How I Would Learn Google Ads... if I could start over

Summary

This video emphasizes the lucrative potential of mastering Google Ads management, highlighting its growing ad spend and demand for skilled professionals. Aaron Young, a seasoned expert with over 15,000 hours in the field, shares his insights on why Google Ads remains a top digital marketing skill. He outlines a four-step plan for beginners: starting with Google's training, utilizing YouTube tutorials, investing in a quality course, and gaining experience at a digital agency. Aaron also offers optimization checklists to help users stay on top of their campaigns.

Takeaways

• 💼 Learning Google Ads is a highly valuable and lucrative skill, offering significant income potential.
• 📊 Google Ads is projected to grow from $224 billion in ad spend in 2022 to over $350 billion by 2026, highlighting its importance in digital marketing.
• 🔍 Google Ads management is less popular in search trends compared to other digital marketing disciplines, despite Google having a larger ad spend than platforms like Meta.
• 🧠 Google Ads management requires both analytical and creative skills, making it a hybrid discipline that is often overlooked in favor of SEO or social media.
• 💡 There is a shortage of skilled professionals specializing solely in Google Ads, making it harder for digital agencies to find qualified candidates.
• 📚 Google's training resources (Google Skillshop) are essential for learning the fundamentals of Google Ads, but they are limited when it comes to advanced campaign optimization strategies.
• 🎥 YouTube is an excellent resource for step-by-step tutorials on setting up and optimizing Google Ads campaigns, but be cautious about outdated or inaccurate content.
• 💸 Purchasing a high-quality Google Ads course is a recommended next step for serious learners, with factors like the instructor's engagement and course updates being crucial.
• 🏢 Working in a digital agency for 2-5 years is advised for gaining practical experience and managing a variety of campaigns, including large accounts with significant ad budgets.
• 📝 Using tools like Google Ads optimization checklists can help streamline campaign management, ensuring the right actions are taken at appropriate intervals.

Q & A

What makes Google Ads management a highly profitable skill to master?

Google Ads management is highly profitable due to its large share of digital marketing spend, accounting for 42% compared to Meta's 22%. Despite this, there is less search traffic for people looking to become skilled in Google Ads, making it a niche with high demand and fewer competitors.

Why does Google Ads management receive less attention compared to other digital marketing disciplines?

Google Ads management falls between the creative social media management path and the highly analytical SEO and web development paths. It requires both creative and analytical skills, making it less appealing to those who strongly prefer one skill set over the other.

What are the main steps to start a career in Google Ads management today?

The four main steps are: (1) Start with Google Skillshop for foundational training, (2) Use YouTube tutorials for practical, step-by-step guidance on setting up campaigns, (3) Purchase a reputable Google Ads course, and (4) Work in a digital agency for hands-on experience.

Why is it important to work in a digital agency when learning Google Ads?

Working in a digital agency allows you to focus purely on optimizing Google Ads campaigns without the distractions of sales or client management. It also provides exposure to various industries and larger, more complex accounts that accelerate learning.

What should you consider when selecting a Google Ads tutorial on YouTube?

Ensure the YouTube channel focuses primarily on Google Ads, not a mix of digital marketing topics, and check that the tutorial was published within the last 6-12 months due to frequent updates to Google Ads and its interface.

How does Google's own training via Skillshop help in learning Google Ads?

Google Skillshop provides a solid foundation by teaching the terminology (e.g., click-through ratio, ad rank) and the auction process, but it doesn't go deep into the practical steps needed to optimize campaigns for profitability.

Why is purchasing a Google Ads course recommended, and what should you look for in a course?

A paid Google Ads course offers structured learning with more in-depth strategies. You should look for a course with an engaging instructor, up-to-date content, a money-back guarantee, and active support from the course creator to answer questions.

What advantages does learning Google Ads via a paid course offer over free resources like YouTube?

Paid courses often provide more comprehensive, structured learning, and the instructor's direct support is a valuable advantage. Additionally, paid courses tend to be more updated and specifically designed for mastery, unlike general free tutorials.

How do you know if a Google Ads course is up-to-date and worth purchasing?

Before purchasing, check if the course content is regularly updated, especially for modules on campaign setup and optimization, as Google Ads frequently changes. Additionally, verify if the instructor is actively engaged in answering student questions.

What should your next steps be after completing Google Skillshop training and YouTube tutorials?

After gaining foundational knowledge from Skillshop and practical skills from YouTube, it's recommended to invest in a paid course for advanced strategies and then apply your skills in a digital agency to gain real-world experience.