What do you look for in an Affiliate Newsletter?

[Adamvv]

There's been an ongoing discussion about how to make newsletters interesting and yes, FUN to read.

I know that many affiliates tend to disregard merchant newsletters because of their generally promotional voice. Although these newsletters are meant to inform and update affiliates on pertinent program info, they don't necessarily have the impact that we desire.

So what makes you read through and action items in a newsletter?

I tend to include a more personal and humorous approach when writing my newsletters and I have found it to work for me. But everyone is different.

So affiliates, what do you look for in a newsletter?

And affiliate managers, what have you done that has worked well in the past?

[Renee]

I'm interested in this too..

Generally no matter how many times you ask for feedback, people don't give it to you. I've been asking the same question for 5 years and in the end I just have the newsletter how I think people want to see it.

We actually designed a brand new newsletter this year which started in December which now has a little paragraph directly from either myself or Helene (for French and Spanish) to make it more personal and allow people to see the personality behind the face a little.. I'd like to think people like that, but once again, asked for feedback and got nothing...

I wonder if people even bother to read the newsletter actually.. Last year in June/July we pushed live a new revshare model and I still have people telling me today that they didn't know about it...

[Simmo!]

I tend to look for *intersting* player stuff that's being notified in advance and gives me a chance to set stuff up in time. Changes to bonuses, VIP schemes, new games coming that are of interest - I skim all that stuff and pick out the juicy bits. In fact, the casino players newsletter is of more interest to me than the affiliate newsletter on the whole unless there are big changes on the aff side coming up.

Occassionally an aff promo will catch my eye, but not if it depends on player volumes to stand a chance. Can't compete with the big boys so no point trying. A competition that levels the playing field gets me interested tho.

Actually I should add that newsletters have become more important to me the more I uses Statsremote. It's a brilliant tool and I wouldn't be without it, but it does mean I login to the programs less frequently - only when I want something basically. A newsletter is perfect for a quick skim and then to pick out what's interesting.

Cheers

Simmo!

[Adamvv]

Occassionally an aff promo will catch my eye, but not if it depends on player volumes to stand a chance. Can't compete with the big boys so no point trying. A competition that levels the playing field gets me interested tho.

We have been developing more affiliate promotions that revolve around activity and responsiveness rather than volume. The majority of affiliates will not be able to compete "with the big boys", so we are always looking into ways to reward efforts like yours.

Have you found any kind of promotion to be particularly effective for you?

[martin b]

i want to find intresting stuff that will be able to help me atract new castumers. that is what i need and what the casino needs

[Adamvv]

i want to find intresting stuff that will be able to help me atract new castumers. that is what i need and what the casino needs

What do you find to me most interesting?

New player promotions?
New games/products available?
Something else?

[LuckyLizzy]

The most important things I look for are player promotions that are particularly interesting, new games which will draw attention and also the latest news which effects players. This gives me the information I need to bring the best of online casinos to the players.

[Adamvv]

The most important things I look for are player promotions that are particularly interesting, new games which will draw attention and also the latest news which effects players. This gives me the information I need to bring the best of online casinos to the players.

Thanks for the feedback!

I assumed this would be most relevant for affiliates, however I have found that the response rate isn't very high generally.

Do you respond to newsletters if a question is asked?

[Renee]

We actually designed a brand new newsletter this year which started in December which now has a little paragraph directly from either myself or Helene (for French and Spanish) to make it more personal and allow people to see the personality behind the face a little.. I'd like to think people like that, but once again, asked for feedback and got nothing...

I wonder if people even bother to read the newsletter actually.. Last year in June/July we pushed live a new revshare model and I still have people telling me today that they didn't know about it...

Did you forget to add your own text mate?

[Adamvv]

Did you forget to add your own text mate?

Haha, You two were on the same wavelength

[Dominique]

I usually look them over - if they have interesting player promos I file them until I have time to go to the site and collect creatives. That may never happen because newer promos may pour in before I get to it. If the letter already contains creatives, chances are they get implemented right away.

[Adamvv]

I usually look them over - if they have interesting player promos I file them until I have time to go to the site and collect creatives. That may never happen because newer promos may pour in before I get to it. If the letter already contains creatives, chances are they get implemented right away.

