Matt Bailey, Founder and President, SiteLogic, Canton, Ohio
What was your first job out of college and how did you get into this business?
Wow. On the face of it, there is not much related in this answer. When I graduated, I went to work for the Ohio National Guard as a unit administrator. I was already in the Guard but became a full-time member for the next five years. I was already familiar with the Internet and using ARPNET was a great way to get familiar with the basic functions. During my time, the military transitioned from ARPNET to AOL as the preferred method of communication, as HTML made the Internet much more visual—like it is today. That was one of my primary influences in being comfortable enough with the Internet to begin building websites.
Has there been a defining moment in your career? Perhaps when you knew you were on the right road.
The defining moment came in my next job, selling real estate. I got into commercial real estate, and someone approached me about selling a bed and breakfast. I quickly learned that the traditional sales methods wouldn’t work for this kind of property, as I needed much more coverage. So, I started building websites to advertise commercial real estate properties—this was around 1995-96. By the next year, I was in the top 2% of Realtors within the state—all from properties that I advertised and sold through the Internet. It was then that I realized that the Internet was going to be a lot more fun than Real Estate.
I knew I was on the right road, when a traditional advertising agency hired me, mainly because I knew how to get website rankings in search engines (like Alta Vista). I couldn’t believe that I was able to get a job doing SEO, which was only a hobby at that point.
In brief, describe your business/company?
SiteLogic is an online marketing agency, but we focus on education. My goal is to make online marketing logical and understandable. We do this by applying “tried and tested” offline sales and marketing concepts that work online. Not everything has changed; people are still persuaded by the same means. It’s just that we can now track everything with analytics and adjust digital marketing as we see results.
What are two or three important concepts or rules that have helped you to succeed in business?
– Value people. People are the most important resource in any endeavor. Networking has been my best means to develop great relationships and business. I can track all of my clients to the referral, and the source of that referral as well. In fact, I can trace most of my success in this business all the way back to two individuals who recommended me for speaking engagements early in my career.
– Have fun. If you aren’t having fun, something is wrong, especially if it is your job to make it fun for everyone else.
What is the single-most successful thing that your company is doing now?
Analytics. No one has been taught how to do website analytics; they only inherit shared assumptions as to what it really is. We teach and coach analytics, and it is awesome to see the excitement of people when they get it, and the resulting success of their company.
Do you see a trend or path that you have to lock onto for 2011?
About five years ago, I thought that the market would have grown enough where we could get beyond teaching the basics. Today, I see that the market for the basics keeps getting bigger and bigger, and the demand increases. Analytics has been my trend, as very few people are getting the wealth of information that is available through analytics. Until the majority of companies becomes aware and uses analytics properly, that’s the path we’re locked into.
What are the key benefits of SIPA membership for you and your team?
Exposure to a wealth of business and information models. I love being able to have access to the people of SIPA. The multitude of business and monetization models in this association is amazing, and I have learned a lot just seeing all of the businesses and information represented in this organization.
Where did you grow up?
I originally grew up in Newport, R.I., but then moved to Ohio. Not by my choice, I was only a kid.
What college did you attend? Is there a moment from that time that stands out?
I went to Malone University in Ohio. I stayed close to home because I was in the National Guard and had regular training to attend. What stands out was the quality of teaching in a small school, and my introduction to Aristotle and Rhetoric—which has stayed with me for the rest of my life.
Are you married? Do you have children?
I am married to an amazing woman that has given me the ability to develop a hobby into a career and then into a business. Stacey is my wife of 14 years, and we’re having a great time together. We have four daughters: Caitlin, 10, Madeline, 7, Miranda, 5, and Callie almost 2.
What is your favorite hobby and how did it develop in your life?
My favorite hobby used to be building websites and getting them to rank in the search engines. That has become my life and is no longer a hobby, though I do dabble in building some small affiliate sites. My new hobby is restoring an old 1964 VW Beetle. I love doing something with my hands where I can say, “I did that!” After the bug is done, maybe an old VW bus!
Is there a book you recently read or movie you saw that you would recommend?
Well, I haven’t read anything in more than a year, mainly because I was writing a book: “Internet Marketing: An Hour a Day,” which took about 14 months to produce! I can recommend that! Otherwise, I recommend that every marketer should read Neil Postman’s “Technopoly.” Understand technology or be controlled by it!
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Less than 2 weeks to register for SIPA 2011
at the excellent early-bird price!
Matt has helped to give SIPA a greater
sophistication of analytics and SEO.
That theme will continue at SIPA 2011
with sessions like: How to Develop a Keyword
Phrase Universe…and Why it Matters; Organic
Search vs. Paid/Pay-Per-Click: What’s the
Difference and Which Will Work Best for You;
and How to Build Your Online Visibility so that
Getting New Customers is as Easy as 1-2-3.
SIPA 2011: Cashing in on Content –
Models for a New Decade
June 5-7, Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.
Register now!
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