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The Overwhelming Success Story of a Simple Idea - Case Study

Bassem Ghali is a 2-time winner of the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year award and a digital marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience working with companies such as Canadian Tire, Vistaprint, Remax Canada, Alpha Laps, Xplornet, and Toronto Star.


Who would have thought that the simple idea of supporting great local charities by providing marketing tips would gain the support of 2,823 Torontonians & raise more than $25,000 donations … in just 6 events over 3 year!

How Did It All Start?

In early 2012 Bassem Ghali (Founder & Head of Client Strategy at Green Lotus) wanted to give back to the community in a big way. With his expertise and network of marketing professionals, Bassem wanted to create an online marketing workshop and bring the community together in support of a local charity.

When Bassem shared this simple idea with friends Stephanie Abouatallah and Richard Marginson (social media mangers at Canadian Tire and Via Rail at time), their immediate interest and support led to the Donate & Learn initiative.

Case Study of the First Event:

Thanks to a powerful Promo Video that attracted more than 10k YouTube Views and 1.2k Facebook Likes/Shares in just 2 weeks; the Donate & Learn team was amazed by the rapidly growing community support.

More than 220 guests attended the sold-out event and we raised close to $3,800 for the YWCA Toronto!

An Unimaginable Turn of Events

In May 2013, in an unimaginable turn of events, the Donate & Learn initiative gained the support of GoDaddy an international industry leader in the online world. With GoDaddy as a major supporter, the Donate & Learn initiative grew exponentially!

Donate & Learn also gained the support of a top marketing expert in the USA, John Shehata (Executive Director of Search & Social, ABC News), who flew in from New York to show his support and was the keynote speaker at the May 2013 workshop, along with Sally Chung (Senior Account Manager, Large Customer Sales at Google Canada).

The Donate & Learn Workshop was sold out for a 2nd time with over 260 attendees and another $4,185 raised for the YWCA Toronto!


" What an incredible event, you have truly put the fun back in fundraising.
The Donate & Learn is an amazing initiative bringing people together to experience learning."

– Cathy Denyer 
President & CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto  



The Workshop Grew into an Expo!


Running off the success of the past two events, we realized that the Donate & Learn initiative was rapidly growing and gaining traction in the community simply because of the core values of the Donate & Lean initiative – the positive impact on the community, with 100% donations going to a local charity, and the educational value provided by industry expert keynote speakers at Donate & Learn events.

In Dec 2013, we celebrated the 1st anniversary with a Donate & Learn Expo where over 450 attendees helped raise close to $10,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.

Thanks to the additional support of the Ryerson University Enactus Team, the Expo was a great opportunity to network, meet industry experts from Microsoft Bing Ads, Marin Software and GoDaddy. A pre-event hands-on workshop was also hosted by GoDaddy and introduced small/medium businesses to it’s latest Website Builder Tools.

Expo Keynote speakers included Andrew Yang – Search Evangelist at Microsoft Canada, Tommy Kern – Professional Development at GoDaddy, and The Big3 Video Marketing Agency team.

Meet Cupcake & Raoul!

Meet our mascot Doug!

The June 2014 Donate & Learn Expo in partnership with Ryerson Enactus and the Digital Media Zone saw more than 500+ attendees eager to learn from marketing experts at some of Canada’s leading corporations including Proctor & Gamble, Bing Canada and LinkedIn.

Expo Sponsors included the Canadian Association of Marketing Professionals, Uniiverse, FreshBooks, YourHSA, EasyPromos who each hosted a pre-Expo workshop and TekSavvy who held the inaugural Meet the Experts session!

In December 2014 we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of Donate & Learn Initiative with a Party for small business owners in support of the YWCA Toronto. Sponsors included the Canadian Association of Marketing Professionals, Constant Contact and Kick Ass Media.

Keynote speakers included marketing experts from Constant Contact and Green Lotus, providing the latest trends in online marketing, email marketing and search engine optimization. The party celebrated the Beta launch of the Green Lotus SEO Tools!

