Question for serious affiliates

[Sol@incomate]

*posted this on the GPWA forums as well....

Hey guys, thanks for taking the time and reading this thread.

Reading through the forum I encounter many threads discussing problems affiliates have with their affiliate programs. My question to you is what are the 10 (or any other number ) most critical factors in your decision to work with an affiliate program.

I'm asking this so affiliate managers (such as myself) can get a super important insight to your inner world and improve, and for new affiliates to read and think about prior to their decision to work with this or that program.

thanks a lot!
Sol

 

[Engineer]

Hi Sol,

Here are some things I like to know before getting involved with a new program:

1. Does the affiliate program have 100% affiliate-friendly terms and conditions?

2. Are players treated well by the casinos?

3. What is the casino software?

4. How long have they been in business?

5. Do they pay automatically each month or do I have to request payment or mess with invoices?

6. Do they pay to a payment method that I can use? (i.e. wire or a US-friendly web wallet)

7. What is the minimum payment threshold?

8. If they can pay by wire, who pays the fees?

9. If they can pay by wire, is it discreet or does it appear to be from an online casino?

10. Is the commission rate at least 35% for life?

11. Is there negative carryover?

12. Are the casinos bundled?

13. Does the affiliate manager seem trustworthy and knowledgeable?

But most importantly:

14. Is the affiliate manager hot? LOL -- just kidding... or am I? ;D

Here are the answers I like to have for the above questions:

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Microgaming, WagerWorks, or RTG
4. At least 1 year, preferably 2
5. Automatic
6. Yes
7. $50
8. The affiliate program
9. Discreet
10. Yes
11. No
12. No
13. Yes
14. Doesn't hurt, but if #13 isn't satisfied, it doesn't really matter

 

[Sol@incomate]

Great post! thanks for sharing.

I found it very interesting to read that the software used is a critical issue, would you mind elaborating a bit?

Regarding #14 you know the affiliate manager might be a hot male... ahem... does that still count? hahaha jokes

 

[Engineer]

I found it very interesting to read that the software used is a critical issue, would you mind elaborating a bit?

Sure -- if a casino uses Rival or Top Game software, or if I have never heard of the software, I probably won't be interested. Rival and Top Game casinos have extremely poor conversion and retention in my experience, so it's basically a waste of time and energy to promote them. I tried dozens of Rival casinos in the past -- these days, they all suck. Same with Top Game -- I can't make money with Top Game casinos.

I earn the most with Microgaming, RTG, and WagerWorks casinos. So, I'm much more likely to be interested in promoting a casino that uses one of those software platforms, since they have a history of good performance.

Regarding #14 you know the affiliate manager might be a hot male... ahem... does that still count? hahaha jokes

LOL! No, sorry!

 

[KasinoKing]

I agree with nearly all of Engineers requirements, but have one more which he may have forgotten:

Affiliate manager to be CONTACTABLE at least for 5 working days of the week and to respond PROMPTLY.

I am particularly pissed-off about this at the moment because in the last week or so I have sent about 10 e-mails to various AMs and only got about 3 replies...
Engineer will NOT be surprised to hear most of them are Rival Casinos...

KK

 

[lots0]

1. What specific market and or geographical area is the casino targeting, if any?

2. Marketing Material. Does the program offer any Marketing Meterial, besides a few banners? Quality is better than quanity, imo.

3. Are there any Network tie ins an aff can use, like BINGO, Lottery, Sports Betting and Poker?

 

[dominique]

I only work with aff programs with ugly managers.

Currently my preferred look is:

In addition to Engineers points, all of which I agree with (except for the pretty managers), I like to see marketing materials sent out by mail, complete with codes if possible.

 

[Webzcas]

Engineer pretty much covers all bases. Other point I would make is that I as a player would have to be happy to play at the casino also. As I only promote casinos that I have no problems playing at.

This works for me, as it has meant I have never been royally shafted by a program, when they have gone south. Ala Grand Prive and the Rival Dominoes effect we are all seeing.

 

[Daera]

<ul>1. Does the affiliate program have 100% affiliate-friendly terms and conditions?
2. Are players treated well by the casinos?
3. What is the casino software? (Microgaming and RTG are mostly all I'll promote)
4. How long have they been in business?
5. Do they pay on time, automatically each month or do I have to request payment or mess with invoices?
6. Do they pay to a payment method that I can use? (i.e. wire, check or a US-friendly web wallet)</ul>

The points Engineer pointed out that I copied above, are my top 6 most important factors. In addition...

