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Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 · Guest

Free info for guests- Your thoughts

Apr 23, 2011

I don't think anyone who is a premium member should tell anyone who is not a premium member anything! This excludes guy's like Jeff who have been around awhile and offers great advice. I think somthing should be done to get Jeff to the premium side. I respect his stand on not becoming a premium member, but if the voting is not closed on the moderators and all I would ask him if he was interested. I will go as far to add if he says yes... no charge for premium membership this year. Over the last two years I have screamed to close this site...it cant be done. So lets try this, guys who sign on and dont fill out the info, and post lets delete them and the post right away. Those who are new and sign up fill out the info and don't become members within five working days are deleted also. We would need a seperate group of premium members that sign on to search for these individuals and delete them before there questions are answered if possible.....I have no problem offering to do that. Or maybe I am way overboard on this one!

Guest

Wow that a strong take on things. I remember when i and you first sign up and we didnt have to pay a thing those were the good ole days. I think by doing this it will discourage people from actually joining. You need to give a little to get a little. Yes i think the info on here is worth the 100 bucks but honestly i can go on another forum and learn the same things for free that we learn here on the premuim side. Thats my take on things. Yes competition sucks when you get lowballed but without competition it would be very costly to advertise.

Roof Cleaning Fort Myers FL 239-466-6980 · Guest

I realize that this isn't the only site that people can go to learn how to clean roofs. But I also don't think that we should be giving out valuable new information. I am not saying we should run people off either. But there are alot that come and make one post, get what they need and are gone. I do believe that RCIA has an opportunity to step up and be more than just another forum. I see it being the pace setter for roof cleaning in the future. If RCIA wants that role than it does require some secrecy and can't be handing out free info to whoever visits. Jon

Ugly Shingles LLC · Apr 23, 2011

We have 2,186 registered members and only 86 that you see on here from time to time where did the other 2,100 members go?

RCIA is the largest and most powerful roof cleaning networking forum on the internet and it is up to Chris to decide on how he wants to run it! Personally I think he should make money on his knowledge and networking power.

Here is 1 example of Hundreds of ex-members...look them up for yourself.

Sunshine Roof Wash 24 posts

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

I voted no, but certain information on the guest side could be used as a "teaser" to the premium side.

Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 · Guest

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:
I voted no, but certain information on the guest side could be used as a "teaser" to the premium side.

I agree and I think there can be a balance in this for everyone, it is just a matter of finding what that will look like. It is Chris T's forum in the end and it is all ultimately up to his decisions. I just thought we needed to find if this is something that bothers any of the premium members so Chris T can see if this is an big issue for all or just a few.

Kim R

Guest

I've learned some things as a premium member, that have saved me thousands as well as made me thousands. I don't think the information that I'm referring to is posted on a forum anywhere.

By building trusted relationships, and some late night talks (some in person, some over the phone) very valuable information sometimes gets passed along.

I'm fortunate to have found the RCIA. And even more fortunate to have met a great bunch of folks and fellow business owners here. (You have to put up with a few jack a$$es along the way, but that's the way it goes )

Advantage Roof Cleaning · Apr 23, 2011

I'm new with RCIA and still getting my feet wet, with cleaning solution, pun intended. I have noticed in reading various threads the reoccurring issue of premium member content being discussed in the open forum and then moved to the premium member forum after the fact. I can understand how that can easily happen. If you don't mind, I'll share my perspective and you can take it for what it's worth.

I agree with RCIA’s mission to educate potential customers and those in the roof cleaning business. The public forum should be a means to ease the potential customer’s concerns thru basic education. This basic education need not and should not disclose specific trade info. Ideally the public forum should also increase the potential customer’s desire to have their roof professionally cleaned by a certified RCIA member.

Concerning those in the roof cleaning trade, the public forum can be a place of general education and sharing of ideas but again without disclosing specific trade info. For any education and sharing of ideas beyond the basic, one must become a premium member.

I recommend we have a written policy developed that describes in detail what topics and specific info can and cannot be shared in the public forum. Again that’s just my two cents worth.

-- Edited by oteyde on Saturday 23rd of April 2011 11:58:56 PM

Eric SCHNAIBLE · Apr 24, 2011

I agree with Ted... Group hug.

Central Iowa Roof Cleaning · Certified Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning Specialist

oteyde wrote:
I'm new with RCIA and still getting my feet wet, with cleaning solution, pun intended. I have noticed in reading various threads the reoccurring issue of premium member content being discussed in the open forum and then moved to the premium member forum after the fact. I can understand how that can easily happen. If you don't mind, I'll share my perspective and you can take it for what it's worth.

I agree with RCIA’s mission to educate potential customers and those in the roof cleaning business. The public forum should be a means to ease the potential customer’s concerns thru basic education. This basic education need not and should not disclose specific trade info. Ideally the public forum should also increase the potential customer’s desire to have their roof professionally cleaned by a certified RCIA member.

Concerning those in the roof cleaning trade, the public forum can be a place of general education and sharing of ideas but again without disclosing specific trade info. For any education and sharing of ideas beyond the basic, one must become a premium member.

I recommend we have a written policy developed that describes in detail what topics and specific info can and cannot be shared in the public forum. Again that’s just my two cents worth.

