Joining a trade association can give you and your business an edge. There are a number of trade associations for builders and licensed contractors, and each of these associations offers members a variety of benefits.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has, as its Core Purpose: “to advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism, product, and vital public purpose.” NARI’s member contractors “have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge with cutting edge educational opportunities and certifications. They have unlimited use of the NARI logo, which is promoted nationwide in a number of consumer media outlets. They are easy for consumers to find on the NARI website, and they have access to leads through the NARI website.” NARI also provides marketing advice, information about building permits, and events focusing on various topics of vital interest to professionals in the remodeling industry.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) considers itself to be “the premier resource for industry information, education, research, and tech (more…)

Your company bio is one of the most important pieces of advertising you can do, especially in this age of Internet marketing. A bio must accomplish several goals. It must be active and engaging, while performing the difficult task of making prospective clients feel like they know your business in a matter of a few concise sentences.

Following are some tips to help you write an effective company bio:

1. Who is reading it? It is not just homeowners and clients that will read your company bio. Depending on your business, you may want to target possible investors. Your bio should also stand out to local media outlets who may be looking to profile unique local businesses (i.e., free advertising!). You bio should be engaging to a wide spectrum of readers.
2. Useful information that is easily understood. A slew of industry jargon may be fascinating to other contractors, but they are your competition. Instead try to provide useful information, explaining what your company does and how you do it better than the rest, in layman’s terms that anyone can understand. Be clear and concise, if there is any confusion about what exactly you do, readers will most likely move on to some other company’s website. (more…)