Reddit reviews Advanced Google AdWords

First:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Google-AdWords-Million/dp/1599184419

Second: http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51qNA-w7TXL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR127%2C160_&refRID=067Y1BH3800X4A8QJ62N

Third: Take Over The World.

It's not. I've read it. The fundamentals of adwords are the same and the strategies in that book are absolutely crucial and you would do yourself a huge disservice by passing it up.

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Edit: Also, it's 4-5 years old: https://smile.amazon.com/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X?sa-no-redirect=1

Books are a bit unneccessary but if you're a book learner I'd recommend Brad Geddes' Advanced Google AdWords.

On top of the blogs listed below I'd recommend PPC Hero and Wordstream's beginner guides.

You need to do both.

1. One with geo keywords set to target anyone anywhere who types those keywords with GEO.
   
   
2. One without geo keywords set to target only people in your target area.
   
   I'm guessing you're used to doing online international or national campaigns, is that correct? The above stated process is standard operating procedure in local search campaigns.
   
   Read "Advanced AdWords" by Brad Geddes - Third Edition. It has a very detailed explanation on this.
   
   http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X
   
   

I've been at this since 2012 and have never heard of Adskills, so I'd say that virtually no prospect is going to take certification from them seriously.

The best courses I'm aware of (besides platform certs) are this one from Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/the-ultimate-google-adwords-training-course/learn/lecture/4028970?start=0#overview

And perhaps books and training from Brad Geddes although I feel like it may be a bit out of date: https://www.amazon.ca/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X

I was just like you a few months ago. I quit my job as a senior accountant after getting my CPA and decided to take on the world of paid search. Now I'm working full-time at an online marketing agency.

I suggest you do the following:

• Read Brad Geddes' Advanced Google Adwords 3rd edition from cover to cover. His book is going to give you the framework you need to properly approach Google Adwords. You can find it here -- http://amzn.to/1o3pCtM.
  
• Get the Google Adwords exams out of the way -- they're not that bad and they are free. Get Google Analytics certified too if you can, its a $50 investment. Don't stress about it being hard; for whatever reason its gotten a lot easier.
  
• Learn Excel if you don't already know it. Filters, PivotTables, Macros are all great things to know and will separate you from the crowd. When I did't have clients, I would use the RandBetween() formula to generate statistics so that I could simulate client reports and scenarios.
  
• Download the AdWords Editor and get to know it well. Only rookies don't use it.
  
  Finally, put yourself out there. Start looking for gigs on Craigslist and indeed. Approach small businesses and offer your services. Blog about paid search, tweet, start having a conversation with people.
  
  But don't work for free. And don't focus on charities. You'll sell yourself short by doing so. There are plenty opportunities to be paid for your value. PM me if you have more questions.
  

I only read 2 books on PPC and read the PPC Hero and WordStream blogs (checkout PPC university). I started my company soon after and I'm currently managing my own campaigns, spending thousands each month. Go to Amazon and get:

Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords: How to Access 1 Billion People in 10 Minutes

Advanced Google AdWords

I only read the first one, but I wish I'd read the second one by now. Instead I read Ultimate Guide to Pay-Per-Click Advertising. It's good, but there are a lot of weird little mistakes and confusing topics. YouTube is also your friend.

That's the go to PPC holy book

For 750/month you can hire a freelancer who has experience and will manage your ads. I mean if you have time you can learn it of course that is a great thing :) I would recommend youtube tutorials as a first step. I also used this book:
https://www.amazon.ca/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539989612&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=advanced+google+adwords&dpPl=1&dpID=412JOoqC53L&ref=plSrch

but well it was few years so probably now you would need to find something newer

Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords by Perry Marshall

Advanced Google AdWords by Brad Geddes

These are a couple of books that I have my new hires read during training. I am sure there are plenty more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Google-AdWords-Brad-Geddes/dp/111881956X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

about the most solid grounding you can get in adwords and how to plan/structure/execute ppc campaigns

That is great. Feel free to email me if you ever have any questions. [email protected]. Also cannot recommend this book enough.