AdWords Training, How To's, Books...

[jimbeetle]

So, today I was on the elevator and somehow wound up in conversation with one of my loony neighbors. (Well, not all of the folks in the building are loons, but we do have a handful, thus the "one of".) Turns out she's trying to market something (I presume it to be a low margin item) using AdWords. Knowing that I do "something on the Internet" she wanted my help on her campaigns. As I haven't really used AdWords that much for a few years and all of the changes over time, that was an (almost) easy out.

I tried to direct her to the AdWords forums here and over at WmW where she could get guidance and answers, but she wants none of that "typing back and forth stuff." From what I gathered from the ongoing conversation as we walked along opposite side of Second Avenue it appears she needs the personal touch or maybe a good book or guide. I checked the Google-sponsored seminars, none available in NYC in the near future (and no, she refuses to travel to Philly tomorrow).

So, any decent AdWords training seminars out there? Books or ebooks?

[AussieWebmaster]

Andrew Goodman's book is very good
http://www.pagezero.com/publications...ng-results.php

[jimbeetle]

Thanks AW, I should have thought of that one.

[AdWordsRep]

I would also recommend the (free and frequently updated) AdWords Learning Center, where your neighbor will find more than 70 lessons available in multimedia and/or text formats.

AdWords Learning Center:
http://www.google.com/adwords/learningcenter/

If I may be rather straightforward - based on years of daily experience with AdWords and AdWords advertisers - perhaps you could help to set reasonable expectations and let your neighbor know that while AdWords can be a truly excellent way to promote one's site - it does have a learning curve, and it does takes serious work to use effectively. Many new advertisers will spend more than they make a first - until they really start to to take it seriously and work at it.

The "[...] 'she wants none of that "typing back and forth stuff"'quote concerns me a bit, and suggests that she might find AdWords to be frustrating.

Just my $0.02 - and an attempt to prevent her from being unhappy with AdWords, perhaps leading to unexpected late-night knocks on your door for help.

AWR

[searchengineman]

Originally Posted by AussieWebmaster

Andrew Goodman's book is very good
http://www.pagezero.com/publications...ng-results.php

After Andrew Goodmans Book

Recommended Reading.

Perry Marshall.
Followed by Brian Eisenberg.

Searchengineman

[jimbeetle]

Thanks for the learning center link, AWR. I did try to find it earlier today but couldn't remember the exact name so couldn't search for it. And wouldn't you know, there doesn't seem to be a link to it from the main AdWords help page ;-).

perhaps leading to unexpected late-night knocks on your door for help

He, he, he. Stranger things have happened with her and other nabes. And no, I actually don't think she can handle the ins and outs of AdWords but do want to give her a bit of a leg up.

And thanks, Searchengineman, two more I should have thought of. Haven't really kept up with the AdWords world of late.

[AdWordsRep]

[...] And wouldn't you know, there doesn't seem to be a link to it from the main AdWords help page ;-).

Hmmm. Going to go and take a look.

If it is not there, I will be leaning over the cubicle wall at my left shoulder very soon, to somewhat urgently consult with my colleague on the Help Center team!

[...] but do want to give her a bit of a leg up.

It seems clear that your neighbor has a truly excellent neighbor in you. I would call her very lucky indeed.

AWR

[AdWordsRep]

[...] And wouldn't you know, there doesn't seem to be a link to it from the main AdWords help page ;-).

A quick update, which is especially fun as I get to quote myself - and that feeds my fragile ego.

Quoting myself:

Hmmm. Going to go and take a look.

If it is not there, I will be leaning over the cubicle wall at my left shoulder very soon, to somewhat urgently consult with my colleague on the Help Center team!

Well, I did go and look - and while the link is not where it used to be over on the right, it is there. Just not quite as obvious as it was before. (I may still lean over that cubicle wall - because if you didn't see it, jimbeetle, lots of others won't either. And it is an important link IMO.)

Anyway, it turns out to be the fifth link down in the first section on the AdWords Help home page - just in case you'd like to point it out to your neighbor.

http://adwords.google.com/support/ > About Adwords (first section) > AdWords Learning Center (fifth link down)

Best,

AWR

[jimbeetle]

Wow, duh! Guess it gets lost amongst all the text. I looked, looked and looked again before first posting. Maybe it's the "About Adwords" heading its under? I think I might have focused more on the entries under "Working with My AdWords Account." Still, older eyes and all that.

Or, just a suggestion, break the link out to that box on the lower right and change the heading slightly.

Thanks, AWR. Have already passed the link on, waiting for the (almost dreaded), feedback.

[AdWordsRep]

Wow, duh![...]

Oh, no, not at all - I had to look for it too.

Sheepish confession: I did a quick scan (the kind that should reveal the link) but didn't see it - So I hit CtrlF. You could almost say I cheated.

I'd much rather have it jump off the page at me. That link matters.

So thanks for getting me to take a look.

AWR

[jimbeetle]

"Wow," she said. "Do you know how many hours of stuff they have in there?"

So, pretty enthusiastic. And she's also been on the phone with some folks at AdWords support and appears to be pretty comfortable with them.