Join the Conversation in the Facebook Comments Section Below:

by Bassem Ghali 9 December 2024
Toronto's construction market is fiercely competitive. To stay ahead, you must keep up with the latest digital trends. One of the biggest game-changers recently is Google's AI Overviews. This new feature uses artificial intelligence to give people quick summaries of what they're searching for, which means they might need help to even click on individual results. So, how does this affect your construction business? It means you have to work even harder to stand out in search results. At Green Lotus, we help construction businesses like yours adapt to these changes and ensure you're still getting noticed by potential clients. We focus on making your website and content the best it can be, so even with AI in the mix, you come out on top. Deconstructing AI Overviews: How They Impact Your Construction Business AI Overviews represent Google's attempt to deliver quick and comprehensive answers to user queries directly on the search results page. This means that your online presence needs to be optimized not only for traditional SEO factors but also for these AI-powered summaries. Consider it a competition to become the "featured snippet" for various construction-related searches. If your business consistently provides the most relevant and authoritative information, you'll be well-positioned to capture valuable leads and drive business growth. Check our digital marketing services contractors, construction companies & SEO services home builders Content is King, Context is Queen, and Quality is the Kingdom: In-depth Content: Go beyond basic service descriptions. Toronto residents commonly encounter roofing difficulties, such as leaks and damaged shingles. To acquire confidence and demonstrate your competence, provide high-quality content that addresses these challenges and even more. A guide like "Navigating Your Roofing Options in Toronto" may appeal to your target audience. Alternatively, provide practical advice in an article such as "Top 5 Roofing Problems in Toronto and How to Prevent Them". Focusing on your audience's requirements allows you actually to connect with them. Keyword Optimization: Integrate relevant keywords naturally throughout your content. Use long-tail keywords that show the specific services you offer and the areas you serve. For example, if you provide "custom home building in North York," incorporate this phrase and related variations throughout your website and content. Schema Markup: Schema markup is like a translator between your website and Google's AI. It helps the algorithms understand the context of your content, making it more likely to be included in AI Overviews. Ensure your website uses schema markup to identify your services, location, customer reviews, and other essential information. Elevate Your Google Business Profile: Comprehensive and Accurate Information: Consider your Google Business Profile your digital storefront. It is frequently the first impression a potential consumer receives, so keeping it correct and current is essential. This includes ensuring that your company's name, address, and phone number are accurate. But don't stop there! Include your website, service areas, business hours, and any extra services you offer. A rich and accurate profile enables customers to easily find you and understand what your firm is all about. Visual Storytelling: A picture is worth a thousand words, and high-quality photos and videos can make all the difference in the world of online search. Showcase your completed projects, highlight your team's expertise, and give potential customers a visual tour of your capabilities. Customer Reviews as Social Proof: Encourage satisfied customers to leave detailed and positive reviews on your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews improve your local SEO and enhance your credibility and trustworthiness in AI Overviews. Consider implementing a system for collecting customer feedback and testimonials. Building a Robust Online Presence: Local Citations for Authority: Consider local citations virtual "votes of confidence" for your business. Ensure your business information is consistently listed across relevant online directories and platforms, including industry-specific directories, local business associations, and general online directories. Backlinks as Trust Signals: Boost your website's authority with high-quality backlinks. Think of backlinks as a much-needed vote of confidence from other websites. When reputable sites in the construction industry, such as suppliers, associations, or even local news outlets, link to yours, it signals to Google that your content is valuable. This increases your website's trustworthiness and improves its search ranking. Backlink development is essential for enhancing your website's search engine rankings. These "endorsements" indicate to Google that your content is trustworthy and deserving of promotion in search results. The better your website ranks, the easier it will be for potential clients to locate you. Social Media Engagement: Maintain an active and engaging presence on social media platforms relevant to your business. Share valuable content, engage with your followers, and join industry-related discussions. Social media signals fluctuate but might indirectly affect your SEO and increase your online presence. Harnessing the Power of AI and Automation: AI-Powered Tools for Efficiency: Digital marketing is evolving rapidly, and small businesses must stay ahead. AI-powered tools can help you streamline your efforts and uncover new opportunities. From content creation to social media management, AI offers valuable solutions. You can gain a competitive edge in your market by embracing these technologies. Sales Automation for Lead Nurturing: Use sales automation solutions to improve lead generation and customer relationship management procedures. This can help you generate more leads, build stronger relationships, and convert prospects into paying clients. Real-World Applications for Construction Businesses: Consider a Toronto-based construction company specializing in historic building restoration. By creating in-depth content on topics like "heritage home preservation techniques" or "restoring Victorian architecture in Ontario" and optimizing their Google Business Profile with relevant keywords, images, and customer reviews, they can increase their chances of being featured in AI Overviews for related searches.
