In affiliate marketing, there’s one clear principle: Publishers are not “tested.”

Working with a publisher always means that costs only arise if results are delivered – that is, when sales or leads are generated.

A “trial run” doesn’t make sense in this model. You have only two options:

• Start the collaboration
• Or don’t

Whether the partnership is successful becomes clear automatically. If the publisher drives sales, they earn a commission. If there are no results, there are no costs – meaning no risk for the advertiser.

Important to understand:

In reality, it’s often the other way around – publishers test the advertiser.

If your products don’t sell in their environment, they’ll quickly lose interest, since they work exclusively on a commission basis. Publishers only invest time, reach, and content if there’s a real chance to earn something.

So the real question isn’t whether you can test a publisher – but whether your offer is attractive enough to be promoted by top partners.

Affiliate marketing isn’t a testing ground – it’s a strategic sales decision without fixed costs.

Tip: Want to sharpen your approach? Check out the “Strategy Coaching” add-on.