Roofing Could Be Your Key to a Thriving Career in 2023

The roofing industry has long been a competitive space for contractors, but that healthy competition has helped drive innovation and lift up independently-owned businesses across the country. BYLTup, Inc. is one such business, and CEO Trevor Leeds is committed to elevating the greater roofing industry through everything his company does.After many years in roofing, Trevor partnered with his brother, Brady Woodside, in 2022 and co-found BYLTup, Inc. in Southern California. The pair started from scratch with a blank slate, allowing them to create a culture and brand experience that raises the industry bar, which is important to them.Trevor knew GAF would be a part of their success from the start. He experienced GAF-certified contractors'* support through his previous company and knew the organization's vision and innovation would be key to building the business.Enhancing Roofing Professionalism and SafetyTrevor is passionate about the roofing industry and believes everyone—from manufacturers and distributors to the contractors performing the installations—should work together to create a professional and positive customer experience. Even more importantly, Trevor advocates for the industry's employees and their experiences; safety is an area he wants more people to consider."We need to be making sure that we are taking care of employee safety," Trevor says. "Everyone should be focused on that. Everyone should be concerned about their employees going home safe and sound every single night. When an accident happens in the industry, it's devastating to the business owner and the individual, but it impacts the industry too. We all feel that in some form or fashion."Guiding the Next Generation through GAF Roofing AcademyTrevor's concern for employees and the industry's future led to his involvement in the GAF Roofing Academy. While he didn't have an immediate need for labor in his business, he recognized that taking action now could contribute to building a pipeline of skilled workers that would benefit the roofing industry as a whole.Trevor observed the pool of talent and skilled workers dwindling during his time in roofing. "You have the baby boomer generation that is retiring and a younger generation that wants to get into tech and doesn't want to get into the trades," he notes. "We've got to be able to hire and attract young talent back into the industry or we're all going to suffer."Training Students at the SoCal Roofing AcademyTrevor first learned about the GAF Roofing Academy at a regional conference and stepped up to assist. His company was involved in the first SoCal Roofing Academy, which had three tracks: residential roofing, commercial roofing, and sales training. BYLTup hosted the training's residential portion, and Trevor was impressed by the students' interest and engagement."I was blown away at how engaged they were. GAF had certainly done a very good job screening and prepping these individuals coming in, but they were green," he says. "The trainer was fantastic. The students were shingling after three days."Once the groups completed the tracks, they were brought back together for their graduation ceremony, which was a life-changing experience for many. "I realized that many of these people had probably never been recognized like this before," Trevor says. "They were very proud, holding their certificates and sending photos to their families."Making an Unexpected Hire at BYLTupJust before hosting the SoCal Roofing Academy, GAF Roofing Academy Operations Manager Erick Osuna reached out to Trevor and shared recent graduate Jose Navarro's resume. Jose had completed the commercial roofing training program and stood out to Erick, so he connected with Trevor about possibly hiring him."At that time, I wasn't looking for someone on the commercial roofing side. We weren't really expanding that crew, but we were looking for a production role," Trevor shares. "Long story short, we loved him. He was going to be a great fit for the company, and we hired him as our assistant production manager."Jose excelled on the job. BYLTup quickly moved him into a full production manager role, hiring an assistant to work with him. Trevor says Jose was a great hire. "He's young, he's hungry, he wants to learn. I've never seen another individual in the industry that just wants to learn roofing, and he's a sponge."Committing to Supporting GAF Roofing AcademyTrevor has seen the caliber of students attending and graduating from the GAF Roofing Academy, inspiring his commitment to support ongoing trainings. "I was pleasantly surprised at the overall outcome of the [Roofing Academy] event," he notes. "It encouraged me to the point that I said, 'I want to do this, whether we benefit from it or not, I want to support this at least twice a year, and we want to get more contractors involved in it.'"Want to get involved in supporting the future of the roofing industry? Learn how to participate in a future Roofing Academy and discover the training opportunities available to your team through GAF CARE.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit www.gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details.

