An advert free weekly roundup of the experts giving you advice on the top & timely Paid Media issues as talked through on the #PPCChat Twitter discussion on Tuesdays 5PM GMT. Hosted by Award Winning Speaker Anu Adegbola of MindSwan. Get more of the podcast details at mindswan.com/ppcchat . #adwords…
Susan Richards-Benson, a 20-year PPC veteran and independent contractor, shares her experience with a devastating account suspension that cost her client tens of thousands in revenue during their busiest season—all due to client dishonesty.The Setup:Client: Indoor children's playground in FloridaTiming: Christmas period (peak season)Problem: Google Ads account suspended for "circumventing systems"The 2-Month Investigation:Google support only provided generic responsesTeam checked for malware, IP issues, site problemsDeveloper unavailable during holidaysClient increasingly frustrated as traffic plummetedKey Takeaways1. Client Transparency Works Both WaysAgencies aren't the only ones who can lack transparencyDishonest clients can create major problems for agenciesAlways verify client claims rather than taking their word2. Enhanced Onboarding ProcessRed flags to watch: Clients being "cagey" about previous data, refusing analytics access, claiming previous agencies won't release dataNew process: Screen share with clients to check existing accounts at ads.google.comDue diligence: Don't just ask—verify what accounts already exist3. Crisis Management Best PracticesDocument everything in writingFile support cases immediatelyDon't try to solve complex issues aloneStay accessible and communicate regularly with clientsBe transparent about what you're seeing on your end4. Industry Evolution Insights Then: Keyword stuffing, siloed thinking workedNow: Requires holistic approach across SEO, social, PPCKey mindset: Don't resist change—embrace it or leave the industry5. Healthy Approach to PPC MistakesMistakes are inevitable for everyone in PPCOwn up immediately and explain implicationsDon't let mistakes rattle your confidenceShare failures, not just successes, to help the community learnThe industry will humble big egos6. AI & Automation CautionsExample: P-Max with store visits has 5-7 day reporting lagBe careful with click-based conversions like "Get Directions"Don't blindly trust algorithm optimizationProfessional ImpactThis experience taught Susan to completely revamp her onboarding process and be more selective about clients who show transparency red flags. The relationship ultimately soured and ended, highlighting how client dishonesty can damage professional relationships beyond just the immediate technical problems.Bottom LineThe biggest lesson: Trust but verify. Even experienced PPC professionals can be blindsided by client dishonesty. Implementing thorough onboarding processes and maintaining detailed documentation can prevent similar disasters.00:00 Introduction to PPC Live Podcast00:49 Guest Introduction: Susan Richards-Benson02:19 Susan's Journey from Journalism to Paid Search03:48 The Evolution of Digital Marketing06:00 Fun Facts and Personal Interests06:58 The Big F-Up: A Client's Google Ads Suspension16:27 Lessons Learned and Advice for Marketers21:53 The Role of AI in PPC25:00 Conclusion and Upcoming EventsFind Susan on LinkedInBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on July 31stFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this candid episode of PPC Live The Podcast, host Anu sits down with Peter Guba, a Google Ads expert and founder of Profit Mill, to explore the raw reality of PPC failures and how they can become powerful learning experiences. Peter shares two memorable mistakes from his career - one hilarious, one costly - that shaped him into the marketer he is today.The main story centres on a perfect storm of PPC disasters: while managing a multi-million dollar enterprise event management client, Peter's Dynamic Search Ads began targeting Christmas trivia content from the client's blog during the holiday season. This led to massive irrelevant traffic, zero qualified leads for over a month, and ultimately the loss of the client - despite Peter successfully fixing the issue using Google's data exclusion functionality.Key takeaways:1. Own Your Mistakes ImmediatelyTransparency and accountability are crucial when things go wrongClients respect honesty more than excuses or blame-shiftingThe person who made the mistake is often best positioned to prevent it from happening again2. Smart Bidding Requires Smart MonitoringAutomation isn't "set it and forget it" - it needs consistent oversightGoogle's algorithm needs substantial data to learn, which can be expensive with broad, irrelevant keywordsThird-party monitoring tools can help catch issues before clients do3. The Perfect Storm Elements to Watch ForDynamic Search Ads + Smart Bidding + Broad SEO content = potential disasterSeasonality can amplify existing targeting issuesEnterprise clients with razor-thin margins have zero tolerance for extended poor performance4. Industry Reality ChecksPPC isn't a magic bullet for fundamental business problemsUnderstand your client's organic conversion rates before diving into paid searchSome industries are simply too competitive for paid search to be profitable5. Authenticity in Professional CommunicationReal failure stories are more valuable than polished success narrativesIn an AI-driven world, genuine vulnerability becomes increasingly rare and valuable"Showing