Received a 'goody' package today with the note: You are one of the first 100 Google Advertising Professionals to reach Qualified Status.
While the hat won't change my mind to advertise or not with Google (although, gifts are always appreciated - where are the coupons and $$ ;) ) it is nice to see Google continue to embrace agencies and continue expanding their relationships with those who bring them clients.
You got your GAP on 10th Feb, didn't you ewhisper [webmasterworld.com...]
AWA alluded to a GAP goody pack in that earlier thread.
Hope its international, rather than just the USA.
Seems Google has created a new set of Google hats (black ones even), the 'AdWords Qualified Professional'.
Glad you got the 'goody' package eWhisper!
We especially wanted to get the 'AdWords Qualified Professional' on there, so the package was a little longer in coming than it might have been otherwise. ;)
This Google Stuff is a direct result, by the way, of that long ago thread in which 'AdWords Qualified Professional' goodies were mentioned in a longing sort of way.
Hope its international, rather than just the USA.
Yep. Another thing we wanted to be sure to do right. Disclaimer: Your international shipping times may vary!
All the packages were scheduled to go at the same time though. So maybe we can create an International Shipping Timeframe Study or something. Heheh.
Once again, thanks to all who have signed up for Google Advertising Professionals program - and especially to those first 100 pioneers. :)
AWA
You got your GAP on 10th Feb, didn't you ewhisper [webmasterworld.com...]Honestly, I never looked at the time frame of 90 days or 3 months or whatnot. However, I did convert one of my old MCCs to the new professional MCC on the day the program was launched - so I'd qualify along with everyone else who finished all the qualifications in the minimum time frame.
I'm really more concerned with Google continuing to support agencies and see Google develop new sites like: [code.google.com...] over receiving 'goodies'.
However, I'm not turning down the goodies either ;)
Haven't seen a package yet and the level of anticipation grows :)
Is great to see companies using such techniques though, I may increase our own promotional gift budgets.
It's nice of Google to do this. I strongly recommend that you pass the CAP exam. With certification, we raised our rates significantly.
I was at a Google event last week and was talking with two "GAW managers" (not their real names). At some point, we talked about the CAP, and I asked "So? Have you passed the exam?", and by their sheepish looks, I realized they've not even taken it.
Okay, AdwordsAdvisor: have you taken the exam? And passed it? :-) Be honest, now.
Okay, AdwordsAdvisor: have you taken the exam? And passed it? :-) Be honest, now.
Eurydice, I have a new office mate, and he's probably wondering why I just busted out laughing! But then, I do that a lot - so he'll get used to it soon. I hope.
Anyway, these are excellent and fair questions. And the answer to both is "No".
But, now that you've mentioned it, I think I will take the test. I'll find out what sort of score something like 7000 hours at AdWords (and hundreds at WebmasterWorld) have earned me. Heheh. ;) A new Quarter starts soon, so this'll go on my Quarterly Goals for Q3/05.
And, Eurydice, thanks for the gentle 'push' in front of an audience of hundreds! (Or is it thousands?!) :)
AWA
in front of an audience of hundreds! (Or is it thousands?!)
No idea, but I find it interesting that it seems at least 4 of the first 100 have already posted in this thread. I'm actually curious to know out of the first top 100 GAPs, how many are regular forum readers?
I'm actually curious to know out of the first top 100 GAPs, how many are regular forum readers?
Excellent point! I am also very curious - and would bet that the percentage will turn out to be pretty high.
AWA
I've been talking offline with GAW managers at various agencies. They'd said their agency was NOT going to get GAW certification for them. At one agency, the managers were specifically told that they may not even study for the exam. The agencies plan on getting certification for the lead manager, but nobody else.
This isn't about the $50 exam fee (which is a trivial cost). If a GAW manager is certified, she would 1) ask for a raise (and justifiably so: if the agency charges more because it has certification, she should benefit) 2) she can shop around and find a better job 3) she can get her own clients.
The certificate is tied to the person, not the agency, so she can take it with her. Thanks for the fish.
So, yes, take the exam and increase your billing rate. If you're at an agency, go home, study for the exam, get certified, and ask for a raise. If you're not at an agency, it'll give you a good selling point against non-certified agencies.
The certificate is tied to the person, not the agency, so she can take it with her. Thanks for the fish.
Actually, the certification is tied to the MCC. So, if you have an agency MCC and leave it behind - you leave your cert behind as well.
The trials of one GAP individual:
[webmasterworld.com...]
unless you are the 1st 100
I wander, how many peaple have the QGAP status? AWA is it public info? If not, maybe you can tell something like: There is less than 100 of them ( :-) ) or less then 300 or less then 1 000 000 atc.
I wander, how many peaple have the QGAP status? AWA is it public info? If not, maybe you can tell something like: There is less than 100 of them ( :-) ) or less then 300 or less then 1 000 000 atc.
dave741, as you may have suspected, this is not yet public info. I'm not even aware of the number myself, in fact. However, I can say with real assurance that the number is more than 100, and less than 1,000,000. ;)
AWA
OTOH, a search on "Qualified Google Adwords Professional" produces only 26 results and "Adwords Professional" just 275. In both cases lots of the listings are news and forum items. So, maybe there aren't that many, or most of those who have the certification don't feel it's worth publicizing.
Got my little goodie pack in the UK this morning - thanks very much AWA!
Excellent! Glad it arrived quickly chrisk999. However the thanks go to the folks who did the actual work - I only forwarded the idea from an earlier thread. I'll pass your thanks along. ;)
...I passed, if I recall correctly, on the 3rd day it was offered (11 Nov), got my cert the first day they were available (9 Feb), and I haven't received a hat.
cline, let's just hope that it's the postal service running behind. (It's happened a few times before.) I've got my fingers crossed.
But, now that you've mentioned it, I think I will take the test. I'll find out what sort of score something like 7000 hours at AdWords (and hundreds at WebmasterWorld) have earned me. Heheh. ;) A new Quarter starts soon, so this'll go on my Quarterly Goals for Q3/05.
Of course, I meant Q2/05. Oops. Maybe if I'd been better with numbers I could've gotten a job at Google.
Oh, wait...
;) AWA
The trials of one GAP individual
Though I like hats and gifts (*cough* *hint* *cough*), I would still just settle for my logo. Probably be a bit anti-climactic now:( Helped beta test the MCC for a few months before release, and passed the test on Feb. 12th...but managed to fall through the cracks. A bit frustrating after explaining the story more than a few times (to support, a rep at the conf, and here).
It is a good program, and the MCC was a great service upgrade...but bureaucracy sucks.
I can say with real assurance that the number is more than 100
Darn, I knew I should have taken that test when it came out ;)
The package arrived in the Netherlands as well this morning. Nice hat, thanx AWA :)
My GAP pack arrived in Sydney Australia today - thanks very much!
:)
Hey Shak - I'll wear it next time you come to Sydney for lunch!
Signed up for MCC about 36 hours after announcement here.
You have to take out the batteries at the end and remove the plastic between the 1st 2 batteries. I did the same thing this morning and it works fine.
The hat is much less technical.
Looks like we are at 7% so far:
eWhsiper
Eurydice
Chris999
MMT
Robsp
ChrisD
Running Scared
Any advance?