Google's AI Overviews
by Bassem Ghali 14 October 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI), local search engine optimization (SEO), and digital marketing aren't just buzzwords anymore; they're how your small business may realize its digital potential. The rules have again altered thanks to Google's recent innovations in generative AI search. This technology doesn't just make it faster to find information; it also changes how you study, plan, and even come up with new ideas, which will help you get more leads and grow your business. What is Generative AI Search? Imagine asking Google a complex question like, "Find the best HVAC technicians in North York with at least ten years of experience and emergency service availability." With generative AI, you won't have to wade through pages of results; instead, you'll get a brief synopsis of the best possibilities with links to their websites that emphasize their salient qualities. This feature is used by Google's new Gemini model, which is designed to search, to give more complete and easy-to-use results. How Can Generative AI Benefit Your Small Business? For small business owners in Toronto, like contractors, plumbers, or cleaning services, generative AI search offers a wealth of opportunities: Enhanced Local SEO Want to show up in those helpful AI summaries? Generative AI helps you understand what your customers are searching for and how to optimize your website accordingly. Check our Local SEO Services! Streamlined Research Do you ever feel like there is too much information for you to handle, especially when it comes to the newest ways to get rid of pests or fix water damage? Getting water from a firehose is impossible! The most important information can be summed up by generative AI to help you quickly understand what you need without being too overloaded. It's kind of like your own CliffNotes for staying up to date in your area. Improved Decision-Making Sometimes we get stuck on a paper while we try to figure out how to sell our business or buy new tools in a way that gets us the most for our money. It can feel like putting together a puzzle that no one has all the pieces for! But what if you had a professional with you to help you sort through the choices and weigh the pros and cons? AI that can make things can do that. To have someone you can trust help you make smart business choices is like having a trusted guide. Boosted Productivity You can focus on other important things while creative AI plans things like team-building events or meal plans.
by Bassem Ghali 10 October 2024
Almost half (46%) of all Google searches are for local information, such as "near me" searches. Homeowners use their smartphones to find solutions for everything from leaky faucets to faulty wiring. For companies offering home services, roofing , electricians , plumbers and contracting like yours, local SEO is crucial to ensure that you are the top choice when urgent needs arise. This guide offers a simplified approach to local SEO, specifically designed for busy contractors or home service providers. We will avoid using complex language and provide practical strategies and real-world examples to help you attract local customers, convert leads, and dominate your service area. The Foundations of Local SEO Success Google My Business (GMB): Complete Your Profile: Include accurate and detailed information about your business. Verify Your Listing: Confirm your business's digital address with Google. Categorize Strategically: Select categories that precisely match your services. Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and credibility. Engage with GMB Posts: Share updates and offers to keep your profile active. NAP Citations: Ensure Consistency: Maintain identical Name, Address, and Phone number across all online platforms. Prioritize Quality: Focus on reputable directories and avoid spammy listings. On-Page Optimization: Keyword Research: Identify and incorporate relevant keywords into your website content. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling descriptions that entice clicks. Create Localized Content: Develop pages targeting specific neighborhoods or areas you serve. Mobile-First Approach: Ensure your website is responsive and user-friendly on all devices. Optimize Website Speed: A fast-loading website improves user experience and search rankings. Link Building: Local Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses for cross-promotion and link exchange. Community Engagement: Sponsor local events or participate in community forums to earn links and build goodwill. Guest Blogging: Share your expertise on relevant industry blogs to gain exposure and backlinks. Reviews and Reputation Management: Monitor Reviews: Actively respond to both positive and negative reviews. Address Concerns: Resolve issues raised in negative reviews to demonstrate customer commitment. Encourage Feedback: Make it easy for satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
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