-- Edited by oteyde on Saturday 23rd of April 2011 11:58:56 PM

138394,

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Apr 24, 2011

Nobody does a search on carrot cake and accidently stumbles upon RCIA. People who find us are actively searching how to clean roofs. There going to find out one way or another and the info is out there. We cant keep it a secret forever. I know it sucks but one way or another it will become as common as pw or landscaping. Roof cleaning is the easy part. Building a legit reputable business and staying afloat is the hard part. An open forum is what made RCIA great. Doing a complete 180 will isolate us. The good solid info should be premium. Teaser info should be open. Only my opinion.

Guest

yes bruce there are other forums and we are the most active but the other one is pretty close to the amount of activity here and i see alot of the same guys there as i see here.

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Apr 24, 2011

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:
I voted no, but certain information on the guest side could be used as a "teaser" to the premium side.

What if the question was asked on the open side but answered in the premium section.

Roof Cleaning Virginia 540-949-6277 · Roof Cleaning Institute of America Premium Member/MODERATOR

The vote as of 8:00 AM Sunday morning says a lot. Some good points made here and some things to discuss as we try and find an easy way to make it work. True Mike, there is all sorts of info all over the place but can you find the same help, support and comradery found here in the premium section? I remember well you being the first person to help me get a start and get some roofs done before the winter hit. That, I'm pretty sure was after I paid my 100 bucks. We need to keep it that way before the whole country is like FL!!

Brett

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC · Apr 24, 2011

Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
This excludes guy's like Jeff who have been around awhile and offers great advice. I think somthing should be done to get Jeff to the premium side. I respect his stand on not becoming a premium member, but if the voting is not closed on the moderators and all I would ask him if he was interested. I will go as far to add if he says yes... no charge for premium membership this year.

Really? Why is he so special? He can pay like everyone else.

Central Iowa Roof Cleaning · Certified Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning Specialist

Roof Washer New Jersey (609) 929-5812 wrote:
yes bruce there are other forums and we are the most active but the other one is pretty close to the amount of activity here and i see alot of the same guys there as i see here.

I shouldn't comment on others, forums, as I don't go there myself. Your point is well made though. Just being the number 1 ranked roof cleaning site on any search, that's the knock on the door so to speak. The question I have is what should be said or told once they answer.

The concern is membership to our forum. One must admit that this forum has some detailed posts about roof cleaning, marketing, etc., but when that information can be gained by just logging in, why become a member. Also, another purpose is for all of us or commit to the same process, even playing field. Also, networking to build a better business, as Ed spoke of above.

Personally speaking, I do alot of networking with some off this forum for that reason. Nothing personal, just business.

Second, competition is welcomed on my end as homeowners here don't realize you can clean a roof. My fear, as a start up business, some person will take that open information, learn just enough to be dangerous and mess up someone's roof and it could be all over the news the next day. I have had no less then two homeowner tell me some guy is claiming to be part of RCIA wanting to clean their roof, which I cannot find on here. Without going into details, he doesn't represent our process. Okay, there is nothing to say that won't happen anyway, I just don't want to be part of promoting that by way of the open side.

I guess we all know what the problem is or could be, what is the solution? If any?

At present I see no incentive to become a member with the search button and open side as it is! In order to offer some new things going forward we need some form of support or we may as well leave it the O.K. coral. LOL

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Apr 24, 2011

Its a lopsided question to vote whether you want premium members educating your competition. Of course no one wants this. What i dont like is people lurking or getting enough info to start then bailing on RCIA. But im not worried about these types. Their personalities are the types who do not follow thru, do things half azz, never finish what they start, and will muck things up enough to get the word out that your roof is something to be left to professionals.
If you want unbiased dialogue on this issue, you cannot start the thread with such a loaded question. Cleaning roofs is the easy part. Ill say it again. Cleaning roofs is the easy part.

(f_bomb)

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 on Sunday 24th of April 2011 02:11:49 PM

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Apr 24, 2011

Not all info should be in the open, like what im about to say here: if your not folllowing thru and making deals with your clients to get reviews for your websites on Google, Yahoo, Judysbook, Angieslist, Bing, then theres nothing to set you apart from your competition. Sit down with your clients at their pc and get er done. Check the BBB and see where you stand if your even listed. You dont have to be a paid member to have a rating. Cleaning roofs is the easy part.

Guest

brett said

"True Mike, there is all sorts of info all over the place but can you find the same help, support and comradery found here in the premium section? I remember well you being the first person to help me get a start and get some roofs done before the winter hit. That, I'm pretty sure was after I paid my 100 bucks. We need to keep it that way before the whole country is like FL!!"

the answer is yes i get the same support and comradery from the other forum as i do here. Yes i did give you information after you became a member but i had a different mindset back then. In a perfect world i would love the information to be held a secret but its just not going to happen. You are going to get the guys that come on here or somewhere else, get what they need and go cut your throat. But those guys wont last i know for a fact ive seen it. This business is very tough on equipment and can get expensive at times. These guys charging 275 or 350 for a roof cleaning wont last you can do 20 roofs at that price where i can do 10 or less and still make the same money. The difference is i have less winshield time and less down time due to maintenance issues also i have less wear and tear on my equipment.

So volume really is not the solution except if your getting the price that you need to get to stay in business and make a nice profit.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"