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We Wasted $50K on Google Ads So You Don't Have To (2019) (indiehackers.com)

732 points by sloka · 2453 days ago · 199 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses lessons learned from spending $50K on Google Ads, including the importance of matching keywords with relevant landing pages and content. The author emphasizes the need to focus on quick metrics and tailor experiments to one step of the funnel at a time. The discussion in the comments reveals that the article's main points are not new to experienced marketers, but are still valuable for those new to the field. The article's use of industry terms, such as 'net negative churn', sparked debate about the clarity and accessibility of the language used.

Main themes

  • Google Ads lessons
  • marketing metrics
  • industry terminology
  • customer acquisition cost
  • lifetime value
  • marketing experimentation
  • language clarity and accessibility
  • SaaS marketing strategies

What commenters say

  • The article's lessons are valuable for new marketers, but may be obvious to experienced ones.
  • The use of industry terms like 'net negative churn' can be unclear to those without prior knowledge.
  • Targeting keywords without relevant landing pages can be a waste of resources.
  • Focusing on quick metrics and experimenting with one step of the funnel at a time is crucial for effective marketing.
  • The article's language is too jargony and inaccessible to non-experts.
  • The concept of 'net negative churn' is not complicated and should be understandable to the target audience.
  • The article's discussion of customer acquisition cost and lifetime value is relevant to the SaaS space.
  • The use of technical terms can be necessary for precise communication, but should be balanced with clarity and accessibility.