The Internet has an ever changing landscape.
It seems like every time I turn around there is some new form of online marketing strategy and the rules of game keep changing. This can consume a lot of time and energy, especially if you are not focused on your end result.
The end result of your marketing should be to generate a lead. Period. End of story.
But there are literally hundreds of ways to do that. Where does a new person begin?
In my recent marketing coaching class, I completely omitted one of my training modules that once was my best form of marketing …. “How to use Google Pay Per Click (PPC) ads” .
Google PPC ads used to be my #1 marketing strategy for generating leads online and my ads produced some of the best leads in my industry. In fact, my results were so good that several companies who’s products I promoted asked me to train their independent business owners and teach my marketing methods.
But with all the changes and rules that Google has made recently, it has become increasing difficult for the small business owner to use PPC effectively. Many marketing Gurus have even had their accounts shut down and banned completely from Google.
Google’s recent treatment of advertisers reminds me of the episode from Seinfeld with the “Soup Nazi”. If you didn’t know or follow the quirky rules of the soup restaurant, you would be banned for life by the owner and could never buy their soup again. “No Soup for you!”
Likewise … if you get one little thing wrong setting up your landing page for your PPC ads, then “No Google For You!”
Even big name companies with hundred of thousands of monthly visitors to their sites have been negatively affected by Google changes … commonly called “Google Slaps”.
Many advertisers are now turning to Facebook for their advertising and Facebook has emerged as the new “advertiser of choice” when it comes to using PPC ads.
I’ve been doing some testing recently and have been able to generate leads that used to cost me about $3.00 each on Google for only $.03 on Facebook!
But the whole mindset and process of generating leads on Facebook is completely different than using Google.
With Google it was “search” marketing. People were actually searching for the key words I was bidding on.
With Facebook … it’s more like “interruption” marketing because my ads show up on their Facebook page based on their profile “likes”. It’s really just another form of banner advertising on target websites. The secret is to use the right “targets” along with attention grabbing graphics.
My first attempt at creating a Facebook Fan Page for a product I’m promoting generated 122 fans (leads) in 48 hours and cost me about $40. Not bad for my first attempt!
You can view my new fan page here: I Love My Fabulous Family
I recently purchased three different training courses on how to use Facebook ads to generate leads and here is the one that is not only the least expensive, but had the best videos on how to setup your Facebook Fan Pages to get the best results …
I’m excited about the possibilities of using Facebook advertising and will keep you posted with new tips and strategies as I continue my testing and tweaking.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Very interesting Carol, you definitely have to keep us posted. I am going to look intot this a little bit more.
Appreciated your article, I was looking at trying out PPC next, but instead will try Facebook Advertising. I am looking forward to your next article and tips. Thanks Carol.
Great, Carol! I can't wait to hear what you learn by jumping in and using (and tweaking) Facebook ads. And I love the analogy of the soup Nazi!
Thankyou for the quick overview of online marketing. I will sign up for your ebook
Very interesting, I have it on my list…START FAN PAGE! Thanks for always sharing such valuable info!
Thanks Carol for sharing this, it will save people a lot of money and trouble!
Great information. I look forward to hearing your results from trying the training programs.