Looking for a JV partnership with experienced casino marketer

[smartuner]

Hey everyone

Here is my story. After taking a break from casino affiliate marketing for two years I started two new casino websites this year in early March.
I make a good income outside of the gambling industry working mostly in the health niche. Anyway out of interest I started these two new websites and dedicated about 30% to 40% of my time on it.

Both websites have about 120 casino reviews on it and lots of slots reviews and other gambling related content. On top of this I am adding about 5 news posts per week on it.

Due to my lack of SEO knowledge I did not work too much on SEO for now and was hoping that adding a lot of good quality content would get the sites going.

However after 7 months in I am only getting about 10 to 15 unique visits from organic search a day and almost no new depositing players. Instead of stopping the project I am looking for a business partner who is really good in promoting the websites and is able to generate converting traffic.

Here is the kind of deal I am looking for:
You run the sites, build backlinks and improve search rankings. I will provide you with all the content you require. I work with a great gambling writer so getting content would not be an issue.

All generated commission from now on would be split 50/50. All money which need to be invested for backlinks or other expenses would be also paid 50/50

If you are interested in such kind of JV and if you have a proven track record in generating traffic within the casino niche I am interested in discussing a partnership.

Please send me a PM with your SkypeID and we can discuss things further. Thanks a lot!

[gaffg]

50% share for just doing content? Great deal for you. If someone is good at ranking a website and doing all of the marketing work why wouldn't they just hire their own writer?

[smartuner]

50% share for just doing content? Great deal for you. If someone is good at ranking a website and doing all of the marketing work why wouldn't they just hire their own writer?

Because I have two existing websites which are 7 months old and have tons of content on it already. This is not something starting from scratch. If you have the money to hire a content writer feel free to hire one and make your own sites.

[Triple7]

Why don't you just hire a good marketeer / SEO-expert? Like Gaffg wrote, which good marketeer / SEO interested in managing casino affiliate sites would like to share 50% while he can also buy some content from content writers and I doubt if you find a good marketeer / SEO wanting to work in commission base. It would be a pity if you'll end up with some clown.

[smartuner]

Why don't you just hire a good marketeer / SEO-expert? Like Gaffg wrote, which good marketeer / SEO interested in managing casino affiliate sites would like to share 50% while he can also buy some content from content writers and I doubt if you find a good marketeer / SEO wanting to work in commission base. It would be a pity if you'll end up with some clown.

I think I am more likely to end up with some clown if I hire an SEO "guru/expert". I thought with a JV like this I limit my risk while my partner gets incentivizes based on the work he is doing.

[Triple7]

I think I am more likely to end up with some clown if I hire an SEO "guru/expert". I thought with a JV like this I limit my risk while my partner gets incentivizes based on the work he is doing.

Nah, an expert is incentivized enough when you pay his invoices. They earn enough by doing their job and getting their invoices paid or they're having their own websites. So why should they share? I'd prefer to pay a fixed sum for content. Some people do use a JV to lift with your success.

But true, you have to be careful at internet. Internet is full of clowns and everybody can hall himself an expert. But you can look for someone with a proven record or look for some backlinks yourself. It isn't that hard to see which backlinks are awesom and which ones not. I agree there's a lot between awesome and ****, but try to pick some awesome places to get your links. And why not use like 50% of your earnings for things like this?

Either they are interested in casino and do this themselves. Either they want to be paid per invoice / hour and not risking their income by one big winner in some casino...

[DanHorvat]

I think I am more likely to end up with some clown if I hire an SEO "guru/expert".

And you would be right.

However, I'm thinking you're investing too little in this JV. It seems to me you want the hands off approach for yourself because you wrote "You run the sites, build backlinks and improve search rankings." The bolded text makes this a no deal for me, as it's not just SEO you're after but a website admin / strategist.

Also "All money which need to be invested for backlinks or other expenses would be also paid 50/50" - what would be the other expenses? Server costs?

Finally, since you're the legal owner of the website, what's preventing you from letting go of your JV partner three years from now when the site grows more than you ever could have imagined, and therefore keeping all the long-term benefits of his work?

