My 1000th Post

[thepokerkeep]

Two years and 1000 posts later I thought it would be a good time to reflect back on my time here and on this business we all love (and at times, love to hate).

The day I discovered GPWA, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I had been struggling to build and grow my site for nearly a year. Mistakes! I couldn't count how many things I was doing wrong. I knew absolutely nothing about SEO, website design, HTML, CSS, CMS, hell, I could barely type! Who knew there were communities full of others just like me? Communities dedicated to helping people just like me, where we could ask the most naive questions and receive detailed and sympathetic replies.

I'm still awe struck by the generosity most of the senior members show to newbs like me. I was inspired by the open, honest and selfless folks who make up the majority of this community. I made it my mission to learn everything I could from these strangers who soon became friends. I also vowed to give back to the community that gave me so much. I clearly remember how lost and confused I was when I first arrived here, so when I see a new member asking for help, I do my best to offer valid feedback - to help them avoid the mistakes I made and the ones I would have made if not for the guidance of my friends here.

Once in a while, I also go on the attack. When I see someone being used or taken advantage of, I instinctively move to defend them. When I see programs listing terms that are not affiliate or player friendly, I openly criticize them and try to get them changed. The same goes for members who falsely advertise their wares - if you try to take advantage of my friends and colleagues, expect to hear from me! I will always jump to the defense of GPWA and it's good members, I owe them that! I will also be first to criticize the GPWA if I feel they are moving in the wrong direction. But I do so out of love and respect and fear that we could lose the core values that GPWA represents.

Ethics and reputation mean everything to me. I only work with programs I trust and believe in. I only associate with webmasters who approach the business in the same fashion. For me, the players come first, income will naturally follow once you gain the trust of your players.

So, 1000 posts and 2 years later - I have grown personally and professionally beyond my wildest dreams thanks largely to this community. To my friends (you know who you are) and even the strangers who came before me but left behind their knowledge and advice in the forums, THANK YOU!

Nope - not quite done yet, sorry!

To those who are just discovering this business and/or this community, let me pass on a little advice.

My 10 Commandments for Success
1. Quality over quantity - one really good article or review is worth five mediocre ones.
2. Know your customer, your product and your affiliate manager.
3. Learn something new every day - make it your mission!
4. Read the fine print - contracts are designed to protect the affiliate programs not the affiliate.
5. Read the forums, they contain amazing amounts of knowledge - benefit from it!
6. Make it a daily routine to visit GPWA and AGD - Knowledge is power!
7. Ask for help and advice - we've all been there and done that - learn from us, why make the same mistakes we did?
8. Content is King!
9. Know your limitations - Do what you're good at and pay the experts to do the rest.
10. Don't give up! Success may not come in a month or even in a year but if you work hard and work smart, it will pay off eventually!

Cheers!

[Anthony]

Congratulations!

Thank you for sharing "My 10 Commandments for Success",
great guide for others to follow.

Thanks for being a valuable member of the GPWA family!

[GFPC]

Very well said Terry. You are a real valuable member here for sure. I also consider you my trusted friend.

Wonderful reflections.... hey i am almost at 1000 posts as well... few more to go... maybe i will follow suit!!! LOL

[Skinski]

That's a lot of posts Terry, and some valuable info as well.

[thepokerkeep]

Very well said Terry. You are a real valuable member here for sure. I also consider you my trusted friend.

Wonderful reflections.... hey i am almost at 1000 posts as well... few more to go... maybe i will follow suit!!! LOL

Thank you Steve. You know I was referring to you when I mentioned my friends here, that goes without saying! And you also know I've made some mistakes and wrong decisions when it comes to who to trust and who to promote. (ahem, big daddy's comes to mind) I've always followed my gut, in poker and in business with great success over the years but once in a while, I get caught.

I choose my friends the same way. Thankfully, they've never let me down. It's a real pleasure knowing you and an honor having you (and Pia) as friends. I look forward to reading your 1000th post.

[Chips]

Congrats on the milestone Terry, Here's to 10k more! It is great to have folks like yourself around here and I hope that you will continue to grace us with your presence for many years to come!

[Shaun O'neill]

Nice post and congrats on teh 1000 posts I will be catching you soon.

Would be cool to meet up at one of the events in the future i always like to meet face to face.

Kepp it up.

Shaun

[GFPC]

Terry you certainly made my day!!! - I can't say thank you enough man!!

I know mate - we go back now a little over a year since Pia and I came to your poker game with your family. That was a real good time.

Back then Pia expressed how much she really liked you guys and I had such a good time and knew we would be good friends.

Then again we all met in Niagra Falls and had some good times. Playing Poker with you and Dale, and your son was awesome...

When I see you Terry - I see an honest real down to earth man!!! I have 100% trust in you always!!

Hey we all make mistakes in life - that is how we learn. I certainly made my share of terrible decisions along the way - but are they really mistakes.

I guess if you look at it this way - these mistakes will only help you not make bigger mistakes in the future...it puts things into perspective.

We certainly share some common beliefs among this affiliate business, and i have always counted on you for advise and support. If not directly I have thought "what would Terry do"

I can say without a doubt - Your honesty and integrity are very special!!

I often find it hard to trust in this industry dealing with 100's of people each week, and day in day out.. but with 100% clarity I can say this,

"You can be trusted 100% and I appreciate everything you do here for us all. I never question anything you do, because you do it with the best of intentions."

Both Pia and I will always be your families friends!! That is for life!!

Steve

Thank you Steve. You know I was referring to you when I mentioned my friends here, that goes without saying! And you also know I've made some mistakes and wrong decisions when it comes to who to trust and who to promote. (ahem, big daddy's comes to mind) I've always followed my gut, in poker and in business with great success over the years but once in a while, I get caught.

I choose my friends the same way. Thankfully, they've never let me down. It's a real pleasure knowing you and an honor having you (and Pia) as friends. I look forward to reading your 1000th post.

[GamTrak]

Awesome work Terry! You know that you're da man!

I've always learned something from you and admire your dedication to the industry! Congrats to you!

[pompeyrayuk]

Awesome post old bean. Your 1000th post must like ya 1st beer and ya 1st well you know what lol.

Seriously though you have been one of the self acquired mentors of mine without knowing it and I hope to also be great like you one day oh mighty one.

[matted]

Congrats on the milestone! It's amazing how fast the next thousand will pass!

[TrishOZ]

Happy 1000 posts Terry, here's to the next 1000!

[universal4]

Yep congrats....

A nice achievement.

Rick
Universal4

[mojo]

WTG terry. It's been great to get to know you and share our day to day trials and tribulations.

Congrats!

[RayUK]

Excellent OP and congratulations on your kilopost - from a newbie who is probably not even about where you were 1000 posts ago!

[eaton2003]

Well done on being such as active poster/contributer to GPWA!