My brother Mark and I recently taped a TV show for PBS in the Bay Area, CA on decks.

We discuss that there's a lot more to a deck than most people think. We also touch on foundations and drainage issues.

If you're into this sort of thing, Mark and I have three more construction-related shows posted on my blog.

Most people check their email every day. Some check it once a day; others check it hundreds of times in one day.

Instant communication in mass form is the easiest way to get information to your current customers and potential customers on a widespread scale.

The important points to remember when considering an email marketing program are:

• Ensuring you are reaching your target audience
• Sending useful and relevant information
• Using existing programs and applications to achieve a streamlined marketing program and see how effective yours is

Consider who is on your mailing list. You should periodically go through and ensure your contacts are up to date.

What is the message you are trying to convey? If you are looking for new clients, you may be sending different information than to a distribution list comprised of current or past clients that want to stay in touch.

Ensure customers have a way to sign up to receive updates from you, either on your website, at your office, or via email, and always offer a way they can unsubscribe from distribution lists if they choose to.

The kind of marketing program you choose, be it topics related to your specialty, keeping clients apprised of business developments within your company, or sending out monthly updates on completed projects, must speak to your target audience.

Important updates in the industry such as standard changes or regulation revisions can be important to your customers. it'shows that you are well informed and up to date on current laws if you share this information with clients.

Showing company growth and longevity is an important thing for your customers to see. Share the news of new employees or a corporate anniversary and make them feel like part of your company family. Your clients may be used to speaking to the same person when calling your office and any change in that routine deserves an announcement.

Showcase your work using a monthly newsletter! Your clients like to see projects you've finished and they may get ideas for new contracts they would like to complete with you. Quality photos, with permission, are a great way for clients to see what you can do.

There are many companies that offer applications for streamlined email marketing.

A few companies with easy available programs are www.sendicate.net and www.mailgun.com. Applications on these sit's allow you to send and receive email and also have capabilities to track clicks, subscriptions, and essentially the effectiveness of your campaign.

They are professionals with tried and true methods of getting information to clients effectively.

You can experiment with layouts, types of information, and pictures to see what your customer base responds to best.

Maybe your clients prefer large, color photos. Others may like stories or testimonials included in your marketing emails.

Find what works best for your clients and ensure you are providing information they find useful and relevant.

Using tools available and understanding your customer base will ensure an effective and informative email marketing program.

Original Post: Contractor Hero Blog

Kitchen remodeling is heavily influenced by design trends, and these trends are constantly shifting and changing with the times. With the ebb and flow of remodeling, vintage styles are often mixed-in with modern innovation, and you won't find a better example of this than with kitchen sinks.
The sink is one of the most important features of the kitchen, but it can also be a bold statement of luxury and style. Like all kitchen features, sinks trends are always evolving, and a few of the most popular material options include:

Soapstone

Nonporous and denser than granite or marble, soapstone is a smooth and stylish material for sinks. While it is prone to nicks, it'stands-up well to acids, stains, and hot water.

Granite Composite

When you want an alternative to stainless steel, without spending a fortune, this material is the way to go with its high durability, easy upkeep, and low price tag.

Copper Metal

Metal accents are popular in kitchens, and copper sinks create a stunning focal point that fits a wide range of kitchen styles?from traditional country to modern industrial.

Concrete

Concrete sinks are available in premade forms and cast-in-place options, but either provides you with a durable, custom sink that gives you full control of the design.

NativeStone

Although it is a newer option on the market, NativeStone combines concrete with natural, raw materials to lighten the overall weight of the sink without losing its durability.

Which Sink Trend is Right for Your Home?

The options might seem overwhelming when choosing the perfect kitchen sink for your trendy remodel, but you can narrow-down the choices by focusing on your overall goals for the space. However, just because a material is on-trend doesn't mean that it is the perfect choice for every home kitchen! To get a better idea of where to begin with designing your ideal kitchen sink, start by asking yourself the following questions:

• How Will I Use My Kitchen? If your kitchen sees a lot of everyday use with a large family, you'll have different needs for a kitchen sink than a household built for entertaining. Consider the amount of heavy wear and tear your sink with see before deciding which material is right for you.
• What is My Style Aesthetic? Do you love simplistic, Zen-like details? Are you more interested in restoring a historic, country-style kitchen? Each material has its own individual look and complements specific styles, so keep in mind how your ideal kitchen sink would look in the broader picture of your kitchen space.
• what's My Remodeling Budget? Kitchen remodeling can quickly become very expensive, and you will have to make compromises when weighing luxury vs. functionality. If you are on a tighter budget, go for a material that is durable and cost-effective, such as granite composite. If you have more to spend, consider splurging on stunning soapstone, copper, or custom-stamped concrete.

You want your kitchen sink to be stylish, innovative, and on-trend, but most of all, your sink needs to be durable enough to provide decades of long-term functionality and value. By carefully considering your options and staying on-top of the latest trends in the industry, you can choose the perfect sink for maximizing the impact of your kitchen remodel.

My business mentor shared a great story with me long ago?

?If you walk out of a house? and they say you did a great job, and gave a great presentation, and They areally like your company? you're in marketing.

If you walk out of that same house with a signed contract? you're in sales.?

it's a great story? and partially hits on the point I want to make.

The business we are really in.

There Are Three Core Parts To All Of Our Business?s In This Industry:

- Marketing
- Sales
- Production

They are monsters that will constantly fight with each other, but rely on each other in order for the business to work properly.

? and you need all three in your business working:

- If you have great marketing and great sales? but lack in production ? the business does not work.
- If you have great sales and great production? but lack in marketing ? the business does not work.
- If you have great marketing and great production? but lack in sales ? the business does not work.

In the end, however, it all starts with marketing. Without leadflow? it doesn?t matter how great of a closer you are, or how great the work is that you deliver.

This is a common reason that most service-based business?s fail. A great book to read on this topic is the eMyth. This book explains how most people fail in business, because they are a technician in their industry.

In other words? let?s say I?m a great carpenter. I know all there is to know about carpentry, and deliver fantastic end results. I love doing the work ? it's my passion. So? I start my own carpentry business.

Now, instead of doing carpentry work, I?m doing all of the business work. Marketing sales, payroll, taxes, billing, collections, etc. Ya know? all of the things EXCEPT what I?m good at.

Thus, failure is inevitable.

So a great tip to realize? as soon as you possibly can accept it? is what business you're truly in. Where your business truly starts with. That business? is marketing.

Focus your efforts there. Once your marketing kicks in, your focus will then shift to your sales process. Once sales kicks in, you'll shift your focus to production. Then, you'll start the process all over again.

Realize during each growth phase you will have waste, disorganization, stress, pain, etc.

But, you'll fight through that and get things back in order. Your business will grow, as will your profits, and you're fulfillment from your successful business.

But, it all starts with the marketing.