It has been brought to the attention of Chris and myself that some changes need to be made regarding the posting of job related pictures and the lack of interest in becoming certified by a large number of members. The following change is the result of a lengthy discussion between Chris and myself.
As of today, April 14, 2012, Premium members will only be allowed one promo post per month in the roof cleaning picture section. There are several reasons behind this decision. Interest in becoming certified has greatly decreased due to the unlimited promo posts that have been allowed. RCIA needs more posts in the Certified directory if that portion of the forum and the .org site is going to prosper. Posts made in the pic section have no difference as far as Google is concerned between them and certified members posts. SEO suffers due to this and the ratings drop for everyone. When posts are made in the certified directories, a direct link is made to the .org map and it is very beneficial for all areas.
RCIA also pays a fee (approx $65.00 per month) for the hosting and administration of the webinars used for certification and the testing procedure. With the decrease in certifications, this is getting quite costly. There has also been a increase of leads being shared amongst members due to NO certified member being available in different areas. This needs to change to benefit all.
The small fee ($150.--$200.) plus the testing is a small price to pay for the benefits you derive from being certified. It is a one time fee.
It is our sincer hope that interest in certification will increase and the forum and .org will prosper and their will not be any states where NO certified members are listed. Do your share and help out. GET CERTIFIED
Gary
-- Edited by garyw on Saturday 14th of April 2012 05:04:24 PM
I apologize for posting so many photos of my work. After reading Chris' sticky note(listed below), which is dated 6/18/08 I thought it was encouraged to post your work. Ultimately, I want to become certified. However, I wanted to and will wait until I had at least 100 roofs cleaned and documented(in my own files) before moving forward with the test. This is a goal I set for myself and has no reflection on RCIA or other members. In the meantime I'll abide by the new procedures. The members and the administration will always have my support.
Hank
"This forum is to post your Roof Cleaning Pictures in. Go ahead, show off your work! By posting MOST of yourroof cleaning pictures here, the world will have a better chance to see just what a GOOD Roof Cleaner you are! There IS "strength in numbers". I have checked with SEO Professors from the University Of South Florida here in Tampa. The MORE roof cleaning pictures we have in ONE place, the better chance the search engines will return your pictures in the local results!"
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
I apologize for posting so many photos of my work. After reading Chris' sticky note(listed below), which is dated 6/18/08 I thought it was encouraged to post your work. Ultimately, I want to become certified. However, I wanted to and will wait until I had at least 100 roofs cleaned and documented(in my own files) before moving forward with the test. This is a goal I set for myself and has no reflection on RCIA or other members. In the meantime I'll abide by the new procedures. The members and the administration will always have my support.
Hank
"This forum is to post your Roof Cleaning Pictures in. Go ahead, show off your work! By posting MOST of yourroof cleaning pictures here, the world will have a better chance to see just what a GOOD Roof Cleaner you are! There IS "strength in numbers". I have checked with SEO Professors from the University Of South Florida here in Tampa. The MORE roof cleaning pictures we have in ONE place, the better chance the search engines will return your pictures in the local results!"
Way to go Hank! I agree with you. I paid a company to work with them to train me before I took the test.
I try limiting my promo posts, I understand that is a luxury of a certified member. My post yesterday was for everyone to the moss cracking the shingle. I also agree with Hank, I thought the RCIA wanted more postings. Put 1 a month sounds good, until I get the certification.
I think to get certified the member must have to be in business(Roof cleaning and Power washing) for atleast 2 yrs and complete atleast 100 roof cleanings before you can be certified. That will definetly allow you to have the experiance to be a certified professional. It will also allow you to fully understand how to handle a wide variety of different jobs and how to correctly do the job.
I try limiting my promo posts, I understand that is a luxury of a certified member. My post yesterday was for everyone to the moss cracking the shingle. I also agree with Hank, I thought the RCIA wanted more postings. Put 1 a month sounds good, until I get the certification.
Dan, you became a premium member to be able to post pics and put up your links. Being certified was supposed to allow you to post in the state certified section.
Landis Roof Cleaning Eastern Pa 610-689-4475 wrote:
I thought that was a perk, as a premium member.
It was. Changing this is like a breach of contract in a way. I would think you would have to wait until the next time the premium membership is due to enforce something like this.
I think it's fair to limit the amount of promo posts, but one per month seems a bit light ... any chance we can make it 1 per week, or at least vote on it?
I apologize for posting so many photos of my work. After reading Chris' sticky note(listed below), which is dated 6/18/08 I thought it was encouraged to post your work. Ultimately, I want to become certified. However, I wanted to and will wait until I had at least 100 roofs cleaned and documented(in my own files) before moving forward with the test. This is a goal I set for myself and has no reflection on RCIA or other members. In the meantime I'll abide by the new procedures. The members and the administration will always have my support.
Hank
"This forum is to post your Roof Cleaning Pictures in. Go ahead, show off your work! By posting MOST of yourroof cleaning pictures here, the world will have a better chance to see just what a GOOD Roof Cleaner you are! There IS "strength in numbers". I have checked with SEO Professors from the University Of South Florida here in Tampa. The MORE roof cleaning pictures we have in ONE place, the better chance the search engines will return your pictures in the local results!"
Hank;
I understand your feelings and also the rest of the people who are biting their tongues off. Chris's post was dated 2008 and does Not fit todays business model. There was no premium member back then and RCIA was a brand new operation. Anyone who is certified this in no way affects you.
The prosperity of this forum and the .org map site depends on certified posts being made on a regular basis. Has everybody lost site of the orginial intention of the .org site. It still amazes me the number of members who did not re-certify and are not listed on the .org map. I guess some don't see the value or benefit.
Diamond Roof Cleaning New Jersey (1-800-Roof-Clean) wrote:
Apex Roof Cleaning wrote:
I try limiting my promo posts, I understand that is a luxury of a certified member. My post yesterday was for everyone to the moss cracking the shingle. I also agree with Hank, I thought the RCIA wanted more postings. Put 1 a month sounds good, until I get the certification.
Dan, you became a premium member to be able to post pics and put up your links. Being certified was supposed to allow you to post in the state certified section.
Mike; what do you mean?? This post does not apply to anyone who is certified, which Dan is NOT.
I thought i was pretty clear. Being certified allows you to post in the State(from which your from) certified section. If your going to do this to just premium members then some notice should have been given. I am sure when they signed up they were doing it in part so they could make promotional posts and more than once a month.
You are probably correct in what you say about notice being given, however I am just the messenger, who normally gets shot doing what is asked of him. But due to my big salary (roflmao) I tolerate all the disgust and evil posts directed at any change proposed.
Call Chris and discuss this with him. No need talking to the peons who can't make decisions about Chris's forum.