Do a search on “learn Google AdWords” and the word “secret” is likely to appear in at least a few of the ads you see displayed. Then the advertiser will tell you how fast and easy their system is to teach you how to do it. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Sure, in two or three days you can learn how to navigate the interface and set up an account physically. But lets face…
Dynamic Keyword Insertion is Lackluster
Whenever I hear someone who is new to writing AdWords ad copy they inevitably mention great “tricks” they learned from whatever “guru’s” course they took. The first one to always come up is dynamic keyword insertion. Here is what dynamic keyword insertion is physically: {keyword:alternate text} So you search for “local laundry service” And see the ad: Buy local laundry service Best deals on local laundry service Limited quantities. Buy Today. www.store.com/local_laundry_service I went little overboard, but it illustrates the…
Superheroes can sell too
Although many superheroes that we know today have concealed identities, they have something we can remember them by. They all carry a symbol or logo that lets people know who they are. Almost everyone knows Superman and Batman. These are our childhood heroes. Superman carries a large red and yellow icon on his chest that stands out because of its bright colors. Batman uses a simple bat as his symbol. Although superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, Green Lantern and others have…
SEINFELD & GATES: A COMMERCIAL ABOUT NOTHING?
By now you’ve probably gotten a gander at Microsoft’s newest marketing ploy: a 90-second commercial featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. But just in case you haven’t, here’s what you need to know: Seinfeld runs into Gates in a discount shoe retailer at a shopping mall. Seinfeldian silliness ensues. No mention of Microsoft is made until the last 10 seconds of the spot –– the last 10 seconds! –– when Seinfeld asks Gates for assurance that Microsoft will soon deliver…
What Percentage of Marketing should be Search Marketing?
Currently the portion of the advertising budget being spent on search marketing has been increasing much faster than other advertising forms, and for many businesses it is difficult to gauge what percentage of their media spend should be allocated to search. From 2006 to 2007 ad spend on Search advertising increaded by almost 19% according to Neilsen’s. In December of last year ComScore reported the top five search engines had increased their share by 15%, totaling almost 100% of search…
Google Chrome – Why is Google in the Browser Business
With MSN still loosing search market share, and the failed Yahoo bid, you would think that Google would have written them off as competition and figured the software giant would, well… …stick to software. It seems like Google has other plans than to quietly back away from possible confrontation with Microsoft. The new Google open source browser has been released as a beta: Google Chrome. I run Chrome on my PC that I use to handle the…
I Just Want my Balance!
Have you needed information so fast that you pull out your cell phone only to see that website of your bank does not work with the phone’s web browser? Maybe it does work but the loading time is too long for you to even access your bank account. People do not always want to surf the full website to access their bank account while they have their phone. Marketing companies will have to simplify their websites to mobile versions. As…
Trusted Search. The Social Search Engine
There is no arguing the fact that social networking is here to stay. If you’re like me you subscribe to multiple networks, some, like Facebook for your personal interests and others ,like LinkedIn, for your professional interests. The problem for many of us, besides finding time to actively manage our social universe, is finding ways to efficiently leverage them as both an information resource and for those of us in marketing, a marketing channel– but that’s about to change. In…
From Loveable Losers to Billionaires
For Sale: Baseball team. Has not won a World Series in 100 years.Ballpark is second oldest in the major leagues and is falling apart. Parking around stadium is horrendous. Sixteen pennants won, 0 since 1945. Asking price: $1 billion. You guessed it, I’m referring to the Chicago Cubs who are currently being sold by Sam Zell to the highest bidder. What makes a franchise like the Cubs, one of the worst teams over the past 100 years, worth as much…
The Thrill and Fear of the Creative Process
Getting a new creative assignment can be really exciting. Any idea can be considered and you begin to see the potential of the project. And brainstorming is my favorite part of the job. Sharing ideas and developing something great as a team is why I love being in the creative group. But there is also, at least on my part, a bit of nerves that come with presenting my ideas to others in a meeting. I always have a small…