The coming and going of affiliates and affiliate site

[AidanLCFC]

Someone brought an old thread up from the dead the other day and there was a username on there that took me right back as he was a complete loon and very rude.
Can anyone remember 0lots0? He was American and completely unhinged, if he disagreed with you he'd flood your inbox with loads of abuse lol I remember Martyn getting some right abuse about a payment issue or something. He was a complete crackpot and sure he left the industry

 

[Kadabra]

Yep. Funny guy and indeed was a bit crazy. He sold his site years ago - lots0cash.com

 

[AidanLCFC]

Yep. Funny guy and indeed was a bit crazy. He sold his site years ago - lots0cash.com

I'm sure it went something along the lines of saying he had sold and was off and GPWA staff and other posters praising him etc saying well done and what a good guy he was and Martyn came on and upset the party with some home truths, and then it was like a domino rally with everyone else lol funny times

 

[AussieDave]

Can anyone remember 0lots0?

I never cross horns with the guy. So no negative dealings with him, on my part. At times he may have let his 'passion' overrule common sense, and more so, peer/forum etiquette. Though, TBH the guy had been around since the early days, and got largely screwed over with the AllSlotsUSA scam, as well as others programs gone bad too. His entire market was USA facing. Back in the day when money was free rolling, he was doing easily US$100K+ a month. Having a large % of that stolen, I think would make anyone go a little nutty, especially if it's robbing your family.

The key is to evolve

In part yes, but on the flip, no amount of reinventing (evolving) will stop one being skinned alive, if, a program(s) is screwing you side-ways. The largest assault on earnings was the start of "Admin Fees", and have continues with more and more creative BS, solely aimed (devised) to steal rightful earnings from affiliates.

Only have to take a look at the AGD audit reports to see program after new program, stating X commission, yet in reality, X amounts to far less than it's agree on, and or marketed as. These scams; that's exactly what they are. Con artist tricks to gain money by deception.

Evolve all you like BUT that wont stop you being shafted.

The glory days are well behind us, now. Any affiliate starting up these days, has rocks in their head.

I, like other old timers are probably fortunate that we have agreements in place from the last decade +, with programs we trust. If we didn't have those, I'm sure we'd be feeling the pinch today.

 

[nibnab]

What a great read this thread is. Very interesting read. Only been in the business for 3 years.
There has been lot of ups and a lot of downs as well. It seems that the big ups are always followed by big downs, but eventually the earnings will be settling somewhere between those two.

Just curious; how do you stay motivated after so many years? Is it just the fact that you need to be able to put food in the table? Have you ventured to other niches? What keeps you going?

 

[AussieDave]

Just curious; how do you stay motivated after so many years? Is it just the fact that you need to be able to put food in the table? Have you ventured to other niches? What keeps you going?

As much as I may sometimes be seen to bitch and moan, the gaming industry, as an affiliate, has been my life for 20+ years now. Previous to 2000, owned a web dev company for 3 years. Before this change of career path into the internet, was mostly self employed in the fashion industry for 16 years.

I literally fell into being a casino affiliate by chance, or if you like, being at the right spot, at the right time.

Being a night owl, it was perfect for me.
For years I'd start working around 5pm, and crawl into bed around 3 or 4am. My own boss, with NO DRESS CODE.

Best... was only dealing with people via email, or sometimes a phone call. For me that was brilliant, easy and simple.

I've taken time out; lets call it extended long-service-leave.
Didn't do jack for 4 or so years, aside from running a self funded watch dog site.

Thought about calling it a day, but what would I do??? My partner, she still works full-time (corporate), and aside from a few hobbies, the industry keeps me alert and on my toes. Besides, if I retired, who is going to keep the bastards honest?

At the end of the day, I like what I do. I think a lot of 'newbie' affiliates see this as a chance to make BIG dollars. BUT... it take hard work, and frankly a lot of sacrifices too. In the early days mates call me up saying... come out for a beer etc., I declined most invitations, because succeeding was my prime, and only objective.

If 100 "newbie" affiliates commenced today, maybe 2 or 3 of those, would maybe still being going after 12 months. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!

It seems most don't have the passion, hence they fall far short of their dreams, and throw in the towel.

I also notice a trend where, a large % of "newbie" affiliates these days, don't seem to want to go out and learn the craft. Instead, they want seasoned affiliates to answer all their questions, and give away all their secrets. I'm happy to help "newbies" with generalities but... they need to do the hard-yards too.

