Music Tech Talk

If any of you recently signed-up for a Google Analytics account, you may have also received one of these $100 coupons encouraging you to try Google AdWords.  The email says all you have to do is go to this link http://www.google.com/ads/offers/analyticscoupon.html and follow the instructions... 

But here’s a few things you might want to know should you fail to perform step 3 properly (especially if you hate reading really fine print):

The Easy-to-Read Summary:

1.        Actually, before you do anything, know that Google is going to charge you $5 on your credit card ($10 for option 2 – PrePaid Billing).  …But the good news is that it looks like you get that back.

2.       You have to enter your billing info BEFORE you can enter the promo code (ensuring step one, I suppose).

3.       At that point, you are supposed to enter the promo code…  (I wouldn’t know…  Missed this step)

4.       This coupon is for a NEW account.  Don’t try it on an existing account.  It won’t work.

5.       “Advertisers will be charged for all advertising that exceeds the promotional credit.  Advertisers will need to suspend their ads at the time the promotional credit amount is exhausted if they do not wish to receive additional advertising charges.”  It’s like those offers you receive in the mail for CDs, I guess.

Hmmm, well, that didn’t seem hard. 

But oops, I somehow missed step 3, you say?   No worries!

Good luck trying to locate the user-friendly coupon code portion of AdWords.  Just do this instead of giving yourself a headache:

1.       Log in and go to your “Billing” tab.

2.       Locate the not-so-obvious coupon redemption area as seen below.

3.       Enter the long code that was in the promotional email you received.

4.       Click “Submit.”

5.       Check your work.  Look at the picture above where it says “Current balance.”  That’s where it should show ($105.00) credit remaining.  Congrats, you just used a coupon.  Your mom would be proud.  (Also, note that the registration fee was removed in the form of an extra $5)