About
My Journey: Content Marketing for the Building Industry
Here’s the truth: I fell into the construction industry.
It wasn’t a family business, like it is for so many of you. I simply needed a job in college, and I got one with a fire sprinkler contractor in town.
I started out doing administrative duties, like answering the phone, typing documents on the one IBM computer the entire office shared and running blueprints in the warehouse (that’s a smell that sticks with you). It didn’t take long until I became fascinated with construction.
Thankfully, the owner saw my interest and taught me as much as I wanted to know. While still a full-time student, I was also at the office learning how to bid jobs, pull together specs, and I even spent a summer retro-fitting an occupied assisted living facility.
At one point, I considered transferring to a different college so I could pursue a degree in construction management, but at that point, the limitations on student loans (and my savings account) prevented me from doing so.
After graduating college with my English degree, I certainly could have continued to work with that contractor and had a nice career, but I I wanted to move away from home more.
Becoming the Construction Copywriter
My love for the construction industry grew when I took a position in governmental affairs with the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA). There, I spent over four years learning how legislation and regulations affect the home building industry. During my time there, we discussed many impactful topics such as workforce development, a uniform construction code and stormwater management, and I wrote countless white papers and grassroots campaigns, raised PAC dollars and worked on several political initiatives.
That is when I saw how persuasive words can be, particularly when you tell a real-life story to illustrate your points.
After the PBA, I took a position with a local home builders association, the BIA of Lancaster County. There, I handled government affairs, membership, educational initiatives (including creating a student chapter), events planning, marketing for the Home Show and Parade of Homes, and public relations.
This was during this time that I found my passion for helping contractors market their businesses. Everything about working for the home builders association revolves around helping those in the industry connect with members, showcase their craftsmanship to the community and grow their business. It’s marketing! And I loved it!
In 2007, I decided to merge my love for the construction industry with my gift of marketing to become a content marketing expert for the building industry.
Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of companies and organizations all across North America – from regional home builders and small design/build remodeling firms to building material dealers, manufacturers and home builder associations, including the Pennsylvania Builders Association, the BIA of Lancaster County and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
My goal: To help contractors generate and nurture leads with meaningful content.
I reside in a small town near Richmond, Virginia, and when I am not writing, I enjoy exploring beautiful trails and doing a little hobby photography with my husband, Jason, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Sumi. I am also just a tad bit fanatical about hockey! #LetsGoCaps
Mary Anne Meade
Ginny Powell
Hager Companies
