2015 Construction Marketing Resolutions For Career Growth and More Sales

Here we are again.  With 2014 in the rearview mirror, and 2015 upon us, it’s time to plan out our resolutions once again.  Just as losing weight and saving money could top your list of personal goals, becoming a more lean marketer and improving the value of marketing efforts could top your professional goals as a construction marketer.

Today, we would like to share some goals that will help you to hit the ground running in 2015, and better reach target customers through your marketing efforts.

1. We will Generate More Quality Leads through Effective Content

Lead Generation. A term vital to construction marketers yesterday, today, and in the distant future.  But what are you doing to turn site visitor to lead to customer?  If you said, “I will focus my efforts into creating high quality content that informs and persuades customers,” you’d be on the right path.

According to HubSpot’s State of Inbound, twice as many marketers have cited inbound marketing as a primary source of leads as outbound.  The key inbound marketing tools used? Social Media, Search Engine Optimization, and Blogs.

We have been talking about these sources for years.  Blogging helps you to better answer questions commonly searched by potential customers, which improves your appearances on search engines.  Social Media serves as a distribution channel for these blogs, helping you to create relationships with potential customers.

Where can you begin? Download Lead Generation for Construction Brands, and read the top four benefits of social media for construction brands.

2. We Will Focus On Local

Just as promoted in 2014, localizing your firm is continually important.  With 49% of searches completed without a brand in mind, topping the list for [construction service] [city] is and will always be vital for brands looking to compete.

Google My Business (Google Verification) is definitely a priority in local search, but there are other locations to which you should submit your firm.  SEO software Moz offers the following citation sources for construction and contractors:

• yellowpages.com
• servicemagic.com
• manta.com
• superpages.com
• bbb.org
• angieslist.com
• dexknows.com
• local.yahoo.com
• yelp.com
• merchantcircle.com
• Thumbtack.com

Let 2015 be the year you clean up your location listings as well. Maybe you already have your firm in these directories. Make sure that address, phone, and website are consistent using a paid tool like Yext or by editing the listings yourself.

3. We Will Attend More Industry Events

Webcasts, Trade Shows, Conferences, and more.  In order to stay on top of the rapidly changing construction world, choosing the right events can help you to jump ahead of competitors.

This is why we would like to invite you to fulfill this resolution by registering for the following events:

• 2015 Construction Marketing Outlook Webcast: Join the Construction Marketing Association on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 1 PM CST as we share the results of a nationwide survey on budgeting and planning in construction marketing in 2015. Click Here to Register.
• Construction Americas: This event, put on by the Construction Marketing Association and Florida International University will help construction professionals to better understand the construction environment throughout North, Central, and South Americas. Held in Miami, FL on March 26 and 27, 2015, Construction Americas will feature editor panels, CEO panels, and exhibitors.  Register now as an Attendee, Exhibitor, Sponsor, or Speaker.

Construction Marketing Association will be sponsoring and promoting more events throughout the year, and we welcome you to subscribe to our mailing list in order to be the first to know.

4. We Will Improve Our Website

Did you recently notice the mobile-friendly tab on Google search results?  This is just one of the many factors in the search world, but if you aren’t improving your website in 2015, you could fall behind.

Mobile Works

It is now clear that almost everyone is holding a mobile device in hand whether it is a smart phone or tablet. This new way of consuming the digital world has all been transformed to mobile. On social networks alone there has been a 55% engagement in the past year and that number continues to grow into the New Year. In a comScore Report, it stated that 60% of website traffic came from mobile.

Get Responsive and Revamp that Website

Construction Marketers must continually adapt to the changes. What worked in 2009 doesn’t work today. Old and outdated websites are a prime example of losing an audience and web users quickly. If your website looks old, then your company looks old and no one will want to work with a business that doesn’t keep up with the times. Having modern graphic design, and a fast, user-friendly website will increase the chances of users staying on your website and ultimately keep them coming back to your site.

5. We Will Seek Certifications

As a construction marketer, it may seem understated the value of a certification in order to sum up your skills.  Few things look better on a resume or your LinkedIn profile than certifications in your field. This is why you as a construction marketer can make yourself (and your company) look better by becoming a Certified Construction Marketing Professional (CCMP).

The marketing certification program for the construction industry awards a Certificate in Construction Marketing, along with the license to use the professional designation, CCMP (after your name).

The program includes a comprehensive marketing handbook and study guide for self-study. Registrants then take a rigorous examination that covers all aspects of marketing, from strategic initiatives to all types of tactical marketing implementation.

Sign up today for CCMP Education, and get ready for a better career in construction marketing.