LeadGen2017 will help you and your organization understand the Lead Sources that are best working TODAY. Each speaker has mastered their specific topic and lead source. This is a rare opportunity to learn from industry leading Contractors. We will be covering 22 different lead sources.

With over 20 years in the Home Improvement business, we are uniquely positioned to bring together successful Contractors, leaders, and innovators for 2 days of education and inspiration.

Speakers and Topics subject to change.

Conference Schedule

Day One – March 15, 2017

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Check In and Full Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM – Introduction, Bill Crawford

Mindset and strategy are the keys to your success.

9:15 AM – 10:00 AM – Sign in the Yard, Hugo D’Esposito

When neighbors see work being done by your company, there’s instant credibility. Sign in the Yard brings in some of the least expensive leads around. Learn how to offer a discount to your customer as they help you advertise. Bring in some of the least expensive leads you’ll find.

10:00 AM – 10:30 PM – Facebook Advertising, Bill Crawford

Bill has helped pioneer this new lead source for Contractors. Facebook provides the most advanced targeting tools around. By targeting your perfect audience, you can save money and reach people in ways not available before.

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM – Sponsors (BHA & Payzer)
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM – Break

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM – Television & Radio, Dan Turpin & Paula Peterson

Senior Marketing Consultants from Comcast & Salem Radio Chicago will lead a panel discussion on using TV and Radio to promote your home improvement contractor business.

11:50 AM – 12:00 PM – Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch – Provided by LeadGen2017 in the Atrium

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Realtor Networking, Doug Lynch

Owner of A-1 Basements, is now in more Realtors Smart Phones under “Basement Guy” than any other waterproofer in New Jersey. Learn how Doug systematically connects with Realtors to obtain values leads.

1:30 PM – 1:50 PM – Yelp, Austin Werner

Austin has cracked the Yelp code with 50+ 5 Star Reviews. Learn what you can do with Yelp and how to deal with positive screened reviews.

1:50 PM – 2:05 PM – Best Pick Reports & Houzz, Bill Crawford

Best Pick Reports is in eight major Metropolitan areas and work with Contractors promoting their company by invite only. Houzz is an online community on relating to homes; home improvement, architecture, interior design, etc. Google awarded Houzz ‘Best App” for user experience and ratings. Another line in the water pulls in more fish.

2:05 PM – 2:15 PM – Sponsors (Effectus & Home Advisor)

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM – Home Advisor & Thumbtack, John Bryant

President of the Basement Health Association, and owner of AquaGuard Waterproofing, nets over $1.5 million/year with Home Advisor leads. Find out why John’s team is so successful with Home Advisor leads. Also, learn about a 7% credit that is available on all purchased leads from Home Advisor.

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM – Break

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Referral Leads Round Table

One guess which lead source has the highest closing percentage, the highest average job size, the easiest customer to deal with, and the least expensive lead in the house? You guessed it. It’s a Referral Lead. Would you like more Referral Leads in 2017 and beyond? Some companies get these valuable leads on a regular basis. Others don’t. Learn what you can do to get more Referral Leads.

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM – YouTube, Jon Nagle

YouTube is one of the most important channels for distributing your video content. You can even build powerfully targeted ads to help you drive measurable results for your brand. And, as it turns out, it’s also the second most used social media site among contractors. As of 2015, 68% of contractors who use social media use YouTube.

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM – Google Adwords, Jon Nagle

The majority of budget gets spent on Google traffic. Find out what the latest Google trends are and what is working the best.

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM – Porch & BBB, Bill Crawford

An online company with a nice logo and verified customer reviews. Learn the different ways to obtain leads from Porch, how they are different, and how to make this another effective lead source for your company. Over 173 million inquiries by consumers looking up individual businesses happened in 2015 with the BBB. Consumers still trust the Better Business Bureau as a trusted source for your reputation. Learn what is new with the BBB and how to use them to promote your business, gain trust, and even receive leads.

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Networking Cocktail Party In the Atrium

Day Two – March 16, 2017

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Check In and Full Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM – Introduction, Bill Crawford

9:10 AM – 9:40 AM – Truck Wrap, Jason Weinstein

Ever get tired of paying those gas bills for your fleet? Turn your vehicles into ‘Mobile Billboards’. Since your trucks are already driving all over the city, Truck Wraps are a great way to increase branding and bring in more leads.

9:40 AM – 10:00 AM – The Blue Book, Pat Mulkerrin

Many Home Improvement Contractors are realizing installing commercial jobs can be very profitable.  The Blue Book is the largest and most active commercial construction network in the industry that brings buyers and sellers together. Learn how to use The Blue Book to propel the number of commercial jobs you do in 2017.

10:00 AM – 10:20 AM – Sponsors (Blue Book & Rhino Carbon Fiber) 

10:20 AM – 10:55 AM – Angie’s List, Jason Weinstein

Owner of BudgetDry has brought in $1.5 million in revenue from Angie’s List. Over the years, Jason has figured out how to make this lead source work for his company.

10:55 AM – 11:10 AM – Break

11:10 AM – 11:50 AM – Shows and Events, Luke Secrest

Learn the ins and outs of having a Show Department;  how to hire your first Show Manager, what give-aways draw people to your booth, what Shows and Events bring in the most leads with the lowest expense, how do you pay a Show staff person. All these topics and more will be covered in this session.

11:50 AM – 12:00 PM – Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch – Provided by LeadGen2017 in the Atrium

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Social Media, Steve Raquel

Steve has been an active participant and contributor in the social media arena, having been featured on CNN and as a regular contributor on bleacherreport.com, writing on the impact of social media in sports.  He has also been a guest lecturer on social media at Northwestern University, Notre Dame and the University of Illinois.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Local Search, Bill Crawford

Every business loves to be found locally since all these clicks are free. Find out what is new in Local Search and how to leverage Google’s Local Search algorithm to increase leads for your business..

2:00 PM – 2:35 PM – Rehashing Leads: Increase Lead Quality & Rehash Effectively, John Bryant

With over 30 years in the business, John Bryant shares valuable ways to get more out of already purchased leads. Since buyers purchase when they are ready to buy, not when you are ready to buy, you need to stay in front of these leads. Learn how.

2:35 PM – 2:50 PM – Best Customer Review Strategies, Bill Crawford

2:50 PM – 3:00 PM – Closing Remarks, Bill Crawford

Putting together a plan, making it work.