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Third Quarter
Member
Newsletter
What’s New at Concrete Network?
Industry Search Trends
by Jim Peterson, President of ConcreteNetwork.com
Data collected by The Concrete Network reveal the most popular US cities for decorative concrete and the most sought-after decorative concrete techniques. US Cities Showing the Most Interest in Decorative Concrete: Houston, TX Dallas, TX Chicago, IL Most Sought-After Decorative Techniques: Stained Concrete Stamped Concrete Interior Concrete Floors
I hope your summer went well and you were able to have at least a little downtime for some summer fun. We’ve been busy on quite a few projects designed to enhance our network that I would like to share with you. Our goal is the same with every project: produce solid education for site visitors, garner more site visitors, and introduce more potential to our contractor members. I’ll tell you, looking at our company through that prism makes my job easy. It’s simply picking what is going to accomplish those objectives the best. #1- Our team built a variety of sites designed to educate and serve consumers and send more traffic to our contractor members. Please check out: StampedConcrete. org; PolishedConcrete.org; ConcretePatio.org; Concrete-Driveway. org; Concrete-Floors.org; and ConcreteStained.com #2- We’ve now produced over 300 videos and feature them on our site and on YouTube.com—mainly on how to design with concrete and
Inside this Issue:
why concrete is such a good choice. The goal is for these videos to be another touch point to get buyers excited about the concrete choice. These videos have currently been viewed millions of times. Here is our YouTube channel: www.youtube. com/concretenetwork
#4- We are growing our Facebook page—in fact it is now the most active Facebook page in the entire industry by a longshot. Why is this important? Facebook can generate leads, that’s for sure. But what it is really about is us getting to see and hear, and talk with end users about what they like (or don’t like) about decorative concrete. Their comments are informing us. What better way to speak to what buyers want than to have conversed with them in an informal way. Check out our Facebook page: www.facebook. com/concretenetwork #5- Concrete Network mobile is a really exciting project. You can check it out on your smart phone at m.concretenetwork. com. Mobile visitors can look at all the photo galleries, find a contractor, and research any of the topics on the full Concrete Network site.
#3- Our search engine optimization endeavors have led to our site being found on over 100,000 keywords at this time. If it has to do with decorative concrete, we are going to be all over it and make sure we are found on every word or phrase possible.
A commonality of all these projects is the aim to let buyers reach The Concrete Network in any manner they choose—mobile phones, Facebook, on a video channel, or while conducting a search. Thank you for reading this. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 866-3807754.
5 Must-Haves for a Better Company Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Content on The Concrete Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upcoming Training Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exclusive Concrete Product Discounts & Special Offers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concrete Network Industry Search Trends for Decorative Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Three Free Online Tools to Offer Your Clients Help educate your clients during the buying process by letting them know about these free tools they can access at ConcreteNetwork.com: Decorative Concrete Design Videos
Expert Bob Harris shares concrete floor design ideas and answers homeowners’ most frequently asked questions about concrete floors. ConcreteNetwork.com/concretefloor-videos
Free Newsletter, The Concrete Quest
Sent semi-monthly; covering decorative concrete trends in and around the home, design ideas and more. ConcreteNetwork.com/newsletters
Glossary of Decorative Concrete Terms
Glossary of Decorative Concrete Terms Extensive glossary provides a general understanding of terms used within the industry, so everyone is on the same page. ConcreteNetwork.com/glossary
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New Content on The Concrete Network
5 Must-Haves for a Better Company Website In our fast-paced world of smart phones, highspeed Internet, and social networking sites, you just can’t compete without your own company website. Your own company website is a huge reflection on you and your business. Why? Because it’s where most people start looking to see what you’re all about. Your website works for you 24/7. You never know who is accessing it or when. It’s a never-ending marketing tool for you, so make the most out of it! Read on to see if your website is up-to-par. Let clients know what you do upfront. Have a page on your site listing the services you offer. Clients come to your site thinking only about their project need, there’s no need to take them on a scavenger hunt to figure out what you do. Tell them.
