Google Ads Strategy Hub

Sarah Stemen
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Marketing

Welcome to The Google Ads Strategy Hub, the podcast for every business owner who wants to take control of their Google Ads. You don't need another generic tutorial. What you need is a plan for your paid search account. Host Sarah Stemen is a Google Ads coach & consultant who specializes in empowering small business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers to build and manage their own successful Google Ads campaigns. Each episode dives into the core strategies behind effective Google Ads—the "why" behind the "how." Sarah will tackle the most common questions, uncover proven techniques, and help you think like a pro. From setting up your first campaign to understanding what's really working, this podcast is designed to give you the confidence to run your own ads and achieve real results.

  1. 1d ago

    You Don't Need Better Ads. You Need a Better Marketing Strategy

    Almost three years into running my Google Ads consulting business independently, here's what I'd actually go back and tell myself — and most of it has nothing to do with Google Ads. If you're a small business owner running your own marketing (or your own ads), and you've felt the weight of "automation is taking over" and "everyone's selling a passive income dream" lately, this video is for you. I'm sharing the unfiltered lessons I've learned about building a real business — not just running a Google Ads account — so you can skip some of the traps that kept me stuck. What I cover: Why you should ignore "blogging is dead" advice and start blogging today (and why AI scraping the internet makes this more true, not less)Why playing the long game with video matters more than chasing view counts or vanity metricsThe passive business myth — why "set it and forget it" content marketing doesn't actually workWhy being technically great at one skill (like Google Ads) isn't the same as having a real business strategyWhy you need to be a holistic marketer, not just a button-pusher, especially as ads lean harder into AIWhy doubling down on what makes you human is the one thing AI can't commoditize Blog post you might like: https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/should-my-business-run-google-ads https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/why-i-stopped-building-my-business-on-social-media https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/ai-deep-thinking-google-ads-critical-math Chapters: 0:12 Intro — nearly 3 years in, what I'd tell my younger self 2:35 Lesson 1: Ignore "blogging is dead" — start blogging now 4:58 Lesson 2: Play the long game with video 7:13 Lesson 3: The passive business myth 9:37 Lesson 4: You're more than your technical skill set 12:02 Why clients need a holistic marketer, not a button-pusher 14:23 Lesson 5: Double down on what makes you human If your Google Ads are running fine but your marketing strategy behind them feels disconnected, you don't need better ad settings — you need a better roadmap. I run strategy and growth audit sessions where I look at your entire marketing system, top to bottom, and show you exactly where you're losing money and traction. [add your website/booking link here]

  2. 2d ago

    Why You Don't Trust Your Own Google Ads Decisions (And How to Fix It)

    The conversation delves into the overwhelming nature of the Google Ads interface, the impact of micro changes on performance, the mechanics of the Google Ads industry, the traps and risks in Google Ads management, breaking the cycle of second-guessing, and seeking a second opinion for peace of mind. Takeaways Impact of confusion and self-doubt on decision-makingThe asymmetry of risk in Google Ads management Chapters 00:00 The Overwhelming Google Ads Interface04:05 Micro Changes and Performance Destruction05:46 The Mechanics of the Google Ads Industry09:04 Traps and Risks in Google Ads Management15:22 Breaking the Cycle of Second Guessing17:36 Seeking a Second Opinion for Peace of Mind

  3. 6d ago

    Why Your Keywords Aren't Working Anymore

    Frustration with Google Ads matching is at an all-time high due to changes in Google's algorithm and semantic matching. The speaker recommends a thematic signal strategy to regain control over ad campaigns and improve performance. Takeaways Thematic signal strategy for ad campaignsGoogle's algorithm and semantic matching Blog post you might like: https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/google-ads-conversion-tracking-vs-keywords https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/google-ads-optimized-targeting-guide Chapters 00:00 Frustration with Google Ads Matching02:23 Changes in Google's Algorithm05:08 Thematic Signal Strategy08:01 Human Steering vs. Full Automation10:22 Rolling Out Thematic Signal Strategy