Using video in your business strategy can be a powerful way to engage and build rapport with your customers. The best part? All you need is your cell phone.GAF Real Talk LIVE host Alan Lopez sat down with GAF video specialist Pablo Nivar to discuss low-stress, low-budget, start-today actions that contractors can use to introduce video content into their business strategy. Here are some of the lessons and easy-to-follow guidance highlighted during the pair's conversation.Why You Need VideoIn today's modern world, engaging customers on multiple levels is key. Video allows you to connect face-to-face in a sense and create engaging content that's not overly promotional, which can encourage users to buy. According to a 2021 study, 80% of consumers consider trust a deciding factor in their buying decisions.Don't Stress—Start SimpleFear about entering the professional video space is the biggest hurdle Nivar says he encounters among contractors as a GAF CARE video specialist. Fortunately, you don't need a big budget or professional equipment to successfully begin your video strategy.At the start, your videos are about building relationships. Use that to your advantage by working with what you have, and focus on engaging topics instead of fancy videography.Think Authentic Videos, Not MarketingHave the instinct to sell, sell, sell? Nivar explains why you should think again and create the kind of social media video content you like. Prioritize genuine content that tells a story and builds connection.If this sounds hard, Nivar and Lopez break down 10 types of videos for you to create. For each video type, Nivar gives examples and wording you can use. You don't have to reinvent the wheel; making videos can be easy and even enjoyable.10 Types of Videos to Create for Your Social Platforms1. Before and After VideosBefore and after videos can be a powerful way to showcase your work and benefit your brand without being overtly "salesy."2. Client TestimonialsClient testimonials can build a foundation of trust for future customers, helping them see the quality work you've completed and how you've collaboarated with past customers.3. Educational ContentYou can offer educational content without giving away your expertise for free. Think about what's relevant to your regional audience and focus on teaching, not selling.4. Your Company StoryCreating a company story video shouldn't be your first action, but it can be an impactful way to imbue humanity into your brand down the line. This presents a great opportunity to share your mission and vision, as well as introduce the people that help run the business.5. FAQAnswering questions you often receive is a great way to directly engage your customer base with content that's relevant to them.6. Time LapseTime-lapse videos can fulfill the need for "how it's done" content and show the value of your work. An entire project can be distilled down to minutes.7. Tips and TricksSharing tips with homeowners builds trust with your audience and gives them something valuable to take away from the video.8. Repair How-TosEmpowering homeowners to do their own minor repairs doesn't put you out of a job. In fact, it can show them you're committed to helping them solve their problems. Keep in mind that you should never inspire customers to climb onto their own roof, and instead encourage them leave that work to professionals.9. Customer AppreciationEveryone likes to feel appreciated. Making videos that show customers you value them for choosing your business—and how it makes a difference—can potentially lead to future work with both existing customers and new clients.10. OffersLeaving sales videos for last on your creation list can actually net you more business. You want to promote your business, of course, but it's best to make authentic connections first.Tips for Great VideosKnowing what to record is one thing, but understanding how to take video to benefit your brand is another. During their conversation, Nivar and Lopez not only cover how to use video in your business strategy but also need-to-know logistics. Important topics of discussion include video length, creating calls to action without being pushy, what not to say so you don't alienate customers and other businesses, and how to engage viewers with dialogue that hooks from the start. Additionally, the pair shares tips around enhancing the customer experience during installation using quick video recordings, which just might help earn extra praise in your video testimonials.Introducing Video to Your Business StrategyIf you've never jumped into the world of video content creation, Nivar and Lopez offer simple solutions that give you the tools to launch immediately. Watch their GAF Real Talk LIVE episode for in-depth information and exact steps you can take to start creating your videos. You can even contact the pros for more guidance. Be sure to also follow GAF on Facebook for more Real Talk LIVE episodes and other quality roofing content.Remember, you don't have to go it alone. You can keep expanding your business power with the free trainings, education, and support available to GAF contractors through the CARE Contractor Training Center.