OK, I'm waffling on now...

 

[RyanWeb]

Lots0... From Idaho if I recall? I think I remember him from the first few years when I was just getting started and things where exciting (for me anyway).

Just curious; how do you stay motivated after so many years? Is it just the fact that you need to be able to put food in the table? Have you ventured to other niches? What keeps you going?

I always put it this way, the time everyone else spends on facebook, or watching TV, I spend on my websites. I work whenever I'm not really busy doing anything else, and that can often be a lot of the time. What keeps me going is the freedom, I hate getting up early and love setting my own hours. Oh, and have amazing tickets to the other side of the country for a week long get away? I can be ready to go in an hour... Sadly, my friends won't be able to make it because they have work in the morning.

 

[nibnab]

Very good points @AussieDave @RyanWeb . It is the biggest luxury for me to own my own time and not to answer to anyone (except my wife).
It is an industry where the barrier of entry is very low, but at the same time is very easy to give up.

 

[RyanWeb]

not to answer to anyone (except my wife).

(and kids for me personally).

By far the most challenging aspect of working from home.

 

[AidanLCFC]

Just curious; how do you stay motivated after so many years? Is it just the fact that you need to be able to put food in the table? Have you ventured to other niches? What keeps you going?

Many things, freedom, making yourself money and not someone else (bit of an oxymoron that one), own boss, exciting niche, ever changing industry. The list is endless really

 

[NDG]

What keeps you going?

Money, freedom, and passion for the industry.

 

[Biti]

What a great read this thread is. Very interesting read. Only been in the business for 3 years.
There has been lot of ups and a lot of downs as well. It seems that the big ups are always followed by big downs, but eventually the earnings will be settling somewhere between those two.

Just curious; how do you stay motivated after so many years? Is it just the fact that you need to be able to put food in the table? Have you ventured to other niches? What keeps you going?

What keeps me going?

I got a family to feed and I like being my own boss. Also the gambling industry is interesting.

I've also decided that I'm not the guy to run a stock-listed company killing it in other niches. I'm happy with what I have, love the freedom.

I realize that there will be a day that corporate affiliates will dominate the industry 99%. But there will always be space for people offering something visitors and gamblers really appreciate.

 

[nibnab]

I've also decided that I'm not the guy to run a stock-listed company killing it in other niches. I'm happy with what I have, love the freedom.

I used to work for one fo those stock-listed companies. Definitely the best decision in my life to leave that job. Prefer working in a smaller, flexible environment.

 

[Biti]

I used to work for one fo those stock-listed companies. Definitely the best decision in my life to leave that job. Prefer working in a smaller, flexible environment.

I worked for a big financial company.

But got fed up with all those useless meetings, crappy mails of wishy-washy management study talk, discussions with colleagues about who's going when on holidays, focus on presence instead of work-load, etc.

I make now way more money, but also the freedom is priceless.

 

[AussieDave]

@AidanLCFC - aside from lots0, a few others come to mind, as well as loads of funny (not so much at the time) shit.

The infamous ezboards deserve a mention. Though, aside from @bonustreak, Bryan (CM) and maybe a couple of other old-timers, I doubt many other affiliates are still around, who would recall those crazy ass times.

There was one woman in particular, who had an ezboard forum (Playin4Keeps), and she was a 100% certifiable psycho.

It was definitely the 'Wild West' back then

 

[JT_BeastsOfPoker]

What keeps me going?

I got a family to feed and I like being my own boss. Also the gambling industry is interesting.

I've also decided that I'm not the guy to run a stock-listed company killing it in other niches. I'm happy with what I have, love the freedom.

I realize that there will be a day that corporate affiliates will dominate the industry 99%. But there will always be space for people offering something visitors and gamblers really appreciate.

Corporate affiliates dominating the industry will happen only if everyone sells their sites for an exit

 

[Biti]

Corporate affiliates dominating the industry will happen only if everyone sells their sites for an exit

I do not agree here.

I think in (interesting) regulated markets it will be more and more difficult for smaller affiliates to operate. Compliance things, quota, etc.

 

[JT_BeastsOfPoker]

I do not agree here.

I think in (interesting) regulated markets it will be more and more difficult for smaller affiliates to operate. Compliance things, quota, etc.

Good point, that should be the case with regulated markets that require affiliates to obtain a license as as well.