Professional athletes have the opportunity to make a significant impact on and off the field. Building a personal brand can not only enhance their image and reputation, but it can also create new opportunities for them after their sports career is over. Here are a few reasons why professional athletes should consider building a brand: Increased earning potential: A strong personal brand can lead to endorsements, sponsorships, and other lucrative opportunities. These can be a significant source of income for athletes, particularly in sports where salaries may be lower or in the off-season. Greater visibility: Building a personal brand can help athletes stand out and get noticed by fans, media, and potential sponsors. It can also help them build a larger following on social media, which can be a valuable asset for both personal and professional purposes. More control over their image: By building a personal brand, athletes can have more control over how they are perceived by the public. This can be especially important in the face of negative press or controversy. Opportunities after their sports career: A successful personal brand can open doors to new opportunities after an athlete's sports career is over. This could include opportunities in media, coaching, or even starting their own business. In conclusion, building a personal brand can be a smart career move for professional athletes. It can increase their earning potential, visibility, and control over their image, and open doors to new opportunities after their sports career is over.

Designing a logo for your interior design business can be a fun and exciting process, but it's important to keep in mind that your logo will be the visual representation of your brand and will be used on everything from your website to your business cards. A well-designed logo can help establish your brand's identity and set you apart from the competition, but a poorly designed logo can do more harm than good. If you're not a professional designer, you might be tempted to try and design your logo yourself using a free logo maker or by borrowing design elements from other logos. However, we strongly recommend hiring a professional designer to create your logo. Here are a few reasons why: Professional designers have the necessary skills and experience to create a high-quality logo. They know how to use design software and techniques to create a logo that is visually appealing and effective at communicating your brand's message. A professional designer can help you develop a unique and memorable logo that sets you apart from the competition. They can help you brainstorm ideas and come up with a design that reflects the values and style of your interior design business. A professional designer will ensure that your logo is consistent with your brand's overall aesthetic and messaging. They will take into account factors like font, color, and overall design to create a cohesive look that represents your brand. Professional designers can provide multiple design options for you to choose from and make revisions based on your feedback. This ensures that you end up with a logo that you love and that accurately represents your business. In conclusion, while it may be tempting to try and design your own logo, hiring a professional designer is the best way to ensure that you end up with a high-quality, unique, and effective logo for your interior design business. Investing in a professional designer may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but it will pay off in the long run as a strong, professional logo will help establish your brand and set you apart from the competition. Looking to start your logo design process? Contact us!

As an architect, you are likely focused on designing and building beautiful, functional spaces for your clients. However, in order to attract new clients and grow your business, it is important to also focus on marketing and promoting your services. Hiring a marketing firm can be a smart move for any architect, and here are the top 5 reasons why: Expertise: Marketing firms are experts in their field and can help you develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that will effectively promote your business. They can also assist with executing that strategy and tracking the results to ensure that your marketing efforts are effective. Time-saving: Marketing can be time-consuming, especially if you are trying to do it all on your own. By hiring a marketing firm, you can free up your time to focus on your core business activities, such as designing and building. Cost-effective: Marketing can also be expensive, especially if you are not seeing results from your efforts. A marketing firm can help you develop a budget-friendly marketing plan that will get results, saving you money in the long run. Professional image: A well-crafted marketing campaign can help you project a professional image for your business. This can be especially important when competing against other architects for new clients. Industry knowledge: A marketing firm that specializes in working with architects will have a deep understanding of the industry and be able to tailor their marketing efforts specifically to your target audience. This can be especially helpful in attracting new clients who may not be familiar with your work. In summary, hiring a marketing firm can help you save time, money, and effort while promoting your business and attracting new clients. It can be a smart move for any architect looking to grow their business in 2023 and beyond. Interested in taking your marketing to the next level? Let's talk.

