After closing shop for months, reopening as restrictions are lifted is far from straightforward. Now, more than ever, generating an income online through marketing is essential.
However, that’s easier said than done for small business owners like you who don’t have enough budget leftover to stay online and operational, let alone advertise your offerings!
Luckily, the online world’s juggernauts, Google and Facebook, heard the desperate plight of SMEs and responded with substantial, worldwide ads grants and credits.
So, what are these online lifelines? And how can you access them?
Google’s Google Ads Credit For Small Businesses
In April, Google changed the lives of thousands of small business owners across the globe when it revealed its plan to ease financial woes with a whopping $340 million in Google Ads credits!
SMEs that fell victim to the economic catastrophes caused by COVID-19 can kickstart their marketing using a portion of this multi-million-dollar credit plan as ad spend across Google Ads platforms (including search, display, and even YouTube).
It’s important to note, however, that you can only leverage this lifeline until the end of 2020. So, let’s not waste any more time – here’s how you can qualify for it.
How Do I Apply For Google’s Small Business Ads Credits?
The answer? You don’t!
They have a global team dedicated to working with SMEs, so they know who’s who. You are immediately eligible as long as your business has been actively using Google Ads directly, or through a third-party partner, in:
- 10 out of the 12 months of 2019
- And in either January and/or February of 2020
In fact, as these credits rolled out in late May, yours should already be in your Google Ads account, although you may have missed their notification email.
No matter how many accounts or campaign types you use to run ads, each of their customers is eligible for one credit. Although the size will depend on past ad spend and your account location, it can be as high as $1000 USD.
Our Experts’ Marketing Tips
Leverage YouTube And Display Ads
Search engine marketing is not the only way small businesses like yours can reach and engage with potential customers.
Display ads have a reach that extends across infinite websites, blogs, news pages, and Google platforms, representing about 90% of our planet’s internet users!
YouTube ads will give your business the exposure it needs at prices it can afford – a couple of cents per view.
Use YouTube’s Free Video Builder
It’s unlikely that you have the resources to create a video ad yourself. However, YouTube offers a free beta tool that will help you craft 6-15 second videos!
Focus On Social Media
One of the only things that boomed during the pandemic, besides essential services, was social media, with engagement increasing by 61%!
To top it off, support for small local businesses did too.
Ask For Help
Managing and optimising a Google Ads account is not a simple process. Without the insights, skills, specialist teams, and resources of a digital marketing agency, it can be stressful and time consuming.
To take advantage of your Google Ads credit before time runs out, reach out to an agency with small business marketing experience – like Bird Dog.
With years of marketing experience, both traditional and digital, you’ll enjoy precisely targeted, strategic ads campaigns that’ll have you competing with the big dogs.
Contact us today to leverage your Google Ads credit!
Related Tag: Google Ads Sunshine Coast
