MeMber N e w s l e t t e rThree 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/concrete-floor-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

Extensive glossary provides a general understand-ing of terms used within the industry, so everyone is on the same page. ConcreteNetwork.com/glossary

ThirdQuarTer I N d u s t r y s e a r c h t r e N d sData 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, TXDallas, TXChicago, IL

Most Sought-After Decorative Techniques:Stained ConcreteStamped ConcreteInterior 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 contrac-tor 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 objec-tives 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; Con-cretePatio.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

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

#3- Our search engine optimi-zation 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.

#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 decora-tive 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 Net-work 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 Con-crete Network site.

A commonality of all these proj-ects is the aim to let buyers reach The Concrete Network in any man-ner 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 com-ments, please call me at 866-380-7754.

What’s New at Concrete Network? by Jim Peterson, President of ConcreteNetwork.com

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inside this issue:5 Must-Haves for a Better Company Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2New Content on The Concrete Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2Upcoming Training Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2Exclusive Concrete Product Discounts & Special Offers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3Concrete Network Industry Search Trends for Decorative Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4

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Glossary of Decorative

Concrete Terms

In our fast-paced world of smart phones, high-speed 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.

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.

Proofread for typos and errors.There’s nothing else that can negatively affect

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-qual-

ity 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: ConcreteNetwork.com/website-tips.html

Company: Engrave-A-Crete Product: Mongoose Concrete SawSpecial: $2335.50 (was $3060.75) plus free circle cut-ting kit & large wheelsHow to Get It: Call to OrderPhone #: (800) 884-2114Website: www.engraveacrete.com

Company: All in ConcreteProduct: Novel Organic Reactive Stains – No Neutralizing, Fast Applica-tionSpecial: $35.00 per gallonHow to Get It: Call to OrderPhone #: (888) 350-0130Website: www.allinconcrete.com

Company: Z-CounterformProduct: Cast-In-Place Concrete Countertop FormsSpecial: 10% Off All Purchases How to Get It: Promotional Code - CN001Website: www.concretecountertopsolu-tionsonline.com

New Content on The Concrete Network

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 articlesAnd more…

Go to: m.concretenetwork.com

Concrete Tool VideosWatch 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.

Go to: ConcreteNetwork.com/videos-concrete-tools

Exclusive Concrete Product Discounts & Special Offers for Concrete Network Members

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5 Must-Haves for a Better Company Website

Company: Crete MoldsProduct: Reusable Concrete Sink MoldsSpecial: buy Two molds, Get One mold FreeHow to Get It: Call to OrderPhone #: (262) 527-7386Website: www.cretemolds.com

Company: Walt ToolsProduct: Tru-Pac Vertical Concrete Mix AdmixtureSpecial: bUY ONe, GeT ONe Free. $10.50 per 20 lb. bag (makes 80 lbs. of mix)How to Get It: Call to OrderPhone #: (888) 263-5895Website: www.walttools.com

Company: Concrete SolutionsProduct: Concrete Dye for Interiors & ExteriorsPrice: $45 ($10 OFF) Large bottles (covers 400 sq. ft.)How to Get It: Call to OrderPhone #: (800) 232-8311Website: www.concretesolutions.com

UPCOMiNg TraiNiNg OPPOrTUNiTiES

WESTERN U.S.1. Concrete Resurfacing, Stains & Dyes Concrete SolutionsNovember 10-12, 2010$695 per person ($395 for add’l)(800) 232-8311 • Las Vegas, NV

CENTRAL U.S.2. Concrete Engraving, Saw Cutting & StainingEngrave-A-Crete

November 10-12, 2010$595 per person(800) 884-2114 • Mansfield, MO

3. Concrete Resurfacing, Stains & DyesAll in ConcreteNovember 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 HarrisDecorative Concrete InstituteNovember 1-3, 2010$1250 per person(877) 324-8080 • Temple, GA

5. Stamping, Stenciling, Overlays, Coloring & Vertical ConcreteRenew-Crete SystemsNovember 18-19, 2010$350 per person ($150 for add’l)(888) 287-8962 • Rockledge, FL

Sign up for our free monthly newsletters on these topics:

• Floors • Countertops • Outdoor Surfaces • Recently Featured Projects

ConcreteNetwork.com/connect

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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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