Contractor Growth Network

Most remodelers see their website as a brochure—but it should act like a salesperson. In this episode, Logan and Aaron explain how your site can guide homeowners through the same trust-building process as an in-person consultation. From project storytelling and emotional connection to page flow and calls-to-action, they break down what turns casual browsers into high-quality leads—and how to future-proof your site for the coming era of AI search. Timestamps 00:00 Why your website matters – It’s not just “online presence,” it’s your digital salesperson. 03:29 Traffic vs. conversion – Why more visitors don’t fix a bad website. 04:45 What homeowners really want – Proof, price, process, and trust. 09:59 Sell excitement, not necessity – Remodeling is emotional, not logical. 13:18 How to self-assess – Does your site answer the right homeowner questions? 19:33 Story-driven websites – Turning photos into HGTV-style transformations. 26:56 The feature project page – How storytelling doubles engagement. 45:16 Beyond project pages – Why process and service pages build trust and SEO. 52:42 Preparing for AI search – Structuring your site so future tools can read and recommend it.

Taking a short break from our ongoing "Full marketing strategy" series, this week's episode features Aaron's live presentation from Remodelers Summit 2025, "Why Should they Pick You? (How to Showcase Your Unique Value on Your Website)." In this presentation Aaron lays out some of the insights he's learned as a traveling videographer and speaking to remodeling clients all across the country.    You’ve Worked Hard on Your Client Experience. Don’t Let It Get Lost in a Sea of Sameness. Your website should do more than list your services, it should instantly show homeowners why you are the right choice. In this session, we’ll walk you through how to clearly define your Ideal Client Avatar and Unique Selling Proposition, then translate them into a website that truly sets you apart. You’ll discover how to: Use storytelling and education to connect with the right clients. Build Featured Project Pages that showcase your craftsmanship and process. Elevate your brand with professional photography that builds trust at first glance.

Most remodelers do details their competition doesn’t—whether it’s quality, communication, or process. But prospects don’t see that. All they know is what they see online: your photos, your videos, your testimonials. In this episode, Aaron and Logan break down how to avoid wasting money on the wrong photographers or videographers, what separates good media from bad, and how the right visuals can sell jobs before you even step into the home. FOR VISUAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS EPISODE, HEAD TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ContractorGrowthNetwork Timestamps 00:00 Why your media matters – How the right photos and videos let prospects picture themselves in your finished spaces. 05:12 What makes a good or bad remodeling photo? – Staging, lighting, detail shots, and avoiding the “iPhone-only” trap. 14:38 What photographer should you hire? – Real estate vs. architectural vs. interior design photographers. 30:08 The three types of videographers – Social content creators, technical “film school” types, and storytellers. 36:31 Which videographer should you hire? – How to choose based on storytelling ability, not just visuals. 56:46 Using design/renderings in your sales – Helping homeowners “see it” before committing, and why visuals drive confidence.

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan Shinholser and Aaron Horner take you back to the foundation of all successful marketing: understanding your ideal client and crafting a unique selling proposition. Building on the six-step framework from episode #466, they explain why these first two steps matter most—and how getting them wrong can make every marketing dollar less effective. Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Why Ideal Client & USP Come First Why every strategy starts with clarity on who you serve and what you uniquely offer. 06:13 – Balancing Aspirational vs. Current Clients Why you can’t skip straight to high-end dream projects, and how small wins build your reputation and portfolio 15:42 – The Questions You Should Ask What to ask clients (and your team) to uncover patterns, motivations, and pain points. 27:11 – Bright Spots and Proof Points How to capture what clients loved most and turn that into marketable proof. 46:28 – Turning Fears into Marketing Messages Translating client concerns about design, budget, or timeline into trust-building content.

