GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 16 - May 2011

talk shop! From what I understand, at this stage the keyword-rich domain is more beneficial to me right now. My website is new and I am trying to create traffic. I could possibly get more traffic from certain targeted keyword domains, rather than a general domain name, as high-volume keywords will rank higher with search en- gines. A general or non-keyword-rich do- main may work if you already have brand presence, like CalvinAyre.com. This is a name that industry professionals already recognize and that already has a presence. I chose BetOnHockey.com because I’m just starting to build my brand and felt that identifying what my site is all about in the domain name was important. What are your thoughts on buying/using domain names that play off other well- recognized brand names? At first I would have thought this was a clever way to drive traffic. However, I decided to stay away from this idea and would recommend for others to do the same. The short-term gain would not be worth the potential long-term consequences. You would be dealing with copyright infringement laws and ultimately ruin a relationship with an online provider you are trying to advertise. I am looking to be in this industry for a long time and I would prefer to create positive relation- ships that work for both parties. Tell us about your recent experiences shop- ping for a good e-mail campaign website. I originally thought you could advertise what- ever you wanted, as long as you were send- ing to opt-in e-mail addresses. Obviously this is not the case. After I sorted this out I found a couple easy-to-use e-mail campaign websites. As with affiliate programs, the communication was the key for me. Finding someone to help me out, and help correct what I was doing wrong, was important. I am currently using iContact, but I’ve also heard good things about Vertical Response, AWeber and Constant Contact. What do your friends and family think of your work as an affiliate? They do not have a problem with it, although I did get asked if I was a bookie! What’s the most difficult thing about op- erating your sites? The NHL has games virtually every day from October to playoff time in June, so content has to be updated daily. There are no days off. I am having fun with it, but it is very constant. How did you discover the GPWA? I found out about the GPWA through my wife and conference information she had gathered on her business trips. As I looked through the GPWAwebsite I quickly realized how helpful the forums are. I also like to follow the industry news from J. Todd and the APCW. What time management tips can you offer us? I have a list of things that need to be completed daily, like update game results, make predictions and post articles, and also a more long-term list of what needs to get done on each upcoming day. Pretty simple, but it works. It always helps to be organized and be prepared. I will always travel on my hockey road trips with my Mac and iPhone. I love that I can e-mail, Facebook, Tweet and research with my iPhone. I don’t know how I used to get along without it. Any downtime can be used productively. Using up-to-date, top-of-the- line gadgets (if possible) makes everything easier and faster, too. My old regular is like an old wood hockey stick compared to my iPhone. It is simply a better product us- ing better technology. I would never use a wood hockey stick ever again! If you had to pick five keys to success as an affiliate, what would they be? Be committed. Be patient. Ask questions. Follow your instincts. Network and stay in touch. How do you use social networks to pro- mote your sites? I use Facebook and Twit- ter. I know there are many different social networks, but I feel these are the main two. If anyone is signed up to a social network, chances are they will have a Facebook and/ or Twitter account. I basically try to use the networks as an extension of the informa- tion that is on my website. League news and game predictions are easy daily posts to help drive traffic. It also provides a quick and easy way to communicate with fans/ readers of the website. A personal touch can go a long way. I am always available on my personal and website Facebook and Twitter pages. Feel free to add or followme! Where do you live during hockey season? Right nowbaseoperations are inNuremberg, Germany during the hockey season, August- March. During the off-season months, April- July, my wife and I go back to Vancouver. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. How do you like to spend your time off? In the summer I get a break fromplaying hock- ey and I am less busy with the website. Dur- ing the off-season I love to be at my wife’s parents’ place on Vancouver Island. They have two beautiful joining properties on a lake, and “lake life” is very relaxing. Go out on the water, relax in the hot tub, rock out in the fully equipped studio lounge or enjoy their personal bar overlooking the lake. If someone were visiting you, what’s the one place you would take them to see? In Vancouver I would recommend seeing Grouse Mountain. You can hike or take the gondola up. When you get to the top there’s an amazing view of the city and you can en- joy a beer or eat at the restaurant. What’s the first concert you attended in person? Can’t remember my first, but one of my favorite concerts was one of the first concerts I ever went to with my wife. It was Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, in Toronto. I had met the bass player, Dean Back, and he asked for one of my hockey jerseys. So I saw him before the show and gave him my Toronto jersey. He was very thankful and wore it out onto the stage for the band’s first song. It was pretty cool. A lot of rock stars want to be hockey players, and hockey players want to be rock stars! What’s your favorite hockey movie? The movie Slapshot , for sure. It is a classic. I could probably quote the entire movie. Tell us three things that nobody knows about you. I have been riding horses since I was very young. My cousin is country music singer Shane Yellowbird. I met my wife on MySpace. Finally, we could use some inside infor- mation . . . who looks good for taking the Stanley Cup this year? I predicted the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup before the season started. They still look good and I am sticking with my pick. Other teams that look good are the Detroit Red Wings from the Western Conference, and the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins from the Eastern Conference. ( Ed- itor’s note: All these teams were still alive at press time. ) 1. 2. 3. BRAD LEEB bradmleeb 41 GPWA Affiliate Interview Series