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In this episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors, Janet and Caitlyn sit down with Ryanne Millis, Director of the Home Improvement Division at Brix Recruiting Partners. Ryanne shares expert insights into the recruiting challenges and opportunities facing growing home improvement companies today. From sales managers to production leaders, Brix specializes in finding top-tier talent for management and executive roles—especially when you’ve outgrown job boards and need real results.

This conversation covers:

• Why job boards won’t fill your leadership roles
• How relocation plays into recruiting for home improvement companies
• Common gaps in leadership teams (hint: tech and AI readiness)
• The importance of treating hiring like lead generation
• Real success stories of recruiting done right

Whether you’re a $3M contractor scaling fast or a $30M enterprise expanding into new markets, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on how to grow smarter—with the right people in the right roles.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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In this episode, Janet and Caitlyn break down how home improvement contractors can find the right digital marketing agency to support their growth. They discuss why hiring an agency is a smart move, the must-haves to look for, the red flags to avoid, and how the right fit can transform your business. With real stories, candid advice, and actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for any contractor ready to stop wasting money and start seeing real marketing results.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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In this episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors, Janet and Caitlyn break down one of the most important systems in any home improvement business: the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform. Whether you're still running your company from a whiteboard and a spreadsheet or already using a CRM, this episode is packed with practical insight on how the right system can transform your operations, marketing, and growth potential.

They cover:

• What a CRM actually does (and why it matters)
• Signs you're outgrowing your spreadsheet setup
• Their favorite CRMs for contractors (MarketSharp, Lead Perfection, AccuLynx, Jobber, ClientTether, and more)
• Real-world examples of how CRMs streamline follow-up, improve reporting, and automate marketing
• How to choose the right CRM based on your company's size and service type

The takeaway? If you want to grow, you need a CRM. It's not just software—it’s a business upgrade.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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In this episode, Janet and Caitlyn dive into the crucial role that call centers play in bridging the gap between digital marketing leads and actual sales opportunities. They explore how a call center acts as the connective tissue between your marketing team and your sales reps — especially for replacement contractors and home improvement companies.

You'll learn why having a call center can dramatically increase your lead conversion rate, how it affects marketing ROI, and what to look for in a call center partner. Whether you’re running paid search, social ads, or sweepstakes campaigns, this episode breaks down how call centers keep your pipeline healthy by following up fast, staying persistent, and qualifying leads correctly.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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In this episode of Build Grow Dominate, hosts Janet and Caitlyn of FatCat Strategies dive into practical and budget-friendly lead generation tactics tailored for home improvement contractors. Designed for businesses generating under $5 million in revenue, the episode is packed with actionable tips that don’t require a huge marketing budget but can significantly boost visibility and lead volume.

1. SEO Content Creation The first strategy is optimizing your website for SEO. While not completely free, SEO can be tackled in-house by dedicating time and effort. Contractors are encouraged to create authentic, helpful content based on common homeowner questions. For example, if you install decks, writing blog posts that address the top 10 questions homeowners have about deck installation is a great place to start. This content not only improves your visibility in search results but builds trust with potential customers.

2. Online Reviews and Directories Next, the hosts emphasize the importance of online reviews. These serve as digital word-of-mouth and heavily influence a homeowner’s decision-making process. Google Business Profile is highlighted as the most essential platform, but others like Yelp, Houzz, Angie, and even Nextdoor are valuable too. Not only do reviews impact credibility and rankings, but when written with detail—mentioning products, services, or neighborhoods—they can feed back into your SEO efforts.

The importance of maintaining accurate and active listings on local online directories is also covered. These platforms help homeowners find and validate your business, and many offer additional visibility through customer reviews.

3. Social Media Presence Even minimal effort on social media can go a long way. Contractors are advised to maintain a basic presence—think two posts a month—to give the impression of an active, legitimate business. These posts can feature jobsite photos, client testimonials, or reshared reviews and blog content. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor are suggested for reaching local homeowners, while LinkedIn is more appropriate for professional networking.

4. Local Sponsorships A creative, low-cost idea that came directly from a FatCat client involves sponsoring hyperlocal organizations like kids’ sports teams or community clubs. Not only does this build goodwill with customers, but it also increases brand visibility within your target neighborhoods. These sponsorships often cost less than $1,000 and can lead to brand mentions on websites—providing valuable backlinks that further support your SEO.

5. Online Communities & Forums Finally, contractors are encouraged to participate in online forums and community groups. Platforms like Nextdoor, Reddit, Facebook Groups, and even legacy tools like Yahoo Groups can be goldmines for lead generation—especially in neighborhoods with older homeowners. The key is to engage genuinely: answer questions, provide advice, and demonstrate your expertise.

In short, generating high-quality leads doesn't have to break the bank. With consistent effort, authenticity, and community involvement, home improvement contractors can drive meaningful growth—even on a tight budget.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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This episode is part of a 2-part series of “Build, Grow, Dominate: Marketing Strategies for Every Stage of Your Home Improvement Business,” created and hosted by the digital marketing experts at FatCat Strategies — a full-service agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specializes in helping home improvement contractors grow, scale, and dominate their local markets.

In this first installment of the series, hosts Janet (Founder & Managing Partner) and Caitlin Noble (Co-owner & Head of Client Services) break down the essential marketing question that every contractor faces at some point: “Should I invest in SEO or PPC?”

Spoiler alert: It’s not an either-or — it's both. But understanding the how, when, and why behind each strategy is the key to unlocking real business growth.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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Digital Marketing for Contractors is the go-to podcast for home improvement business owners who want to take their marketing — and their business — to the next level. Brought to you by FatCat Strategies, our new series, "Build, Grow, Dominate: Marketing Strategies for Every Stage of Your Home Improvement Business," explores what it really takes to stand out and succeed in a competitive market.

Whether you're a siding contractor, roofer, bathroom remodeler, or any kind of home improvement pro, you’ll get expert insights, real-world strategies, and proven tips you can actually use.

💥 This series is split into two parts, each with six episodes — all designed to help you level up your business. Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, you'll learn how to sharpen your brand, generate better leads, and close more deals at every stage of your journey.

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.

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In this episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors, the Fat Cat Strategies team sits down with Andrew Martin, Senior VP of Business Development at Marlimar Interactive, to explore how text messaging is transforming lead generation and customer engagement for home improvement companies.

Andrew shares how Marlimar—an early pioneer of texting in the industry—helps contractors connect with leads faster and more effectively. With 98% of texts read within three minutes and 50% replied to within 90 seconds, it’s clear that texting is one of the most powerful tools for reaching homeowners today.

The discussion covers everything from compliance and carrier regulations to personalization and automation. Andrew explains how Marlimar handles the setup, campaign registration, and strategy, ensuring texts are timely, brand-aligned, and sent with the right intent. Whether or not a contractor uses a CRM, Marlimar creates seamless integrations or clever workarounds—even for platforms like BuilderTrend. The episode also touches on the smart use of AI for colder leads and direct mail follow-up, while reinforcing that high-intent leads deserve real human contact. From sending rep photos before appointments to segmenting campaigns based on service history, Andrew illustrates how strategic texting can build trust, improve show rates, and drive revenue.

Visit: https://fatcatstrategies.com/podcast/special-guest-andrew-martin-of-marlimar/
https://www.marlimar.com/

Want to find out how we can create a custom digital marketing game plan for your contractor business? Schedule a call with us at fatcatstrategies.com.