<ul><li> Affiliate managers need to be easy to reach, preferrably by either Skype or MSN as well as email/phone.
<li> Affiliate manager needs to be a straight shooter, and not come off like a used car salesman, or try bs'ing to make their program seem good.
<li> Affiliate manager needs to be open minded about what works and doesn't work for us, since different things work for different audiences.</ul>


I'm also not apt to promote Top Game or a software brand I've never heard of. And I'm definitely not going to put much effort out for another white label Rival.

I think that's it.

 

[Sol@incomate]

Thanks y'all!

Great thoughts here, wanted to ask if you guys would consider working with a third party if all of the above criterias were met, if not, why?

Daera - i know your answer, saw it on GPWA, care to elaborate? any horror stories?
Dominique - that pic was taken on a bad day of mine... glad you still liked it

Cheers.

 

[Webzcas]

Great thoughts here, wanted to ask if you guys would consider working with a third party if all of the above criterias were met, if not, why?

I've always worked direct with the program connected to the casino/poker/sportsbook rather than through a super affiliate site such as Brand Conversions.

My reasoning is that I prefer the direct route to the casino/poker/sportsbook in question. I also like to meet in person the operators before I start promoting a particular site.

The only exception to this rule is Income Access. But at this moment in time, I do not promote any of their properties.

 

[GamblingProfesional]

Thanks @Engineers @KasinoKing @lots0 for sharing the requirements All of them are quite important for me and for any affiliate in the market.

(...) My question to you is what are the 10 (or any other number ) most critical factors in your decision to work with an affiliate program. (...)

- NO "second hand" stats (I do not work anymore with resellers aff programs for this)

 

[Cobus]

I only work with aff programs with ugly managers.

Currently my preferred look is:

Please stop posting my picture all over the internet!

 

[bonusbeast]

I will give you my top 2:
1: Customer support from the affiliate program to the affiliate.
2: A casino that is going to take care of the players, stand by their word, give the bonuses and promotions that were offered and make timely payouts.

 

[adrenaline]

How far down on the list are netentertainment casinos for you guys when it comes to promoting them. Good/bad?

 

[casinoaffs]

Hey Engeneer.

what do you mean by affiliate friendly T&c?
What would you accept and what is out of question?

Regards

 

[Guard Dog]

He means (I think) terms that are acceptable to the Certification Team here. There are plenty of terms NOT accepted and plenty that we read and feel there are open loopholes for affiliate programs to 'stiff' affiliates with.

Typical big-time 'no no's' are:

1. Minimum Player Rule - You must bring x number of players per month, 3 months, 6 months, ect.. in order to receive commissions, receive x%, etc..

2. Minimum Activity Rule - You must have x number of depositing players per month (similar to above)

3. Minimum Activity Rule (another variation) - You must have x number of clickthrus... blah blah blah

4. Minimum Withdrawal - You must have $2500 (high number) in commissionable earnings to receive your affiliate payment.


There are a lot... those are only a couple of the glaringly obvious.

 

[mickey417]

Hey Engeneer.

what do you mean by affiliate friendly T&c?
What would you accept and what is out of question?

Regards

I never thought that i wil find casinoaffs on AGD.

Affiliate friendly terms? First rule is to pay commision , so casinoaffs will be not accepted

 

[ThePOGG]

Personally, alongside affiliate friendly terms i'm looking for AMs that are communicative and responsive when i make suggestions. They don't need to agree with me on everything, but i also don't want to have to send a mail a half dozen times before i get a responce. Actually i've got to say that i'm really impressed with the Boyle affiliate team just now. I've brought two issues regarding their operation to them in the last 8 weeks and both have been dealt with very very quickly. I can say for sure that many other programs would have ignored the feedback i gave.

 

[DealTheNuts]

Look after your players as customers and affiliates as partners to build long term revenue, not something to exploit for profit. Answer promptly, resolve queries promptly, pay promptly. No negative carryover, no sign up or revenue targets, no retrospective changes in your favour. Happy players and affiliates create more revenue but the reverse is the case, negative actions or conditions only have negative effects on your income.

We work with many partner rooms, always on a revenue share basis and believe maximum reward comes with both parties working together to recruit and retain players. If it stops being a partnership and one party starts to exploit the other, nobody wins in the long term.