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In this episode of PPC Live, Reva Minkoff shares her extensive experience in digital marketing, focusing on the importance of learning from mistakes in PPC campaigns.
She discusses a significant error made during a Performance Max campaign, how it was turned into a learning opportunity, and the importance of understanding client goals.
Reva emphasizes the need for a supportive environment where team members can share their failures and learn from them.
The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by AI in PPC and the necessity of maintaining control over campaigns to align with client expectations.
Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Reva Minkoff and Her Background
03:55 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes
07:54 Navigating Client Relationships and Expectations
11:58 Understanding Client Goals and Metrics
15:49 The Role of Collaboration in Marketing Success
19:20 Navigating Campaign Goals and Conversions
22:38 The Importance of Quality Assurance in Campaigns
24:30 Creating a Safe Environment for Mistakes
26:28 Learning from Failures and Client Goals
28:13 The Role of AI in PPC Campaigns
33:20 Reflections on a PPC Career Journey
Find Reva on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on October 22nd
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In this episode of PPC Live, Anu Adegbola speaks with Aaron Levy, a seasoned PPC expert, about his journey in the industry, the importance of learning from mistakes, and the impact of social media on professional reputation.
They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in PPC, emphasizing the need for purposeful marketing strategies. The conversation also highlights common mistakes in the PPC industry and concludes with key takeaways for listeners.
Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction and Background of Aaron Levy
02:46 The Importance of Context in Marketing
05:43 Golf: A Personal Passion and Its History
08:35 Learning from Mistakes in Marketing
11:29 The Google Alpha Incident
14:26 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
17:18 The Dichotomy of Google and Advertisers
18:32 The Pressure of Advertising Performance
19:50 Navigating Changes at Google
20:55 The Impact of Public Scrutiny
21:53 Purposeful Communication in a Digital Age
23:48 Building Confidence Through Experience
26:34 Leveraging Influence for Change
32:29 Mistakes in AI Implementation
34:56 The Importance of Structure in Campaigns
Find Aaron on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on October 22nd
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In this episode of PPC Live, Anu welcomes Matt Shenton from Croud, one of the biggest global agencies. Matt shares a candid story from his early career about overspending a client's budget and the valuable lessons he learned from that experience. They discuss the importance of accountability, client communication, and continuously monitoring campaign performance. Matt, who is also well-versed in AI and machine learning, offers insights into the current and future landscape of paid search, emphasizing that while AI tools are powerful, human expertise remains indispensable. The episode concludes with actionable advice for both seasoned and junior PPC professionals on navigating mistakes and leveraging AI effectively.
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live Podcast
00:46 Guest Introduction: Matt Shenton from Croud
01:46 Matt's Career Journey and Early Challenges
05:19 The Big Mistake: Overspending Incident
10:00 Lessons Learned and Advice for Juniors
13:39 Managing Teams and Delegating Responsibilities
16:13 Tailoring Responses to Mistakes
18:06 Ownership and Accountability in Mistakes
19:58 Common Industry Mistakes
21:54 AI Mistakes and Misconceptions
24:48 The Future of AI and Digital Marketing
29:12 Fun and Final Thoughts
Find Matt on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on August 14th or October 22nd
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In this episode of PPC Live The Podcast, formerly known as PPC Chat Roundup, host Anu introduces the podcast's new format where she brings PPC experts to share their insights. This week's guest is Gareth Westhead, a digital director with 18 years of industry experience. Gareth shares his first-hand experience of a major mistake he made early in his career.
He discusses the importance of not working in silos and ensuring that marketing efforts align with sales capabilities to avoid wasteful spending. Gareth emphasizes the need for thorough communication between marketing and sales teams and the value of testing and optimizing campaigns thoughtfully. The episode also explores broader industry insights and the evolving role of AI in PPC. Tune in to learn valuable lessons from Gareth's transparent and honest recounting of his journey.
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast
00:37 Meet Gareth Westhead: Industry Veteran
04:34 Gareth's Biggest Mistake and Lessons Learned
07:23 The Importance of Communication Between Marketing and Sales
10:50 Reflecting on Mistakes and Moving Forward
15:01 Key Takeaways and Advice for Marketers
18:19 Celebrate Your Successes
18:54 Interrogating the Brief
20:10 Testing and Experimentation
22:54 Common Mistakes in Paid Media
25:28 The Role of AI in Marketing
29:12 The Future of Keywords
30:42 Fun and Final Thoughts
Find Gareth on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on August 14th or October 22nd
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Join our WhatsApp Group
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In this episode of PPC Live, formerly known as PPC Chat Roundup, host Anu introduces the show's new format where she will bring PPC experts to discuss their biggest professional setbacks and how they turned them around.
