GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 25 - June 2013

GPWA AFFILIATE INTERVIEW SERIES If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be and why? I hate seeing brands that act unethically toward affiliates or players. The money involved in gambling should be incen- tive enough to provide a safe and fair environment to all parties. I’ll never understand the greed of those who have to steal from others, especially in an in- dustry with so much money to be made doing business honestly. What surprised you most about the in- dustry? I was surprised at how friendly my competition could be, and how many good friends can be made within this busi- ness. I really expected it to be more cut- throat, but it seems we all need to stick together at times. What do your family and friends think of your work as an affiliate? I’m not sure, to be honest. I was raised in a Catholic family and it’s not something we talk a lot about. I think they understand I am trying to be one of the “good guys” in the busi- ness, and we try to donate to charity with some of the profits. My friends of course think it’s great. After all, who wouldn’t be envious of what we are lucky enough to do for a living! How long do you give yourself for an- swering e-mail? What e-mail tips can you offer? I try to answer e-mail within 24 hours. I need to manage that better. I don’t really have any tips except to advise setting aside time every day for replying to e-mail. For me that time is first thing in the morning as I get myself moving for the day. I also try to deal with a lot of e-mail via mobile, while out and about, as it leads to less desk time. How do you manage your “to-do” lists? Do you use any special software to help you out? I have lists and more lists; I’m a habitual list maker. The whiteboard in my office is the best tool I have, as it’s always in my face. Other than that, I use Base- camp to collaborate with my team and to maintain to-do lists for myself and for those who work with me. It’s a very use- ful tool. How much time does it take to keep your sites updated? We are in a state of construction right now, so very little maintenance. I spend a few hours every day planning, editing or posting con- tent as that’s our primary objective at the moment. How much time do you devote to SEO and/or social networking in order to drive more traffic to your sites? I spend very little time on social network- ing. I should probably change that. SEO is something I’m constantly working on, although for me it’s a hurry-up-and-wait process most of the time. At least a couple hours a day I’m either making on-page changes or going over analytics to see what we should be working on. If someone were visiting you, what’s the one place you’d definitely take them to see? I live on a golf course so we would probably go for a round of 18. The city I live in is also a great place to boat and en- joy water activities in the summer, so I’d probably do that as well. What’s your favorite vacation spot? Florida, as I really get to relax when we go there. Beach time means I am not work- ing. I hope to travel outside the U.S. in up- coming years. If you could have one “superpower,” what would it be? Definitely the ability to see the future. Imagine all you could do for yourself and the world. What’s your all-time favorite movie? I love movies, and have many favorites. If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be Goodfellas . I’m not sure why. The cast was superb and the story was based on true events. Plus I love Mafia movies. If you could invite any five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, the Dalai Lama, Vladimir Putin and Bob Marley. I think it would make for an interesting evening, and I’m willing to bet we could all get along somehow and find some com- mon ground. What are three things that nobody knows about you? If I told you, then ev- eryone would know. Honestly I don’t have an answer to this. I’m a pretty open per- son and don’t keep any secrets. GPWA Affiliate Interview Series