Just curious...How many members (or lurkers) of SEW have taken the time to take the exam and become certified GAP's, and what value have you seen in becoming certified?

I'd say the biggest value other than the obvious nice little banner you can place on your PPC management page is the 5 $100 credits you get for new accounts.

Just curious...How many members (or lurkers) of SEW have taken the time to take the exam and become certified GAP's, and what value have you seen in becoming certified?

I have been a GAP for 4 month but have yet to "use" the cert for anything worthwhile. Partially my own doing because I focus on the traditional affiliate marketing model, whereby I do create websites and add value as best I can. From what I can tell I can't use the credits on my own accounts, so no benefit there. I've been told I have a new contact number to call for support, but I've yet to call because I'm assuming no secretes will be revealed. My impression is that the "market" at the moment still prefers the "affiliate marketing" model which is at odds with the GAP idea. The GAP would like us to bill for services, however, most Google Adwords advertisers run their own in house campaign. The one url rule is an issue, and the trust and control of an outside PPC campaing is an issue. A pay per action on % of sales or lead is what the "market" as I see it wants, not a "managed 2nd account." In light of the toughening of Google Adwords policies and increased expense, I would love to move into the GAP business model, but is anyone able to do this NOW? If so, please share the "how to." I recently tried to turn two affiliate relationships into a GAP relationship -- they wanted no part of it.

I think the programme is good, in that it separates 'certification' from 'agency commissions' - unlike the Overture model. i.e. You don't get Overture "SEM Accreditation" as an Ambassador until you reach quite spend levels on invoice accounts.

So becoming certified should increase your knowledge and help you increase profits. However, the average customer who uses either a PPC management service or purchases leads from a "lead vendor" has little awareness of the certification. Until this certification becomes known like the BBB is to consumers using small businesses, I doubt that being certified will result in more business.

Discovery

Just passing this test shows the knowledge we have of the system. It is more a test for us to see if there are things we have missed, which every now and again I know I have and discover it when someone asks a question here and I go to find the answer.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Now I think we need to have a secret GAP handshake...

One of the major advantages of the program is the use of a Google (although its a co-branded GAP logo) on any company certified page without having togo through the process of getting the standard Google logo on your site.

This alone is worth the small test price.

One of the major advantages of the program is the use of a Google (although its a co-branded GAP logo) on any company certified page without having togo through the process of getting the standard Google logo on your site.

This alone is worth the small test price.
Interesting way to look at it.

Now I think we need to have a secret GAP handshake... I'll get started on that immediately, Jeff Nienaber. I'm thinking of modifying my all time favorite secret handshake, which is known to family as 'The Trout Handshake'.

I kid you not. ;)

AWR

Just passing this test shows the knowledge we have of the system. It is more a test for us to see if there are things we have missed, which every now and again I know I have and discover it when someone asks a question here and I go to find the answer.

What was your impression of the test and requirements? I feel the test was too easy, which makes me think I won't be able to do much with it. Can the rep tell us some stats on pass/fail, how many GA users versus how many GAPs are there...etc...? Please :)

Can the rep tell us some stats on pass/fail, how many GA users versus how many GAPs are there...etc...? Please JNap, in spite of your especially polite request (for which I thank you), I am not really able to talk about such stats - at least at this point.

Sorry to disappoint. ;)

AWR

You need to give the special trout handshake to get that infromation!!!

I fish for trout on opening day some years, but a "trout handshake"...is that like back of hands with a wiggle motion...oopss maybe gave it away!? ;)

Well, I think one of the rules of building credibility with any certification is to publish some figures on it. Not trying to pick on anyone, just an open discussion. What I'm heading towards here is it's difficult for me to convince someone else "I'm a GAP, hire me?!" when I've yet to convince myself that it's worth much. Now don't get me wrong, I can SELL anything, not talking about that here. I have a masters degree in finance and 8 years of FP&A experience - and do well with my own adwords accounts. That to me is a better selling point than the GAP right now.

The GAP just says: I know how to use Google Adwords...each screen means this...I've spent $x to date. Is there life after GAP?

AWR...maybe it's not too late to get a time slot at SES to teach all of us GAP's the newly modified Trout Shake.
And in all seriousness, maybe Google could offer special/advanced classes only for GAP's at such events like SES. Giving a little extra perceived value to the title and a little more motivation to get the certification.

JN

AWR...maybe it's not too late to get a time slot at SES to teach all of us GAP's the newly modified Trout Shake.
And in all seriousness, maybe Google could offer special/advanced classes only for GAP's at such events like SES. Giving a little extra perceived value to the title and a little more motivation to get the certification.

