GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 16 - May 2011

(I’m sure I must have stolen this from someone, so apologies if it’s you!). The word “brand” has been getting thrown about all over the place recently, but it’s worth reiterating. You aren’t going to rank on page one these days just by building up a 10- or 15-page website that has reviews of all the leading casinos. You need to do something different; you need to build a name for yourself/your website based on the content and a unique offering. People often ask me what I mean when I say “brand” in terms of affiliates, so some ex- amples in gaming would be Oddschecker, Dealer Dan and Casinomeister. Outside of gaming we have what have become mon- ster brand affiliates such as Trip Advisor and Money Supermarket. Howdid youdiscover theGPWA? I think the GPWA was the first gaming community I joined; it was probably via a Google search. What timemanagement tips can you offer us? None. Can you offer me some, please? Do you use Facebook,Twitter or other social networks to promote your sites? Facebook andTwitteraregreatforObsessedWithFilm, but I’ve yet to fully explore their potential in online gaming . . . other than spamming the hell out of Twitter for a ranking test! If you had to pick five keys to success as an affiliate, what would they be? Pay good money for a proper designer before you even think about spending a penny on marketing. First impressions count, and you need to build trust with your visitors. Network. You never knowwho youmight bump into. Speak to the sites you promote about getting a better deal. No harm in asking, is there? Don’t sell links. Selling links is bad. Buy links. You’ll need them to rank. How do you like to spend your time off? I love horse racing and football (soccer). I’m a big fan of Newcastle United and get to a few games a season. I used to be a season ticket holder but gave it up when I moved to Leeds, which is 100 miles or so away. I’m also an occasional online poker player, and enjoy the odd game of FIFA on the Xbox 360. What’s your favorite vacation spot? I’m not much of a one for beaches. I love go- ing to the T in the Park music festival in Scotland. This year will be my fifth. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. If someone were visiting you, what’s the one place you would definitely take them to see? Durham Cathedral. Imagine you could trade places with any- one for a week. With whom would you trade places and why? The Virgin Mary about nine months before she gave birth to Jesus. I’m just curious. What’s the first concert you ever attended in person? Jimmy Eat World in Notting- ham, many years ago. If you were directing and starring in a movie, who would you cast as your romantic interest? Audrey Tautou. If you could have one“super power,”what would it be? Teleportation. Journeys are often dull. Tell us three things that nobody knows about you. I don’t like The Godfather . I don’t like The Godfather II . I have never seen The Godfather III . AGE: 25 HOMETOWN: Durham, England Living in: Leeds, England FAVORITEFOOD: Risotto MUSTREAD BOOK: I’m not much of a reader SITES: gambleselect.co.uk cheltenhambetting.org free-horse-racing-betting.com freepoker.org.uk onlinecasinoplay.co.uk GPWA Affiliate Interview Series 47