My 2015 PPC Resolutions

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‘Tis the season for resolutions, and instead of telling you what you should be doing, I’m going to share three resolutions that I plan on tackling to better my professional self in 2015. Of course, there’s no reason that you can’t use my resolutions as an inspiration for your own!

Dog in New Year's Hat

1. Make Time to Learn

There’s always so much to learn and try in the world of PPC and Google AdWords that it’s a constant struggle to keep pace. I find myself reading up on the latest articles in between meetings or late at night when I’m half asleep.

I might be reading a lot, but I had to ask myself: how much am I really learning and retaining through this method?

Because Google AdWords is always adding new features and changing processes, learning is one of the most important things we can do for our PPC clients. Staying in the know is a must, and an obligation to those we serve.

I know that I can learn and retain more with a goal in mind. So this year, I plan to set aside at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted learning time during my work day. I will probably continue to read up in between meetings and before bed; however, I’d love to make those 20 minutes about turning off my IM and inbox, and concentrating on enriching my knowledge.

If you’re interested in this challenge, too, here are a few “go-to” resources when it comes to staying abreast of the industry’s latest and learning from AdWords throughout the year:

2. Get Better at Sharing My Learning

At Group Twenty Seven, we mostly train from the bottom up, because we want new team members to learn PPC the “GTS way.” So, I’m often spending lots and lots of time training new employees, and I sometimes forget to share with my team little things I come across or realize during my work day.

We’ll sometimes include new learnings during our weekly team meetings, and I want to get better about that. I’d like to formalize what I’m already doing, and make more of an effort when it comes to writing tidbits down and passing them on to long-term and new employees alike.

Further, I really like the environment it will foster here at GTS. I truly believe sharing is caring, and I can benefit from this practice as much as anyone else. With all that happens in the AdWords landscape, we can’t each keep track of everything, and such reminders are helpful for doing our jobs more efficiently – even for the most experienced PPC managers.

Of course, I also plan to continue sharing my insights and what I’ve learned in my monthly columns on Search Engine Watch and Search Engine Land in 2015. These are great resources for industry professionals and those looking to hire a PPC agency.

3. Take Time to Recharge for Creativity’s Sake

I know that I need to take more time off to recharge, because it aids in creativity and productivity. In 2014, I had sprints of working seven days a week for a month or two at a time, and although the work was necessary, I knew the habit was impossible to sustain.

Time and time again, I’ve experienced the value of days off from work. Not only is the break nice, but I love the mental and physical boost I feel when back at the office. This year, I want to enforce the practice more, as it results in better outcomes for clients and better internal processes for my team.

What’s more, I often get great ideas when I’m not thinking about work at all. I’ll be on a long hike or away for the weekend, and an insightful tidbit will most definitely come through.

Those little things can sometimes shape the strategy for a new client, help our office operations improve, and more; maybe there’s a problem we’ve been trying to work out, and the solution doesn’t arise until I’m away from the office.

In addition to the mental and physical health benefits of stepping back from work, time off fuels, rather than stomps on the fire of creativity. We might all do well to buck convention, and simply find time to do nothing, and reflect on whatever comes to mind.

Again, this is where some of the best ideas are born — not to mention a healthier mind and body.

Moving Forward

It looks like my 2015 will be about knowledge expansion, sharing what I discover, and taking better care of my creative resources. Whatever you have in store for the coming year, I wish you the best for your professional growth!