{"id":25745,"date":"2025-03-12T23:44:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T18:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.karooya.com\/blog\/?p=25745"},"modified":"2025-03-12T23:44:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T18:14:48","slug":"ppcchat-mental-health-ppc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.karooya.com\/blog\/ppcchat-mental-health-ppc\/","title":{"rendered":"PPCChat | Mental Health & PPC | 11th March 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Frequent platform updates, major global events, and industry shifts can create significant stress and mental health challenges for digital advertisers. In such times, where do they seek support? Do they take proactive steps to safeguard their mental well-being? Have they discovered new strategies to maintain balance in their work and personal lives? These questions, among others, were explored by host Julie F. Bacchini<\/a> during this week’s PPCChat discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Q1: There are so many things that happen that we don\u2019t control, like platform changes or major world or industry events – how do you cope with these when they happen?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Honestly, I just ‘it is what it is<\/em>‘ my way through. Focus on what I can change and accept what I can’t. Easier said than done a lot of the time, but it’s the only way for me to stay sane. @ChristineStark<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think one of the biggest things I try to do is take a deep breath before I go all bananas about anything. But I will also let myself feel the emotions that are stirred up.  @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I throw a temper tantrum if I need to, then I settle down and think about what adjustments I can make to cope with the change. Change is inevitable, especially in this industry. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fully acknowledge this isn’t the greatest coping method, but it’s working well for me right now. I smoke a lot of weed that helps me mellow out long enough that I can take a beat to think. @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@adwordsgirl<\/a> I should try that. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am super guilty of blaming myself when performance is deteriorating and I think this is where it helps to have friends in the industry. @runnerkik<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am far more concerned with pending WWIII and civil war on the US than ad platform changes. @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I try not to build strategies on quick win gimmicks and often have to speak to the sustainability of a more deliberate approach that reflects the business, but it still has to be flexible – what works last year doesnt this year. @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also want to say here that the pace of change in our industry has skyrocketed. It has always been full of change, but not this much this fast. So if you\u2019re feeling that, you\u2019re not imagining it. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platform changes never bothered me too much, changes in leadership\/point of contact are more detrimental. @EricLouisConsulting<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@NeptuneMoon<\/a> I was actually thinking about that yesterday. I’m active on Instagram and did a story where I said, “It’s not a Monday without a Google update these days.”It’s been a lot to deal with. @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The changes are net neutral if we’re attentive and annoying if we’re not. I think the biggest change is how much our creative folks are more useful than our data people (since data is harder to access) @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time you have to accept the new reality and adjust. You may have been on the best course before and now you may need to redirect. Which is hard . And most platforms don’t explain the “why” very well, which makes it harder (usually because they’re just being greedy) @robert_brady<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@adwordsgirl<\/a> Yes! I think acknowledging it is so helpful. It doesn\u2019t change what is happening but it gives permission to have feelings about it. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noting trends across the industry helps campaigns, I have not found a method to deal with the impact of all this tariff dance @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@robert_brady<\/a> Google is especially bad at comms @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is so much whiplash in public policy happening right now, it’s hard to know how to react. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think we’d all be happier if we treated ad platforms like the SAAS they are. @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@beyondthepaid<\/a> It is challenging living in \u201cwhat insanity will I wake up to today\u201d times @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also think we’d be less emotional about moving budget from ad platforms if we actually treated them like any other software vendor. @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the unique position we are in with ad platforms and clients is that we have to explain what the platforms are doing to clients and it is not always something that is good for that client. That sets up conflict and difficulty more so than other SAAS products. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

yeah, suddenly I have to advocate for near exact!!?? @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know that I agree with that. Reporting tools, landing page tools, and other saas tools can influence success. @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accept that change is the name of the game in this job. We also tell prospects that we don\u2019t control their site and ad platforms, which have huge impacts on our ability to succeed. @duanebrown<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q2: Is there anything proactive or preventative you do to help your mental health when it comes to this industry?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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I separate my workspace from my home space, and try to stay unplugged when not working. @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve started to spend a lot more time reading or at the gym which has been very helpful for my mental health on a number of levels. @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also keep work and home as separate as possible. I also started reading fiction for pleasure again about 7 years ago. You can\u2019t be worried about stuff when you\u2019re lost in a story! @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a punching bag and great power music on standby. @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music is a big piece of my work process.@ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My daughter and I are reading a book series together right now. And I love every time she says \u201cok, so book club comment\u2026\u201d @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music is huge! @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal = marketing fuel @navahhopkins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercising regularly. Having a personal “closing time” on my work day when I mentally leave work behind. Take vacations. @robert_brady<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, it depends on my mood. Some days, it’s classical, and some days, it’s heavy metal @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, the biggest thing but the scariest was to change my business model from managing accounts to auditing accounts and\/or building a strategy and then teaching the client to manage it\u2026\u00a0I was scared to lose the ongoing management fees, but my business has been thriving and I\u2019ve beat all my revenue goals above and beyond managing. So I guess the reading between the lines there what I did was, I changed my business to do more of what I want and none of what I don\u2019t like.I also let go of the status quo because truth be told I loved managing accounts, but I didn\u2019t love the \u201calways on\u201d part of it. I also didn\u2019t love that clients felt like they could point to a RoAS and then not talk for a couple months and it felt very transactional\u2026But I think there\u2019s different ways to do what I did\u00a0\u2026\u00a0it could\u2019ve been managing less. It could\u2019ve been not taking work from agencies. It could\u2019ve been outsourcing the management\u2026That is just what worked for me. I need the space to turn off my brain and do what I\u2019m doing now which is participating in PPC chat and cooking dinner for my family for the next few days\u2026\u00a0@runnerkik<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know, I guess this is where age comes in. Things have always changed pretty fast and marketing has never stayed even close to the same. Used to be heavy radio, then TV came out, and yes I still remember black and white televisions with rabbit ears, and we only had 2-3 channels where you still had to get your kids (me) to hold the antenna to get good reception sometimes. I just follow the popular YouTube, bloggers, and podcasters to stay up with the changes and know that we (I) need to always be very agile, because in 10 years, this whole industry is going to be different than what we see right now. Change is inevitable in every aspect of life, and we just have to flow like water does to the next thing. @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ab Soul or Billy Strings has been may daily back and forth @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haha @navahhopkins<\/a> I also have a heavy bag in our garage that I can use. Nothing beats a good sweat session with some loud music to take your mind off things. Oh and AC\/DC music is one of my go tos, but that may also be aging myself, lol. @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t believe I didn\u2019t say that I listen to marketing o\u2019clock\u2026 a good Greg Finn rant is so therapeutic. @runnerkik<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@runnerkik<\/a> I could inject a Greg Finn rant into my veins @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking up the day, I used to try just power through the slumps but now I get up, step away (ideally outside) and come back. Feel much better about my day and I\u2019m more productive @ChrisMurray<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@ChrisMurray<\/a> Nothing like some good manual labor in the sunshine to fuel your soul or even get you thinking again sometimes. Even just mowing the lawn can help me get out of a rut so I 100% agree @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect your time and don\u2019t work back to back to back crazy hours. Clients will eat up as much time as you let them. Boundaries are healthy. @duanebrown<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking the dog for a walk too to change scenery and perspective @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@Ichasse<\/a> Completely agree. (worked in landscaping before I got a full time marketing job too!) @ChrisMurray<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I start and end every day walking the dog for 30 mins. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

i have people I work with that take side gigs, walking neighbors’ dogs every day to get up and out without owning their own. @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jumping on @duanebrown<\/a>\u2019s point, never give clients your personal phone number. It\u2019s amazing what gets classed as \u2018emergency\u2019. I speak from personal mistakes. @ChrisMurray<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is a hard rule I have. Never give them your number\u2026 no matter how much they want to text\/sms\/whatsapps for comms @duanebrown<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set start and end times to the day are protected in my calendar. I only take meetings outside these times on an exception\/emergency basis. I take daily walks, outside if possible, and do some other form of exercise daily. I also play the clarinet in a community band, which is my escape – something I can lose myself in totally. And like Julie, I read for pleasure (fiction or fun chick lit – no business books!) And I have a separate phone for work that is on from 8-6 M-F and then turned off. Only 1-2 coworkers even have my personal number ( and no clients, ever) @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ooohh define your business hours in your contracts – including your time zone! You can always choose to work outside of them if you want to, but defining that up front is huge for protecting your work\/life schedule.  @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may sound wonky, but sometimes doing part-time work\/volunteering can keep you grounded as well. I was a volunteer mentoring the Somalian kids who came to Maine, and I also spent about a 1\/2 day at the animal shelter in Maine each week for many years. You could go help a family member with a roofing project or anything. Sometimes just stepping away from what we do every single day for a short period of time, 1\/2 or even a full day, can be a big help. @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q3: To use a term I am sure we are all sick of at this point – in yet another year of \u201cunprecedented times\u201d have you had to develop new ways to stay sane or grounded or functional in your work or personal life?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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I do a nice 30 minute walk during the afternoon. Does wonders to get away from the desk and just walk in the sunny weather. Highly recommend everyone do it. @duanebrown<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not really.  I\u2019m still on edge but I try to find moments of sanity with a book, drinking and micromanaging my kids or cooking or working out. @runnerkik<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shut off the news. I watch\/read\/listen to minimal news these days because it’s too upsetting. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not buying into the need to constantly be \u2018grinding\u2019 and recognising that what people present on social is just that, a presentation. The work\u2019s important but not everyone needs to sink 80 hours a week to be successful or happy. @ChrisMurray<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to limit my news intake. I can\u2019t take it in all day long. @ChrisMurray<\/a> One of my missions in life is to help people realize that there is no \u201cone right path\u201d only their right path. AND that that path can shift and change as their lives do! @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@ChrisMurray<\/a> the grind is overrated. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am selling my art collection, organizing my lego collection, and have also limited my news intake, though it’s hard to avoid. @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think someone said it in the previous question, but I learned to separate work\/personal life a while ago and that helps a lot. My phone is turned off after 5 PM (when most businesses close) and I don’t turn it back on until morning again. If there is a big project, site launch etc… then I will obviously be available as needed, but you know when those are happening (hopefully) .Work is just work and your life is why we work, so just keeping them separate is pretty big. @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have done a pretty good job of removing news-type content from my social accounts, which allows me to read the news when I’m ready to consume that content. Also, not being around screens (reading & the gym) helps a lot too. @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m trying to limit my time spent on any website\/app with a “feed”. That means news feeds, social media, etc. Feeds are engineered to suck you in and play on your emotions for engagement. The less time I spend on them the better I feel. @robert_brady<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am also a huge sports fan, so I listen to sports related things vs. news. Also listen to music as others have said. I spend a lot of time in the car right now. It\u2019s either sports radio or music. For example today, I am following what is happening with the Eagles in free agency\u2026@NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@NeptuneMoon<\/a>  – Last week’s NBA games were a welcome diversion from a 100-minute speech to Congress. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@JeffreyHain<\/a> NBA is a sore topic here in Philly right now, but I hear you! @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I may give a better answer after I spend some time playing with Legos at @ChrisKostecki<\/a>\u2019s place. If you tell me you have a full garage with a lift so you can work on older cars, I may just come over now, lol. Oh and yes, DO NOT watch the news. When I quit watching the news, my life instantly improved. Remember they did that test a while ago about positive vs. negative headlines and the negative won by a landslide, so they almost never tell you the good things that are happening no matter what political party is in power.Those in the north know this well when it comes to weather. This could be the storm of the century! Then we get 3 inches of snow…. @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of getting rid of stuff, I have a complete set of hand-painted Mieto china from the 50’s that’s never been used and is for sale. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s always NCAA Basketball – GO GREEN! @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

March Madness is one of my favorites! @robert_brady<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need to revive the PPC Chat Bracket @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q4: If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, for PPC, world events or personal reasons, where do you turn for help?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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If it is industry related, I turn to you lovely folks here. The support we give each other both in public posts and private messages is life-saving. If it is personal stuff, then I lean on family and friends and the dog. Don\u2019t underestimate how much a pet can be a comfort. Maple is squished up next to me as I type this\u2026@NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have an awesome group of friends, so they are always my go-to along with my family and dog. Work is just a means to an end, and they are all why we work hard, so we can have a great life. Just had a great friend come stay with us at the inn here in Mississippi so even this week is much better already! @Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My children give me strength and perspective..@ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a Boston Terrier, so yeah let’s stick with the kids..@ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a religious person I find solace in my faith. Also family, pets, and all you wonderful colleagues here. @robert_brady<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteering at our temple is a great way to turn off the business mindset and focus on helping others. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The community, my friends, family & pups. @adwordsgirl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a fantastic team at work and we always help each other out. They pick me up every single day. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fantasy baseball and fantasy football are welcome reliefs from the day-to-day. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q5: What stresses you out the most from a PPC perspective right now? How are you coping with or managing that stress?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Late to the party as I got dragged into a meeting. Right now, the most stressful is when what worked 3 months ago doesn\u2019t work today. @Pete_Bowen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it too trite to say AI-ification of absolutely everything?????? @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I look at it from just PPC, I don\u2019t get as stressed out. It\u2019s everything around it\u2026 if anything, I think will be a little bit more needed in different ways. @NeptuneMoon<\/a> I love the AI, but I know exactly what you mean @runnerkik<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all seriousness, the industry has changed so much and is continuing to change at a rapid pace. For someone my age, rolling with all the changes gets less appealing. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Targeting capabilities across platforms GDN (and other extended) network quality – they do little to police bad actors, no industry regulation. @ChrisKostecki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

@ChrisKostecki<\/a> Brand safety is definitely stressful @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the article you shared a number of months back, Jule, about the shitification of things? lol. Honestly for me it is that. We get these great platforms with all these options for our brands. Then their revenue starts to plateau for one reason or another (usually they stop innovating), so they start removing data\/options to increase their money or raise costs (Netflix would be sub fees and Google would be CPCs).It really bothers me how organizations stop thinking of the customer vs. the bottom line and that probably gets me the most.  Which is why Greg’s rants hit home for so many of us. We just want what is best for the brands we try our best to help. Our jobs if done right allow companies to reinvest in their brands, hire more people etc… so I may take on a lot of that responsibility, but a lot of times it is on sales\/marketing to bring in the business that keeps these companies lights on and people employed, so they can take their kids to dance lessons, sports functions, etc…@Ichasse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also think that we are entering a different era of digital advertising. Platforms are mature entities, not upstarts. Businesses have advertised on them for many years. Clicks and impressions are no longer dirt cheap with little competition. But it is still often sold as being a disruptive type force for a business to run digital advertising. It just isn\u2019t like it once was. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get things have changed, but I still try to focus on finding the blue skies and the windows. @revaminkoff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of transparency\/visibility into what’s working is still a huge challenge for us. We keep testing new formats and campaign types, but there are so few levers we can pull that it’s hard to optimize. And clients ask where their ads are serving, and with Pmax we can’t really tell them. It’s frustrating. Also costs are through the roof compared with a couple of years ago. @beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q6. Are there any habits you have or have adopted that help your mental health and wellbeing that you\u2019d like to share that you haven\u2019t already?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Recently it is definitely limiting news consumption. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I married the most optimistic person on the planet and try listen to her more often. And surfing. @Pete_Bowen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am trying to be mindful of what I am modeling for my 12-year-old too @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the day, taking a break from work to do Wordle or Wafflegame.net<\/a> help clear my brain. @JeffreyHain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking breaks of some kind is huge. And being ok with that when you need it. Listening to your body and mind on that front can help a lot. Even if it is just a short break.I like to read fiction while I eat lunch, for example. @NeptuneMoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Facebook off my phone \/ spending less time on Facebook. (It is now back on my phone but I’m still trying to spend less time on social media\/ might take it off again) @revaminkoff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media is such a mixed bag. I love keeping up with friends but hate all the rhetoric and garbage.@beyondthepaid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a walk when I need it has been so key. I’ll go get a latte, so that there’s an excuse to get outside, take a walk, and talk to other people. @revaminkoff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PPCChat Participants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n