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  1. #1
    baldidiot is online now Private Member
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    Default Freerolls as a promotional tool

    How successfull are freerolls as a promotional tool? Specifically I'm talking about using freerolls to gain traffic/links (rather than to reward existing users/players). Is it worth it?

    I might do some experiments - does anyone know good sites to run them? And how do you pay for them, is it from a player account? I've never set any up before so any info would be greatly appreciated!
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    If you are speaking of poker freerolls, they are pretty much a waste anymore. You will generally get a ton of freeroll whores that never deposit to fill the tables. Once the game is done they are on to the next freeroll.

    I gave up on them about a year ago with the exception of hosting one for a new room I am promoting and then I only allow those of my forum members that are real players to join in. I have a "VIP" group of players that are ones that will play buy ins, play cash games or sit n go's and most important, deposit.

    One thing you could try is to run a few low $ buy in games with an added prizepool and then have a freeroll for the players that played in the buy ins. That works a bit better. Another idea is to have a freeroll that only players that have deposited can enter. This removes the password, (and password thieving) and the poker room issues a ticket to those that deposit using your link/bonus code.

    Most rooms will pay for the freeroll prizepool with the exception of FullTilt, PokerStars, Bodog (usually). Some will split the cost with you. It all depends on the room and the AM.
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  4. #3
    baldidiot is online now Private Member
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    That's some good advice - thanks mate!
    onlinegamblingwebsites.com - Formally known as goodbonusguide.

    Gambling Domains: Small clear out of some of the domains we've been hoarding on Dan - see the list here. Prices negotiable, and willing to swap for decent links.

  5. #4
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    AWH-Gemma is offline Former AM
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    Quote Originally Posted by baldidiot View Post
    And how do you pay for them, is it from a player account? I've never set any up before so any info would be greatly appreciated!
    When I set up freerolls for affiliates we pay for them

  6. #5
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    It really depends on the market. Different markets (countries/languages) respond differently to freerolls. Your more likely to see a German player convert after a freeroll than a Czech player.

    It's a good way to get people in the door once you start promoting a new room. I have quite a few affiliates who use freerolls as a way to introduce their players to us when they start out. The key is the follow-up on the part of the operator and the affiliate.

    The freerolls should be analyzed by your Account Manager a few days after they run to see what is going on, and what the conversion rates are. A skilled AM should be able to make recommendations based on the results. Oftentimes this may mean alternating between freerolls and buy-ins to keep players but amp up the deposits...

    Talk to your AM and make sure the two of you on the same page. They should also be running and sharing the analytics from any tournaments.

    -Tanya

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    Not to typecast but, the Eastern European market is the worst for freerollers, many will share passwords, and most will not convert. This is based on my experience over the past 3.5 years. The US, UK and Canadian traffic does respond better to the freeroll followed by buy in games for conversions. So a great deal will depend on the target audience.

    Tanya, you are spot on regarding follow-up from the brand. If there is a good affiliate manager in place coupled with a strong retention team (and plan), it can make a world of difference.

    Certainly setting up a freeroll, value added buy ins and an incentive like a special exclusive bonus can really make a huge difference.
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  9. #8
    baldidiot is online now Private Member
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    I'm actually quite liking the idea of having an added money tournament instead of a freeroll. What kind of numbers are we talking for it to be successful?

    Can you add the prize to first place only? Eg: a $1 buy in with an extra $50 for first place? Or some kind of prize - ipod etc..

    Another question, if a tournament such as this were set up on a network like microgaming, would it only be visible to players from Poker Site A (through whom it was set up) or would all players see it?
    onlinegamblingwebsites.com - Formally known as goodbonusguide.

    Gambling Domains: Small clear out of some of the domains we've been hoarding on Dan - see the list here. Prices negotiable, and willing to swap for decent links.

  10. #9
    -J-
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    Freerolls only suck. If you have (good) traffic to you website and start promoting a new poker room, ask them to set up a tournament serie to your players. Some of tournaments as freeroll tournaments and some with a small buy-in. And the poker room you are promoting pays the small freeroll prizes + prizes to the winners of the tournament serie.

    edit: above mentioned small buy-in tournaments to be available to players also after collecting 'n' player points (or whatever those are called in their network).
    Last edited by -J-; 29 October 2010 at 9:08 pm.


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