How do you find contractors?

[Kyle Soudalan]

Investors are constantly looking for the best contractors to take jobs, and contractors are constantly looking for jobs to take. How is this search facilitated today? I get the sense this is mostly done through word-of-mouth or referrals, but if you're just getting started or new in the area and don't have the network, what solutions are there?

I know the obvious "you need to get out there and network!" Most people don't know how to network well, so what other solutions are there? Either for the investor/property manager or the contractor?