up" consistently matters more than being perfectBonus Lesson: Always double-check your presentation slides for competitor logos before sending - it might accidentally help your pitch!0:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast00:53 Meet Peter Guba: Google Ads Expert05:09 Funny F-Up Story: The Logo Mix-Up08:48 Serious F-Up Story: The Christmas Trivia Disaster18:39 The Importance of Smart Bidding19:18 Learning from Mistakes20:21 Client Communication and Accountability22:02 Challenges with PPC and Demand Generation26:50 The Role of Automation in PPC28:59 The Value of Discussing Failures32:59 Final Thoughts and ResourcesFind Peter on LinkedIn and Profit MillBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKThe next PPC Live London event is on July 31stFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live: The Podcast, host Anu chats with Greg Finn, co-founder of Cypress North, about the biggest mistakes he's witnessed in PPC and how they became learning opportunities. Greg shares two major f-ups: a Halloween costume company that accidentally set their monthly budget as a daily budget (spending $300K instead of $30K), and his own team's Microsoft Ads import error that sent one client's ads to a completely different advertiser's account.More importantly, Greg reveals how these disasters shaped his management philosophy and company culture, emphasizing transparency, open communication, and treating mistakes as growth opportunities rather than failures.On Mistake Management:Intent matters more than outcome - if someone is trying to do the right thing, the mistake is secondaryTransparency builds trust - own mistakes immediately, provide full documentation, and offer immediate refundsCreate processes after mistakes to prevent repetition, not punishmentOn Company Culture:Foster an environment where employees feel safe reporting mistakes immediatelyFocus on education and growth rather than perfectionTreat team members as teammates, not competitorsOn AI Usage:AI works best as an assistant, not a replacement for human creativityAvoid AI-generated content that looks obviously artificialMaintain authentic brand voice rather than relying on AI for everythingOn Conversions:"All conversions are not created equal" - optimize for sales-qualified leads, not just any conversionSync CRM systems with ad platforms to focus on actual business outcomesQuality over quantity when it comes to lead generationThe episode emphasizes that mistakes are inevitable in PPC, but how you handle them defines your success as both a marketer and a leader00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast00:50 Guest Introduction: Greg Finn of Cypress North03:01 Greg's Background and Expertise05:33 Discussing $300,000 worth and uploading to the wront account PPC Mistakes19:53 Owning Your Mistakes20:14 The Illusion of Perfection on Social Media21:42 Encouraging Open Communication in the Workplace25:44 The Importance of Team Mentality27:29 Mismanagement of Talent30:32 The Role of AI in Marketing35:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts and LinkedInBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKThe next PPC Live London event is July 31stFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live The Podcast, host Anu interviews Kat Sale, co-founder of House of Performance, about a catastrophic client experience that serves as a cautionary tale for agency professionals. Kat shares how a gifting company client spent £40,000 in just three days with zero sales, despite her team's explicit warnings against their aggressive launch strategy. The situation escalated when the client refused to pay £12,500 in consultancy fees, forcing Kat to write off the loss and end the relationship.Key takeaway discussed: Key Takeaways"Eat the dog food" - Always test and understand your client's products before marketing themRed flags to avoid: Clients who speak poorly about their own team, have churned through multiple agencies quickly, or consistently ignore expert adviceDon't launch on Fridays unless you'll monitor campaigns over the weekendStart conservative: Begin with exact match keywords and modest budgets, then scale based on performanceCut losses quickly - Don't waste time chasing bad debts or difficult clients; focus energy on good relationshipsDocument everything - Keep clear records of advice given when clients ignore recommendationsDon't take failures personally - Sometimes clients aren't ready to listen, and that's not your faultBe transparent with mistakes - Clients appreciate honesty; cover-ups destroy trustUse AI as a tool, not a crutch - Maintain strategic thinking and creativity rather than relying completely on AICreate psychological safety - Leaders should share their own failures to normalise learning from mistakesKnow when to walk away - Some clients aren't worth the stress and damage to your businessMaintain perspective - "We're not heart surgeons, it's just advertising" - don't let work stress destroy your mental health00:00 Introduction01:31 Kat Sale's Background02:48 The Concept of 'Eating the Dog Food'04:43 Major Business Failure and Learnings22:43 Discussion on AI in Digital Marketing28:03 Conclusion and Where to Find Kat SaleFollow Kat on LinkedInBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live, host Anu interviews Chris Nightingale, founder of Can-Do Digital Marketing, about a significant mistake early in his PPC career and how he turned it around. Chris shares the story of accidentally increasing bids by £50 instead of 50p, causing massive overspending for a client. He discusses his immediate panic response, how he addressed the situation professionally, and the surprising support he received from his manager.Key takeaways discussed: Good management matters - Supportive leadership during crises can turn failures into learning experiencesAsk for forgiveness, not permission - Testing and trying new approaches drives innovation, even with occasional failuresCreate safeguards - Use tools and automation to prevent common mistakes and implement double-checks for high-risk actionsStart testing with smaller budgets - When possible, experiment with lower-budget accounts to minimize financial impactUse AI strategically - AI works best for backend tasks rather than customer-facing content like ad copyFailures aren't discussed enough - The industry focuses on successes while hiding the numerous failures behind themTurn mistakes into long-term wins - Chris built a stronger client relationship by demonstrating accountability and delivering exceptional results in subsequent months00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast01:39 Guest Introduction: Chris Nightingale03:09 Rock Climbing and PPC: Drawing Parallels04:24 The Big Mistake: A PPC Blunder08:11 Turning It Around: Lessons Learned13:58 Advice for PPC Professionals18:02 Final Thoughts and Industry Insights20:56 The Role of AI in PPC24:47 Conclusion and Upcoming EventsFollow Chris on LinkedInBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this insightful PPC Live The Podcast episode, host Anu Adegbola welcomes industry powerhouse Navah Hopkins, Evangelist at Optmyzr and respected digital marketing strategist. Navah courageously shares her experience of accidentally spending $50,000 in just three days (a client's entire monthly budget) due to an ill-timed switch to max conversions bidding strategy combined with a significant budget increase.The conversation explores how Navah turned this potential disaster into a valuable learning experience by:Promptly identifying and addressing the issue with transparencyInvestigating invalid clicks that led to securing credits from GoogleDetermining that max conversions wasn't appropriate for legal clients, but max conversion value would beEstablishing stronger trust with the client by demonstrating accountability and expertiseBuilding relationships with in-house teams who can advocate for you during challengesThe episode reveals important lessons on failing gracefully, including:The importance of documenting concerns when testing risky strategiesWhy you should trust your instincts and advocate for what you know is rightHow to approach mistakes with clients (be the first to bring it up with solutions)The value of setting bidding floors and ceilings when using automationWhy AI should be treated as a partner rather than being delegated your strategic thinkingNavah leaves listeners with a powerful reminder to "give yourself grace" in an industry constantly disrupted by AI, privacy concerns, and economic shifts, while emphasising that failures aren't truly failures if they generate valuable learnings.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome04:03 Discussing Failures in PPC04:34 The $50,000 Mistake07:18 Turning the Situation Around10:10 Lessons Learned and Strategic Advice11:22 Communication and Client Relationships16:11 Valuing Your Service18:16 Technical Insights and Best Practices21:01 Mindset and Recovery23:21 Final Thoughts and Advice26:22 AI in Digital Marketing30:20 Conclusion and Where to Find NavahGet the full transcript on our Podcast Site.Follow Navah on LinkedIn, BlueSky, or OptmyzrBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live The Podcast, host Anu welcomes Google Ads coach and ex-Googler Jyll Saskin Gales to discuss a pivotal moment in her career – taking on a client she shouldn't have. Jyll shares how ignoring red flags led to a situation that forced her to fire a difficult client and refund their retainer, but ultimately pushed her to transform her business model from Google Ads management to coaching and education.Listen as Jyll provides valuable insights on:Recognizing client red flags before they become problemsSetting and maintaining professional boundariesTrusting your gut when something doesn't feel rightThe challenges of AI adoption in Google Ads campaignsFinding a supportive community in the PPC industryThis transparent conversation about failures, mistakes, and comebacks offers practical advice for PPC professionals at all levels. Whether you're an agency owner, freelancer, or in-house marketer, Jyll's experience reminds us that sometimes our biggest professional setbacks lead to our greatest opportunities.00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast01:54 Meet Our First Guest: Jyll Saskin Gales03:48 Jyll's Biggest Mistake in Google Ads Management08:24 Lessons Learned and Advice for Handling Difficult Clients16:12 The Importance of Trusting Your Gut21:23 Navigating AI in Google Ads24:05 Final Thoughts and Upcoming EventsGet the full transcript on our Podcast Site.Jyll Saskin Gales is an ex-Google employee, holds a Havard MBA and is exceptional at making the sometimes-scary world of advertising clear and easy to understand. Follow Jyll on LinkedIn, TikTok or InstagramBook a coaching call with AnuPPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next PPC Live event is on June 26th in Leeds, UKFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterJoin our WhatsApp GroupSubscribe to our Newsletter
Q1 How has your journey in the industry been?Q2 What are your biggest frustrations with the industry right now?Q3 You only do smart bidding - why? what is your position on which strategy to use and under what circumstances?Q4 What are your thoughts on PMax?Exit velocity:What's one thing you want to leave people withBest advice have you've been givenImposter Syndrome moment
#ppcchat Anu Adegbola chats with Paid Search expert Boris Beceric about account structure and AIQ1 What is it like being a LinkedIn influencerQ2 What are your biggest frustrations with the industry right now?Q3 Smart versus manual bidding, what is your position on which strategy to use and under what circumstances?Q4 What is your position on using PMAX and under what circumstances?Q5 SKAG or STAG, what is your position on which strategy to use and under what circumstances?What is a horror story regarding a platform (performance, support, etc.) that you have experienced?What's one thing you want to leave people withAdvice to freelancers wanting to pitch - what is important to you as a clientWhat advice have you been givenImposter Syndrome momentThank you for listening!Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Anu Adegbola chats with in-house Paid Search expert, Helen Dooner, about how her in-house team uses AI and giving PPC-ers advice on how to approach PPC in 2025"Q1 What was the biggest shift for you in how you run PPC campaign when you moved in-houseQ2 What are your general feelings towards AIQ3 What wouldn't you allow AI to touchQ4 What has AI changed the most for youQ5 Does your Lead Gen team use Performance MaxExit questions:What's one thing you want to leave people withAdvice to freelancers wanting to pitch - what is important to you as a clientBest advice you have been givenImposter Syndrome momentThank you for listening!Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Anu Adegbola chats with Paid Search expert Chris Ridley, about account structure and AIQ1. Does Account Structure Even Matter Anymore?Q2. Do you think account structure matters anymore? If so, does it vary by platform? And if not, why not?Q3. Have you changed the way you structure accounts and/or campaigns? If so, does it vary by platform? And if not, why not?Q4. What are your biggest frustrations with account and/or campaign structures right now?Q5. If you could change something in a platform to make account or campaign structures better or easier, what would it be?Q6. Best campaign type for EcoQ7. Best campaign type for LeadGenWhat's one thing you want to leave people with?Advice to freelancers wanting to pitch - what is important to you as a client?What is your favourite agency story to tell?What's the best advice have you been given?Share your imposter syndrome moment
#ppcchat Anu Adegbola chats with in-house Paid Search expert Matt Beswick, about the latest updates in Search Marketing, giving PPC-ers advice on how to approach PPC in 2024" Q1 How did you get into client-side AI - How is AI part of your daily work process Q4 What frustrates you most about all the new updates Q5 How is your PPC workload as a client-side professional Q6 What's one thing you want to leave people with Q7 Advice to freelancers wanting to pitch Q8 What is your favourite agency story to tell Q9 What best advice have you been given? Q10 Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome and how do you deal with it
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Do you use social media to either build your brand and/or find business or leads? If so, which platform(s) do you use? Q2 Do you use social media to either build your brand and/or find business or leads? If so, which platform(s) do you use? Q3 Have any of the recent changes on social platforms (Meta dropping fact checking or TikTok being banned and unbanned for example) changed your social media plans for 2025? Q4 Have any of the recent changes on social platforms (Meta dropping fact checking or TikTok being banned and unbanned for example) changed your social media plans for 2025? Q5 What are your top priorities for building your brand and/or finding business and leads in 2025? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Much like Twitter before this, after their change in ownership and subsequent policy changes, do these changes on Meta cause you to feel any differently about the platform, either personally or professionally? Q2 Has any of last week's happenings with Meta given you pause over continuing to recommend advertising on their platform? If so, why and how? And if not, why not? Q3 Do you think as advertising managers we have any responsibility in where our clients or brands advertise? Or do we just do what the client/brand wants no matter what? Q4 Is “brand safety” a concern of yours and/or your clients or stakeholders? If so, is it a primary concern? Q5 Which ad platforms do you think are the “safest” for brands to be advertising on today? What makes you feel they are safer than others? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Sarah Stemen (@runnerkik) Q1 Do you do research as part of your PPC strategy and management? If so, what types? Q2 Is research something you do once or is it ongoing? If it is ongoing, at what frequency are you doing it and what types are you doing? Q3 Do you have any tools you use for PPC research? Q4 What is your biggest struggle or challenge when doing PPC research? Q5 Is there a tool you wish existed for PPC research? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What are your predictions for paid search advertising (Google and Microsoft Ads)? Q2 What are your predictions for paid social advertising (Meta, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc.)? Q3 Are there any platforms that you think will gain ground in PPC in 2025 that we are not really talking about much in 2024? Q4 What are your predictions for the PPC industry?
