I'm starting to read about Google advertisers not being happy with click results. Some are saying the conversion rates are not good. As more sites sign up for Google AdSense advertising it only follows that there will be more attempts at fraud. But I think only th stupid will do this, as they try all the other scams. Google is NOT stupid and I'm sure already has many systems in place to check for click fraud.

One thing that would help is to get the bids down, or remove the bids completely. Go to a flat-rate rotation, but maybe keep the CTR tracking and boost the good ads. But that could lend itself to fraud also.... still, I think it would help quite a bit.

Got an email from a search engine marketing company today. I think it was because I had downloaded a file and had to register first. The thing that had my puzzled was why a SEM sales director would send me what looks like a form letter?

Hi Christian,

Just wanted to see if there's a good time to chat about your search engine marketing campaign.

Our clients save 30-35% of their search budgets by using our software solution and services -- while increasing their online sales. Our software has the power to perform day-parting tactics -- putting you in the right position by time of day or day of week.

best,
[name withheld]

This person makes a number of assumptions, like using my firstname. On the initial contact, I generally don't do that anymore. It may seem a little "stuffy", but that won't put off a prospect, but initial informality may, especialy with what follows... and that is that I don't HAVE a "search engine marketing campaign". I don't even like them, even though I do them for a few clients.

This does not sound like the person is aware that they are talking to a 51 year old, Internet consultant that specializes in SEO, and has about 4 years experience in the field that is sitting on top of a 16 year history with personal computers.

A five minute visit to our web site www.NielsenTech.com would have given this person a few clues in this area, and they could have approached me in a more professional manner.

Then there is the "sell line". Sounds good, or it would if I had a SEM campaign to save money on. And "Day-parting"... I think I've heard of this concept. It involves the fact that there are daily cycles to Internet usage. 8-5 there is surfing from the office and that has some limitations. Then in the evening the kids are on the computer, then at about 9-11pm the parents log on and you can start to sell some stuff. I don't know too much about the whole thing, but I'm not sure I understand the benefit. It sounds like a solution that is looking for a problem.

Ok, enough for now.

If you think I should have a newsletter, send a message to sales@nielsentech.com and tell me why and what kind of format you would like, rantings, news, discussions, ask me a question and I answer, etc..

(hristian