Qatar's Bid for World Cup 2022

On the surface, Qatar's bid for the 2022 World Cup - the largest sporting event in the world - has little to do with small business marketing. However, when you consider the "big boys" who are competing to host the event, England, USA, Japan, Russia to name a few, Qatar can be seen as a minnow in the group.

As a former soccer player, my SiteLite's founder has closely followed the bid campaigns of the major players. In truth, every country is following the same "tried and true" methods with a spattering of social and mobile marketing.

In order to differentiate its bid, Qatar has taken a new frontier approach that has some betting houses changing the odds that the tournament will find its way to the Middle East (politics aside).

Here's the moral of the story: While the tried and true methods benefit the established brands, essentially getting your company/country/service/product in the consideration set, it's the one or two points of differentiation that will make or break your ability to deliver a resonating message and value proposition that will propel your marketing efforts and drive success for your organization

Take a look at the video below and let us know what you think about the proposed stadium designs.

Google Places For Small Businesses

Many small businesses today still rely heavily on their local community for business. Whether you own a shop or provide services, it's important that potential clients around your neighborhood can quickly access your company's location and similar relavent information.

While many companies provide direction and contact information on their website, few companies fully utilize the local business tools available (for free) through search engines like Google and Yahoo.

These search engines offer platforms that allow local businesses to create and integrate local business postings online that sync with their website to quickly provide maps, store hour and all other company info that an involved potential customer will need to access.

Google Places is a great example. In 30 minutes you can create a Google Places page that will appear with any relevant search query and provide your clients the info they need to process all the necessary info they need regarding your company. Your business can easily upload images, docs, videos and categorize your company to increase the quality of info that your clients receive.

Embedding a link to your Google Places page on your website in harmony with your Google Maps page is a snap, and a great way to link all your online resources to ensure your maximizing your presence on search engines. If you're also utilizing PPC Search you can expect to see a significant spike in your search engine presence and greatly improve your ability to reach your target customers.

See an example below:
Search Query: IT Consulting Services Atlanta
Page 1 Company Presence: 4 (Natural Search 2, PPC 1, Local Business 1)

A Little PR Can Go A Long Way

One of my SiteLite's clients will be opening a brand new Dance and Health Facility in Atlanta next month. The Company Valeo (or Valeo Club if you prefer) has already started to generate a ton of buzz in the local Atlanta market thanks to an organized balance of social media, word of mouth, marketing collateral, street advertising and a big helping of SEO.

You see, Valeo (founded by a former dance, Financial Analyst and MBA) understands the value of marketing for generating business and the potential return the facility can realize through a well thought out marketing approach.

So what's the result? Well the outlook is certainly promising! The owner is receiving calls and emails from local radio stations, blogs and event calendars asking for more insight into this popular new dance and health facility that is "all the rage". From an analytics standpoint the site is doing phenomenal and as soon as Valeo reaches a plateau we'll provide some additional insight into just how effective the initial buzz (and resulting business) was.

Video Marketing Debate (Check These Videos Out) - To Spend Or Not To Spend



Barclay Productions Image

 For many small businesses the idea of investing a considerable amount of your marketing budget in a video ad campaign may not seem like a good idea. If you have little to no experience in the lifecycle management of a video campaign you may be doubtful regarding the ROI from your efforts.


While historically this may be accurate, today's companies are armed with a host of technologies and software, as well as SEO and PPC practices that make video a viable small business marketing channel.


Here's a few links that we have no affiliation with:

• YouTube Promoted Videos
• SEO | How Web Video is Finally Coming of Age
• Google Adwords 
• Flip Video
• Camtasia Studio

From an awareness standpoint, one viral YouTube video can ignite your company's online presence. So here's the real consideration... with the ability to easily launch and promote your videos to the right audience, should your company look to break the bank on production or should you leave that to Spielberg and position your video as a candid (amateur) video and focus on content and entertainment over production quality.


The answer is, it depends - did you see that coming? Look at your audience and budget. Consider your message and your brand image and decide which direction to take.


See two videos below that took two very different approaches. Both Videos were hugely successful in driving business for their respective companies. So which direction is best for you?


Blue Sombrero Giveaway


EarthWool Insulation


We want to know what you think post a comment below or email us at info@mysitelite.com

Event Marketing Needs To Be Fun

Say no to boring events, say hello to fun company socials!

Across nearly every vertical there is a need to get your company, partners and clients together for a little face-to-face interaction. Whether to reconnect or to introduce a new product, service or technology, these events afford your organization the chance to establish and/or reestablish your relationship with the individuals that help drive your success.

In an increasingly virtual/remote business environment these company events become more and more important. The need for creativity beyond the "tried and true" means your marketing department needs to put on their thinking caps to figure out how to create an event that your business allies will want to attend. After all, people do business with people they like.