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What was your overall impression of the BFCM period this year? Q2 What is your strategy for the rest of the holiday shopping season 2024? Q3 Have you seen any trends in advertising or sales this year that have you excited or worried? If so, what and why? Q4 What is on your holiday wish list for Google Ads or Microsoft Ads? Q5 What is on your holiday wish list for PPC clients or stakeholders? What do you wish they knew, did or stopped doing, etc.? Q6 What is on your holiday wish list for the PPC industry? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What do you consider to be “wasted spend” and does it vary by platform? Q2 How do you detect wasted spend in your accounts (if you look for it)? Where do you find it most often? Does it vary by platform? Q3 Are you seeing an uptick in wasted spend in your accounts? If so, does it differ by platform? Q4 Are you doing anything to try to combat wasted spend in your accounts? If so, does it differ by platform? And how effective is it? Q5 What could the platforms do to help combat wasted spend? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What does “ethical marketing” mean to you? Q2 Q2: Are there tactics you've seen that you consider unethical and if so, why? How much do the ad platforms influence ethical vs unethical behavior? And do you find ad platforms themselves to be ethical or unethical or a bit of both? Q4 Have you ever been in a position where you've been asked to do something unethical by a client/boss? How did you handle it? Q5 What, if anything, can we do to make the world a more ethical place without sacrificing the pragmatic need to make a living? v Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What is a horror story regarding a platform (performance, support, etc.) that you have experienced? Q2 What is a horror story regarding a client that you have experienced? You can fuzzy up details to protect the “innocent” if need be! Q3 What is a horror story regarding a mistake you made in PPC? Q4 What is your biggest challenge in lead gen PPC right now? Has it changed in the last 6 to 12 months? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Is the Q4 season a big deal for the accounts you manage? If so, why and if not why not? Q2 Do you have anything new that you are trying for this year's Q4 season? Q3 How are clients and stakeholders as we head into Q4 this year - are they excited, nervous, etc.? Q4 What is your gut feeling on how Q4 will be this year - strong, weak, similar to 2023? Q5 Are you running into any issues yet with your Q4 strategy? If so, how are you solving them? Q6 What are your biggest concerns in Q4 for your accounts and/or in general? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Are you currently using any AI-generated content in your PPC (ads, assets, videos, images, landing page content, etc.)? If so, what are you using and how is it going? If not, why not? Q2 Do you think you can discern AI-generated content, images or video in ads or landing pages? What, if anything, makes it stand out to you? Q3 Do you have a reaction to AI-generated content when you recognize it in advertising or on landing pages? If so, what is your reaction? Q4 What do you think are the best use cases for using AI in PPC (meaning for content, images, etc. not automation within platforms)? Q5 Are there things you wish AI could do for PPC that it does not yet do? Q6 What are your biggest concerns about AI-generated content and images/videos in PPC? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Anu Adegbola chats with in-house Paid Search expert Brooke Osmundson, about the latest updates in Search Marketing, giving PPC-ers advice on how to approach PPC in 2024" Q1 How much would you say you're keeping up with all the updates from Google, Microsoft and the world of Ai Q2 With all the people worrying about enhanced CPC's, how have you felt about it and how should people approach it? Q3 Do you use performance max and how are you finding it? Q4 How do you use Ai - How often do you find yourself in Chat GTP, Claude or do you have an alternative? Q5 What would you say to paid search advertisers who feel that Ai may take their jobs? Q6 How do you keep yourself interested in the new Ai updates happening? Q7 Has your workload changed and who are the people you need to push back on? Q8 How important is it to actually know the business goals? Q9 What advice have you been given that was not for you? Q10 How do you deal with imposter syndrome? Q11 What are the important things you want to hear when an agency is pitching to win business? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What do you think the ideal workload is for a PPC professional - how many accounts can one person reasonably be responsible for and on how many platforms? Do you have a hard limit on how many accounts you will manage at once? Q2 What have you done if you find yourself with an unreasonable workload? Q3 Do you have any standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place for setting up and/or managing PPC accounts? If so, generally what is included in yours and if not, why not? Q4 How do you handle a client or stakeholder adding to your current workload? Particularly if what they want to add will push you past your reasonable limit? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Are you taking into consideration political advertising in the U.S over the next six weeks and how it might impact your PPC campaigns? Q2 Have you noticed that holiday seasons are being started earlier this year and is this impacting your PPC strategy in any way? Q3 With economic conditions being tight around the world, are you making adjustments to your current and or 2024 holiday strategy? Q4 Are you sensing any trends in advertising as we head into fall and then holiday season? Q5 What are your biggest concerns from now, until the end of 2024 regarding PPC? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What is your most controversial or unpopular opinion? Q2 What is a controversial or unpopular opinion that you vehemently disagree with that you see out there being touted? Q3 What popular PPC opinion do you really disagree with? Q4 Is there any PPC take you've seen recently that really got you thinking? Q5 What is your most hopeful or optimistic PPC take? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Do you think the PPC industry as we know it is dying - yes, no or not sure? Do you think the current PPC skillset is dying - yes, no or not sure? Q2 Why do you think the PPC industry as we know it is dying or not dying? Q3 What do you think our jobs will look like in 5 years? Q4 What are the PPC skills of the future? And how do you feel about learning them (if you don't already have them!)? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Smart versus manual bidding, what is your position on which strategy to use and under what circumstances? Q2 What is your position on using PMAX and under what circumstances? Q3 SKAG or STAG, what is your position on which strategy to use and under what circumstances? Q4 Do you think you have biases towards platforms? If so, which ones and why? Q5 Do you have a natural trust or distrust of advice or recommendations from platforms? Does it vary by platform and why? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Were any of your accounts impacted and if so how? Are they now back to normal and what are your general thoughts on the situation? Q2 What are your thoughts on the newly delivered ruling against Google in the antitrust case? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5 pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 With Google's announcement that they will not be deprecating third-party cookies in Chrome, what are your thoughts about it? Q2 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is focusing on surveillance pricing and currently investigating this practice, what do you think about this? Q3 What do you think about the FTC's claim that hashing doesn't make customer's data anonymous? Q4 What are your thoughts on the latest in keyword matching in Google Ads and how things are prioritised? Q5 Open AI is test launching a search engine, what are our thoughts? Q6 Have you seen the flack Google has been receiving for their AI commercial currently running during the Olympics and if so is it justified? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup Julie F Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) on X
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Have you ever been micromanaged in your PPC work? Q2 What are the most annoying or frustrating ways in which you've been micromanaged in your PPC work? Q3 Do you have anything in your prospecting process that helps you screen for potential micromanagers?? Q4 How do you handle or manage it when you're being micromanaged in your PPC work? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What are the KPIs that you are most often asked to track? Q2 What are the KPIs that you are most often asked to optimize toward? Q3 What KPI(s) do you think are the most important to track and/or optimize toward and why? Q4 What KPI do you think is the most misunderstood by either PPCers and/or clients/stakeholders? Why do you think it is misunderstood? Q5 What KPI would you like to see go away forever, never to be spoken of again and why? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1: What are your general thoughts on bidding on brand terms in search? Q2: Are there any situations or circumstances when you think it is an absolute MUST to bid on brand terms? Q3: Are there any situations or circumstances when you think it is an absolute must to NOT bid on brand terms? Q4. What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of bidding or not bidding on brand terms for PPCers? Q5. What do you wish clients or stakeholders understood better about bidding on brand terms? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Have you heard about Google Ads moving a set of advertisers off of credit card billing? If so, what are your thoughts on this? Q2 How is your overall trust in ad platforms these days? What influences your trust in an ad platform? Q3 Which platforms do you find most and least trustworthy and why? Q4 What could ad platforms do to regain and/or build more trust with advertisers and PPC pros in your opinion? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1: Have you heard and/or read about Google automatically pausing “low activity keywords”? Q2: Do you have any or many keywords in your accounts that meet this criteria? If so, do you have a lot or not that many? Q3: What are your thoughts on Google automatically pausing these types of keywords? Q4. Do you plan to re-enable paused keywords? Why or why not? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
