4 Local PR Strategies to Boost Franchisee Business

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Striking the right balance between corporate and local marketing is tricky.

Franchise brands are most successful when they have a professional, consistent image portrayed to the public, but one which is also localized enough that smaller-scale communities feel in touch with it.

So, how can franchisees help drive business through marketing targeted to customers in their area?

Media attention is key – it crafts a story and helps reach as many people as possible, often without costing as much as other marketing campaigns.

Here are 4 Local PR Strategies to Boost Franchisee Business:

1. Have a creative, exciting franchise launch. When you’re preparing for the grand opening of your franchise, go a little outside the box to garner media attention. While a well-crafted press release will work to get some media to cover your story, the best may need more to get their attention. If you’re opening a golf franchise, for example, one idea would be to hold a mini-competition on the day of a launch with a local celebrity competing against the public.

2. Partner with a transitions employment program. Work with a local organization that helps people with disabilities transition to the workforce. Whether it’s veterans, young adults with autism, or underprivileged youth trying to secure employment, this is not only a great way to help those in your community – it’s also a great story the public would want to hear about.

3. Sponsor fundraisers, sports teams, and amazing individuals. Is there a major fundraiser happening in your area? Partner with it. Know of a sports team that doesn’t have money for jerseys? Sponsor them. By helping a needy cause in your community, you’re directly giving back to your customers. The media gravitates to goodwill stories like this, and will most often be happy to provide some coverage.

4. Get to know the media in your area. Seems simple enough, but sometimes it really is about who you know and not what you know. Even if you have a top-notch press release or a great story that needs coverage, knowing a reporter can make it that much easier to get a story covered when you need it. You can sometimes meet and interact with journalists on Twitter and Facebook, or can meet them at various fundraisers and community events.

To learn more about entrepreneurship through franchising, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

4 Reasons Military Veterans Make Great Franchisees

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Why are military veterans so well-suited for the franchise industry?

It’s as if their core characteristics have been specifically tailored to becoming a successful franchisee.

In fact, that’s what the military has done. Through their military training, veterans have acquired the most important skills required to becoming a successful franchisee – helping them become successful leaders in the industry and superb entrepreneurs.

Here are the Top 4 Reasons Military Veterans Make Great Franchisees:

1. The Ability to Follow Systems and Structure. In the military, vets had to following systems and structure to succeed in their missions. Through this intense training and lifestyle, military veterans have this ability ingrained in them – and are able to seamlessly transfer it to the franchise industry, where they flourish in following tried-and-true processes.

2. An Almost Unparalleled Hard Work Ethic. Owning a business takes work, and franchising is no different. But hard work yields success – and military veterans know how to push through tough obstacles to get the job done. On top of this, they are also able to lead and inspire a strong work-ethic culture for their employees – leading to even greater success.

3. Ability to React and Adapt Under Pressure. As a new franchisee, things are bound to happen fast: from customer complaints to supplier issues, anything and everything will most likely occur at least once – sometimes at a moment’s notice. What military veterans do best, however, is react quickly under pressure and find efficient solutions to problems.

4. Veterans Stick to the Plan to Complete Missions. There is no place for rogue members in the military. Instead, military veterans were required to closely follow their missions in order to succeed together. In franchising, it’s no different: a franchisee follows the processes set out by the franchisor to succeed, because it’s been proven to work time and time again.

To learn more about entrepreneurship through franchising, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.

You may also register by calling 866-246-2884.

Name an Industry and I’ll Show You a Successful Franchise

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Chances are on your way to or from your 9-5 grind you will pass a successful franchise and not even know it. Part of this is due to the fact that the term franchise has become somewhat synonymous with the fast food restaurant and any franchise outside of that niche is barely recognized as one. The other reason I am confident that you will pass by a successful franchise today is that they are nearly everywhere these days touching nearly every industry imaginable. Far beyond pizza and hamburgers, the franchise model has been used to grow various niches from fashion, tools, health care, education and beyond. If you can think of an industry I can likely think of a franchise that touches it in some manner or another. This is great news for the would be entrepreneur who has always longed to become the captain of one’s own financial destiny but never really saw themselves asking “would you like fries with that?” So let’s take a quick look at the breadth of the franchise industry and see if a life’s passion doesn’t just jump up and bite you.

