I’ve been wanting to review Eric Giguere’s Uncommon AdSense (aff) e-book for a while now but after reading it then got crazily busy – to the point where I couldn’t do it justice.
Please forgive me – this will be brief – but having read it I thought I should at least give a few reflections.
Eric wrote this e-book on the back of his previous offering “Make Easy Money with Google: Using the AdSense Advertising Program” (Eric Giguere) which was, by his own admission, a very entry level introduction to AdSense as a way of earning income online.
Uncommon AdSense is Eric’s book which steps things up a notch and is aimed at beginners through to more experienced AdSense users.
My initial reflection on it is that he’s achieved that. Uncommon AdSense does step up a notch (or a few).
If you’re a very experienced user of AdSense you probably won’t learn heaps (although Eric managed to remind me of a few techniques that I’d forgotten and shared a few tips that I’d not used before) but if you’re at the beginning of your journey it is one resource to consider investing in.
What I like about Eric’s style is that he’s not into hype.
His resources have a much more humble and realistic presentation of what can (and can’t) be achieved with AdSense than many others writing on the topic. In fact at times he could probably do with a little more hype. I know he’s planning a revamp for his sales page – and I agree it needs a bit of a work over :-)
The other thing I like about Eric’s approach is that he doesn’t just include ‘AdSense tips’ in his book but shares a few of his tips on good website practices.
The book has 102 pages, 41 sections and comes with bonuses (including free updates – something Eric’s already done with the latest AdSense policy changes).
Lastly – Eric offers a money back guarantee – so if you don’t learn anything you can always get your $47 back.
Buy Uncommon AdSense here.
Thanks for the review, Darren, it’s always nice to be mentioned on ProBlogger.
For the record, folks, Darren bought the book with his own hard-earned cash, although I would have happily given him a free copy. Imagine my surprise in seeing his name show up one day on the list of buyers!
If anyone reading this has questions about the book or my AdSense blog, ask away and I’ll do my best to answer them. The book will be kept up-to-date as much as possible. I’ve already sent one update out (to handle the new no-lookalike-ads rule) and will be sending another out shortly dealing with the new policies for competing ad programs. There’s also new material — additional chapters — coming, on a variety of topics. I’m also open to suggestions for additional topics, both for the blog and the book.
When I have a large block of free time (apparently 6 hours is needed according to industry averages I’ve seen) I’m going to write that better sales page :-)
Eric
I think I might stop over and have a look. If ProBlogger gives it love then how can I not?
I’ve been reading Eric and Darren both for more than a year now and feel that one great strength they both share is their dedication to a factual style of writing and their refusal to descend into the morass of unbounded hype that clutters most of the contextual advertising/SEO/affiliate marketing/problogging arenas. Kudos to you both.
What no hype !!! ;-)
That’s a selling point in itself these days.
Good stuff Eric – although I agree, the sales page needs a little spicing up – though don’t go for the old tired method of the looong sales letter with all the bells n’ whistles and trickery thrown in – add some audio copy or even video or a screencast to sell it.
I’d suggest reading Michael Forin’s “The Death of the Salesletter” report – yes, not another “Death of…” book – but this one I highly recommend.
Thanks for the kudos, Dave, and I’m sure Darren appreciates them as well. Although it’s hard to get noticed with all that “unbounded hype” as you put it, the comments and emails we get back from appreciative readers show us that we’re doing the right thing. (Not to speak for Darren, of course, but I’m pretty sure he feels the same way…)
Martin, thanks for recommending “The Death of the Salesletter”, it’s a great read as you point out. One of the things I’ve been struggling with is how to improve the sales page for Uncommon AdSense and I really didn’t want to build an ugly, long, scrolling sales page like so many other products have, although I’ve had some affiliates ask me to do so. After reading that report, though, I’m disinclined to do so and will instead simply improve the current site and not resort to a traditional sales page.
Hopefully Eric is still checking in on this, but I recently purchased Joel Comm’s Adsense Secrets. If anyoen has any input on comparing or contrasting Eric’s e-book with Joel’s, that would be much appreciated.
hi Darren
I see a adsense ad ( I LOVE DARREN ) on your page.
Idid’nt click it but what’s this ad?
bye.
Joel’s book is more for beginners. My book is better suited for people who are already using AdSense but are looking for tips to take them to the next level. I see them as being complementary, not competitive. Mine’s definitely more low-key, though….
That’s good to know, Eric. I’ll definitely be checking it out and I promise not to post copies online.