Most remodelers are pouring money into SEO, ads, or other marketing tactics without a clear plan—and it’s costing them leads, time, and profit. In this episode, Logan Shinholser and Aaron Horner break down CGN’s 6-stage marketing strategy for contractors, helping you pinpoint exactly where you are and what your next step should be. Whether you’re stuck chasing low-quality leads or struggling to stand out in a competitive market, this conversation will help you build a marketing foundation that consistently attracts your ideal clients. Show Notes What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why most remodelers’ marketing fails before it even starts The danger of skipping foundational steps (and how to fix it) How to identify your exact stage in the marketing journey The two pieces every strategy must start with: Your Ideal Client Avatar Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Real-world examples of contractors who lost jobs—or missed ideal clients—because their messaging missed the mark How to confidently decide your next step so you stop guessing and start growing Who This Episode Is For: Remodeling contractors—especially those in high-end markets—who want to stop wasting marketing dollars, attract their ideal clients, and grow with a strategy that works one step at a time.   Resources & Links Mentioned: Learn more about Contractor Growth Network: https://contractorgrowthnetwork.com

So you’ve wrapped up an incredible project… now what? In this special on-the-road episode, Aaron and Sean dive deep into what happens after the content is created. Most contractors understand the value of video and photos, but they often don’t know how to use that content to actually grow their business. Whether you're trying to get more leads, boost traffic, or just build awareness—this episode gives you the full roadmap. What You'll Learn: Why waiting until the end of a job to ask for a testimonial is too late How to ask clients for testimonials without it feeling awkward Strategies to re-engage happy past clients—even years later The 4 best ways to utilize your content: On your website (including Featured Project Pages) On social media (the right way) In paid ads (and how to test what works) BONUS: In physical mailers for neighborhood targeting   OUR QUESTIONS WE ASK IN INTERVIEWS: ACT 1- Their Problem 1. Would you please tell me your name and where you live? 2. What problem were you trying to fix? 3. Can you tell me why you wanted it fixed? What did it feel like in your old space? 4. Why did you decide to move forward now? ACT 2- Taking Action 5. How did you find us? 6. (I know we aren’t the cheapest option, so)Why did you trust us with your project? 7. What was the experience like working with us? ACT 3- Resolution to The Problem 8. How are you enjoying your space now? How is it different from before? 9. What’s your favorite part of the project we completed together? 10. Would you recommend “company name” to friends and family members?   Learn more about Contractor Growth Network.

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Aaron Horner breaks down why most contractors get “About Us” pages and testimonials totally wrong. Aaron explains the difference between real storytelling and a random list of facts, how to make your client the hero of the narrative, and how strategic storytelling can attract high-end clients, justify premium pricing, and set you apart from every “average contractor” in your market.

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Logan Shinholser sits down with Peter Rainey, co-founder and managing partner of Ranney Blair Weidman, to unpack their unique and refined pre-construction process. Peter walks through how his team shifted from traditional estimates and disjointed design experiences to a highly structured, 100-page client journey that establishes trust, transparency, and efficiency. By controlling the design narrative, focusing on true client advocacy, and emphasizing clear expectations, Ranney Blair Weidman now delivers high-end remodels with alignment and clarity from start to finish. Key Takeaways: The Shift from Outsourced Design to Full Ownership Early in their journey, Peter’s team relied on external designers, often leading to miscommunication, delays, and poor client outcomes. The transition to a fully integrated design-build approach allowed them to control timelines, eliminate misalignment, and focus on client experience. Start the Sales Process in the Living Room, Not the Kitchen Instead of jumping straight into measurements, Peter initiates consultations in the living room to foster creativity and uncover the client's real problems. This sets the tone for trust, collaboration, and bigger-picture thinking beyond surface-level design requests. The Power of the Project Summary Letter After the in-home consultation, Peter presents a formal, typed letter on letterhead recapping client frustrations and goals. This old-school touch confirms the client feels heard, sets expectations, and serves as the north star for all design decisions moving forward. 100-Page Process Document Builds Trust Through Transparency At the showroom, clients are walked through a highly visual and interactive document showing past projects, pricing structure, punchlists, and processes. This immersive experience shifts the conversation from price anxiety to partnership and problem-solving. Design to Solve, Not to Budget Ranney Blair Weidman focuses first on solving problems through creative design, not fitting within arbitrary budgets. Pricing is presented by area with modular options, giving clients control over scope while preserving the integrity of the design. Memorable Quotes: “We’re not designing to a budget. We’re designing to solve your problem.” “If they don’t want to follow our approach, we are not the right fit for them.” “Quit trying to save the client money. That’s not our job. Our job is to present options.” Actionable Advice: Control the Narrative Avoid being just another bidder. Guide clients through a structured process that builds trust and reinforces your authority as the expert. Start with a Conversation, Not a Tape Measure Begin in a neutral space like the living room to hear their story before inspecting the space. This approach unlocks deeper insights and establishes rapport early. Document What You Hear Use a project summary letter to confirm and reflect back what clients said during your visit. This builds confidence and becomes the foundation of your design strategy. Provide Options, Not Ultimatums Break pricing into modular packages or room-by-room breakdowns. Allow clients to see the value and make decisions collaboratively without feeling boxed in.