Interior design is a competitive field, and in order to succeed, interior designers need to have a strong marketing strategy in place. In 2023, an interior design marketing agency, like Goodwolf Atlantic, can be an invaluable resource for interior designers looking to stand out in a crowded market. Here are just a few reasons why interior designers should consider working with an interior design marketing agency in 2023: Expertise in marketing: Marketing agencies are made up of experts who specialize in developing and implementing effective marketing strategies. They have a deep understanding of the latest marketing trends and techniques, and can help interior designers reach their target audience in a way that is both impactful and cost-effective. Time-saving: Marketing can be time-consuming, especially for busy interior designers who already have a full plate. By working with an agency, interior designers can save time and focus on their core business – design. Branding: A strong brand is essential for any business, and an interior design marketing agency can help interior designers define and refine their brand. From logo design to website development, an agency can provide a full range of branding services to help interior designers stand out in the market. Online presence: In today's digital age, having an online presence is more important than ever. An interior design marketing agency can help interior designers create and maintain an online presence through social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). Lead generation: Generating leads is crucial for any business, and an interior design marketing agency can help interior designers generate leads through a variety of tactics, including paid advertising, content marketing, and public relations. In summary, an interior design marketing agency can provide interior designers with expertise, time-saving support, branding services, an online presence, and lead generation tactics. As such, interior designers should consider working with an interior design marketing agency in 2023 in order to stay competitive in a crowded market. What clients are saying: "I couldn't be happier with the new website design by Goodwolf Atlantic! From the very beginning, their team listened to my vision and worked with me to create a website that truly captures the essence of my interior design business. The end result is a sleek and professional website that not only looks amazing, but is also easy to navigate and use. My clients love it, and I've already seen an increase in inquiries and bookings since launching the new site. I highly recommend Goodwolf Atlantic to any interior designer looking to elevate their online presence!" Interested in learning more? Email us, michael@jointhepack.io

In the building industry, referrals are the lifeblood for many. Word of mouth is one of the most reliable forms of new business acquisition out there. Think about it, if somebody that you know and trust refers you to a new product or service, would you go anywhere else? Likely not. Referrals will always carry a lot of weight, undoubtedly. But in an ever-growing digital marketplace, businesses must find alternative methods of growth to help stay relevant and competitive. What is content marketing? When you think content marketing, think value. This strategy is an approach focused on creating and distributing content that your audience will benefit from seeing. It’s easy to get into the habit of “sell, sell, sell.” But instead of going directly to the consumer and asking for their business, you’re playing the role of educator and providing immense value. Plain and simple, the key to gaining the trust and business of your target market is through content marketing. By positioning your business as a familiar and trustworthy entity within the industry, potential clients will have no reservations when hiring you. Here’s why... Content marketing shows off your industry expertise Social media gives businesses the platform to share insights with their audience like never before. Use your content as an opportunity not only to share your services, but also to educate people on significant matters relevant to these services. Taking the time to inform consumers proves that your attention goes far beyond a sale or contract. Let’s take a look at Suzie, a real estate agent, for example. Suzie loves working with homebuyers and would like to pick up more buyers. So, Suzie decides to put out a new video every week on her social channels revolving around the home buying process, including “The Steps to Buying a House.”, “How to Get Pre-Approved.”, “How to Buy in a Seller’s Market.” and so on. Suzie is putting her face and brand in front of a broad audience on social media. More importantly, she’s providing valuable information to these individuals; value is everything because value builds trust. Suzie intends to be a resource for individuals in their home buying process by answering any potential questions they may have upfront. It’s not likely that people would go anywhere else besides Suzie at this point. Be like Suzie! Content marketing helps share your brand’s voice and story Content marketing puts your company in the driver’s seat for how the intended audience will perceive your brand. Don’t let this opportunity fall by the wayside; use content to share your brand’s values with your audience. Show your face, share your voice, and let consumers see who you really are. This point is a separator between you and the competition, especially in the ever-competitive industries like construction and real estate. Strong brand design is excellent, but it can only take you so far. Putting a face with the brand will help take your brand recognition to another level because, fact of the matter is, people are more prone to do business with somebody that they know. It can work in the form of a video that goes into your companies roots and mission. Or a short- form video that simply introduces the members of your team. The important thing is making an effort to show the personable side of your brand. Learn more about our content solutions and strategies here. Content marketing isn’t just for those trying to become an established name in the industry; those who are more established can also benefit from it. Maybe you’re sparking interest in a potential client, or reminding a past client why they decided to work with you in the first place. Are you looking for an impactful content marketing strategy? Give us a shout, and we’ll show you how we can implement a strategized content calendar to establish trust and credibility in your marketplace.

