1 Attachment(s)
Affiliate Interview Series: Janet Brockert – Redbush54
Attachment 1196
Age: 55
Hometown: Basehor, KS
Currently residing in: Leavenworth, KS
Favorite food: Steak
One book everyone must read: Anything by Robin Cook
Sites:
www.gamtrak.com
www.gamtrak.com/GamTrakForum
How long have you been working in the industry?
Almost two years.
What first drew you to the business?
I found it interesting and liked the possibility that I could work from home.
What do you like about the industry?
I find it very challenging and I have met several interesting people online. I hope to meet fellow affiliates in person in the future.
What don’t you like about the industry?
Lack of transparency and the fact that fellow affiliates can end up bashing each other. I thought that we were all in this business to support and help each other. Next to that I would have to say the lack of correspondence from programs we do business with. There’s nothing I hate worse than having to go to site after site just to see if they have any new offers. If it were me, I would be blasting affiliates with emails full of promotional offers.
What surprised you most about the industry?
This is a tough one because there just isn’t “one” thing. I don’t know how programs such as Grand Privé can just say, “We don’t want you anymore” and close affiliate programs. Plus the cheating that casinos, etc., do by manipulating payout percentages.
What did you do before you joined the online gaming industry? And just how different is what you’re doing right now?
For 20 years I managed a bowling center. I finally decided that 70- to 80-hour work weeks weren’t for me. I took about a month off and went to work for a hospital in food service. In October 2009 I quit that and went to work full-time at GamTrak.
One thing that is definitely true about most affiliates is their e-mail inboxes are always full. How long do you give yourself for responding to e-mail? And what e-mail management tips can you offer?
Since I’m the point of call for GamTrak on all of the brands we promote I try not to let it get too full. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming but I usually make myself sit down and don’t get up until everything has been taken care of.
How do you manage your “to do” lists? Do you use any special software to help you out?
Paper and pencil is the best I can do and hope I don’t lose the paper.
How much time does it take to keep your sites updated? Do you use a content management system to manage your site?
Since I do the forum I feel like it’s never updated. When I first started with GamTrak I thought we needed to promote everybody and begged Robin to let me sign us up. Now I’m paying for it.
Time management is one of the biggest issues facing affiliates. What time management tips can you offer your fellow webmasters?
Don’t play games on Facebook!!!! I feel like I get the most done each day if I decide first thing what I need to accomplish that day. Sometimes that doesn’t always work because there’s always something that’s urgent or the hubby wants to do this or that.
What prompted you to join the GPWA, and how has it helped you so far?
Robin encouraged me to join the forums to learn. I really am a shy person and prefer to remain silent but I have found GPWA members to be very helpful when I’ve asked questions. Plus I learn a lot about the industry just by reading the new posts daily.
You’ve been working with Robin at GamTrak for a year and a half. How is she to work with? Don’t be afraid to tell us the truth. She probably won’t even see this!
Robin has been very good. At first she had to be very patient because I knew nothing. I would ask her over and over how to do something or do we do it this way. Each time she would patiently answer and answer and answer. Now I feel like I’ve grown enough that I can usually handle something without even consulting with her. But there are always times when she needs to be made aware of something. I believe there is a certain amount of trust that needs to be earned and I feel like I’ve done that.
How do your family and friends feel about how you make your living?
Other than the hubby they really don’t understand.
Speaking of family, has your husband given in yet regarding the “3MTA3” personalized plate for your Chevy Cobalt? And what does “3MTA3” mean?
Hehe! No, and all I’m going to say is write that word down on a piece of paper and then go hold it up in front of a mirror and read what it says.
You recently posted a request for information on sites that explain html coding. Why do you feel you need to understand how it works?
I feel in order to be a complete package for GamTrak I need to be able to perform everything that it takes to keep our sites updated as often as possible.
If you could sit down to dinner with any five people, living or dead, who would they be, and why?
Oprah, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Reba McEntire and Whoopi Goldberg. I believe these women in their lives have been to the bottom and risen to the top.
When you need to get as far away from work as possible, where do you go?
Usually just for a ride even if it’s just for 30 minutes.
If you had to pick five keys to success as an affiliate, what would they be, and why?
Always stay positive regardless of how bad things may seem. It just takes patience (something that I totally lack).
Be honest – I have always told the truth even when it got me into trouble. I don’t say I’m going to do something and then not do it. To me that’s a lie and is not being honest. I’m honest with the brands we deal with and expect the same from them.
You’ve got to have goals – if I don’t say to myself I’m going to do this today it never happens. I’ve run into more trouble by not doing that.
Tools – whether it be reading books, asking fellow affiliates or searching the net... find what you need to do the job and make it something you’re proud of.
Commitment – if you’re not 110 percent committed then it isn’t going to work and you might as well not even start. It’s not something that you can do one day and then think it’s going to live on without your contributing or updating. That will only last for so long and one day all that hard work will have faded away. Only then will you realize what happened and you’ll be lucky if you can get it back and survive.
What’s your favorite movie?
“Sister Act” or “Ghost.”
If you were starring in a movie, who would you want to play your romantic interest?
Patrick Swayze.
If you were “stuck” in a city due to travel restrictions, would you be the person who did everything humanly possible to get back home? Or would you be the person who took some time to go exploring and smell the flowers?
Oh no – I have got to get home!!!!
What are three things that nobody knows about you?
I’m obsessive compulsive.
I’m a perfectionist but haven’t quite gotten there yet.
Hubby and I are preparing to sell everything and travel the U.S. via motorhome.
