Affiliate Interview Series: Aidan - thebookiesoffers

**GPWA Aaron** · 5 September 2012, 3:24 pm

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AGE: 31

HOMETOWN: Leicester

LIVING IN: Leicester

FAVORITE FOOD: Steak and chips

MUST READ BOOK: Tackling My Demons, by Stan Collymore

SITE: www.thebookiesoffers.co.uk

Tell us about your site. What makes it unique? When did you launch your site?

The first concept of the site was launched about 2007, I think, and has undergone a few changes since, both major and minor. I think probably the most unique thing is I write as a gambler, not a marketing person. I probably go into a lot more detail on the product reviews than most other sites in my sector.

Free bets, free casino money, free poker chips, free bingo money – is there any other site out there that has gathered together – all in one place – as much free stuff as you have?

To be fair there are a few that probably offer even more than I do. Some are very good and some are poor and just try to have as many affiliate links as possible

Regarding new-player bonus offers, which works best for you – a no-deposit, free cash bonus or a bonus requiring a deposit?

It really depends on the bookmakers and the behind-the-scenes work they do, I think. For example, the current Sky Bet no-deposit bonus is getting huge sign-ups. They do a great job to keep players playing and converting, and they have now become one of my steadier earners.

How did you become involved in the industry?

I actually didn’t know that affiliate marketing even existed when I created the website. Because I had, and still do have, a love for betting I wanted to provide fellow gamblers an easy-to-use guide to which bookies had which free bets.

How long did it take for you to start earning money?

To be honest I can’t really remember, but it wasn’t too long after I found out you could earn in this way, but only small amounts – as you would expect for someone really not knowing anything about this side of the business.

How much time and financial resources do you devote to SEO and social networking in order to drive more traffic to your site?

I wouldn’t like to say anything about financial things but I’m a strong believer in spending a great deal of time on SEO and social networking. I have seen too many sites get to where they want to be in the SERPS and just let things slip – and then it’s too late. As for social networking, if I have time on my hands then there is nothing better than “getting your name out there” and creating a buzz. Only a fool would just rely on the search engines to bring in new customers.

How do you track which SEO techniques are working for you and which techniques are not? Any shortcuts you can recommend?

That is simple but something that many webmasters fail at. I only do one bit of SEO at a time. SEO is all about testing, and it is easy to get results confused if you make too many changes at once. Make a change, wait for Google to crawl and see what effects have taken place.

What offline marketing techniques have you used to promote your site? Were any of them effective?

I actually started a thread on this the other day on the GPWA forum. In the past I have sponsored horse races, had ad boards at a racecourse, used leaflets and also had LED ad boards at a recent football match on live TV. I probably found the football match the best of the lot and will certainly be doing it again in the near future.

Do your family and friends know what you do for a living?

Most of my friends and family know what I do but don’t quite understand it. I might as well talk to myself when I try to explain to my mum and dad, though.

What traits do you look for in an affiliate manager? How about in an affiliate program?

Honesty is a major trait I look for but also a quick turnaround in answering e-mail is something I really appreciate. When it comes to programs I’m really relaxed and just want reliable stats and reporting, really. I do get fed up with programs that constantly change their bonuses, though.

What advice would you offer someone just starting out in the industry?

Be patient – don’t expect to make millions straightaway! There is some good money to be made but I have seen so many people steam in, not make a lot straightaway and just give up. And don’t believe everything you hear from a lot of the “SEO experts.” If you are going to hire someone to do SEO be very careful and research them as much as possible before you commit to anything.

What prompted you to join the GPWA? How has it helped you?

Not sure why I did join as it was a while back now, but it has been great. I didn’t expect people to be so helpful and it is quite refreshing to be able to speak to people doing the same thing as you do and understand. It just gives you a real insight into the whole industry. I’ve met some really sound people at LAC as well.

What do you like about the industry?

I just love everything about sports betting and being able to write things that I have a love and passion for. And it also gives me an excuse to watch more sports on the TV.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be and why?

I’d sort the complete mess that is the American online betting sector. I have been involved in this industry now for nearly five years and still am not fully sure what the rules and regulations are involving the American market, so I leave it well alone.

What surprised you most about the industry?

Basically how much money you can actually earn. I can’t believe how much commission some firms are prepared to pay.

How long do you give yourself for answering e-mail? What e-mail tips can you offer?

If it’s an e-mail I want to answer, then straightaway normally. I don’t work Fridays so that is probably the longest I go without replying. Although if it’s some rubbish like someone trying to sell SEO services or something it gets deleted straightaway with no reply.

How do you manage your “to-do” lists? Do you use any special software to help you out?

I don’t really have a “to-do” list, I just do what I fancy doing when I fancy doing it, to be honest, unless obviously it is something that needs doing like updating an offer.

How much time does it take to keep your site updated?

That really depends on what needs doing, I suppose. If there are offers that need changing it can take longer but writing new betting offers and betting previews probably takes an hour or two. It’s getting the new content “out there” that can take up the time.

If someone were visiting you, what’s the one place you’d definitely take them to see?

If they had never been I’d take them to London as there is so much to see and do. I’d take them on a big walk all around Parliament and the Palace, etc.

What’s your favorite vacation spot?

Las Vegas by a mile. Not really sure if I need to explain it but in Vegas you can do just about anything you want, when you want – and whatever you do, nobody bats an eyelid. If I’m going with the lads, though, I think Benidorm in Spain needs a special mention just for being such a funny place.

If you could have one “superpower,” what would it be?

I’d be invisible – imagine the trouble you could cause with that. You could really find out what people think about you as well; you could walk into any place you wanted to go, and the information you could get would be mind-boggling.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

Not really a big movie fan but I really like The Hangover. I thought it was really funny and laughed most of the way through it.

If you could invite any five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be?

Maggie Thatcher for a good chat about when she was in power for all those years. Footballer Paul Gascoigne as I think he has so many stories to tell. Lord Lucan so he could tell us about what really happened to him. Either of the Kray twins as they really would have some eye-opening stories to tell. And finally the last one would be my granddad as I never got the chance to meet him and I have heard so many stories about him.

**blendtec** · 6 September 2012, 2:34 am

Excellent!

**Maria F** · 6 September 2012, 2:49 am

Nice interview! When you mentioned Benidorm, it reminded me of an Only fools and horses episode LOL

**SlotsAff** · 6 September 2012, 3:09 am

Superb interview - Gazza would be an excellent dinner guest

**baldidiot** · 6 September 2012, 5:04 am

Nice interview

One of the best things about these interviews (from my perspective) is getting to see what people look like!

**thebookiesoffers** · 6 September 2012, 6:29 am

Originally Posted by baldidiot

Nice interview

One of the best things about these interviews (from my perspective) is getting to see what people look like!

lol, well im obviously not the fat little f@*cker with glasses and zits all over my face that some one pressumed I looked like when giving me abuse in pm lol

bit embarrised reading all that back, was in the magazine ages ago and I'd forgot all about it, cheers btw

**abets** · 6 September 2012, 6:43 am

Nice interview !

**cass** · 6 September 2012, 7:03 am

Enjoyed the interview. Good luck with your site/s.

**p.arena** · 6 September 2012, 8:14 pm

I agree, cool interview!

and great to put a face to the name

**bettingfellow** · 7 September 2012, 2:00 pm

Thanks on this helpful tips. I fancy to read industry interviews to build up motivation.

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