Salem, Massachusetts - Benchmark Kitchen & Bath, a kitchen and bath showroom, focuses on high-end kitchen solutions in the greater Salem area and has partnered with Goodwolf Construction Marketing agency. Goodwolf will produce a new search engine marketing (SEM), SEO, content marketing, and construction marketing plan for their initiatives. Michael Browning, Strategic Lead of Goodwolf, stated, "We are excited that Benchmark Kitchen & Bath chose Goodwolf Construction Marketing as its digital marketing partner. We aim to help them increase foot traffic to their outstanding brick-and-mortar location in Salem. I am very excited about developing a long-term relationship with them to ensure their digital marketing program's overall health and production. We believe that our approach to marketing for the building and design industry will provide them with the solutions they need today and well into the future." About Goodwolf Goodwolf Construction Marketing is a full-service digital and content marketing agency, focusing on the building, construction, and design industry. Its team leverages over ten (10) years of construction marketing experience.

Over the past few years, there has been a paradigm shift in the agent’s approach to lead generation. The growth of online marketplaces, like Zillow, now allows agents to sit back and let leads come to them. Hundreds and thousands of Realtors® have turned to lead machines to automate their flow of new business. While there are benefits in paying for automatic leads, is it worth the price of admission? At Goodwolf, we don’t believe it is. For agents looking for quick “leads” to run with, by all means, go for it! But be ready to pay for it. We see Zillow as an investment that is simply not worth the return. This is how Zillow is failing you as an agent Lack of Exclusivity Agents who turn to Zillow are competing with other agents within their selected zip code. The agents who cut a bigger check, are given a more significant share within their respective zip code. That means those with limited dollars to put towards marketing are very extremely limited in their return. As a Premier Agent, your info is listed next to three other agents, two other premier agents, and the property’s listing agent. So, imagine paying top dollar for exposure to home buyers, but without the exclusivity. What does this do to your brand? Well, nothing. Buyers can only differentiate you from the other agents because of your picture and name. Reputation of Poor Quality of Leads I once heard an agent compare Zillow to Amazon, and it was not necessarily an endearing comparison to the e-commerce giant. You see, both sites have pages upon pages of inventory. Whether you want to buy a new television or a new home, you can look for hours on end at things for sale without purchasing. Zillow’s average lead conversion is about 3.5%. And that’s not including closings; the conversion is just considered to be a lead turning into an active client. So out of 100 leads, on average, you’ll get about four potentially strong clients. And now you have to bring those leads to the closing table to make the investment on them worth it. The Extremely High Cost of Leads The average cost of a single Zillow lead can range anywhere from $20 - $60. Let’s backtrack to a point I made not long ago. If the average lead conversion rate for Zillow is about 3.5%, that means a monthly investment ranging from $2,000 - $6,000 can result those 3.5 legitimate buyers. With NAR membership dues, MLS fees, brokerage desk fees, and the fact that most agents don’t get paid unless they sell something, we don’t see it as a plausible business model to shell out that much money for such an inconsistent return. It’s Simply Not Designed to Help Agents With Zillow, what you see is what you get. There’s no room for customization of ads or any personal branding opportunities. Not only are you placed next to your competition, but there is no way to stand out. Reviews, which are a prominent feature of Zillow Premier Agent, can certainly help. But because of the big blue button that reads “Contact Agent,” most viewers won’t even get to that point. Our Approach That’s Crushing Zillow Leads Dominate Online Search That lack of real estate agents NOT UTILIZING Google search is incredible, we consider it one of the biggest marketing opportunities we’ve seen since email marketing int he 90’s. Think about the last time you had a question that you couldn’t come up with an answer to…how’d you resolve this issue? In 2019, there were 258 million search inquiries made related to real estate, and around 2.5 million individuals actively looked for their agent via an internet search. If you search “real estate agents near me”, and your name doesn’t show up near the top, we need to change that. Yes, millions of active home buyers turn to Zillow specifically to search for properties, yet, they go to Google to find an agent. Imaging showing up first, no matter who they search for? We make that happen for agents. On average, Google Ads offers an impressive ROI of $8 for every $1 spent. Optimize Your Social Strategy This is a GOLD MINE for real estate agents. The agents who are active on social media every single day are the ones setting themselves for massive success moving forward. And it’s never too late to hop on that train! The beauty in social lays in the fact that you are in complete control of how your audience perceives you. By showing off your successes, stories, knowledge, and of course, personality, your audience will know who you are before they even meet you. Lastly, the conversion rate for Facebook leads is about 10.68% on average, compared to the 3.5% conversion rate of Zillow that we spoke of earlier. We Position Agents as Industry Leaders You’ve taken over Google search, your social media strategy is running a full-force…now what? Where do they go? A website of course. And we aren’t talking about the generic page you have listed under your broker. At Build we create beautiful, custom resource hub's for agents where organic and paid search traffic, social media strategy, and all other market initiatives can aggravate a robust experience for the customer. Not to mention, its a lead capture machine! By adding this to your marketing strategy, you are setting yourself up for a complete takeover in your marketplace.