JN
Or at least a newsletter with detailed explanations of changes etc.

Originally posted by AussieWebmaster
Or at least a newsletter with detailed explanations of changes etc. I second that motion - a dedicated GAP newsletter with unique content would be outstanding.

Or at least a newsletter with detailed explanations of changes etc.

A newsletter would be fine, but I think Google is currently using the "Inside Adwords" newsletter to spread info. I'd like to see the GAP grow into something whereby an "individual" can attract business and customers. In other words, when you want someone to do your accounting you look for a CPA -- NOT an accounting firm. So if you want online marketing with Google Adwords I want them to look for a GAP, NOT an advertising agency. Nothing against ad agencies, just the American Dream is independence, not consolidation of all people into corporate structure. I don't know what the right path is, but as did Microsoft and other large companies in the past, a true certification structure was developed. Here it might require a broader Internet Marketing approach, starting with GAP with add ons to incorporate marketing skills, ROI math, SEO...CPM bidding. If I want to be an online advertising professional now, how do I do it? I sure as heck ain't going to pay a school $20,000 a year to learn marketing. Do I pay an SEO consultant $2,000 to take a 2 day class? Someone needs to step up, Google has the resources to do it. I'm on the East Coast, so it would have to be either online or multi location.

A newsletter would be fine, but I think Google is currently using the "Inside Adwords" newsletter to spread info. I'd like to see the GAP grow into something whereby an "individual" can attract business and customers. In other words, when you want someone to do your accounting you look for a CPA -- NOT an accounting firm. So if you want online marketing with Google Adwords I want them to look for a GAP, NOT an advertising agency. Nothing against ad agencies, just the American Dream is independence, not consolidation of all people into corporate structure. I don't know what the right path is, but as did Microsoft and other large companies in the past, a true certification structure was developed. Here it might require a broader Internet Marketing approach, starting with GAP with add ons to incorporate marketing skills, ROI math, SEO...CPM bidding. If I want to be an online advertising professional now, how do I do it? I sure as heck ain't going to pay a school $20,000 a year to learn marketing. Do I pay an SEO consultant $2,000 to take a 2 day class? Someone needs to step up, Google has the resources to do it. I'm on the East Coast, so it would have to be either online or multi location.
If you want to become an online advertising professional you need to start here... read everything in the forums and the blogs and all the articles etc at SEW. It will take a little time and some of it is repetitive but it will give you a solid base.
Then you need to keep on top of it and build your knowledge. Start a few campaigns, learn about ROI etc., play with the various types of online advertising - banners, PPC, email, affiliates etc.
Join a few affiliate programs and market for them and learn (hopefully while making a little money)...
Go to the conventions, post regularly on a couple of forums.
Start sites and play with them.
There are a few books you can read and a bunch of blogs to read regularly, etc.
But you need to work in the field at whatever level and develop the skills.

I've spent $115,000 in online advertising already in 2005, one year and 3 months into this career, and have a few websites etc...this is my full time job, self-employed. I've been doing well because of a few good campaigns I run. That doesn't make me an expert in my field. It would be nice to have something that is "certifiable," that can be used as a selling point to future clients. The GAP is not there, it's missing the "expert" piece. I have not explored the Yahoo Ambassador program, but my guess is they use the word "Ambassador" purposely to avoid a "certified" or "expert" implication.

I've spent $115,000 in online advertising already in 2005, one year and 3 months into this career, and have a few websites etc...this is my full time job, self-employed. I've been doing well because of a few good campaigns I run. That doesn't make me an expert in my field. It would be nice to have something that is "certifiable," that can be used as a selling point to future clients. The GAP is not there, it's missing the "expert" piece. I have not explored the Yahoo Ambassador program, but my guess is they use the word "Ambassador" purposely to avoid a "certified" or "expert" implication.
The GAP can be suggested to potential clients to be a reflection of the depth of knowledge of the Google products. Same with Ambassador or Advisory Council at Yahoo.

Ultimately certification means little. You should give a solid presentation and references. The idea is you get the bulk of your customers through word of mouth and thus the people know you have game going in.

The GAP can be suggested to potential clients to be a reflection of the depth of knowledge of the Google products. Same with Ambassador or Advisory Council at Yahoo.

Ultimately certification means little. You should give a solid presentation and references. The idea is you get the bulk of your customers through word of mouth and thus the people know you have game going in.

The truth well spoken.

There has been some very interesting feedback in this thread, so I'll be linking to the whole thing in the Advertiser Feedback Report I'll be sending out later this evening.

Many thanks!

AWR

Ok, that's a good way to exit...thanks to all for your input.

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