News Archives - On the Corner of Charles Ave

My fifth anniversary (!) and first book (!!!!!!!!!!)

Kim Kohatsu — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 15:00:51 +0000

It is with immense pride that I share that today, April 22, 2018, is the fifth anniversary of Charles Ave Marketing. It’s been a time of growth, change, and shared success.

Last year, on the company’s fourth anniversary, I unveiled our new website and blog design. Today, for the fifth, I’m happy to announce my first book!

3 Expensive Google AdWords Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

For over a decade, I’ve specialized in pay-per-click advertising (PPC), working on many client accounts in different verticals, with different budgets and different goals.

No matter the business, I noticed common mistakes – errors that wasted thousands of dollars at a time. The unfortunate truth is AdWords is easy to use, but difficult to master. Most consultants aren’t worth their salt, and too much of my work is cleaning up theirs. It pains me to see hard-earned money go to waste because advertisers did not understand where or how their ads were placed.

The book that I’m launching today, 3 Expensive Google AdWords Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them), is a distillation of all the AdWords audits I’ve performed and all the campaigns I’ve managed. It will help business owners avoid these pitfalls and see their campaigns succeed.

More details on the book are below.

Point of privilege

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge that while I’m excited about April 22, the company’s fifth anniversary, I’m heartbroken over April 23, the first anniversary of the sudden and unexpected death of one of my closest friends, Shirley Weiss. The year since her passing has been the most turbulent and difficult I’ve endured. I’d like to thank everyone who has watched me grieve, including Charles Ave clients who were patient and understanding through this trying time, and my friends who continue to reach out when I need them most. While it doesn’t do justice to single anyone out, I’d especially like to thank Daniel, Chris, and Michelle, who witnessed me at my most raw and vulnerable.

In honor of Shirley, and my friends Joe and Kristina who also passed away last year, I encourage you to read my article How Companies Can Support Employees Coping with Grief on Forbes.

Many thanks to all on this still-happy occasion. Your support means everything!

Hey, a Whole New Look!

Kim Kohatsu — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 14:56:20 +0000

By Kim Kohatsu

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today, April 22, 2017, is the fourth anniversary of Charles Ave Marketing!

To celebrate, we’ve unveiled a brand new website. It’s been updated with new work samples and reflects a more modern aesthetic. It’s still a little buggy on mobile, but I guess every site is a work in progress. I hope you like it and will share your feedback.

This anniversary is special to me because I’ve now worked for myself longer than for any other employer. The freedom to be my own boss and take creative ownership of the work is such a source of pride. But I could never do what I do without the entrepreneurs who have trusted me to promote their businesses and who have played the most crucial role in the company’s growth and success. I can’t thank you enough.

From the bottom of my heart,
Kim[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4827″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Author: KIM KOHATSU

Kim Kohatsu is the founder of Charles Ave Marketing, where she brings the power and reach of Madison Ave to small businesses and startups.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-facebook” size=”xs” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcharlesavemktg||target:%20_blank|”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-twitter” size=”xs” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Fkimkohatsu||target:%20_blank|”][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-linkedin” size=”xs” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fkimkohatsu%2F||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

September Show and Tell

Kim Kohatsu — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:40:49 +0000

By Kim Kohatsu

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s been an action-packed month at Charles Ave!

In August, writing experts (including yours truly) shared tips on how to improve web copy for the Bitcatcha blog.

We also moved into our new office. The space has been a godsend, but of course, a move is never without its bumps and bruises. I discovered that if I’m sitting at my desk around 4PM, the sun shines directly (and I mean directly) into my eye, so getting the blinds set up was an immediate goal. I also had a hell of a time setting up the printer to work wirelessly. I ended up using a service called HelloTech to help. What I thought would be a routine IT consult turned into an hours-long ordeal, but in the end, we were finally able to set it up. I definitely recommend the service – my technician Anthony was so diligent (and patient), and he wouldn’t relent until my problem was solved. If you need on-demand technical support, use this link to save $20.

The most exciting news is that in the past few weeks, Charles Ave has engaged with three—yes, THREE—new clients. They run the gamut from an independent, one-person consultancy to a 100+ year-old national brand to a financial services company based in London.

We’re helping each of these companies with their PPC campaigns, especially on Google. Each new client has a different objective – lead gen, ecommerce sales, and increased brand awareness and traffic. I’m looking forward to launching their campaigns and watching the needle move.

Another initiative we’ve been busy with in PPC is transitioning clients from standard text ads on Google AdWords to expanded text ads. Google announced a few months ago that it was getting rid of the ads on the right rail of the SERP and introducing expanded text ads. Expanded text ads are optimized for mobile search and offer advertisers more characters, including an additional headline. Our PPC clients are all taking advantage of this change, and overall seeing improved clickthrough rates vs. standard text ads.

This is what expanded text ads look like:

We’ve also been helping some clients with content discovery and amplification. Using several paid content networks including StumbleUpon, Outbrain, and LinkedIn, we’re getting more eyeballs on client blogs and helping to grow organic engagement and social sharing.

Speaking of client blogs, here are the newest ones:

Menuism:

PickFu:

We’ve also been busy creating and editing video content. These projects include professional development webinars, an internal HR video for new hires, and vlog content to be shared on social networks.

Overall, it’s been incredibly active (and a little hectic) here at Charles Ave, but as always, I’m honored that companies trust us with their business. It means so much to play a part in their successes and watch their businesses grow.

Now back to work![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4827″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Author: KIM KOHATSU

Charles Ave Is Moving!

Kim Kohatsu — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 22:58:02 +0000

By Kim Kohatsu

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since its inception in 2013, Charles Ave has always been more than an address. It is a mindset and a mission: to bring the power of Madison Ave to small businesses and startups.

That means that Charles Ave Marketing doesn’t happen because it’s located on Charles Ave. That’s where it started, of course. But effective August 15, we’re moving to new digs!

The new office is a larger space in Los Angeles, in the historic neighborhood of Jefferson Park. Things might be a little harried as we complete the move, so pardon any dust.

Onward and upward![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4827″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]