Since the advent of drones, countless industries have benefited from the many uses of this technology. But perhaps the biggest beneficiaries are the construction and real estate industries. Despite all the technological progress within the industries above, no innovation has been quite as game-changing as the ability to capture images from the air while the photographer’s feet remain on the ground. Drone photography and videography changed the way that we develop marketing content for construction companies. With many unique features and further advancements, drones with aerial image capabilities can be a precious asset to your construction or real estate team. From higher quality marketing material to increased safety assessment, drones' range in value is well worth the investment in this powerful technology. Here are six reasons why drones will create a competitive advantage over the competition. “Goodwolf helped us capture our story in a unique, interactive way. They created an ‘our story’ video that quickly and effectively conveyed our message and was easily used for social media marketing, on our about us page, and in our email signatures. Mixing in drone video increased the production level and added a wow factor!” Construction PROJECT MANAGEMENT Opportunities can often come from seeing things with a different perspective. Much like professional sports teams using a birds-eye view to analyze on-field strategy, contractors can do the same on project sites. This will allow you to update your design teams, engineers, construction managers, workers, and owners, so they can follow the project and catch any mistakes that may have occurred. By monitoring the progress of projects and how your teams are operating, you will better understand the overall operation moving forward. PERSONNEL SAFETY Worker safety is one of the biggest priorities on a site. Through drone technology, you can mitigate risks, creating a safer environment for those on-site. Drones have the ability to travel safely to heights that others cannot. Workers usually have to climb to unsteady heights with hazardous conditions when working on tasks such as manual measurements. Replace workers with drones in situations similar to this, and you save yourself and your team a lot of hassle and risk. Drones can also help you identify safety hazards on the work site, including loose or unstable structures and machinery. MAPPING AND SURVEYS Monitoring terrain is an essential step in the early stages of large-scale construction projects. That's why it's essential to consult with topographic maps when planning. Due to their ability to map vast quantities of land, drones can exponentially cut down on time to visualize a site's topography. This would ensure that the project stays on schedule and according to budget and accuracy before a project is initiated. Real Estate NUMBERS NEVER LIE With a large pool of competition, what sets you apart? Here are some intriguing statistics to consider when adding drone photography to your marketing package. Homes with aerial images sold 68% faster than homes with standard images. 73% of homeowners say they want to work with a real estate agent that uses video to market homes. High-volume real estate agents use drones 3.5 times more than low-volume real estate agents. STAND OUT ON LISTING SITES Whether it's Zillow, Realtor.com or just the MLS, the buyer pool is flooded with options, even in low-inventory markets. Competition is stiff, so how will your listing pictures pop? High quality drone photography will be that extra detail to gravitate buyers to your listings. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION People love to talk about location, but why talk about it when you can show it off? Drones offer a tremendous point of view to help include nearby attractions, parks, airports, etc., while also showing off the land included with the property. There should be an unwritten agent rule that states, "Thou shalt not use 'location, location in one's MLS description without sufficient evidence of said location," or something like that. Whether you're building properties or selling them, drones are the versatile technology you've been looking for to put your company over the top. You should waste no time joining the movement from increased productivity on-site to an enhanced marketing strategy. Looking to implement drones into your business model?