Q1 What level of importance do you place on the post click (landing page) experience for accounts that you manage? Q2 For accounts you manage, do you have any level of control or input over what is on the landing page, how it looks, etc.? Q3 Are your clients or stakeholders concerned about their landing pages/post click experience? If so, what are their biggest concerns? Q4 What are the biggest or most common issues you encounter on landing pages for the accounts you manage? Q5 Do you have a tool or platform you like to work with for creating better landing pages/post click experiences? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Do you feel like there are more, less or the same amount of things you have to explain to clients and stakeholders about PPC today than in the past? Q2 What are you explaining most frequently these days? Q3 Which ad platforms are the most confusing or confounding to have to explain to clients or stakeholders lately? What has been the most confusing or confounding element you've had to explain recently? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Have you read the new metric definitions from Google Ads? What are your thoughts? Q2 Do you think these changes in definitions are paving the way for anything in particular or is this just Google being Google? Q3 Now that you have seen the warning that seems to say that ad strength might impact your ads ability to serve, and Ginny's response saying nothing has actually changed, what are your thoughts or concerns on this front? Q4 How/do you think goal posts are being moved relative to Google Ads right now in your opinion and experience? And what, if anything, would you love to see changed on that front? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 How would you characterize your working relationship with Google Analytics 4? Q2 Let's talk about the recent changes in Google Analytics 4 that are designed to address discrepancies between Google Ads & GA4. Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Have you ever had a client or stakeholder reach out to tell you the “need more sales or leads NOW”? What types of campaigns were you running for that account at the time - search, display, social, etc.? Q2 How did you react to and handle the request to instantly bring in more sales or leads via PPC? Q3 What do you wish clients or stakeholders understood about how PPC works with regard to getting immediate increase in sales or leads? Q4 Do you do any type of forecasting as to additional volume that is potentially available that they are not currently capturing? How do you create your forecasts? And how often do you do them? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 How far have you waded into using automation in your PPC practices? Dipped your toes, in up to your knees or swimming in the ocean of automation? Q2 How would you describe your general attitude about PPC automation? Q3 Where do you use and/or plan to use automation the most in 2024? What has influenced your decisions about how and what to use? Q4 What are you stubborn about when it comes to automation in PPC? What is the reason for your stubbornness on that aspect? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Do you find it uncomfortable to have to tell clients hard truths about either their PPC or their businesses? And if so why and if not, why not? Q2 What are some examples of hard truths you have had to tell clients? And how was it received? Q3 What tips do you have for those who are either inexperienced with this or find it really uncomfortable? Q4 Is there anything you do proactively to help avoid getting into hard truth situations with clients? Q5 Have you ever had a client tell you a hard truth? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What do you think the most impactful changes have been in the PPC industry over the past 3 years? What are the services that you currently sell the most often and/or most easily? Has this changed or shifted over the last 3 years? Q3 Are there services that you are gearing up toward offering or have begun offering more recently? What prompted you to move in that direction? And how has the client reception been to them? Q4 What are your biggest worries or concerns about working in PPC over the next 10 years? And what, if anything, can you do about them? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Do you have a process for vetting potential clients? Q2 Do you have specific questions you ask potential clients when talking about working together? If so, do you do it via intake form, discovery call, etc.? What do you always ask about? Q3 What are red flags to you when interacting with a potential client? Which are deal breakers? Q4 What are the signs of a good potential client to you? Q5 Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew then when it comes to vetting potential clients? Let's share our hard-earned wisdom! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 How long have you been working in PPC? And are you in-house, agency or freelancer/consultant? Q2 Have you ever felt burned out or had a period where you just were not enjoying PPC for a while? Did anything in particular lead up to the burnout or lack of enjoyment feelings? Q3 Is there a particular part of PPC that tends to make you feel more burnt out or dislike PPC work? What did/do you do to help alleviate the burnout or lack of enjoyment in your PPC work? What was most helpful for you? Q5 Are there things you do to help prevent burnout or decreased enjoyment with your PPC work? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 Are you currently, or have you ever, worked as a PPC freelancer or consultant? If so, how many years have/did you work in that type of set up? Q2 How did you make the decision to become a PPC freelancer or consultant? What went into your decision? Q3 What has been the most challenging aspect of being a PPC freelancer or consultant for you?How did you deal with the challenges? Do you wish you did it differently? Q4 What do you really like about being a PPC freelancer or consultant? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat S)lack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 How do you think testing in PPC has changed in the last few years? Does it differ by platform? Q2 How are you approaching testing these days? Does it differ by platform? Q3 What do you test most frequently - keyword or audience targeting, ad copy, images, etc.? Q4 What are your biggest testing frustrations? Does it vary by platform? Q5 Are there things you want or plan to test in the first half of 2024? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#PPCChat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What is on your mind in PPC this week? Q2 Performance Max - strategies and will it be the one campaign to rule them all thread. Discuss. Q3 Getting the support you need from Google Ads and other platforms. Discuss. Q4 What are clients or stakeholders asking you about the most right now? Q5 Where do you all think we are in the pendulum swing between companies wanting to outsource PPC (agencies & freelancers) to companies wanting to pay salaries (go in-house) instead? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
Q1 from Fraser Andrews: Are there any more insights as to extra brand safety controls for Pmax on the horizon? Q2 from MarkBPPC on Twitter: I have no words to describe how bad Google Ads support is. Are there any plans to improve it ... or is support being completely phased out altogether? To what extent has Bard/Google AI taken over support? Q3 from Boggs on Discord: Google seems to be pushing Maximize Conversion Value and tROAS. I'd love to utilize this, but in Lead Gen it's not always practical to assign a value to the conversion action - especially when something like a form fill or phone call can lead to services worth anywhere from $20-several thousand dollars. I think it would be much more practical to set values at the ad group or campaign level. Does Google have any plans to change how conversion values can be assigned? If not, can you recommend a workaround? Q4 from Anthony Higman on Twitter Was this some kind of test - https://twitter.com/AnthonyHigman/status/1735697860446900573? If not, what was it, and how can advertisers know if this is happening in their accounts? And stop it from happening? Q5 from @Peter Bowen: There seems to be a lot more disapproval of ads happening in the last 6 months. Has there been a change internally at Google Ads that would explain this? And how can advertisers get incorrect disapprovals fixed in a timely manner? Q6 from Darius Chiosa on LinkedIn: Are they going to slowly get rid of different campaign types until the only option available left will be AI-driven campaigns like Pmax? Q7 from Nate Louis on Twitter: Many people are seeing instances of overspending on a campaign by as much as double the daily budget. Aside from us using scripts/APIs or manually pausing an ad group/campaign, is there a setting within Google Ads that will keep Google from overspending the daily campaign budget? Q8 Why are competitors' names matching so much more frequently to both brand and non-brand terms in the last 6-12 months? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat S)lack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon ) Q1 What is on your holiday wish list for PPC platforms? Q2 What is on your holiday wish list for PPC clients or stakeholders? What do you wish they knew, did or stopped doing, etc.? Q3 What is on your holiday wish list for the PPC industry? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
#ppcchat Slack discussion that runs on Tuesdays at 5pm GMT - Led by Julie Bacchini (@NeptuneMoon) Q1 What are the most common PPC strategy or execution issues you run across these days? How do you address PPC strategy or execution the issues you find? What are the most common client or stakeholder issues you run across these days? How do you address or deal with client or stakeholder issues you encounter? Thank you for listening! Please help grow the podcast - and rate/review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcast & more - linktr.ee/ppcchat_roundup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ppcchat-roundup/message
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