PAP / PAW VIP Affiliate Contest Entry
December 26, 2007
Note for regular readers: Quick Interruption to normal service! This post is an entry to the PAP / PAW / Chip Leader VIP Affiliate Contest for ‘Team Planet’ - thats me and my beautiful fiance Erika!
Introduction:
What is set out below includes both my recent history and plans for the future. It is set out in such a way as to show the judges of the VIP Affiliate contest why I should have the incredible prize of a trip to CAP London.
The theme is not one of instant success. Instead involving an insight into psychological change. From recently being a corporate ‘decision taker’ into a poker affiliate ‘humble learner’. Changes in approach to business and relationships which have enabled me to step back and build a platform for what will be one of the most successful affiliate businesses in the industry over the coming years.
I start with my story, next moving on to my current approach to the affiliate business. Finally some reasons why I should win the prize are outlined. The opportunity to network with the very best in the industry is the main goal - the timing is perfect, the chance to meet and begin business relationships is timely - the platform and knowledge built over the last half of 2007 is poised to cataput us to the forefront of the industry… working with the best is my goal and the benefits will work both ways - gentlemen, once you meet me and realize how deadly serious I am about this industry you will understand these words better!!
Background Story:
It is fair to say that my life has changed in many ways over the last 2 years. In fact almost exactly 2 years ago I was sat in my office, working for a major blue chip in a ’senior’ (hey, it’s all relative!) role - earning an ‘very comfortable’ salary and holding the respect of my underlings (well, those of the 900-odd of them who knew me personally) and the esteem of my managers.
At the same time working so hard for an international organization ground me down. There was always the feeling that if I could just put the energy and dedication into a project of my own, the treadmill could be avoided… corporate life is a double-edged sword.
So, to cut a long story short - I fell in love with my recruitment manager (now fiance and half of ‘team planet’!) and we decided to quit and travel the world during 2006… back to reality at the start of 2007 and time to come up with a plan for the future.
At this point PAW came into the picture.
Discovering PAW / Toughts About Affiliation:
To begin with a community of poker affiliates who were supposedly competitors, yet helped and supported each other in so many ways was a little confusing. It did not make sense until I understood how rich and diverse the business of affiliation was. The key to understanding this community came later, realizing that the members were smart and open-minded enough to work out that the benfits of working together far outweighed any cost of sharing information and insights.
We made the decision to give affiliation a try.
Now, here is where the first of the many reasons why I am nominating Team Planet for the PAW / PAP VIP contest comes in. ‘Giving something a try’ has a different meanings to different people. For me it came in the form of a question ‘What do I need to do to become a long-term success in the poker affiliate industry?’
This question can be answered in many ways but at the highest level there were 3 keys to be taken from the way the long-term successful affiliates conducted their businesses.
1) Quality - You can not throw up a site with a few bonus codes and room reviews and expect success, the foundation of this industry is to offer something original, that adds value to your readers - something built to last.
2) Business - Poker affiliation is a long-term propsition, not a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. It must be planned, excuted and managed like any business online or offline. Working on the foundations of long term success outweighs any short-term goals which might bring in quick cash.
3) Relationships - Working with the best in the industry will give insights, which can be used to avoid repeating errors, which can help with those ’stupid’ questions that those new to the industry will always have. Being humble and respectful in your dealings with others, saying ‘thanks’ where thanks is due and ensuring that you give back (in terms of quality), for anything you receive are just 3 aspects of this area.
We listened, if advice was asked for it was acted upon. We worked hard, myself on the ideas, content and business direction - Erika with the design, technology and SEO.
In mid-August 2007 we succeeded in eastablishing the corner-stone of what will make Team Planet a success in 2008, 2009 and beyond. The redesign of our site http://www.sitandgoplanet.com/ would never have been possible without PAW and the community there. It is the base which will take us forward with a string of websites using the ‘planet’ name and design as we enter 2008.
It was the success which enabled me to confidently turn down a European level management position at an investment bank during the latter part of this year… to say ‘no thanks, I’ll go it alone’.
Summary / VIP Qualities:
Further reasons for this entry to the PAP / PAW Vip Contest can be summed up as follows:
- A 100% committment to quality and long-term success, ‘08 and ‘09 will see Team Planet up there with the best in the industry. This is based on the realistic vision that poker affiliation is a business the same as any other - that a long term plan, good management and value to customers are some of the key success factors.
- Fantastic content (For SNG Planet, new sites to be launched in Jan ‘08 and for many clients arranged via PAW)
- The fact that we have used the creation and running of our site as a learning process and platform, no shortcuts (!) this was 100% our own work - every word and every pixel. This will enable us to reach the goal of 6 quality sites during ‘08 and catapult team planet to the next level in the poker affiliate business.
- Value of relationships. Not just for my own benefit here, relationships work both ways. My background in corporate life will not be wasted - sharing both project management and people management skills is part of my agenda… 2008 will become the year when Mark Holland becomes the poker affiliate that people want to know - let us start the process in London.
Final Note To Judges:
This is an entry for ‘Team Planet’ however we fully realize that the prize is for 1 person (just to be clear - we will both come over to London if we win and pay the other half ourselves)
I will also commit to writing a full report of our experience for PAP on our return so as to share the insights gained with the rest of the affiliate community.
Party Challenge:
(tounge in cheek here - to be honest I’m not a competetive drinker!)
And finally, I raise a quizical eyebrow when it comes to any ‘competetive drinking’ challenges from our friends across the pond… gentlemen - we have an advantage here in Europe that will be extremely difficult for you to overcome. Yep, we are used to drinking beer that actually contains more than a little smattering of ALCOHOL!
Cheers, Mark and Erika
Links:
PAP - http://www.pokeraffiliateprograms.com/vip-affiliate-challenge.html
PAW - http://www.pokeraffiliateworld.com/
Comments
Got something to say?