Is there anyway to get an accurate estimate for ad positions?

[sirbunghole]

With overture you can get a very clear picture of how much you need to pay for any given ad position.

However, with MSN I am totally lost. Its like throwing darts! How do you predict?

[Draconian]

Short of frustrating, half functional work arounds, there is no capability. It calculates first position, but that tool is not verey effective. Most of the time, I stay with my account the whole day making adjustments. If I am satisfied with my overall position, I'll run a report on the keywords for that day, take the average CPC in the report (add a few cents) and then put the amounts into my pricing. Most of the time I can monitor for two weeks and only have to make minor changes. However, I've been having to do it more frequently lately. (No doubt because of the boost in customers).

Now my secret is out, whatever shall I do...

PS - As you can imagine this is quite tedious and time consuming. But that's the fun part of being an advertiser...

[Draconian]

Its like throwing darts! How do you predict?

That is an inaccurate analogy as:

1. Throwing darts DOES require skill.

2. There is no skill in prediction, only a hope for repetition. (As the events that unfold can be far from what was perceived to occur).