Mobile Concrete Network is Here! Make sure to bookmark our mobile site on your iPhone or Android smart phone home screen, so you can get The Concrete Network on the go. Take advantage of all site features anywhere you go: • Use the concrete calculator • Browse the photo galleries • Find products and find contractors • View full length videos • Get training and event info • Research and learn from thousands of concrete articles And more…
Leave no question about how to contact you. Include a clear company contact page. Put your name out there and give multiple numbers to reach you. Offer an email address and check it regularly.
your credibility than a site filled with misspelled words, improper grammar and errors. Ask or hire someone with good grammar and proofreading skills to double check your site. Your website is your portfolio online. Create galleries, loaded with professional-quality photos of your work. Show clients an array of jobs so they can see how varied your skills are. Photos will become the ultimate selling tool for your company, make sure they’re pristine, and avoid displaying unfinished jobs. Keep your website design clean and user-friendly. Work with a good web developer that knows how to design your site for optimal speed. The web is fast-paced for a reason. Don’t waste your visitor’s time with a flashy, slow loading graphical intro. An easy-to-navigate site will get your visitor in and on their way to contacting you. Get the full list of 20 website tips at:
Proofread for typos and errors. There’s nothing else that can negatively affect
ConcreteNetwork.com/website-tips.html
Exclusive Concrete Product Discounts & Special Offers for Concrete Network Members Company: Engrave-A-Crete Product: Mongoose Concrete Saw Special: $2335.50 (was $3060.75) plus free circle cutting kit & large wheels How to Get It: Call to Order Phone #: (800) 884-2114 Website: www.engraveacrete.com
Company: Crete Molds Product: Reusable Concrete Sink Molds Special: Buy Two Molds, Get One Mold Free How to Get It: Call to Order Phone #: (262) 527-7386 Website: www.cretemolds.com
Company: All in Concrete Product: Novel Organic Reactive Stains – No Neutralizing, Fast Application Special: $35.00 per gallon How to Get It: Call to Order Phone #: (888) 350-0130 Website: www.allinconcrete.com
Company: Walt Tools Product: Tru-Pac Vertical Concrete Mix Admixture Special: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE. $10.50 per 20 lb. bag (makes 80 lbs. of mix) How to Get It: Call to Order Phone #: (888) 263-5895 Website: www.walttools.com
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Company: Z-Counterform Product: Cast-In-Place Concrete Countertop Forms Special: 10% Off All Purchases How to Get It: Promotional Code - CN001 Website: www.concretecountertopsolutionsonline.com
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Go to: m.concretenetwork.com 1
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Company: Concrete Solutions Product: Concrete Dye for Interiors & Exteriors Price: $45 ($10 OFF) Large Bottles (covers 400 sq. ft.) How to Get It: Call to Order Phone #: (800) 232-8311 Website: www.concretesolutions.com
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Concrete Tool Videos Watch over 30 how-to concrete videos about the most popular decorative concrete tools and machines, hosted by industry expert Bob Harris explaining basic tool functions, tips, and techniques.
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Go to: ConcreteNetwork.com/videosconcrete-tools
WESTERN U.S. 1. Concrete Resurfacing, Stains & Dyes Concrete Solutions November 10-12, 2010 $695 per person ($395 for add’l) (800) 232-8311 • Las Vegas, NV CENTRAL U.S. 2. Concrete Engraving, Saw Cutting & Staining Engrave-A-Crete
November 10-12, 2010 $595 per person (800) 884-2114 • Mansfield, MO 3. Concrete Resurfacing, Stains & Dyes All in Concrete November 17-19, 2010 $750 per person ($450 for add’l) (888) 350-0130 • Near Chicago, IL EASTERN U.S. 4. Stamping New Concrete
with Bob Harris Decorative Concrete Institute November 1-3, 2010 $1250 per person (877) 324-8080 • Temple, GA 5. Stamping, Stenciling, Overlays, Coloring & Vertical Concrete Renew-Crete Systems November 18-19, 2010 $350 per person ($150 for add’l) (888) 287-8962 • Rockledge, FL
Stay Connected
Sign up for our free monthly newsletters on these topics: • Floors • Countertops • Outdoor Surfaces • Recently Featured Projects ConcreteNetwork.com/connect
Become a fan on Facebook Facebook.com/concretenetwork Follow us on Twitter Twitter.com/concretenetwork
New Photos & Stories Each Week Visit our homepage each week online or via smartphone to read new articles and see what others are working on. Mobile: m.concretenetwork.com
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