Shawn Collins
Shawn Collins is a veteran affiliate marketer, author, and the cofounder of Affiliate Summit, the global leader in affiliate marketing conferences. Since 1997, he has written bestselling books including Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants and spoken at hundreds of marketing events worldwide. Widely regarded as a pioneer in performance marketing, Shawn is a trusted voice in the industry and has been featured in Entrepreneur, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.Biography
Shawn Collins is one of the most enduring and influential voices in affiliate marketing. With a career that began in 1997, he has been a driving force behind the growth and legitimacy of the performance marketing industry for more than two decades. As the cofounder of Affiliate Summit, Shawn helped create the world’s premier conference series dedicated to affiliate marketing, bringing together thought leaders, marketers, brands, and publishers from across the globe.
His pioneering book, Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants, remains a cornerstone resource for affiliate managers and is widely considered essential reading in the field. Shawn has continued to shape the industry through additional works including Extra Money Answer and Affiliate Manager Boot Camp, providing actionable insights for both aspiring affiliates and seasoned professionals alike.
Throughout his career, Shawn has maintained a strong presence as a speaker, having delivered hundreds of talks at conferences spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. His speaking engagements include leading events like Affiliate Summit, Pubcon, ad:tech, and industry specific workshops at academic institutions such as NYU. He is known for bringing a practitioner’s perspective, blending real world experience with practical strategies that resonate with a wide range of audiences.
Shawn’s impact is also evident in the recognition he has received. He has been honoured with the Affiliate Ball AFFY Award, listed among the Impact Radius Top 25 Performance Marketing Influencers, and featured in outlets such as Entrepreneur, Internet Retailer, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also contributed thought leadership through his blogs, AffiliateTip.com and ConferenceHack.com, helping professionals navigate both the nuances of affiliate marketing and the value of in person business events.
Whether building affiliate programs from the ground up or mentoring marketers through decades of industry change, Shawn Collins has consistently led with authenticity, expertise, and a commitment to growing the performance marketing ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Shawn has presented at conferences around the world, including events in Singapore, London, and Canada, as well as major cities across the United States.
Shawn is best known as the cofounder of Affiliate Summit, the leading global conference for the affiliate marketing industry. He is also the author of Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants, a widely regarded foundational text in the space.
Shawn speaks on a wide range of topics within affiliate and performance marketing, including affiliate program management, industry trends, conference strategy, monetization strategies for affiliates, and the evolution of affiliate marketing over the past two decades.
Yes, Shawn has received numerous accolades, including the Affiliate Ball AFFY Award, the LinkShare Golden Link Award, and recognition from Impact Radius as one of the Top 25 Performance Marketing Influencers.