Article By T.M. Brown When interior designer Christina Higham found her first client via Instagram, she knew she was onto something. Higham, the owner San Francisco-based Sun Soul Style, cut her professional teeth in tech as a marketing and PR executive for a mobile advertising startup called Fetch. That experience keyed her into the potential of a platform like Instagram as a business tool, but it wasn’t until years later that she saw what the app could do for her own pursuits. The customer in question was looking at a sconce on West Elm’s website. It was the sort innocuous clicking around that we all do on home furnishing sites, imagining how that coffee table from CB2 or that funky chair from Ikea would look in that vacant spot in the living room. Interior design is a nearly $10 billion business, and advertiser spending on Instagram is set to hit nearly $7B, up from $3.64B in 2017. Design companies also know they have a captive audience, and have concentrated on growing their follower counts as a play for direct advertising. West Elm has 1.8M followers, Ikea has 1.7M, Crate and Barrel 1.3M. They all know social media is another lever to pull when it comes to transforming browsers into buyers, and they’re doing what they can to ratchet up those conversion numbers. But back to the sconces. Like a lot of brands, West Elm provides a feed of people who have tagged given items on Instagram so you can see how they look in real people’s homes rather than in the well-manicured, perfectly lit ersatz homes of West Elm’s photo studio. One of those tagged photos was from Higham, who had bought the same sconce months earlier. Higham was working as a professional designer, but her clients had come from word of mouth–this was the first time someone had reached out via Instagram.”It was just someone local who said, ‘Oh, this girl is in San Francisco, I really like her style.’ And that’s how we started working together,” Higham told Fast Companyover the phone from her offices in San Francisco. “It wasn’t a huge project, but it felt really good. I was like, wow, tagging and doing all this social media — there’s a real benefit to this.” In the years since, Instagram has become a central part in how Higham finds clients and builds her brand. She estimates that 40% of her business comes from Instagram, and says that the social media platform serves as a way to centralize her archive and inspirations, and showcase her evolution as a designer. “It’s democratized design in a way,” Higham said. “It’s made people feel that anyone can be a designer because they have all of these things at their fingertips.” ou’d be hard-pressed to find a tool more suited for interior design than the 8-year old photo- and video-sharing platform. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, images are the point of Instagram. Snapchat is purposefully ephemeral, making it ill-equipped for displaying an archive or exhibiting professional growth. Pinterest is too scattered, Tumblr too lovably weird for the average suburbanite looking for a nice sofa or side table. Instagram has altered the velocity and business of interior design, and our living rooms will never be the same. What that means for the business is still up for debate. The platform is rife with plagiarism and IP issues, and accusations of straight-up copycatting are rampant. It’s also created a mad dash for consumer eyeballs, with companies churning out designs that are so invariably similar they border on parody. Still, in a few short years, Instagram has created a generation of designers that have access to millions of potential clients with a few clicks, and broken down the barriers of an industry formerly dominated by haughty tastemakers. Years ago young designers would have to spend time working in one of the grand old houses of interior design like Colefax and Fowler or Dedar Milano before striking out on their own. Developing client bases was done by word of mouth or reputation, and trends were defined from the top down from the doyens of interiors like Sister Parish and Albert Hadley, whose tastes were championed by powerful editors at Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Those trends that were formerly measured in decades now change with the seasons, and that acceleration has created an aesthetic tinged with circular logic: People like the things they see on Instagram, and they’re on Instagram because people like them. “These trends definitely move faster than they used to,” says Erik Herrmann, an assistant professor at Ohio State’s Knowlton School of Architecture. Along with his wife and fellow professor at Knowlton, Ashley Bigham, Herrmann is a co-director of the architecture firm Outpost Office, and uses Instagram for business development and to exhibit new work, as well as in the classroom as a pedagogical tool. “There’s a genre of work that feels a little bit like the WeWork aesthetic, and projects that are premised on the idea that they’re trying to draw people in to generate their own Instagram content,” Herrmann says. Before the calendar turned over to a new millennium, each decade of American design could be easily identified. The ’70s had funky Scandinavian couches and buffets, the ’80s were defined by plexiglass and pastels. The ’90s were bland by comparison, defined by sponge-textured walls and pine-covered kitchens. Fast–forward to the last half of the 2010s, and in the last few years alone we’ve gone from the