  4. Jul 23

    Why I Refuse to Teach Google Ads Tutorials Anymore

    The conversation explores a strategic approach to Google Ads, focusing on high-level marketing and strategy. It delves into the impact of AI on marketing, the application of first principles of thinking, macro strategy, bridging the gap between business advice and Google Ads, using Google Ads as a magnifying lens for data analysis, and high-level positioning in paid media. Posts you might like: https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/google-ads-vs-blogging-the-surprising-search-engine-marketing-synergy-youre-missing https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/google-ads-expert-2026-strategy-vs-execution https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/build-it-and-they-will-come-is-a-scam Takeaways Strategic approach to Google AdsFocus on high-level marketing and strategy Chapters 00:00 Strategic Approach to Google Ads02:29 The Age of AI and Marketing03:16 First Principles of Thinking04:14 Macro Strategy and Business Viability05:15 Bridging the Gap06:07 Using Google Ads as a Magnifying Lens06:34 Data Analysis for Business Growth07:26 High-Level Positioning in Paid Media

  5. Jul 22

    What My "Failing" YouTube Channel Taught Me About Marketing

    The conversation delves into the journey of starting a YouTube channel, switching to writing, building a blog, analyzing YouTube content performance, gaining insights from content performance, understanding diagnostic intent and leverage, and offering consulting as a second brain for businesses. Blog posts you might like: https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/why-i-stopped-building-my-business-on-social-media https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/stop-writing-for-the-algorithm-advice https://www.thesarahstemen.com/blog/my-writing-reward-and-learning-something-new Takeaways YouTube channel growthContent performance analysis Chapters 00:00 Starting the YouTube Channel00:28 Switching to Writing01:27 Building the Blog02:22 Analyzing YouTube Content03:18 Content Performance Insights07:01 Diagnostic Intent and Leverage10:17 Consulting and Second Brain

  6. Jul 19

    Google Ads Can Be Overwhelming

    Sarah Stemen shares her experience of returning from a hectic week and feeling drained and overwhelmed. She expresses frustration with Google search results and discusses the impact of AI on Google Ads. Sarah also shares client experiences with Google Ads, emphasizes transparency in Google Ads consulting, and discusses challenges and solutions in Google Ads. She concludes with a client-centric approach to her consulting services. Takeaways Impact of AI on Google AdsClient-Centric Approach Chapters 00:00 Returning from a Hectic Week01:12 Feeling Drained and Overwhelmed02:20 Frustration with Google Search Results04:16 Impact of AI on Google Ads06:30 Client Experience with Google Ads08:45 Transparency in Google Ads Consulting10:46 Challenges and Solutions in Google Ads12:02 Client-Centric Approach

  7. Jul 15

    Google Ads Coaching With Sarah Stemen

    The conversation with Sarah emphasizes the importance of a data-driven approach and collaborative decision-making in Google Ads management. It delves into the significance of quality over quantity, the need for deep conversations and data analysis, the reality of Google Ads, and the value of a collaborative partnership with clients. Takeaways Data-driven approachCollaborative decision-making Learn more about Google Ads Coaching https://www.thesarahstemen.com/google-ads-coaching Chapters 00:00 Quality Over Quantity03:02 Deep Conversations and Data Analysis04:19 The Reality of Google Ads05:18 Collaborative Partnership

  8. Jul 15

    Your Google Ads & The Human Searching

    The conversation explores the intersection of data and humanity in marketing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human element within the data-driven landscape. It also delves into the success of businesses in Google Ads and the key factors contributing to their achievements. Takeaways Data and humanity in marketingSuccess in Google Ads https://www.thesarahstemen.com Chapters 00:00 Balancing Data and Humanity02:45 Understanding the Human Footprint in Data04:31 Aligning Business with Humans05:36 Success in Google Ads

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About

Welcome to The Google Ads Strategy Hub, the podcast for every business owner who wants to take control of their Google Ads. You don't need another generic tutorial. What you need is a plan for your paid search account. Host Sarah Stemen is a Google Ads coach & consultant who specializes in empowering small business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers to build and manage their own successful Google Ads campaigns. Each episode dives into the core strategies behind effective Google Ads—the "why" behind the "how." Sarah will tackle the most common questions, uncover proven techniques, and help you think like a pro. From setting up your first campaign to understanding what's really working, this podcast is designed to give you the confidence to run your own ads and achieve real results.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Stemen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sarah Stemen