I’m preparing to write the second edition of AdWords For Dummies, due out in late summer or early fall 2009. Rather than sit at my desk trying to figure out what to change, I thought I’d collaborate with my readers to make the second edition as good as it can be.

Here’s how it works

I’ve set up a social network on Ning.com devoted exclusively to conversations and suggestions about the second edition.

You join, and then participate in discussions, ask questions, and add case studies and screen shots.

It can take as little or as much of your time as you like.

Basically, I’m looking for your feedback about things like:

  1. What’s confusing in the first edition that can be improved?
  2. What’s no longer true, because of Google updates or other changes?
  3. What’s new and should be added to the second edition (for example, website optimizer)?
  4. Do you have a case study about some strategy/tactic featured in AdWords For Dummies that can bring that strategy/tactic to life?

What’s in it for you?

1. You get to influence the second edition, and hopefully make it more helpful and valuable to you than it would have been otherwise. If you like seeing your words and thoughts in print, this is a great opportunity without going to the trouble of getting an agent and a publisher (and dealing with those pesky royalties )

2. Your business may be featured in the book – a nice source of publicity and bragging rights.

3. No, you don’t get a free copy of the book (heck, I only get 5 free copies; I buy the rest from amazon) – but you will get extra bonus goodies for your trouble. I don’t know what they will be yet, but they’ll be good. (And see below for BIG prizes.)

4. You may get a bunch of questions answered directly by me and other readers during the "Crowdsourcing" process.

5. It’ll be fun.

6. BIG PRIZES: The contributor who adds the most value, as determined by me (100% subjective), wins a pass to any one teleclass or live workshop I give in 2009. And their name in the acknowledgments of AFD 2nd edition. Three runners-up each get 45 minutes of phone consulting.

Wanna play? Here’s what you have to do:

1. Go here to sign up: ==>> http://budurl.com/afd2e

2. Wait for me to approve your membership

3. Once you’re approved, log in to the community site and make sure you’re OK with the Terms of Service written by my publisher’s lawyers

4. Start telling me what to do

Disclaimer: I’ve never done this before. In fact, very few people have ever done this before. So I have no idea how it will turn out. But it sure seems like a fun thing to try :)

Again, if you’d like to be part of the AdWords For Dummies editorial crowd, go here to kick off the process: http://budurl.com/afd2e

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009 and beyond,
Howie