Anu interviews Elisabetta Nicoli, also known as Betty, a seasoned paid media specialist. Betty shares a major mistake involving a targeting error in a PPC campaign and the surprising reactions from her team and clients.
The discussion covers how to manage and communicate errors, the importance of honesty in client relationships, and the value of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting their mistakes.
Betty also emphasizes the prudent use of AI in PPC and the need for industry professionals to share their mistakes to foster learning and authenticity. The episode closes with a reminder to always double-check PPC settings and offers a sneak peek into upcoming PPC Live events.
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live Podcast
00:47 Meet Elisabetta Nicoli: PPC Expert
06:13 Diving into the Mistake
11:01 Handling the Aftermath
16:30 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
17:26 The Importance of a Checklist
18:27 Questioning Good Results
20:06 Owning Your Mistakes
21:23 Creating a Culture of Transparency
24:26 Learning from Industry Mistakes
27:12 The Role of AI in Digital Marketing
30:00 Final Thoughts and Career Reflections
33:04 Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Find Betty on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st or October 22nd
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Navigating PPC Pitfalls: Lessons from Facebook Ad Expert Sarah SalIn this episode of PPC Live, host Anu introduces the podcast's new format, bringing experts directly to the listeners.
Anu speaks with Sarah Sal, a renowned Facebook ad specialist, known for her engaging and often sarcastic takes on digital marketing. Sarah shares a story about how a sarcastic blog post nearly destroyed her lead generation on Facebook, emphasizing the importance of diversifying marketing channels. The conversation covers various topics, including AI's role in ad copy, common mistakes in Facebook ad management, and the significance of sharing failures as part of professional growth.
The episode also touches upon Sarah's career journey, and Anu concludes with details about upcoming PPC Live events and her new PPC mindset coaching program.
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast
01:06 Meet Sarah Sal: Facebook Ad Specialist
02:36 The Matcha vs Coffee Debate
04:41 Discussing Major F-Ups in PPC
05:29 The Sarcasm Incident: A Costly Joke
12:40 Navigating Client Expectations and Budgeting
18:03 Email Issues and Targeting Problems
18:20 The Importance of Educational Content1
8:47 The Coffee Shop Analogy
19:21 Common AI and Facebook Ad Mistakes
21:56 The Persuasive Power of Personal Stories
24:16 The Pitfalls of AI in Advertising
26:15 The Value of Learning from Mistakes
30:10 The King and the Clown: A Marketing Lesson
32:22 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events
Find Sarah on LinkedIn and her site
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st
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In this episode of 'PPC Live The Podcast,' host Anu welcomes Sarah Stemen to discuss the intricacies of paid search marketing. They delve into the challenges of working with various clients, the importance of recognizing and addressing mistakes, and the pitfalls of focusing solely on ROAS. Sarah shares her experiences, including a significant mistake involving store visits tracking, and offers advice on creating a safe space for junior marketers to experiment and grow. The episode also touches on the role of AI in PPC, the need for a well-rounded marketing approach, and the significance of discussing failures for personal and professional development.
00:00 Welcome to PPC Live The Podcast
00:39 Introducing Sarah Stemen
02:26 Sarah's Fashion Consultant Journey
05:28 The PPC Gals YouTube Channel
06:20 Discussing PPC F-Ups
07:00 Client Challenges and Lessons Learned
18:50 The Importance of Confidence in Your Career
19:14 Age and Authority in the Workplace
20:03 Documenting and Owning Mistakes
21:11 Real-Life Example of a Major Mistake
23:46 The Pitfalls of Focusing Solely on ROAS
26:11 Alternative Metrics to ROAS
28:45 The Role of AI in PPC
30:59 The Value of Discussing Mistakes
34:28 Fun and Final Thoughts
Find Sarah on LinkedIn and YouTube
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Join our WhatsApp Group
Subscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live,The Podcast, host Anu interviews Kate Luke, a seasoned head of digital with a passion for e-commerce. The episode focuses on how mistakes, specifically in PPC settings, can lead to unexpected successes and valuable lessons.
Kate shares an early career mistake involving setting the wrong target ROAS and how it surprisingly generated positive results. The conversation highlights the importance of trust, both within teams and with clients, as well as the necessity of allowing AI and automation algorithms time to learn and optimize. Practical advice includes avoiding major changes on Fridays, taking a moment to breathe before reacting to mistakes, and fostering an open environment where learning from errors is normalized. The episode also touches on broader industry practices and the benefits of honest discussion about common mistakes.
