Agree! I too found Overture a waste of money and double the cost of Google AdWords on top.
Martin. Below are what I have and continue to use on Google AdWords. By following these steps I have managed to clinch a ROI of over 100%. Some of these are in very competitive markets.
Please note Each step must be followed.
1) Don't let your AdWords show on sites using AdSense.
2) Target only counties that can afford to buy. This often means no third would countries etc. If your product/servive is local, then only show you ad to relevant Countries/States.
3)Bid the min only, 5c pc
4)Use as many combinations of keywords and phrases as possible. This is VITAL!. For example, if selling "Excel Templates" I would use;
Excel Templates
Excel Template
Templates Excel
Template Excel
Xl Templates
Xl Template
Templates Xl
Template Xl
Microsoft Excel Templates
Microsoft Excel Template
Excel Templates Microsoft
Excel Template Microsoft
Excel Microsoft Templates
MS Excel Templates
Excel Templates MS
Excel MS Templates
Financial Template
Finance Templates
Financial Templates
etc
etc
The idea with this is to exhaust every possible term keyword that could be used. By doing this you are unlikley to fall below the 0.5% CTR that cuts out the keyword/phrase. Aim for at least 50 different combinations.
5) Set your daily limit VERY high. If you use steps 3 and 4 above you are *very unlikely* to reach this limit. I have some set a $600 per day and they never exceed $30.00. The idea of this is to keep your ad showing which helps a LOT when bidding the min.
****IMPORATANT****** This MUST be monitored very closely for a few days.
6)Make full use of negative keywords. Use
-Free
-Freeware
-shareware
etc
7)Mention the word "buy" or a $ value in the ad. This helps stop the freebie hunters. I'm continually amazed by the number of ads that don't do this.
Good luck!
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