 Very Helpful and Profitable
As a beginning user of AdWords, this book got me up to speed in a hurry. We immediately implemented several ideas and are having great results. It's not just for a beginner though. I think all experience levels can benefit from this book. It's a great reference. Howie Jacobson has done his homework. I'm excited to keep learning and keep trying out his suggestions.
Great AdWords Book But Where is the SEO?
I teach SEO (Search Engine Optimization), both online in and in San Francisco. So perhaps I am somewhat biased. However, I am a firm believer in advertising and AdWords - in the right circumstances. I read Jacobson's book, cover to cover. This is an EXCELLENT AdWords book - especially in the very step-by-step, detailed way he explains the AdWords interface (especially liked his discussion of split / testing ads and using the Google AdWords tools for keywords).
Jacobson is also not a Google apologist - at times he is critical of Google, and explains things like when to use the Content network, and when not to. Why you should be skeptical of Google optimization tools, etc. That impresses me a lot because many of the AdWords folks are so thoroughly in Google's camp that they do not provide objective advice on how to MINIMIZE your AdWords spend.
Beyond that, the one big missing element of the book was SEO: Search Engine Optimization is all about getting to the top of the FREE listings. It isn't a book about SEO, but a chapter placing AdWords in the context of SEO would be very helpful. Should you advertise? When? How do you combine an effective SEO and PPC strategy? These are very important questions, and that "missing chapter" should be in his next books.
Check out my profile for a link to my website and blog, where I will definitely blog in great details on SEO vs. AdWords, and SEO AND AdWords. [...].
Good job, Howie!
An Excellent AdWords Foundation
Don't hesitate, make this a part of your AdWords library and buy it today!!! Here's why...
There are many who claim to be a Google AdWords expert or an expert in providing reviews of various books, but many fall way short of their individual claims. I am by no means an AdWords expert and this is why I depend on those, i.e. Howie Jacobson, PhD, who are so I can increase my knowledge and not drain my bank account.
My AdWords library is growing and there are just a few books I use as reference manuals that I go back to time and time again. Google AdWords for Dummies - 2nd Edition, written by Howie Jacobson, PhD, is one that has multiple dog-eared pages and lots and lots of highlighted text. His book takes the person through a very methodical teaching approach that is chalked full of documented examples, case studies, tips, strategies, recommendations, etc.
Books that teach can be written to engage readers or put them to sleep. Dr. Jacobson goes above and beyond and engages the reader not only with relevant and timely content but with humor sprinkled throughout. I like to smile while I read and Dr. Jacobson creates a reading environment that was on target for content and fun!
If you are new to AdWords or need to further enhance your knowledge, this book is a must-have! There are two other nationally recognized experts I would like to recommend, however, you will quickly learn that Dr. Jacobson will provide the same recommendations as you read his book :-)
Excellent for beginners or experienced
I have been using AdWords for five or six years now, but have thought I should be doing better. I'm 73 and am slow learning new things. When I saw this book I decided to order it because I have used other "Dummies" before and found them very helpful. This is one of the BEST DUMMIES I have encountered.
It explains things I was completely unaware of and WOW what a difference just a little additional knowledges makes. I highly reccommend this for everyone interested in AdWords, or for those trying to decide if AdWords is for them.Google AdWords For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
 Okay if you can tolerate author's style - and separate wheat from chaff
Within a few pages I was gritting my teeth in response to Howie Jacobson, PhD's style. (And, yes, his use of the PhD is one of the many irritating things about him.) Jacobson PhD tries to be funny. He is not a comedian. He tries to be overwhelmingly authoritative. He doesn't do well at that either. He is verbose - a more skilled writer could have used half the pages to convey the same information. Much of his information is palpable nonsense.
But, despite all this, he gets the job done, the job being introducing the neophyte or somewhat experienced user to the mechanics and even some of the nuances of using Google AdWords as an advertising medium.
This is yet another of those marketing books that is cobbled together largely with the ideas of others. Fortunately, Jacobson PhD has, for the most part, chosen wisely, drawing upon legendary talents such as John Caples, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest mail-order marketers of all time. There is also a lot of gobbledygook in here, such as references to Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a relic of the Hippy era. Some of his advice is just plain nonsensical such as his claim that "[s]ales bullets are the foundation for all effective sales copy, whether they appear on the page or not". That simply is not true and, ironically, the same John Caples referenced earlier rarely used "sales bullets" in his copy. What Jacobson actually means is that short, pithy copy that summarizes each benefit of the product is generally more powerful than burying the claim in superfluous copy.
Jacobson tries to cover the waterfront of using Google AdWords, including getting an account, crafting your ads, bidding, designing the website, following up on leads - literally everything. But he undermines his own credibility with outlandish claims, such as a chapter entitled "How You Can't Help Becoming an Advertising Genius". Much of his copy sounds like it would be more suitable for a late night infomercial.
Ultimately, if you can cast aside much, if not most of Jacobson's excessiveness, you have a pretty good primer on Google AdWords. I obviously don't like the author's style, but he does have some good information in here and at the price, it is not a bad deal.
Jerry
|
PersonalDollar.com
