search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts TikTok Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts TikTok
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Infographics
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor Newsletters
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Columns

Editor's Note: Power Tools

By Rick Damato
August 29, 2007
In today’s world, roofing contractors are not just “roofers,” and Roofing Contractor is not just a magazine. The demands placed on you as a roofing contractor are manifold and complex. You need information (a lot of it) to succeed in the roofing business.



If knowledge is power, the magazine you are holding is as powerful as an erupting volcano. It is powerful because it contains valuable knowledge to improve your life and business, but even more powerful because it connects you to an integrated media system containing an expansive universe of knowledge about all things roofing.

In today’s world, roofing contractors are not just “roofers,” and Roofing Contractor is not just a magazine. The demands placed on you as a roofing contractor are manifold and complex. You need information (a lot of it) to succeed in the roofing business.

Problem is, there is a ton of valuable information available to you, but you need to be able to manage it in a way that fits your business, your lifestyle, and your unique ability to absorb it. Beyond the pages of Roofing Contractor, the magazine, you have many options.

One of the most valuable offerings we have ever cooked up is our Best of Success conference. It may not be too late for you to attend this year’s event, which will be held Sept. 19 -20 in Phoenix. Two days of great information from leading industry experts and top contractors sharing the secrets of their success - and it is focused like a laser beam on the unique issues of the roof contracting business.

Knowledge is available to you from Roofing Contractor by way of “new media” initiatives delivered primarily via the Internet. For example, webinars are proving to be one of the most useful presentation tools around. With improved software and presentation techniques, Webinars are being used for training, marketing, and even to deliver qualified continuing education units (CEUs) as may be required for some certified contractors.

Like our live conference, bulletin boards and blogs offer contractors a way to communicate with their peers. If you have business issues, you can post them and you will often find creative answers not otherwise available. You can in turn share some of your expertise and experiences with others in need.

Roofing Contractor has published a Buyers Guide for decades. This valuable reference tool comes out each December and aids contractors year round in sourcing tools, materials, distributors, and a wide variety of other service providers catering to the roofing industry. Our Web site, www.roofingcontractor.com, contains the online version of the Buyers Guide as well as an optimized search feature that allows you to quickly access knowledge by way of articles archived from previous issues of Roofing Contractor.

Breaking news is available by way of new media offerings, including our Web site, our monthly newsletter, RC Insider, and “Really Simple Syndication” (RSS) feeds. RSS allows subscribers to the Web site (it is free) to sign up to be alerted when a particular item (like breaking news) hits the Web. This is cutting-edge technology, but is exceedingly simple to use. Click on the RSS button next to any feature article on the site and just follow the instructions.

It is not impossible to download the digital version of Roofing Contractor to a handheld device, and we are working on other initiatives that will ultimately have you downloading knowledge into your iPod or receiving alerts by way of text messages to your cell phone.

Bottom line is to stay connected to maintain the base of knowledge needed to move your unique enterprise forward. It just takes a little imagination. And you may recall what Albert Einstein said on the subject: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Rick damato update
Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor's Top 100

    Benchmarking the Best in Roofing

    The 2026 Top 100 roofing contractors are revealed,...
    Top 100 Roofing Contractors
    By: Art Aisner and Tanja Kern
  • KEE membrane application on a roof

    A Beginner’s Guide to Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

    While PVC and TPO appear extremely similar, the chemistry...
    Low Slope Roofing
    By: Peter Gross
  • A couple stands facing a very nice home

    The Homeowner's Roofing Journey in 2026

    RC asked homeowners what their roofing journey was like,...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Art Aisner
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • A finished comercial roof with a white coating
    Sponsored byFlashCo

    Best Practices for Allocating Scarce Labor Resources: Don’t Forget the Accessories

  • A metal roof
    Sponsored byWestlake Royal Building Products

    Metal Roofing Products That Protect Homes from Hurricanes and Build Pro Reputations

  • 3 men standing on a loading dock near a semi truck
    Sponsored by10X Roofing

    Why Good Roofers Struggle to Grow

Popular Stories

Androscoggin County Courthouse

Legal Roundup: Roofing Contractors Face Criminal Charges in Four States

3 men standing on a loading dock near a semi truck

Why Good Roofers Struggle to Grow

Tesla Solar Roof

Tesla Solar Roof Exit Leaves Contractors Facing Costs, Service Questions

Events

July 28, 2026

How Top Home Services Companies Turn Every Conversation Into Predictable Revenue

On Demand In this webinar, we'll outline how top contractors are turning every conversation into predictable revenue by coaching every comfort advisor visit, not just the ones a manager rides along on.

September 24, 2026

The 7 Promotes to Grow Your Roofing Business

Most roofing owners are great at the work. Knowing how to communicate what you do, why it matters, and what sets your business apart is just as important.

This session breaks down the 7 Promotes every roofing owner should know. From your personal story and value proposition to your hiring pitch, each one helps you communicate more clearly with homeowners, employees, and potential hires.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • Editor's Note: The Tools of the Trade

    See More
  • Bosch Power Tools Hitman Rotary Hammer

    Bosch Power Tools PROFACTOR SDS-Max 18V Hitman Rotary Hammers

    See More
  • Bosch-Logo

    Bosch Power Tools Announces Special Holiday Savings Throughout December

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • framing.jpg

    Complete Book of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction, 2nd Edition - Updated and Expanded

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • November 20, 2025

    The Power of a Remote Sales Assistant: Lessons from the Field

    On-Demand Discover how dedicated Sales Assistants can handle the admin and follow-up tasks that often slow down your salespeople, giving them more time and energy to focus on building relationships and closing deals. And you’ll learn practical strategies for integrating remote Sales Assistants smoothly into your operations, so they quickly become trusted, productive members of your team and an essential driver of growth.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing