What is the best method in keyword research for a newbie?

You might by using the adwords keyword tool to build a list of keywords.
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

1. Google Adwords tool is a great option! I would also suggest that you use "exact" match when you do your keyword research as it is always automatically turned on broad match.
2. Wordtracker has a free version that gives up to 100 keywords for your search term and that is more than enough and you can always dig deeper.
3. Seo Book also offers a great free keyword tool that is based on wordtracker.
This tool has a lot of options to use so you (like google trends) so you definatelly want to use it with your keyword research!
4. I would also suggest that you check adwords competition when you use your keyword research as you want to use keywords that are "buying" keywords. I don`t know what exactly is your niche and what is your strategy, but I always check if someone is paying for that keyword before I want to put some effort into it.
Spy Fu this is a great keyword tool that you would want to check out for this purpose

Just Google those keyword tools to get them! They are all free and great!

I would suggest that you always use more than one keyword tool as sometimes search amounts for long tail keywords are not correct.


Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have!

Best regards,
Laura

Get my free video tutorial on keyword research at this site:

allinoneseo(dot)net

Just filled it a day or so ago, I use free sites such as:

• Ebay keywords
• Paypal
• Google adwords tool
• Free wordtracker tool
• Keyword discovery
• Google Insight For search
• and more ...