New Affiliate with a couple of questions

[Corgi]

Hello Everyone,

I stumbled across this site and feel very fortunate. This looks like a great community with lots of great support. First off, let me start by saying that I get a little overwhelmed when looking at the overall casino affiliate marketing world. This site gives me some needed reassurance, knowing that there are people out there willing to help.

So with that, I have a few questions.

1) Do you recommend a website to get started or buying ad space and placing banners on other sites? I am struggling with getting a website built, and see banners as a much quicker process, although riskier in the beginning.

2) If I do go the banner route, what is the best way to approach websites and negotiate the rate for placing the banner on the site? Is there any flexibility in the prices or are they firm?

3) On the website route, which I eventually will get going, is it best to have a 'review' site or should I show a strategy like the Martingale Method for conversions?

I look forward to hearing from the members of the community and learning, and one day contributing to the site as well.

[Nicolas-Johnson]

Hi Corgi,

First, welcome to the site! You have stumbled on the best casino affiliate site on the web!

Next

1) I'd suggest stick to the website. Many experienced affiliates get burned when trying to buy banner space.

2) No experience to speak of.

3) Review sites do well since a person looking for 'review of xyz casino' will likely sign up at xyz casino if they find a good, well written review. Whatever you do, check to see the keywords you are targeting get traffic:
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
But do keep in mind that is an estimate (also be sure to click 'exact match' and not 'broad).

About the website, The Dog has a great Mentor program:
AGD Mentor Program - Affiliate Guard Dog

Welcome again!

[Guard Dog]

Hello Everyone,

I stumbled across this site and feel very fortunate. This looks like a great community with lots of great support. First off, let me start by saying that I get a little overwhelmed when looking at the overall casino affiliate marketing world. This site gives me some needed reassurance, knowing that there are people out there willing to help.

So with that, I have a few questions.

1) Do you recommend a website to get started or buying ad space and placing banners on other sites? I am struggling with getting a website built, and see banners as a much quicker process, although riskier in the beginning.

2) If I do go the banner route, what is the best way to approach websites and negotiate the rate for placing the banner on the site? Is there any flexibility in the prices or are they firm?

3) On the website route, which I eventually will get going, is it best to have a 'review' site or should I show a strategy like the Martingale Method for conversions?

I look forward to hearing from the members of the community and learning, and one day contributing to the site as well.

Welcome Corgi!

1) Start with a website, banner advertising is bad ROI to begin with (unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

2) Negotiations typically start when you are able to produce, but I have certainly gotten better deals just by asking even when I was just starting in the biz

3) Reviews are definitely a good start, but make sure you key in on certain phrases that are not 'over done'. You don't want to try to rank with the hardest keywords - that is a recipe for failure.


Good luck and ask as many questions as you like, we have a ton of helpful people here

[Daera]

Hi Corgi,

Welcome to the forum! Affiliate Guard Dog is one of the best affiliate forums there is. It's fair, honest, offers valuable information to affiliates, and the members are great. I'm sure you'll like it here.

[Pokerkeep]

Welcome to the forums. As everyone said, this is a great spot to ask and learn.

Definitely go with a website. You don't need to know a lot about coding and stuff, there are tons of point and click options for webmasters to use. A couple hundred dollars is all you need to buy a domain and set up a site.

Need any help, shout out.

[Corgi]

Wow. Talk about support! That is good stuff. I really appreciate it.

So, I was looking at a template from Cash Mirrors, called poker room. I think this might be my best option for getting up and running. Then I can just insert my affiliate codes and start from there. It costs only $50 and will save me a ton of time, unless you all have any other options. This is the part that is tripping me up the most. I am starting a web design class on Monday at the local Community College too, so that should help out.

Also, I am thinking about targeting Hungary, since there is less competition there than English speaking countries. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks Nicolas, Guard Dog, Daera, and Poker Keep. Also, where is everyone from? I live in Austin, TX. Happy 4th of July everyone!

[Guard Dog]

I don't know the complete story behind Cash Mirrors, but would think that most people would have the exact same content (which is bad). So - if you have a 'mirror', wouldn't your content be VERY similar to every other Cash Mirrors site?

Here is what I do for folks in the Mentor group: I set them up with a Wordpress template (blog software). Have Beam Studio design them a logo. And sent them up on my server for free. Total cost: $0. I have stopped the real 'hand holding' process, but give the newbies directions and tasks.

Typically I have you find a good market (you chose Hungary). Find a good set of keywords. Then find a domain. Once that is done, up goes the website and the task of content is at hand.

So - my opinion is that you look at Wordpress and use that instead of Cash Mirrors. That way the content will be yours entirely and you will then have control over how well you do.

[Corgi]

Is it better to do CPA or commission based payments? I am leaning towards CPA, so I don't have to worry about a Casino closing on me.

Anyone have any advice?

[Engineer]

You can make a lot more with rev-share.

There are some good affiliate programs that are very stable and won't be going out of business any time soon. A few examples include Rewards Affiliates, CWC Affiliates, Brightshare, Fortune Affiliates, Virgin Affiliates, Paddy Partners, Red Returns, and Casino Coins. There are certainly others, but those are a few of my favorite programs. I would be stunned if any of them closed.

Just pick a program that has been in business for at least 1 year and you shouldn't have much to worry about.

[bonusgeek]

Is it better to do CPA or commission based payments? I am leaning towards CPA, so I don't have to worry about a Casino closing on me.

Anyone have any advice?

For casinos what Engineer said, rev share is where it's at, just make sure you partner with reputable brands like CWC, they aren't going anywhere.

Although for poker you might want to consider doing cpa. Imo it takes a while to see a good return on revenue share and I like the idea of getting paid one time for the player and not having to sweat them leaving my account for rakeback. Also the player fees can sometimes be a little tough to outrun on the poker side starting out.