Rags to Riches – How One Internet Marketer Used The Poker Affiliate Industry To Change His Life And Build A Six Figure Empire.
Posted by: Jeremy Comments: (32) Date: March 24, 2008If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
It’s not often that I share success stories about poker affiliates I have mentored or seen come up in the industry over the years. This story is just such a good one though, and one that I have been given permission to tell, I just can’t resist.
Out of respect for this affiliates anonymity, I will refer to him as “Jim” for the rest of this story. Rewind two years back to early 2006; I get a private message through the poker affiliate forums from a new member wanting to know what the best poker affiliate programs to promote are. We end up chatting on messenger and I manage to get Jim signed up with 3-4 of what I feel were the best poker affiliate programs.
Jim had very little experience in the poker affiliate market. At the time when he first contacted me, he was selling products over Ebay and working a traditional full time job. I believe he was making between $40k - $50K a year combined.
I have mentored several sub-affiliates throughout the years. From day one though, I always knew there was something special about Jim, and that he would do well in the poker affiliate industry. I think it’s fair to say now however, I had no idea Jim would achieve the unbelievable success that he has within only 2 ½ short years. This past year, Jim paid off all his debts and student loans, bought a brand new home, and is now running a full time affiliate business. If there is an example of someone “Living The Affiliate Dream”, Jim would be it.
Below is a screen shot of what Jim made last month from just one poker affiliate program. I have blurred out the actual # of players sent and the CPA rate, as publishing these could breach the rooms T&C’s.
Most importantly however is the dollar amount he made last month. As you can see, he is making more now each month than he did for the entire year back in 2006.
So the next question everyone wants to know is, how did Jim get to this super affiliate level. Knowing him and his business model, I can tell you that there was no “secret formula.” He studied the industry, read the PAP forums, and emulated everything he saw the other successful affiliates doing.
Okay, I know what you really want to hear is a more exact answer to how he is currently sending xxx players per month. I’m not going to give away his entire business plan, but he does have a robust network of sites and a profitable opt-in list strategy. Within the last 18 months, he embraced SEO and several niche marketing strategies on his own, and with a few partners as well.
In my opinion however, the most important thing Jim has done is to develop an online work ethic that is second to none. Out of all the people I know in the industry, Jim works harder and smarter than almost anyone else. Likewise his brain never stops. He is always thinking and coming up with innovative ways to increase his conversions.
When I asked Jim this weekend what I could put as a quote from him in this article, he gave me the following;
“The most important thing to be successful as a poker affiliate is to never forget the true fundamentals of internet marketing. For example, building lists, or utilizing proven conversion strategies and calls to action. You also have to work smarter versus harder with so mych competition out there. If you are targeting keywords that don’t convert, give up and move on.
Don’t be afraid to try new things all the time. Once you find something that works well, it will pay for itself several times over. You also have to be progressive and constantly launch new sites or campaigns. It’s very difficult to achieve your full potential or find that one magic thing with just one portal or targeted keyword or phrase.”
One of the reasons I wanted to share this story is to show new affiliates that making a mid six figure income in the poker affiliate industry is possible. Out of all the verticals in affiliate marketing, the poker affiliate market is by far the most exciting and lucrative market there is. With a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, making six figures as a poker affiliate is not as hard as many would think.
Learn more about poker affiliate marketing and chat with other successful poker affiliates in the largest poker affiliate forum in the world.
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March 24th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Fantastic Post Jeremy - Reading stories like this really make my drive level go up (from very high indeed to even higher). Thanks for sharing and big time here I come!!
Cheers, Mark
March 24th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Might as well let it out, I am Jim! Congrats to the real Jim on their great work!
March 25th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I am Sparticus
March 24th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Nice work Jim!
March 24th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
[…] worked to become an expert in that field. It takes some time and good content but it can be done. Poker Affiliate Success Story __________________ Greg D Powell Poker Affiliate Marketing […]
March 24th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Knowing a little about this particular affiliate I can say for sure that his success didn’t come easy. He was a complete student of affiliate marketing, gaming and retail. He read this forum daily and asked questions. He subscribed to blogs and read marketing books.
Most importantly he listened.
I can say that ‘Jim’ is a success story that we can all admire; and can replicate with the time and true desire to be the best in our niche.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
A very inspiring story. This industry competition increases every day, and it is great to know about someone that worked hard and got excellent results.
March 25th, 2008 at 2:05 am
The best thing about stories like these is that it gives inspiration to others when times are hard.
Great work Jim.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Great story! It stories like these that kept me pushing through the slow times and making a profitable site myself. Hopefully someday I can be as profitable as Jim!
March 25th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I love these stories. Awesome job and just to comment I would really enjoy it if we could maybe have one of these monthly or something. I think its awesome to see that although these big sites are huge they did start out where most of us are today
Nice Work
March 25th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
nice work! this is a great story and I am happy there are new successfull affiliates!
Itay
March 26th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Nothing gives us more satisfaction here at PAP than seeing our members be successful.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Hi Jeremy, Very inspiring article. I am brand new to the industry. Although I have recently taken over as the general manager of a small network of affiliate sites. I am learning quickly that there are a number of aspects which need work. I am looking forward to learning everything I can from your blog. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to have you as a mentor.
April 5th, 2008 at 6:55 am
wooha, thats too much
Can you suggest any paypal paying affiliate program ?
May 26th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Theres a thread about this in the forum atm. Actually your the OP lol. I have seen some i’m sure.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
[…] to go about it, Just ask Jim who is now making mid six figures ($50,000!) per month thanks to the poker industry. Within 2,5 years, he’s managed to get rid of his debt, loans and buy a brand new house […]
May 9th, 2008 at 12:50 am
I would hope that I could make half that much! Truly inspiring. By the way, love the design.. UBD!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Rags to Riches stories are always very inspiring! Nice read
May 15th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Very motivating post to read. I read this a few weeks ago and it was around the time i was reading some of Jeremys posts about it and it made me create a whole new site.
So thanks guys.
May 25th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Les, the site you talking about is the one linked to your name. I wanted to have a look at it, but I could as it does not have proper website address.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:55 am
No it wasnt one linked to my message but if you want to have look at that one just message me on the forum. My name is mu4ever
May 26th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Which forum you are talking about?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Are these opportunities available for people outside US as well.For example I’m from Sri Lanka and I don’t qualify for most of the online opportunities available in the internet.
May 25th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Nishadha, but I don’t think this will keep you away from affiliate program not being in US. May be not all, but some of them would accept you surely.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:15 am
It depends what your countrys laws are. Are you allowed to gamble? Most affiliate programs will allow people from all over the world so thats no problem. Also what sort of methodsare availble to you to get the money from the poker room to you?
May 26th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I don’t think they allow to gamble in Srilanka as far as I know. I am talking about Nishadha.
May 25th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Apart from what opinion I am posting here, Jeremy, do you think that the countries where playing poker is not legal can also promote such websites? For example, as Nishada said he is from Srilanka and if the law their prohibits being part of gambling industry, how he would deal with this situation? Any thoughts?
May 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am
It would deend on the country and the laws. Some would close the site down, som may fine and some may go as far as prison if the law against gambling is a very strict one
May 26th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Well, asian countries are pretty strict on these laws, believe me.
May 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Well im guessing that you just answered the first question. And in about 4 posts too
If they are strict then you may have a problem Nad
May 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
The forum i was mentioning was PAP.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I have no interest with poker but upon reading this post, my mind has changed. I thought poker was just a form of gambling and will just end me bankrupt.