moody tones of industrial chic to pastel-hued minimalism to neon maximalism. The acceleration and saturation of trends isn’t the only development Instagram has ushered in; it’s also speeding up consumption of design. Herrmann and Bigham have seen firsthand how the platform has influenced their incoming students, from the way they understand their own work to how they source inspiration. They encourage their students to use Instagram to keep up with design and architecture trends, and have even taken to helping pupils create a curated feed so they can use the platform to engage with architecture the same way they engage with their friends’ photos of parties and football games. “We’re always challenging our students to think critically about their own work and understand it as a complete project, which is much deeper than what you would get looking at an image for a few seconds,” Bigham tells Fast Company from Columbus. “We want the project to survive that quick viewing.” Those issues with consumption extend to consumer habits as well. Kyle Chayka, a journalist who has written extensively about design trends, wrote about the flattening of taste in his seminal 2016 Welcome to AirSpace and thinks that the surge of Instagram-oriented design creates hyperactive cycles of taste. “People get overexposed instantly,” he tells Fast Company. “It’s as if we’ve gone from overall styles to memes of interior decorating. You have these quirks that are meant to be specific but they end up being the opposite. The incentive is to show what everyone is expecting.” Chayka, who is currently writing book about design minimalism, also sees Instagram creating a market for designers that moves at breakneck speed. “There’s this real-time war to expose yourself fast and wide,” he says, referring to the bombardment of ads for couches and beds users receive on the platform. “It doesn’t make me think of these as living pieces. It’s more about affordability and instant delivery than it is about originality.” Democratizing design comes with some unique pitfalls. Interior design is, of course, a professional discipline with long-standing conventions. People spend years studying space, color, and psychology to understand how rooms come together and how to interpret the willfully obtuse whims of clients. And, just like every other industry, some designers are better than others. But because policing of image attribution on Instagram is often left to mob justice, sometimes you don’t know whether the majestically appointed room you’re looking at was posted by a designer or a designfluencer. Theft is an issue endemic to the influencer economy, and interior design isn’t any different. Natalie Myers, the principal of L.A.-based Veneer Designs, says she’s seen designers post other people’s work on Instagram with attribution. “Some designers don’t make it clear that it’s not their own work,” she tells Fast Company in a phone conversation. “It’s an easy and lazy way to do things and, why, because you get 10 more followers that day?” There’s no law against omission or plagiarism, but it’s forced professionals to patrol the platform in order to ensure their work is being properly credited and calling out those who are pilfering posts. But the truth is that most folks scrolling through Instagram’s endless feed don’t really care where the picture came from as long as it looks nice. That’s led to rifts between designers like Myers–she estimates about 60% of her business comes from clients finding her on Instagram–and those who are talented at social media. “The market has gotten really crowded because of the rise of the hashtag influencer,” Myers said. “It’s getting saturated and it’s getting cheesy. There’s this whole downmarket of the industry and it’s gross.” But neither Myers or Higham are planning on leaving the platform anytime soon. Both designers told Fast Company that they’ve met friends and expanded their network through Instagram, and it remains too vital and too entrenched as a business development tool for either of them to ditch it. The issues they’re facing aren’t unique to interior design, either. Fashion has seen several instances of Instagram-enabled rip-offs, with designers like Aurora James and Philip Lim accusing fast-fashion stores of stealing designs. The fine art world was shaken when Richard Prince sold photos taken from his Instagram feed for as much as $100K in 2015; the fiasco launched a heated debate about the limits of appropriation in the age of social media. The debate over ownership in the age of social media won’t disappear anytime soon. Neither will the question of whether or not consumers care about the authenticity of the design they double tap. Source: https://medium.com/fast-company/instagram-is-reshaping-the-10b-business-of-interior-design-1e50f6819b3d