Surprisingly enough the ingredients for a successful company event or social are simple and straightforward:

1. Valuable & Informative
2. Convenient & Comprehensive
3. Fun & Unique

An example you ask? Try Office Golf on for size.

Prep Time: 3 weeks
Necessary Items: Golf Supplies, Food, Drink, Prizes for winners
Draw: New product, service, or resource of note
Target Audience: Current and New Partners or Current and New Clients*
*It’s important to keep the lines drawn in this instance between partners and clients to ensure your attendees do not have a double agenda for attending

Kicker: Creativity for themed courses.
Check out the video below:



We want to know your thoughts about event marketing and how you can make your business allies want to attend these events. Post a comment below or email us (info@mysitelite.com)

A Few Marketing Truths - Read This Article!

No matter the medium or audience, it is important to remember a few basic marketing truths that have, and will, stand the test of time.

1. A Call To Action Works - It's no secret... people need motivators to take an action. While the tools we use and the channels we follow may change over time, the people and segments that we're trying to reach have remained the same. 1) Creating urgency, 2) Providing direction and 3) Appealing to emotion are all effective for eliciting a desired behavior and should be a focus when developing your message. Get to know your audience and what motivates them, and give them a reason as well as the next step to work with you.

2. Simplicity and Consistency - From your message to your communication channels, it is important to make it easy for a potential client to understand and communicate with your organization. A clear and consistent message will allow your involved and uninvolved audience members to identify and effectively process your message. Furthermore, make sure that you're utilizing the communications channels that your audience prefers (phone, email, chat, forum, social network, etc). the easier it is for a client to understand and communicate with you the more effective you will be in creating and driving business.

3. Once You're In The Consideration Set, Show Your Differentiators - In order for a client to consider you as a viable solution/service/product etc., you have to meet the general criteria involved in the selection process. This is what gets you "in" the proverbial door. Unfortunately, many companies - once invited "in" - feel the need to provide additional reasons why they should be allowed in. This is a mistake.

When showing your company's value, communicate the 2-3 points of parity that allow your prospective clients to qualify your organization. At this point, it is critical to focus on the specific item or items that set your organization apart (from the client's standpoint). This message should be highly tailored to the specific client (if possible). Additionally, don't feel the need to show EVERY point of differentiation. Instead, focus on the most impactful and stick to your guns.

We want to know what you think. Post a comment below and tell us how we're 1) Right, 2) Wrong, 3) Both.

Look Before You Leap with Marketing Consultants and Solutions

As a company focused solely on providing online marketing solutions and guidance for small businesses, my SiteLite is pretty passionate about providing value for our customers. Unfortunately this is not always the case in the Online Marketing Arena. While there are a ton of online solutions companies out there with only good intentions and business practices, there are just as many looking for a new "sucker customer" that they can rob blind.

So how do you, the small business entrepreneur, avoid these companies? Well - as is the case with any investment in your company - the simple answer is, "it pays to know". Fortunately, information is abundant and readily available for those looking to learn more about the value and opportunity in optimizing your online presence. The challenge is simply taking the time to educate yourself and your organization.

If and when you decide to enter into an agreement with an outside organization to improve a piece of your online marketing, it's a good idea to know - at least on the surface - the basics regarding the proposed solution. Perhaps you’re considering an SEO initiative to improve your website's general performance for search queries. If this is the case go to www.google.com (or any other major search engine) and spend a few hours reading through the basics of SEO. Trust me, you will have no trouble finding the information you need.

An easy way to increase your company's internal knowledge of a specific marketing practice like SEO or PPC (Pay Per Click) Marketing is to create a Google account and gain access to tools like Google's AdWords, Analytics, Webmaster Tools and Google Places. There's tons of learning material available and you'll be taking the time to ensure that the online solutions company that you choose to partner with, is not only a reliable partner, but is also capable of providing the expertise and return on investment you demand to ensure your company's success moving forward.

If you have any questions or comments please post them below or shoot us an email at info@mysitelite.com

2010 Inc 500 | 5000 Companies

It’s here again! Inc Magazine has compiled its highly anticipated list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Led by some of the country’s most promising entrepreneurs, and innovative leaders, many of these companies are just starting to make waves in their respective verticals.

This year’s fastest growing private company is Ambit Energy, led by Jere Thompson Jr. An interesting fact, Jere’s Grandfather started 7-Eleven. Click Here to read about Jere and his path to the top of the Inc. List.

We want to know what you think about this list and some of this country’s leading companies. Is your company on the list? Post a comment below and let us know where you stand.

• Inc Magazine
• Inc 500 | 5000 List
• Inc RSS