New Forum Member Seeking Advice

[SeanEMJ]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading this forum for quite a while now, and figured it was about time I joined up. Hopefully I can contribute to the forum and, more selfishly, hopefully you guys can help me to make some decisions.

I've had an interest in gambling all my adult life. A passion, even. I really enjoy gambling for "entertainment purposes", and I've also dallied with gambling for a living (first sports betting, then later with poker). Although I've had some success, on neither occasion did I find that I particularly enjoyed myself as much as I'd thought. There are, of course, some benefits to "professional" gambling - and not just the money. But I just didn't find it as rewarding overall as I'd hoped.

My interest in, and passion for, gambling in general has led to me exploring a number of related opportunities. I've been offered a couple of positions at online operators in the past, but never felt they were quite right for me. I did undertake a consultancy role for one operator, which I enjoyed, but it was only ever a relatively short term thing. I've also technically acted as an affiliate in the past, but not in the traditional sense of running a website. I just assisted some high value gamblers I knew in finding the right sites for them and getting better deals for their betting and/or gaming activity in the process. Obviously this earned me referral commissions in the process.

Over the last couple of years I've often spent time helping out a friend of mine who, among things, provides content services to gambling affiliates. This has included proof-reading articles, helping to come up with new ideas for content, checking key facts, and working out the best way to structure websites and/or specific sections on websites. I've really enjoyed this, but he's now taken up an exclusive contract with a company that owns a number of sites. I was actually asked to join him with this company and was somewhat tempted. But it meant moving as I'd have to be based in their offices, and that doesn't really appeal.

So I now find myself wondering what to do with myself. I really want to work in/on something that's gambling related, but I'm just not sure what the best options for me are. I've obviously flirted with the idea of building my own affiliate site(s), and that does have some appeal. However, I'm the kind of guy that likes to do things "full-on" when I do them. If I went down this route I'd want to do it properly and put a team together with the right mix of skills etc. While that's certainly an option, I've managed my own businesses twice in the past and sold out of them on both occasions because everything that comes with running a business invariably detracts from me actually doing what I enjoy the most/am best at.

With my experiences in the gambling industry so far, there are certain aspects that I know I'd enjoy. Creating content that actually helps to educate/entertain/interest other gamblers for example, and helping fellow gamblers to find the casinos/bookies/poker rooms that are actually right for them. Obviously launching my own sites would give me a platform to do this, but I just don't know if I'd want to get involved with all the other aspects of (properly) building/managing a site or series of sites.

I guess the advice I'm after is whether any of you good people think I should just go for it and launch some sites myself. Despite my trepidation/lack of interest in SOME aspects of what that would involve. Or should I explore other opportunities maybe?Perhaps be proactive in looking for a role with an operator? Or look to provide services to, or work for, gambling affiliates who could utilize my knowledge and skills in the areas that I enjoy working on?

I realize I'm asking a bunch of people who don't know me to help me make what could potentially be a big decision. But, honestly, I've been wrestling with what to do for a while now and any kind of discussion with some people who have relevant experiences will be useful for me I'm sure.

Thanks in advance for any comments/feedback/advice!

Sean

[wonderpunter]

Sounds like you have already answered your own question.. but yes do it

[canaryjohn]

Hi Sean,

It sounds like you have some good experience in the industry. What is it exactly that is stopping you from creating your own affiliate sites. My advice to you would be to sop with "but's, if's and maybe's" and focus on something. Only you can decide what you want to do and once you make that decision you have to focus on it.

I actually do both of the things you are talking about. I run a content company which specifically creates content for the igaming industry (operators, programs, affiliates etc) but I am also an affiliate myself. It's a great mix because I essentially have a high quality content team ready to deliver any content I need.

As for the other side of things like SEO, backlinks, keywords/keyphrases, programming, web design and everything else that seems like it sounds difficult... We all learned these things at some point. There's information out there to help you learn. And of course, if you're ever stuck on something then there's probably someone lurking around here or any of the other forums that would be more than happy to help you out.

By the way, you're the kind of person I would love to add to my team..... So if you do decide to look for a role with an operator then I'm sure there will be something out there for you that fits.

Hope that helps,

John

[MMM]

We all do good in things that we are actually interested in or love to do. If not, after the initial drive winds down you are likely to quit. It doesn't mean you shouldn't be an affiliate on your own, but maybe to do it in a way that will maximize/focus on the aspects that you enjoy. For example - if I understood correctly your interests - making a gambling blog (+social) that will cover your interests rather than making a whole site with coding, design etc.
Of course the other options is to higher people that will do the parts that you are not interested in, or become in charge of these aspects with an existing affiliate/company.

[Miles_FTA]

If you have a passion then you should 1200% follow that or one day you may have regrets .. Just do it at your pace and do it with passion and you'll be bound to succeed Good luck hope you fid your way .. Here to help if you need .

[SeanEMJ]

Thanks for the responses, and sorry I've not been back on the forum since my original post.

I've clearly got some more thinking to do, but my instinct at the moment is that becoming an affiliate myself is not really the route I want to take it. It's not that I'm afraid of learning new things, but rather that I'd like to focus my time and efforts on things that I feel I'd be best at (and, to some extent, enjoy the most).

I think perhaps the best step for me at this stage would be to start offering content services to affiliates, and maybe other "miscellaneous" type services that I feel would be useful. I'm reasonably confident I could add some value in this area, and it's something I'd definitely be motivated to do. I'm not entirely sure on the best route to take in order to get started with this, so more thinking to do on that front too. Any advice from content providers, and affiliates who hire/have hired content providers, would obviously be welcome!

[vpp]

If you are not ready to deal with being an affiliate yourself, definitely focus on offering content to others. There are many great and successful affiliates here that are always in need of high quality content. If you are able to connect wit a few and get your name out there, you will find you can get multiple clients that can make great use of your knowledge and experience. Keep in mind that as a content writer, you will be getting paid just a portion of the affiliate’s revenue, so if dealing with anew affiliate, the payments could be low. However, as mentioned, there are amazing people on this site that can surely benefit from quality content to boost he traffic to their own sites. Go for it! See how content writing works out and maybe you will have a change of heart and wish to start promoting sites on your own.