Meet Austin Teague, recent GAF Roofing Academy graduate who shares his transformational journey from ball field to the roof. Prior to the GAF Roofing Academy, he was involved in sports, worked in customer service, but lacked the experience needed to break into the roofing industry. Once he graduated from the GAF Roofing Academy, doors were then opened for him, leading to well-paying jobs as an installer and later as a salesperson, where he is currently on track to meet his financial goals.Attending the two-week program proved to be a life-changing decision for Austin, providing him with the tools and confidence needed to succeed. The course not only equipped him with technical expertise, but also instilled in him the ability to educate customers effectively. Take a listen as Austin shares his story of how he found clarity and direction in his professional life, enabling him to thrive in the industry and build a successful future for himself and his family.Are you interested in a career in the roofing industry? Look for a Roofing Academy course in your area. Video TranscriptMy name is Austin Teague. I'm originally born in Tyler, Texas. Moved to Washington when I was a kid at ten. Well, prior to joining the Roofing Academy and, you know, taking my skills to that test, I was sports, strictly sports. Everything in my life I would, you know, I'd work a customer service job. I was in the, you know, the retail industry. I worked at Walgreens, but my personal life was hectic. It was football practice, baseball practice. It was always something going on.There was always something to do. Everything when it comes to roofing, for me, started after the Roofing Academy. When I tried to get into the roofing industry before going to the Academy, nobody wanted me because I had no experience. They're going to have to train everybody on the job. But because of the roofing academy, because I knew what I was going to do day one, I knew what my job was. I couldn't run into any hiccups because I knew what showing up day one was going to look like.[00:00:56.770]So they gave me a GAF certificate with my name, the location I trained out of, and then when I graduated. And what I did with that is I took it to every single applicant or job interview I had because I wanted them to know that I have this certificate. Not saying I have it, but also bring it, so they can see it.After the academy, I landed a job at 28 an hour as an installer, which is substantial in this living, making life, making payments. And then after that, I got bumped up to 32 an hour when I was working in New Mexico. And now that I'm sales, I'm straight commission. But in this month, I'm on pace to hit 20,000. Our goal at Tristate is to educate the customers firsthand. So being at the Roofing Academy allowed me to know roofing like the back of my hand. As an installer, as a sales, as an owner, you got to see the value in the systems. And it allowed me in my head to build those value, actually explain it to the customers. Where is this number coming from? Well, it's coming from this material because this material is going to cost more, of course, but it's obviously better.[00:01:58.920]I think someone coming to the Roofing Academy right away, no experience, is going to set you up for success. That's what you want. You want to be set up for success. You want to be as many tools as you can in your tool belt to get you to that point you want to be in life. And showing up to the Roofing Academy, it changed my life drastically. I didn't know what I was going to do. I literally didn't know, if roofing wasn't the pathway for me- what was the next plan?I was just grateful. I mean, I was one day on indeed looking for jobs and I saw the Roofing Academy post on indeed looking for academy students, and I thought, why not? What's two weeks out of my life that I get to change it? If I get an opportunity to change it and that two weeks changed my life. There's no time wasted. You're here from nine to three or nine to four at the latest for your classes.You're with guys that you actually enjoy being around. The guys in my class or in the class today, they're fun guys. They all get to make mistakes and learn from each other. And it just makes me grateful that I got that opportunity to make something of myself. I'm not just another guy on the street.[00:03:00.340]I don't know what my life's going to look like in the next six months, but I guarantee it's not going to slow down. I'm going to work harder than ever. I know I got two kids at home. I have something to push me. I would say that all the success started with the Roofing Academy because my life before the Roofing Academy was kind of on a snowball effect. It had started from when I left college and then came home and it kind of just started snowballing. One thing after another was another problem, another problem. Bills at 18, going into debt. You're 18, your life isn't, you're going to ruin your life already. So you got to figure some out. And I figured it out. I got lucky enough that I found GAF and you know they still treat me well to this day. I have my Academy teacher's phone number and I call them up and help him out from time to time, and he helps me out from time to time.We still get along. And it was two weeks of my life that I knew the guy, and he still gives me a call and checks up on me and tries to: How are you doing in roofing? You still in roofing? You still making a name for yourself? You still doing what you said you were going to do? And I am. It's just good to have someone to talk to. Even if you're in this industry for ten years, I guarantee you GAF CARE will probably still give you a call and check on you. That's just what they do.