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Sean Holleran and SEO expert Patrick dive into how AI is reshaping search—and what that means for contractors relying on SEO. They break down the shift from traditional keyword ranking to AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overview, and explain how to structure your content to still get found. Whether you’re wondering if Google is dead (it’s not) or how to optimize for tools like Perplexity and Bing, this episode will help you stay ahead of the curve. Key Takeaways AI Search Is Changing the Game Google and ChatGPT are rewriting how people search: AI now scans for concise answers, not full-page rankings. Questions and paragraph snippets matter more than ever. It’s no longer just about clicks—being the answer is the goal. Concise Answers Beat Long-Form Hooks Content must lead with the answer: Gone are the days of slow storytelling intros. Start with the clear, factual response—then build context. This helps tools like Google AI and ChatGPT surface your content. Google Isn’t Dead, It’s Adapting Despite the hype, traditional SEO still matters: Google still dominates local and service-based searches. Schema, page speed, links, and on-page SEO are still relevant. Now it’s about blending classic SEO with AI-readiness. Search Everywhere Optimization It’s no longer about ranking on one platform: Get reviews on Bing, Angi, Houzz, and Facebook—not just Google. Claim and optimize your Bing Places listing. YouTube videos (with transcripts) are also being surfaced in AI answers. AI Loves Structure and Fresh Data Make your content AI-scannable: Use schema markup to define FAQs, videos, and pages. Replace large paragraphs with bullet points or tables. Update outdated blog posts for relevance and accuracy. Memorable Quotes “If you’re not found everywhere, you’re not really found at all.” “The best answer wins now—not the biggest website.” “Google isn’t dead. It’s just changing the rules—and fast.” Actionable Advice Rewrite for Answers: Lead with a concise answer before diving into storytelling. Use Schema Markup: Help AI interpret your FAQs, videos, and images. Diversify Reviews: Get client reviews across Google, Bing, Angi, and Houzz. Update Your Old Content: Refresh data, fix broken links, and add question-style headings. Test It Yourself: Search on ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity as if you're a client. Meta Description: SEO is changing fast. Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT and Google SGE are shifting search—and how to adapt your content to keep showing up and driving leads.

Are you paying for SEO but not seeing results? Patrick, CGN’s in-house SEO specialist, joins us to expose the truth behind SEO strategies that don’t work—and how to tell if your current SEO investment is really paying off. We break down how to measure SEO performance the right way, what bad SEO looks like, and the key tools every contractor should have access to. Key Takeaways: - The 3 (actually 4) pillars of SEO: Technical, Content, Off-Page, and Local SEO - What SEO ROI really means and how to calculate it - How to set SEO goals that align with business growth - Red flags that your SEO company is doing nothing - Why page 2 on Google might as well be invisible - The tools you must own: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Business Profile - Why thin content and doorway pages waste your money - How to track keyword rankings and spot real improvement - The danger of relying on impressions and clicks alone Own your data. Know your rankings. And stop paying for SEO that doesn’t work.  Visit ContractorGrowthNetwork.com to get an audit or speak with an expert. 💻 Ready to grow your contracting business?  Visit https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com for expert resources and support! Connect With Us: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractorgrowthnetwork1/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractorgrowthnetwork/ ✨ View Recent Projects: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/featured-projects/ 🎙️ Listen to Our Podcast: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/