Happy Anniversary!

Wow, where do I start?

A year ago a painter in Vermont suggested on a painter’s forum that someone should create a site for painters to curate their blogs and share industry information. Always up for a challenge, I went out and bought the domain bloggingpainters and and installed WordPress for the first time. I was hooked! Little did I know the path it would lead me on!

We created a community of painters learning to navigate the blogosphere while sharing the latest industry information. We have had the privilege of interacting with some of the greatest people online, Sole Proprietors, Company Owners, Interior Designers, Color Specialist, Marketing Specialists, SEO Wizards, Advertising Execs and Industry Leaders. Several of these online relationships turned into phone calls, articles, contacts and ongoing friendships.

Several of these experts have joined us as Associates and contribute to the content and we look forward to hearing more from the likes of Tess Wittler, Brandt Domas, Linnea Blair and the latest addition, Summit Consulting.

We appreciate the contributions of our many Guest Authors as well and encourage others to join us. The posts from the contractors who are using the products in the field have always been the most popular!

Attending the PDCA Expo and meeting many of these friends was a highlight I will cherish forever! Although I do regret missing Heidi’s bull riding exhibition, the bus ride with Tommy  made up for it! I have learned so much from the relationships that have come from BP. And I am deeply grateful to you all.

Usually when we talk about about Social Media, it is focused on reaching customers, advertising and branding. I truly believe it is more than that. One of my favorite sayings is “None of us are as good as all of us”, by coming together as professionals in an industry that has long depicted painters as “anyone with a brush and a station wagon”,  I know we can raise the bar, and I will continue the effort, with your help!

I have found that there is huge disconnect between paint contractors and the industry that we rely on.  I am always amazed when I attend a proshow, continuing education class or industry event and talk to guys who don’t see the value of an online presence, or don’t understand the value of networking, whether it be to market your company or to learn about new products. Many of these are guys that have a lot to offer, but don’t contribute. This is your place to be heard, comment, ask a question, get involved!

As I mentioned above, BP is constantly evolving, we have been talking to to several experts in the industry and are looking at offering webinars and  other resources that we hope our readers will find useful. This site is for you to learn and enjoy, I’d love to hear from you, what do you want to see here?