Who gets to make the decisions? It's very hard to vote when there's 2 people.

Please elaborate. Not trying to attack you - just talking.

[smartuner]

Hey Dan

Thanks for your feedback I will try answer all your questions for you and also for everyone who might be interested.

However, I'm thinking you're investing too little in this JV. It seems to me you want the hands off approach for yourself because you wrote "You run the sites, build backlinks and improve search rankings." The bolded text makes this a no deal for me, as it's not just SEO you're after but a website admin / strategist.

I think the wording for run the sites might be a bit incorrect. I will carry on posting current casino news, casino promotions on a daily basis. What I mean with running the site are things like changing to orders of casinos displayed, giving input on optimizing content. Or if you think that we should target a keyword like lets say: The best blackjack online casinos in the UK you would need to tell me so that I can get the content for it.

Also "All money which need to be invested for backlinks or other expenses would be also paid 50/50" - what would be the other expenses? Server costs?

No I will keep on paying for the server costs. But for example if you think that we need to buy backlinks for $2000 I would like that my partner pays half of the expenses. Or if you think we need to completly redesign the sites we should split the costs for this.

Finally, since you're the legal owner of the website, what's preventing you from letting go of your JV partner three years from now when the site grows more than you ever could have imagined, and therefore keeping all the long-term benefits of his work?

Who gets to make the decisions? It's very hard to vote when there's 2 people.

Please elaborate. Not trying to attack you - just talking.

We will setup a contract between my company and your company/person which makes it clear that both are 50/50 owners of the site and potential future sites.

JVs have worked in the past for me so I don't see a point why there should be issues having two owners.

Thanks again for your feedback all more questions are welcome.

[Lucky13]

I think it will be hard to find someone that would want to do that. Anyone would those skills would probably be better of by doing it themselves.But you're right about the "clown" theory. Been there... He promised the world, costed a fortune and delivered (almost) nothing. At least not something I couldn't have done my self

[Triple7]

I think it will be hard to find someone that would want to do that. Anyone would those skills would probably be better of by doing it themselves.But you're right about the "clown" theory. Been there... He promised the world, costed a fortune and delivered (almost) nothing. At least not something I couldn't have done my self

That depends on how you select your SEO-guru. Pay peanuts for sure will give you monkeys. You'll need to be very selective. For example if they're not even able to rank their own websites on for them important keywords, I won't even consider their offer. No matter how beautiful their promises may be.

Same thing with for example affiliate programs. You'll need to do a bit of research before giving some program the best positions. Some programs are known for non-payment, late payments, a bunch of issues, etc.

I agree that someone with this skills will do this things himself and hire a content writer, which seems to be cheaper than sharing 50%.

Btw, a JV with a contract, I see it working. But, it has to be a contract where everything is made clear and no room for interpretation or discussion, starting with what to do when one of both wants to quit the contract, because it's always possible that after some time you're taking the conclusion that it's not working. Also the deals seem to be fair to me. Although I don't see people with the skills you're asking for doing this.

[gaffg]

I think I am more likely to end up with some clown if I hire an SEO "guru/expert". I thought with a JV like this I limit my risk while my partner gets incentivizes based on the work he is doing.

I think you would end up with a clown for someone that would be willing to take this offer. Just 7 months old and some content isn't that much different than a brand new site and some content. If you are already paying a content writer then you would be getting 50% while the other person does all the work as you say.

[RyanWeb]

I would be interested in a partnership or sorts, but not like you are describing.. I am always seeking content, and can give some great tips in return, even a few good backlinks. But my partnership would be more of a "friendly partnership" where we help each other out via Skype or something and work on projects together, brain storm new ideas and things like that.. I would be open to that with anyone.

[MMM]

I would prefer having an seo guy invested as well, and not to hire someone. Plenty of people here - hope it works out.

[wonderpunter]

Anyone that's worth their salt would need a lot more from your end... 5 articles per week wouldn't cut the mustard for most who know what they are doing.. with all the work that's involved in building a top 10 ranked site you would need to justify the partnership... SEO value is worth much more than content value imo