Key Takeaways:
Mistake: Kate accidentally set a target ROAS to 40% instead of 400%, leading to unexpected high spend.
Surprising Outcome: The campaign actually performed well, uncovering new sales opportunities.
Lesson 1: Never make big changes on a Friday—you risk weekend issues without oversight.
Lesson 2: Always double-check even simple inputs to avoid costly errors.
Lesson 3: Build trust with clients—owning up to mistakes and handling them well builds credibility.
Lesson 4: Don’t over-constrain campaigns—loosening ROAS targets can sometimes yield better performance.
Lesson 5: In the AI/PMax era, avoid constant changes—let algorithms learn and optimize.
Lesson 6: Give changes time to stabilize before evaluating results (at least 1–2 weeks).
Final Advice: Mistakes are inevitable—how you respond and resolve them matters most.
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast
01:14 Meet Kate Luke: Digital Transformation Expert
04:01 Kate's Early Career Mistake
06:57 Lessons Learned and Client Trust
13:06 Advice for Handling Mistakes
13:29 Handling Client Mistakes with Confidence
13:44 Lessons Learned from Simple Mistakes
14:25 The Importance of Double-Checking
14:49 Saying No to Friday Changes
16:38 Encouraging Open Conversations About Mistakes
17:55 Creating a Safe Space for Juniors
19:27 Navigating AI and Automation in PPC
20:54 The Learning Period in AI Systems
23:02 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Find Kate on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Join our WhatsApp Group
Subscribe to our Newsletter
In this episode of PPC Live, The Podcast, host Anu sits down with seasoned PPC professional Serge Nguele to discuss one of his biggest professional mistakes and how integrity helped him turn it around. Serge shares the story of a £20K overspend at his former agency and the valuable lessons learned from the experience.
Key Takeaways
For PPC Professionals Facing Mistakes:
- Stay Calm: Remember that no lives are at stake in PPC
- Own It Completely: Take full responsibility without making excuses
- Be Proactive: Report issues yourself rather than having them discovered
- Learn and Improve: Use mistakes as opportunities for systemic improvements
For Managers:
- Respond with support and problem-solving rather than blame
- Recognize that integrity in crisis reveals character
- Use individual mistakes to improve team processes
On AI in PPC:
- Common Mistake: Over-complicating AI implementation because it's trendy
- Better Approach: Start with actual problems you need to solve
- Reality Check: Ensure you have the basics covered before adding sophisticated AI solutions
00:00 Introduction to PPC Live Podcast
01:18 Meet Serge Nguele: PPC Expert and Marathon Runner
05:29 Serge's Biggest PPC Mistake
08:17 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
14:42 Agency Mistake and Resolution
15:44 Learning from Mistakes
17:21 Building Trust and Integrity
20:45 Advice for Handling Overspending
22:58 AI in Paid Search
24:42 Fun and Farewell
Find Serge on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Join our WhatsApp Group
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Host Anu interviews digital marketing executive Dii Pooler (11+ years experience) about the dark side of personal branding in PPC. Dii shares a vulnerable story about a corporate client consultation where she was put on the spot with complex YouTube and CTV questions outside her speciality area of paid search and lead generation.
Despite her expertise, not having an immediate, polished answer shifted the room's energy, leading to passive-aggressive comments and microaggressions. The episode examines how building a strong personal brand can lead to unrealistic expectations and pressure to be perfect in every situation.
For Freelancers/Agency Owners: Choose your environment wisely - with growth-minded people, owning mistakes leads to evolution; with accountability-avoidant people, honesty makes you the villain
For Managers: Ask "What happens when this person makes a mistake?" Respond with compassion and growth opportunities, not blame
The PPC community talks about mistakes but often lacks compassion - we need more understanding and guidance, less snark and memes
Key TakeawaysPersonal Branding Reality CheckManaging MistakesAI in PPC WarningsIndustry Insight
0:00 Welcome to PPC Live: The Podcast
00:47 Introducing Today's Guest: Dii Pooler
01:43 Dii Pooler's Background and Expertise
03:02 Understanding the Waterfall Framework
06:04 Dii's Personal Story: When Personal Branding Goes Wrong
15:48 Lessons Learned and Advice for Others
22:27 The Role of AI in PPC and Common Missteps
25:06 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Find Dii on LinkedIn
Book a coaching call with Anu
PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
The next PPC Live London event is on July 31st
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Join our WhatsApp Group
Subscribe to our Newsletter
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