks but continuously learning and growing. When the opportunity to join N1 Partners came up, I was immediately impressed by the strength of the team, the business scale, and the company’s reputation within the industry.

What stood out most was the culture. Initiative, expertise, and professional growth are genuinely valued here, and that’s exactly the kind of environment where I wanted to build a long-term career.

Looking back at the start of your career, what turned out to be completely different from your expectations? And what advice would you give yourself during your first month on the job?

At the beginning, I assumed affiliate marketing was all about moving fast and seeing results quickly if you worked hard enough. In reality, every meaningful achievement is backed by consistent, systematic work. It takes time to fully understand a product, build trust with affiliates, and develop a real feel for the market.

If I could go back to my first month, I would tell myself one simple thing: don’t rush and don’t stress if everything doesn’t click immediately. Success in this industry isn’t about quick wins — it’s about consistency, patience, and showing up every day. The more comfortable you are with the learning process, the faster you’ll get where you want to be.

What changes in affiliate marketing do you consider the most significant over the past few years?

In iGaming, one of the biggest shifts has been the impact of AI on advertising platforms and on the way traffic moderation works. Facebook and Google have become much more precise in analysing user behaviour, creatives, and campaign setups, which has significantly affected both PPC and Facebook traffic acquisition.

A few years ago, scaling campaigns through proven approaches and rapid testing was relatively straightforward. Today, algorithms identify risky patterns much faster, accounts face stricter restrictions, and moderation standards continue to tighten.

As a result, traffic acquisition has become more expensive, while finding stable, scalable campaign setups requires far more resources and expertise.

On one hand, this has made life more challenging for affiliates. On the other hand, the industry has become more mature and professional. Today, the biggest winners are those who can analyse data deeply, test hypotheses methodically, and build long-term strategies rather than simply chasing volume.

What separates a truly strong partnership from simply good cooperation?

A strong affiliate partnership isn’t just about everything running smoothly. It’s about both sides being genuinely invested in achieving a shared outcome. A great affiliate manager doesn’t simply reply to messages — they understand what’s happening with the traffic, identify growth opportunities, and help solve challenges when they arise.

At the same time, successful affiliates don’t jump between offers every few days; they give campaigns enough time to optimise and reach their full potential. Trust, commitment, and ongoing collaboration are the foundations of any lasting partnership.

Has there been a person, case study, or experience that significantly influenced the way you work with partners?

For me, that person was my first team lead, Vlad Chernov, Deputy Head of Affiliates. He laid the foundation for how I approach affiliate management today. One of the most valuable lessons he taught me was to evaluate traffic objectively, without emotions or bias, and rely on data and logic instead.

His communication style also had a huge impact on me. He always emphasised providing structured, actionable feedback rather than opinions or gut feelings. Most importantly, he taught me not to be influenced by promises or pressure and to stay focused on actual performance.

What do you consider the most underrated part of an affiliate manager’s job?

Stress management. From the outside, the role may seem like a combination of chats and calls, but in reality, you’re constantly balancing the interests of partners, products, and internal performance expectations.

The industry moves incredibly fast, and maintaining a clear head during periods of pressure or fluctuating KPIs is essential. This is one of those professions where long-term success depends not only on knowledge and experience but also on your ability to stay mentally resilient.

What mistakes most often prevent long-term relationships from developing?

One of the most common mistakes is avoiding difficult conversations. Instead of discussing challenges openly and finding solutions together, people often stay silent, with frustration building over time.

In long-term partnerships, that’s especially dangerous. Any uncertainty or lack of transparency quickly turns into distrust. It’s always more effective to address issues openly, even when the conversation is uncomfortable, and work toward a solution together.

What helps you stay energised and avoid burnout in an industry that changes every single day?

Energetic affiliates give me a lot of motivation. There are partners I regularly speak with through calls and chats, and those conversations are always dynamic and engaging.

 We can laugh about industry situations, get frustrated by market challenges together, and then switch straight into problem-solving mode. That combination of genuine human connection and shared focus on results helps me maintain momentum and avoid burnout.

If you had to describe your job in affiliate marketing without using the words “traffic”, “affiliate”, or “conversion”, what would you say?

I’d say it’s about turning chaos into a structured system. You communicate, analyze behavior, test different approaches, and identify what drives results. It’s a mix of fast decision-making, constant interaction, and the ongoing belief that every process can be improved by optimizing the right details.

If you weren’t in iGaming…?

I would probably move into events or project management. I enjoy fast-paced environments where you have to bring people, tasks, and deadlines together into a system that works.

Events offer excitement and constant decision-making in real time, while project management provides more structure and process control, but both come with the same sense of ownership and responsibility for the final outcome. What attracts me in both fields is the combination of organization, accountability, and measurable results.

Which qualities do you value most in partners?

1. Deep expertise
2. Flexibility
3. Responsiveness

Which skills are most important for an Affiliate Manager today?

1. Analytical thinking
2. Ability to adapt to new rules and changing conditions
3. Negotiation skills

Which tools or habits can you not imagine your workday without?

1. A calculator 
2. My personal Telegram notes chat where I keep everything important
3. Affiliate launch pings

New affiliate or growing with an existing one?

Growing and scaling existing partnerships.

Intuition or analytics?

Analytics.

Calls or messages?

Messages every day, calls once a week.

High volume or predictable results?

High volume with controlled quality.