Posting tips for the AdWords Help group
May 21st, 2007 | Published in Google Adwords
Just about a year ago, we posted to celebrate reaching 5,000 members in the AdWords Help user-to-user support community. Since then, membership has more than doubled -- with just above 11,500 members assisting each other, 24/7. All in all, AdWords Help is a very useful place to shop for answers to your AdWords questions -- or to just spend some time browsing and reading questions and answers for the fun (and the education) of it.
Anyone may browse in this group and read the questions and answers that others have written -- although you'll need to become a member in order to post your own questions. Happily, membership is both free and easy, through Google Groups.
Should you decide that reading questions and answers posted by others is not enough, and that you'd like to post your own question, here are a few tips to assist you in getting a quick and targeted answer:
1) First, it's a good idea to make sure the question has not been answered already. Thousands of messages have been posted since the community started -- and many of the most common questions have already been very ably answered. A quick search (using the search box at the top right of the group) may help you find the answer you need in just seconds. If not, then it's time to post your own new question.
2) Start off by selecting the category that best describes your question. Look for the "+ post your question" link and write a very brief (yet very specific) subject line. Avoid 'mysterious' subject lines that could refer to just about anything.
Here's an example: let's say you have been surprised by the timing of a billing for AdWords clicks. You expected to billed monthly, but were actually billed sooner than that. You'd like to know why, and also wonder when you will be billed next. Here are are a range of possible subject lines for the post (which would of course be in the "Billing and Payments" category), working from not-so-good to very good:
3) Now, let's move on to the post itself: since you will want a complete answer to your question, be as clear as possible about exactly what information you're looking for. Here are three possible posts regarding our sample billing question, ranging from the not-so-good to the very good:
4) Usually, you will get a better answer if you ask only one (or a very few) questions. Many AdWords Help members are busy professionals who manage AdWords accounts for others - and while they might want to answer each of the six questions another member has asked, they typically won't have that much time. However, they'd be pleased to tackle one or two.
5) Be polite. After all, this is a community of peers assisting each other, for free -- and, besides, everyone likes to be treated with kindness and respect. (And, if you get an especially useful answer, a brief thank you is never out of place!)
6) Please avoid ASKING YOUR QUESTIONS IN ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS AS MANY FOLKS THINK OF THAT AS THE ONLINE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING -- and thus counter to tip #5.
7) The ideal question is both brief and complete, so shoot for those elements. Extremely long posts tend to get passed over, as do questions which don't give enough detail to allow for a meaningful answer.
Well, that's probably enough information for one day. If you like participating in large communities that encourage sharing knowledge, we hope you'll take a look at AdWords Help and perhaps even join the community. We'd be pleased to have you with us.
Anyone may browse in this group and read the questions and answers that others have written -- although you'll need to become a member in order to post your own questions. Happily, membership is both free and easy, through Google Groups.
Should you decide that reading questions and answers posted by others is not enough, and that you'd like to post your own question, here are a few tips to assist you in getting a quick and targeted answer:
1) First, it's a good idea to make sure the question has not been answered already. Thousands of messages have been posted since the community started -- and many of the most common questions have already been very ably answered. A quick search (using the search box at the top right of the group) may help you find the answer you need in just seconds. If not, then it's time to post your own new question.
2) Start off by selecting the category that best describes your question. Look for the "+ post your question" link and write a very brief (yet very specific) subject line. Avoid 'mysterious' subject lines that could refer to just about anything.
Here's an example: let's say you have been surprised by the timing of a billing for AdWords clicks. You expected to billed monthly, but were actually billed sooner than that. You'd like to know why, and also wonder when you will be billed next. Here are are a range of possible subject lines for the post (which would of course be in the "Billing and Payments" category), working from not-so-good to very good:
Not so good -- 'HELP!!!'
Better -- 'Why billed?'
Even better still -- 'When am I billed - not monthly?'
Better -- 'Why billed?'
Even better still -- 'When am I billed - not monthly?'
3) Now, let's move on to the post itself: since you will want a complete answer to your question, be as clear as possible about exactly what information you're looking for. Here are three possible posts regarding our sample billing question, ranging from the not-so-good to the very good:
Not so good -- 'I was billed! Why?'
Better -- 'I was unexpectedly billed today. How come?'
Even better still -- 'I thought I was going to be billed monthly for AdWords -- but I was billed today, and I only started my account three days ago. Can anyone explain how AdWords billing works, or point me to some information about the billing cycle? I especially want to know when am I likely to be billed next.'
Better -- 'I was unexpectedly billed today. How come?'
Even better still -- 'I thought I was going to be billed monthly for AdWords -- but I was billed today, and I only started my account three days ago. Can anyone explain how AdWords billing works, or point me to some information about the billing cycle? I especially want to know when am I likely to be billed next.'
4) Usually, you will get a better answer if you ask only one (or a very few) questions. Many AdWords Help members are busy professionals who manage AdWords accounts for others - and while they might want to answer each of the six questions another member has asked, they typically won't have that much time. However, they'd be pleased to tackle one or two.
5) Be polite. After all, this is a community of peers assisting each other, for free -- and, besides, everyone likes to be treated with kindness and respect. (And, if you get an especially useful answer, a brief thank you is never out of place!)
6) Please avoid ASKING YOUR QUESTIONS IN ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS AS MANY FOLKS THINK OF THAT AS THE ONLINE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING -- and thus counter to tip #5.
7) The ideal question is both brief and complete, so shoot for those elements. Extremely long posts tend to get passed over, as do questions which don't give enough detail to allow for a meaningful answer.
Well, that's probably enough information for one day. If you like participating in large communities that encourage sharing knowledge, we hope you'll take a look at AdWords Help and perhaps even join the community. We'd be pleased to have you with us.