Jeremy's Next Forum

[TheDonk]

When I look at this industry with an open mind, I see a lot more things that point down than up. No need to get into all of them on this thread, anyone paying attention knows what I'm talking about. As good businessmen & women one of our major responsibilities is to look for and adjust to trends.

My personal opinion is that 5 years from now there will be two kinds of affiliates. There will be those with HUGE established sites & networks signing up higher and higher percentages players, and those that are broke.

The only affiliates making money will be those who are buying up all of the smaller sites between now and then. CPA's will be much lower, fees will be higher, and the only way around it will be through extreme volume.

This means that tons of great webmasters & affiliates will be moving on to something else. I know a lot of affiliates here (myself included) are already moving into other markets, not just for fun, but as a way to make a living in the future.

Ahh, a new trend Jeremy?

There are tons of affiliate forums out there, most of which are full of newbies and know-it-all's, forcing people to sift through 1000's of posts to learn anything useful.

I have no idea how it could done, but how about a new affiliate forum for experienced affiliates only? Maybe new affiliates could apply, prove their experience and be voted in by the members?

I know it sounds elitist on the surface, but that would kinda be the point. Wouldn't it be great to have an affiliate forum where the members have something worth listening to, with great ideas being passed around and no biases from industry insiders?

Where better than to start than with a bunch of poker/gambling aff's who we know and respect? We know our SEO work is better than almost every other industry and as a group we do a better job with CTA's, content writing, and several other things. It would be great to have a full-on forum dedicated to other markets, with a small-town feel and effectiveness similar to PAL.

What do you say Jeremy?

[MJ]

I don't buy that CPA's will go lower, competition can only help payments in an industry like ours.

I would def be in support of Jeremy starting a general affiliate forum though, absolutely.

[TheDonk]

I don't buy that CPA's will go lower, competition can only help payments in an industry like ours.

They don't need to go 'lower' to go lower. All they have to do is change from 100 FPP requirements to 250, to 500, to ??

Or, they can add 60 day rules, then 30 day rules, then ??.

How quickly you forget.

[Jeremy]

I love the idea, and GP and I are actually working in a different industry right now that I would love to open up an affiliate community for.

The problem with a new forum is always just getting it active from scratch. In a perfect world I would love to find an existing semi-active affiliate forum and buy it, then overhaul it.

Personally I think there is still a ton of upside in this industry. It's just a matter of adapting to the punches and the changes as they get thrown at us.

I do highly encourage diversification into other industries though. Perhaps for now we should open up a "Non Gaming / Diversification" Affiliate Forum here.

[TheDonk]

I love the idea, and GP and I are actually working in a different industry right now that I would love to open up an affiliate community for.

The problem with a new forum is always just getting it active from scratch. In a perfect world I would love to find an existing semi-active affiliate forum and buy it, then overhaul it.

Personally I think there is still a ton of upside in this industry. It's just a matter of adapting to the punches and the changes as they get thrown at us.

I do highly encourage diversification into other industries though. Perhaps for now we should open up a "Non Gaming / Diversification" Affiliate Forum here.

I def think there are still opportunities in poker/gambling right now. My concern is for 2, 3, 4 + years down the road. I'd like to be successful in something else before things get bad (the idea of it eventually getting bad is jmo of course). This means that I need to start diversifying now.

I think a good number of aff's here at PAL could get the forum started, and maybe some good aff's that PAL members know in other industries could be invited to join as well?

[GFPC]

Good idea - I am always reading on other things I can do...

Forum idea is brilliant!

+1

[KevinMcC]

A sub forum would be nice, even if its a little less active... would still be great to be able to ask more general affiliate and internet marketing questions here at PAL

[Newjabber]

I would def be in support of Jeremy starting a general affiliate forum though, absolutely.

Sure why not, there is room for a GAL (general affiliate listings) botton in the lower left side of PAL...

[TheDonk]

I agree a sub-forum here is a good start, but I'm seeing affiliate program reviews on the right like we have here, for all sorts of industries. Also, a more serious place to discuss program changes, a way to compare one aff program to another...something more in depth.

Personally, I just think J does such a great job with aff forums that I'd love to see a full-fledged forum for this...at some point.

[Gydian]

Sure why not, there is room for a GAL (general affiliate listings) botton in the lower left side of PAL...

I must admit, I lol'd.