Come on, who doesn’t love a good emoji? More and more regularly, we’re using them to communicate our most basic and complex opinions. Apple has even fully integrated emoji’s into their keyboard suggestions. Smiley faces, rocket ships, 100%, even a happy…chocolate ice cream? 💩😂 I’ve seen emojis popping up on LinkedIn profiles over the last 12 months, mostly from members who work for LinkedIn. I attempted to add one a while back with no luck. Fortunately for me, it worked today! I can feel the eye-rolls, but before you write this off as another ‘millennial trend’ like Snapchat or Instagram (PS, I bet you’re on Snapchat or Instagram now), think of how it could give you a competitive advantage before it becomes commonplace. Knowing even the most fundamental marketing principle, you know, attention is king. Getting attention can be challenging, so why not give yourself a slight, friendly edge? As I see it, an emoji provides you a unique way to add a small pop of color to your name when viewed on your connections feed, search results, or notifications (see my screenshot below). Yes, there are several emojis that could be construed as let’s go with immature…however there is a number of industry related emojis that have the potential to be a great fit. If you’re a dancer 💃🏼, real estate agent 🏠, construction worker 🏗️, creator 💡, maybe a doctor 🌡️…the options are endless. So, you’re in; here’s how you do it. Step 1: Head to http://emojipedia.org/ Step 2: Search for an emoji you think represents you well. Not sure? Click on the most popular options under the search function. Step 3: You’ve found your emoji, click on it, highlight it, and copy it. (Make sure you copy the emoji next to the emoji’s title…in this case Rocket Step 4: Head over to your LinkedIn profile and edit your name. Then simply paste it, and save. Nice work, now you can ride the wave and stand out for the time being until everyone else catches on. Show me your emoji - Click Here to add me on LinkedIn

Since I first began Marketing for clients in the construction industry, I’ve seen new technologies slowly creeping into offices, vehicles, and job sites. They influence how companies communicate, estimate, market, and operate in the office and on-site. For business owners keeping an eye on the bottom line, choosing wisely when committing time or money when investing in the potential upside tech can offer. Advancements can only come from fully understanding the benefits a new software, tool, or device can provide companies for both the short and long term. Many technologies have already had time to prove themselves within the industry through mass adaptation, and the benefits they bring are noticeable. One example is a basic CRM or Client Relationship Management. Gone are the days of the Rolodex. Today we can track our marketing efforts, conversion to our websites, and first contact. Once a new client has been entered into our systems, we can track every conversation from bid to closeout. For most companies, CRMs were an easy adaptation to day-to-day operations, but what about other solutions? Here are the top 3 tech innovations I believe will impact the industry soon. 3D Printing Think of the 3D printing machines you’ve seen on a small scale and imagine the same technology applied to a job site on a much grander scale. Extruded concrete and plastics are already being used to create building components and structures. Apis Cor, a San Francisco-based startup, recently 3D printed concrete walls for a residential home in under 24 hours. In Dubai, robotic arms and 3D printing were used to construct the world’s first office building. There’s no doubt that 3D printing could make its’ way onto job sites in the future, but more likely, we’ll begin seeing architects 3D printing their designs for clients in real-time. Mobile Apps and Devices Compared to the adoption of CRMs, Mobile Devices and Apps are arguably the most regularly integrated new technology in the workforce. More frequently, Projects Managers, supervisors, and Engineers are making their way through projects with a tablet in hand. Connected to a larger network or software, the devices provide real-time updates, plan reading, and communication, making project monitoring easier. This can improve schedules, safety, and profit margin. Many companies have begun integrating cloud-based software, like Procore, which allows controls for items like RFI’s, submittals, transmittals, document management, and meeting minutes. The same software offers a quick review of projects from anywhere with its ability to upload photos, punch lists, schedules, and daily logs. This helps marketing professionals review project photos to understand where the project phase is currently, allowing us to manage photography and social media updates better. Drones Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) have been a topic of recent debate, primarily due to misuse and inexperience; however, in the right hands and situation, drones can provide benefits to your projects. With recent advancements in camera technology, safety systems, GPS tracking, and FAA pilot requirements, drones are becoming a natural alternative for some contractors regarding inspections, modeling, and marketing. Some companies are now integrating drone technology into architectural plans, allowing for real-time 3D photography of a project at any stage of construction. Drone use on job sites should be monitored and executed only by experienced, well-trained pilots. The safety implications of novice pilots operating around construction sites, materials, and equipment like cranes can be problematic. However, pilots with advanced training and flight hours can be an asset. Other trends you can expect to see going forward include wearable technology, GPS tracking on equipment, laser scanning, and a more integrated internet. New technologies will inevitably continue to shape the way you operate. Choosing the best methods and options to integrate into your businesses will be both challenging and rewarding for the foreseeable future of the construction industry.