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]

Thank you all...

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]

CPA or Commision?

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. ;D

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.

 

[GFPC]

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.

Listen to BonusGeek - he knows what he is talking about - a real baller - much respect to him..

I also wanted to make a brief remark that sometimes when your starting out its good to tailor to your own needs by trying a Hybrid deal. What i mean by this is that you combine both CPA and Rev Share for Poker (possibly casino).

When starting out you may want to make some initial revenue - but do not know the quality of players you may get. If you send low value players on CPA - the poker site will most likely not pay you - or stop your deal. Likewise if your on Rev Share you could potentially lose lots of % for the life of the player.

Hybrid deals you can maybe get a lower CPA - ($20-$50) per player on top of maybe a 20% - 25% rev share. These numbers are for argument sake. I usually go on these terms and try and get the best rate possible on both ends.

When you know the real value of your player base you can then re negotiate with your affiliate manager where both of you prosper together.

I would also like to recommend you check out 2 sites. They will help you alot.

Dealer Dan's - Poker Affiliate Bible - Poker Affiliate Bible – The #1 Free Poker Affiliate Guide - a must!!
PokerKeep's - Affiliate Aid - Affiliate Aid - The complete gambling affiliate resource! - another masterpiece.

All 3 of these webmasters are super guys - and i have total RESPECT for each of them at a high level and trust in their judgements - read all their posts..

BonusGeek
Dealer Dan
The PokerKeep.


Finally a great article that i have always used and treat it like gospel is from Dealer Dan's site.

CPA vs Revenue Share | Poker Affiliate Bible – The #1 Free Poker Affiliate Guide

A complete look at the issue - there is a reason why its number 1 in Google for thew term CPA vs Rev Share!!!

Have fun mate.

Steve

 

[Corgi]

Thanks Steve. That is great information and I will definitely look at everything. You are the man.

I was also wondering about BWIN. Does anybody have any experience with them? They offered me 25% rev share with their poker and casino programs. I don't want to jump at the first offer, but this does seem a little low.