A month ago I published a video on my Youtube channel and I wanted for the first time to advertise it using Google Ads program. The idea was to explain how to configure Brave browser to become a content creator and receiving tips. Well I lost about 35$... this post explain some of my mistakes and I hope it will help you to not make them.

How does a Google ads campaign work: every time someone is clicking on a link related to my video which is sponsored by Google, I had to pay Google. The good thing is I paid only when someone is clicking and looking at my video. The bad thing is if the parameters are not configured properly you will loose money. It's like putting an advertisement for meat in a vegan festival... not a good idea!

So here are the mistakes I made while advertising this Youtube video:

• default configuration of the google ads:
  • the public was too broad: you can specify the sex and age of your audience, so adapt these parameters to what you are selling
  • the device on which the ad will appear was not configured properly. My video was meant for people using a computer not a smartphone... so a lot of impressions and clics was lost there... grrrrrrr
  • there are a lot of other parameters, take time to tune all of them properly
• no budget definition: always thought about the maximum loss, I think I should have stopped at 20$, or stopping the ad each 5$ step and then adjust parameters to check if I would have more success
• waiting too long before changing: the title, the video's picture, the video description. It's really important to adapt to the situation and to the comments you will receive or won't receive
• General mistakes or improvement :
  • talking: I spoke on the video, and I was not really confortable with this, at least it was a good exercise but I would recommend to speak only if you are confortable with it and don't hesitate to take multiple takes. You can easily post process the video to remove the "hum" and blanks
  • advertising ! yes in the end, there are several other ways to make advertising for free: you can do it here for example :), making your own blog, on twitter, on a facebook page using your friends to spread the video like wildfire
  • leaving the auto subtitle function of Youtube doing the job and not checking it!! OMG, transcription got so wrong for some expression. Showing bad CCs can have a really bad impact on your audience

I know have bitter taste in my mouth: I paid for advertising a video that has more dislikes than likes... and I spent money and time for it.

At least I happy to share this bad experience with you, and I hope it will help you.

Happy advertising !

ps: if you look at the video you might win 1 BAT :) :) :)