Category: News & Trends

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AdWords New Interface – Do You Like It?

In many AdWords accounts this last week we started to see a link at the top to try out the beta version AdWords control panel. I am still testing it, but so far there are things I like and things I don’t.

I do like the ability to make many changes on one screen such as change position, CPC, and status on the ad group detail page without having to click into the edit keyword page.

But I hate the simplistic look and feel of the introduction of the graphs on just about every page. I have 7 computers and on the weekend I check accounts on a smaller screen monitor and the new interface is totally screwed up on this screen. I have to scroll to the side to see what I want which is highly annoying.

I’m still checking it out, so if you’ve kicked its tires a few times leave me a comment about what you like and what you don’t like. If you haven’t looked at the beta yet, check out your AdWords account near the top right for a link to checkout the beta version.

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You Can’t Cheat on Social Networking

I am repeatedly asked by prospects and clients to set up and manage their social networking platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and will not do it. Why? I use these platforms myself and what I have found is that you simply cannot cheat on them. People want to connect with the real you not someone masquerading as you!

Only you can speak from experience and exude the authenticity that these platforms require for you to grow your network and to interact with others. If users find out you are “cheating” the blow back will be fierce.

Now I do believe that there is a niche for coaching in these areas, but there is no replacement for the real you. So if you don’t have time to work these platforms, then I recommend that you stay away from them for the time being, and that you set up a blogger and hire a blogger, but don’t outsource a crucial way to connect legitimately with others interested in your field and services and risk being outed as a cheater.

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New AdWords Image Templates

I picked this info up from the AdWords blog and checked it out for you. AdWords now has an image ad builder in the AdWords ad variations control panel and it is cool.

Right now AdWords is showing Flash image St. Patrick’s day ad templates. The easy control panel allows you to add text, upload a logo or image, and does all the heavy lifting for you to have a very cool animated image ad in just the right sizes.

I think that this is a wonderful tool as the time to create all 8 size variations of image ads can be extremely time consuming and may even require the help of a graphic artist or Flash designer. The new image ad builder allows non-designer types to use image ads without having to spend huge chunks of time or money to create them.

When would you want to use image ads? Well, now this is the big question. In my years of experience I know that ads in the content network simply do not convert at the rate that they do in search, and right now image ads only show in content. So, it is important to know that you can really spend a huge chunk of cash advertising in content using image ads and not generate the real sales to cover the expense. Still even with that for name exposure, brand marketing, and wide advertising exposure targeting the content arena does work, just don’t expect the same conversion rate you get on Google.com.

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Facebook For Kids and Teens

Kids can do crazy things, things we wish they wouldn’t. As a parent I have to say I get a window on my kids activities by their personal pages. I am going to share some of my own family guidelines with you on the use of social networking sites that I have for my own kids.

First for my college freshman. I have recommended that for now he should set his Facebook page up as private and only to be seen by people he authorizes. I reminded him that funny photos doing silly things may come back to haunt him. I don’t necessarily mean the photo of him coming out of our dryer in the laundry room, but I do mean ones where he may not doing something that I would approve of. Periodically I check his Facebook page not to rant, but to give guidance and to know what he is doing. He and is friends are into mud sledding (mudding) right now. But if I see something questionable, I do phone and just remind him of not showing himself in the best light. We have a great relationship and I try to be a mentor now that he is on his own.

For my three small fry (age 12) all social networking sites and instant messaging programs are off limits. I am not allowing this type of interaction at this age. I feel that they can connect with kids and chat online at Fiesta, but beyond that I say no to MySpace and Facebook.

For some weird reason their age group is wanting to IM using Skype instead of AOL AIM, but I am not letting them do this at this time. What I have found from my big kid I am using to help my little kids. Instant messaging can be a huge distractor from homework. I have even institute computer time controls as I have found that it is very easy for them to be addicted to being online and I feel that at their age they need one-on-one interaction and socialization from clubs and activities offline.