Effective PPC Strategies

Using Google Adwords (PPC)to get targeted traffic is a great way to get instant traffic if your website is not ranked for a specific keyword phrase. One big complaint is that Google is charging us too much money for the clicks.

After a long conversation we usually find out, most businesses just put in the keywords that they think is in their industry, create an ad and just turn it on with a budget. Here are some problems that we see within this process. First off this isn't really a problem, the problem lies within certain areas, and they are:

• Keyword Research - do your keyword research first with a combo of different tools, such as Google Adword keyword tools, NicheWatch, and Wordtracker.
  
• Keyword Commercial Intent - This keyword tool by MSN figures out the intent of the phrases. The higher the percent the better, thus meaning a consumer is looking to buy, and not researching!
• Choose only a few Keyword phrases in your industry. For example, lets say you're a consultant in the food industry and after some researching you see some high searches for a term that identifies itself high on the commercial intent for say "restaurant business plans" and "restaurant consultants"
• Next step is write several ads per keyword phrases. Within Google Adwords you can have Google rotate the ads when consumer searches for the terms. What this does is that you're tracking the winning ad.
• Create a Landing Page - This page is not your home page, this is a specific page about the keyword phrase in your Ad. The sole purpose in life of this page is to get people to take action. They either will buy, opt in to get more info, or whatever your scheme is. Figure out what your purpose is.
  
• Bid for a medium to high position. Don't think low, if you're in a competitive market. The key is visibility with a kick ass Ad. Have your budgeting in place on what you can afford, even if it means paying a little higher for the click with a low $15.00 a day budget. The information about your visitors is worth the price. You will know what keyword phrases works for your business not your competitor.
  

Last Advice

Here's the last advice, you are in control of the budgeting and geographic location when you have the ads turned on. You can turn it on at certain time of the day, and for a short period of time, and of course you can stay within your budget. Yes you won't get all the information about the traffic all at once but within a short period of time you will. This is the best bang for your PPC buck!

There is more to it, but this is a great start for the newbies that are thinking of advertising online. If you're in business, chances are you're advertising thru word of mouth or thru the radio, TV's, newspaper, magazine, online, etc... Bottom line is you're going to be spending on something. What better way to spend on your advertisement than PPC when you have better control of your spending vs the other methods mentioned. Need help, questions, let us know.

Social Media Case Study "Quest Crew"

Here's a case study for online marketing with the use of Twitter and Youtube. This is a first hand experience from a consumer (my daughter)not as a marketer. Sometimes understanding how one uses the social media from the consumer side is an invaluable source. In this true story you will see how Social Media transcends to real live event that took place in Seattle. The objective of this marketing scheme is a Samsung BEHOLD II mobile phone, which I will explain at the end of this article.

Anyways, my daughter who is a big fan of a Hip Hop Dancing team called "Quest Crew". They are the best Hip Hop dance team in America. My daughter had been following one of the dance member nickname "Hok". She had first seen one of their dance routine on Youtube, and with the ending credit showing Twitter to follow.

Earlier today about mid morning, my daughter excitedly tells us that there was an event at the local mall. This event was sponsored by T-Mobile premiering a short live dance show featuring the best of the best The "Quest Crew". Right here in Seattle/Tacoma Mall today later in the day!

So as you can imagined there were pleading of mercy to go to the mall to see this great event. Of course we had to make it fit our schedule with all the last minute Christmas shopping and all. Anyways, the event took place inside the main entrance of the mall with a mini stage set up near Macy.

I was impressed by the hype, and most of the word of mouth spreading about the event was thru Twitter. Now don't take my word for it but I did ask some of these kids about how they heard of the event. 3 out of 5 all mentioned friends via twitter. T-mobile store had a big sign up of the event about the show, free T-shirts, and autographs signing prior to the event. I admit I didn't notice the sign, so thats something that T-Mobile needs to work on to draw more attention. The size of the sign was not a problem.

In the video you see some top quality dancing in the works, all in unison. The quality of the video was captured by a cell phone. Quality is not the greatest but the content of the video totally captures the live moment. If you are not a fan, you may overlook this statement, but if you're a fan, and was there live. Being there live and experiencing totally Rocks! Funny thing is earlier in the day, I had no idea who this Hip Hop dance group was.

Ok, getting back to the marketing scheme of all this. T-Mobile was promoting their Samsung BEHOLD II Android based cell phone. T-Mobile knew that a certain majority of demograph (younger generation) loves this type of smartphone. Also, knowing that most younger crowds love the Hip Hop dance thing. T-Mobile acquired "Quest Crew" to go on a 5 city tour to promote the new Samsung BEHOLD II smartphone.

To spread the word, there was the utilization of Youtube, twitter to let followers know of when the event was taking place, by using the crew of "Quest Crew". They effectively spread the word, T-Mobile handled all the offline event logistics. So it is accurate to state that the main core of this marketing (word of mouth) was thru Social Media.

How can this case study help your business? Everything!, Using Social Media correctly can promote any business brand and presences, here are some industries that we have helped:

• Home Improvement - Bath Remodel - West Coast Vinyl Windows
  
• Restaurant Consultants
• Riedel Decanter Glass
• XYZ Anti Virus Software
  
• Mesquite Steak Seasoning
• Underwater MP3 Player
• Martial Arts
• Security Protection Products
• Law Enforcement Training
  

As you can see thru the use of Social Media it can be applied to any industry. If you need more information please comment or push the big blue button. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Google Analytics Exact Keyword Filter

Here’s the next simple way to find a keyword phrase in your Google Analytics. Suppose in your GA shows that you have traffic for a certain keyword phrase that you’re receiving.

I scoured the web looking for a tutorial on how to filter for an exact phrase in Google Analytics, and when I didn’t find one, I did some testing and figured it out. Here’s the syntax that must be used to isolate exact phrases in keyword data:

^Keyword Phrase$

It’s as simple as that. And here’s a screenshot to help further clarify the process. Try it for yourself the next time you need to isolate a very specific keyword variation!

Google Analytics Exact Match Filter

If you’d like to see several exact matches, you can combine keywords using the | operator. So your filter would look like: ^restaurant consultants$|^bath remodeler$|^restaurant start ups$

Hope that helps!