Great feedback Dominique!

I have been including creative code in my newsletters and I find it seems to work well.

If a player promotion gets sent to you through a newsletter, how long would you say (on average) it takes you to put it up on your site?

[Skinski]

I would love to see more on effective strategies for affiliates. I think that would benefit all concerned.

[Renee]

I would love to see more on effective strategies for affiliates. I think that would benefit all concerned.

I tried to do this a long time ago, however the problem is that the same strategies don't always work for everyone... in that case I would prefer affiliates to email me directly with their URL so I can personalise their strategy. I think that would make them much better off than using general stuff.

[casinogod]

I tried to do this a long time ago, however the problem is that the same strategies don't always work for everyone... in that case I would prefer affiliates to email me directly with their URL so I can personalise their strategy. I think that would make them much better off than using general stuff.

I have to agree with Renee, one of the coolest things an affiliate manager ever did for me was send me a full report (with pictures) showing how he beleived we could improve the conversion of one of our sites.

I didnt take up all of his ideas as some went against our SEO however some of his ideas where stonkers which we implimented and which have improved our bottom line. So its always good ot have a fresh pair of eyes (especially from an affiliate manager who has seen a few sites that work).

[Adamvv]

I have to agree with Renee, one of the coolest things an affiliate manager ever did for me was send me a full report (with pictures) showing how he beleived we could improve the conversion of one of our sites.

I didnt take up all of his ideas as some went against our SEO however some of his ideas where stonkers which we implimented and which have improved our bottom line. So its always good ot have a fresh pair of eyes (especially from an affiliate manager who has seen a few sites that work).

That is definitely a good idea. Constructive feedback from an affiliate manager will undoubtedly open your eyes to new possibilities.

Since we have been exposed to very good affiliates sites, and others that are not as high-quality (to be politically correct), we have the insight to let you know what has worked for others, while including your personalized approach to your affiliate site.

I highly recommend speaking to your affiliate manager about such things. They SHOULD be only too happy to help!

[Dominique]

Great feedback Dominique!

I have been including creative code in my newsletters and I find it seems to work well.

If a player promotion gets sent to you through a newsletter, how long would you say (on average) it takes you to put it up on your site?

One day

[Adamvv]

One day

In a perfect world, I think that everyone would do the same, but the reality is that many affiliates do these updates at the same time and generally not as often.

On average, what kind of lead time would you prefer when receiving time-sensitive information?

I understand that the earlier the better, however this is not always possible.

[casinogod]

I selected as follows

1. I briefly skim through them...but generally disregard them because I generally do skim them looking for somthing of interest when it is a wall of grey I move on. As am affiliate of alot of programs I do not have time to read every newsletter I am sent in detail so PLEASE make any important points easy to scan to with clear headers etc. Think Newspaper.

2. New Player Promotions - This is great material for updating my sites blogging about etc.

3. New Affiliate Promotions -Usually these are naff, but occasionally there are some really good promos that catch my attention and I take part. I recently fed back to the head of an affiliate marketing department (who also happens to be a good friend of mine) to let them know what types of affiliate promotions I feel work and which do not work and why.

4. New Creatives - I took this to mean New creatives WHEN OFFERS have changed, I prefare to know 1 week in advance when an offer is going to change so that I can ensure I get my sites updated at the right time.


I ideally like to know about an offer change 1 week before it changes so I can add the update to the relevant peoples plans. If I get told about it on the day it happens I either have to change plans and try to fit it in that same day (which we often do especially if the casino in question is in a high traffic spot) or suck it up have a moan and get it doen the next day or work late that night.

As a minimum I need would like 2 working days notice of offer changes.

To be fair, the affiliate managers I work with are really good and tend to let me know with ample time for everything I need and usually send me personal emails with just the parts they know I am interested in which I really appreciate as it saves me time.

[Adamvv]

To be fair, the affiliate managers I work with are really good and tend to let me know with ample time for everything I need and usually send me personal emails with just the parts they know I am interested in which I really appreciate as it saves me time.

Overall, a fantastic post. This is the kind of insight and opinion that I yearn for.

I urge affiliates to speak as much as they can with their affiliate managers to show them your working style and preferences. Not only will this save you time, but it will make everything for efficient and effective for both parties.