Anyone use Google Adwords to advertise their writing?

I realize that there's a section for Google adwords, but my question is specific to writers and I believe this is the correct place to pose the question:

Has anyone ever found success advertising for writing clients using Google adwords? If so, how did you set up your campaign? What keywords did you target? What was your ad like? How much did you bid?

I am considering trying adwords for finding writing clients, and I was wondering if any of you have found success finding clients this way.

 

It can be expensive but I highly recommend it. My advice to geo target your keywords. A lot of people like the idea of a local writer they can speak with.

 

Thanks...what keywords would you target for an online content writer? How would you structure the ad to weed out clickers that aren't buyers?

 

Choosing what keywords to target is not a question you should be asking, but rather researching it. Use the google keywords tool to search and find out which keywords folks are searching for that is actually related to your industry. If nobody searches for those keywords, all the advertising in the world is not going to get you any results.

 

It's hard to say what keywords would be best for you without launching a 2-days test campaign. If you try it you will be able to see and analyze what keywords were effective for your site. I would advise that firstly you choose a lot of them, for example 200 words and phrases and then limit them to for instance 30 on the basis on the results after a 2-days campaign. I did it and it worked for me. Bid as much as you can - mind your budget Your ad should describe what you do in a catchy way. You must keep it very short as Adwords don't allow many characters there. Personally, I strongy recommed to use Google AdWords.
best wishes to you and your campaign!

 

It's an interesting idea.

You'd need to be careful that you don't end up wasting a lot of money though.

 

for article advertising it is useless.for product advertising google adwords is more useful.

 

You need to do your keyword research through the tools that Google offers. I did several different PPC campaigns last year and spent a few hundred dollars. I made a profit based on the work received as a result of the campaigns but I didn't find it as cost effective as simple networking and increasing visibility. I would advise that you stay away from generic terms since you are going to have more advertiser competition that way.

 

It's not feasible to compare keywords. Which keywords you use should be like a secret to cut down on competition. Like other have said research your keywords using the Google Keyword Tool. I probably won't ever use Adwords as I'd rather network locally on my own. Like Y.L. said, it's best to concentrate on increasing your visibility online. You can do that organically without shelling out a small fortune.

 

May be you didn't succeed to target well. Adwords is hard for beginners and according to some of my friends, they didn't succeed to make it profitable only after loosing hundred and hundred of dollars.

 

As I mentioned, I actually did make a profit but find direct networking and marketing more effective

 

I'll suggest to advertise on related free lance websites, like FreelanceSwitch. They have a more targeted user base and will convert better

 

I wouldn't advertise on a site that is targeted to other freelancers. It's better to advertise on sites where your target clients are than where your competitors are.

 

*shrugs shoulders*

I never was much for advertising where my competitors were both on top and underneath me.



Wait...that didn't sound right...

 

If you're in that position, sounds like you already advertised. And well I might add.

 

it makes no sens to advertise on sites where competitors are! Actually FreelanceSwitch offer both a job board for freelancers and a CV-hosting like service that can help you connect with potential clients. That's why I pointed

 

Nobody likes a smartass, dollface.


Okay, okay, I do.

 

I played around with Adwords once when a client gave me a gift certificate he couldn't use for some reason - my clients love me. *blush*

It wasn't stellar but then I wasn't doing it with any intensity - just testing a bit to see what happens. As I move into new areas of writing, especially highly targeted local ones, I'll likely pick up a bit more in this area, but it's not something I'm interested in at this exact moment. It can work though, but it's always going to be a case of spending money to make money - which is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing or if you can't stay on top of the cost.

 

Well, maybe that could work. Still--if there is a fee involved I think you're better off with old fashioned marketing and networking.

I hope you know that I will now always picture you as a 30's gangster Perry. With spats.