Greetings to all!

If you visited BROCONF, then you are most likely familiar with our guest. Maxim Kireev is the owner of the MBA “HYDRA” affiliate team, a regular speaker at BROCONF and the creator of many successful cases in various categories of the nutra vertical.

In the interview, Maxim told us how a real team, his tram, grew out of a casual conversation with friends, why the guys gave up the office, how they survived the rebranding, and how he manages to stay resourceful when not only Facebook, but also his whole life is in turmoil. Enjoy!

1. Hello, Maxim! First, please tell our readers how long you’ve been in affiliate marketing. And how did you come to create your own team?

Hello everyone! My path in affiliate marketing began in February 2022. I took my first steps in one Belgorod team, gaining experience. Then, deciding that I was ready for more, I set off on an independent path with my future partner. For about three months, we were both driving traffic. The story of our team began completely unexpectedly. As often happens, the most interesting projects are born from ordinary conversations. We often discussed affiliate marketing with friends and acquaintances, sharing our successes and failures. And one day, several friends, inspired by our stories, asked us to teach them this art. So, completely spontaneously, our first team was formed – a team of six people united by a common interest and desire to learn how to make money in affiliate marketing.

2. We know that you had a difficult period and moved last year. Was it difficult to adapt and how did the rebranding go? Were there any changes in the team?

The team went through the rebranding path not for the sake of changing the name, but because we began to work in other verticals, so the previous name “NUTRAKILL” did not quite fit into the current reality. Due to the unstable situation in the region, a decision was made to move. We chose the city of Krasnodar, which suited everyone, but as it happens, plans do not always come true and as a result we came to a remote work format, without being tied to a specific location. At the moment, we have been working remotely for more than a year, all processes are set.

3. Is it possible to join your team?

We do not currently have any open positions, since the backbone of the team is formed by proven and highly qualified specialists. However, we do not exclude the possibility of inviting one or two promising affiliates to our ranks in the near future. We are not chasing numbers: the result is important to us, and one experienced buyer in our team is capable of showing results comparable to the work of 5-7 beginners.

4. What is the most difficult thing in the work of a team owner?

The most difficult thing is the awareness of full responsibility for everything that happens in the team. Ultimately, all decisions, even delegated ones, lie with you. You need to be able to quickly analyze the situation, weigh the risks and make difficult decisions, understanding that the success of the entire team and the well-being of each of its members depend on them. This constant responsibility can be very exhausting.

5. They say that Facebook has been storming for a while and it is becoming increasingly difficult to drive traffic with nutra offers. Do you still work exclusively with Facebook or are you also trying other sources?

We specialize in Facebook traffic. Yes, working with this platform is not easy, but it still remains one of the most effective sources for us. We have long been accustomed to difficulties and always find ways to overcome them.

6. Which GEOs are a priority now? How do you select offers?

Just like at the dawn of our affiliate marketing journey, we still rely on spying services. Therefore, when selecting offers, we consider scalable options with high potential as a priority. Next, we are interested in fresh GEOs that are not yet oversaturated with traffic, and only then – new offers in already proven regions. Of course, we listen to the recommendations of managers in affiliate networks we work with, but we always double-check the data they declare using the Facebook Library and spying services to make sure that they correspond to reality.

7. You have expanded your horizons and now you are driving traffic from other verticals as well. Is nutra still a priority area or are you planning to leave it?

We do not plan to leave nutra. In our opinion, this vertical will always remain relevant. As my teacher used to say, “People will always build, heal and study.” Now we are actively working on new approaches to warming up the audience, since classic text promotional material no longer demonstrates the same effectiveness and needs to be updated.

8. What works more effectively for you now: photo or video creatives?

Unlike static images, video creatives show the best results for us. The main advantage of video is the ability to interest the target audience from the first seconds and provide them with an easy warm-up before going to the landing page. This, in turn, increases the average time users spend on the landing page, which leads to better warm-up, increased conversion (CR) and, as a result, increased approval.

9. What are you doing now to reduce the cost of a lead?

If the price goes up, we first work on replacing creatives. Secondly, we experiment with targeting, varying cities, interests and placements to find the most effective combinations.

10. Tell us about your biggest screw-up and how did you manage to resolve it?

The biggest failure in our practice was associated with mastering a new vertical, which seemed similar to Nutra in its structure. Without conducting a thorough market research and without talking to experts in this field, we overestimated our capabilities and made a serious mistake. The solution turned out to be simple: a detailed study of the experience of specialists working in this vertical allowed us to build an effective strategy and achieve success.

11. What advice would you give to those who are just starting out in affiliate marketing?

At conferences, people often ask, “What course would you recommend to learn affiliate marketing and start driving traffic on your own?” I always answer honestly, the best advice is to find a team willing to work with newbies. No course will give as much practical experience and knowledge as working in a team. And I don’t see anything shameful in joining a team for the sake of training. If, for example, you came to work in a furniture workshop, learned how to make chairs, and then decided to open your own workshop – this does not surprise anyone. The same is true in affiliate marketing, you gain experience and knowledge, and then use them at your own discretion.

12. What are your plans for the coming year? Development in the media space, new talks, team growth?

In a rapidly changing market, we focus on the current situation and avoid long-term planning. Our priorities are: increasing ROI, optimizing processes and automating tasks.

13. Have you ever experienced burnout? Share your life hacks on how to stay on top of things and get everything done?

For me personally, the best way to restore strength and productivity is a full rest, which includes a complete disconnection from work tasks and immersion in pleasant emotions. This allows you to reboot and return to work with new strength and ideas.

14. And our final traditional question, what would you wish to those who read the article to the end?

For those who read to the end, I want to wish you never to stop at what you have achieved! Do not be afraid to try new things, look for your strengths and constantly develop. Remember that the best way to master affiliate marketing is to practice in a team under the guidance of experienced mentors. And do not forget that even a short break and receiving positive emotions can give a powerful impetus for new achievements. Good luck to you on this difficult but exciting path!