The Benefits of Franchising

Before we take a look at the scope of the industry, let’s first cover very briefly exactly what makes the franchise model so successful. Franchising puts the owner in command of their own destiny without asking them to go it alone. Let’s face it, not everyone is going to become the next Jeff Bezos of Amazon who is going to come up with the next big new idea to make them the next billionaire. That being said, there is a great deal of entrepreneurial talent still trapped in the your standard 9-5 grind because they can’t envision the opportunity out.

Franchising gives the first time entrepreneur not only that opportunity, but a proven business model to follow. In fact, if a franchise doesn’t believe in the new franchisee or the market they are entering they often won’t even both to award a franchise. The franchise understands that their name, brand and reputation are on the line every time they open a new location. So should you find yourself the new recipient of a franchise you can feel pretty good that the experts think you’ve got a pretty good shot at success.

This is of course not guaranteed and those new to the world of franchising have an obligation to do their homework. Talk to other franchise owners and make sure the franchise gives you all the pertinent data. If you do that, then your first franchise can often be the first step in a path towards an empire of franchises that gives you a steady stream of income for the future. It is hard work and there are risks, but unless you’ve created the next billion dollar widget in your basement it is often the safest path to an entrepreneurial future. Enough about the numbers, let’s talk about the passion.

Find Your Passion and Find Your Profit

This is where the full spectrum of the franchise industry comes into play on behalf of the new franchisee. You don’t have to flip burgers my friend. Although, fast-food can offer some pretty reliable profits and you’ll never hear the owner of multiple McDonald’s franchises complaining about being poor. Yet, you can branch out and pick an industry more to your liking. If caring for others has always been your life’s passion you’d be please to know that the senior service industry is one of the hottest niches in franchising right now. From home care agencies that allow seniors to age with dignity and grace in their own homes to those who help seniors move and downsize there are opportunities for you.

What’s great about the senior services franchises is not only do the provide a pretty good return on investment, but the initial investment to get started is actually pretty low. No ovens, grills or major equipment of which to speak. Just a dedicated group of staff or caregivers and you are ready to go. Then again, perhaps educating children is your passion. There are a host of franchises involved with youth from daycare to STEM education and more. That’s right, you don’t have to flip burgers to franchise your way to success as you can educate children in science and math.

If you consider yourself the next Tim “the toolman” Taylor from Home Improvement we’ve got tool franchises for you. Like to help make people feel beautiful? There are countless hair salons you can open. Fancy yourself a fitness buff? Why not open one of the many successful fitness gyms so you can cash in on those new year’s resolutions to lose weight. Pet supplies, accounting services and yes good old fashioned pizza, I think you get the point by now. Find your passion and thanks to the franchise model with a little hard work and determination you will find your profit.

In Conclusion

I’ll confess that perhaps it was a stretch to say that every single industry has a franchise but it is so close to discernible truth that I’ll allow it. Franchising is more than burgers and fries my friends. Once you realize that, it is as if your wildest childhood dreams come true. Yes, there are comic book store franchises so that is not a stretch either. Running a franchise is work and you’ll not hear me be the one to tell you it is the path to easy money. Oh, but it is a path to harnessing your passion and making you captain of your own destiny. Name an industry and I’ll most likely show you a franchise is perhaps what I should have said. Then again, that’s not really as catchy a title is it? Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more question about franchising and who knows, maybe a future without precedent is right around the corner for you.


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Why Working from Franchise Beats Working from Home

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The gig economy is hotter than ever right now as talented individuals are shedding the corporate culture and heading for the basement with a laptop in their PJs. This trend is being quickened by corporations themselves realizing the quality of the labor force ready to the job they need for them and nothing. If you need a sales report or perhaps web content then just pay someone to do that and skip having to pay for them to attend the company potluck or Christmas party. It is a mutually beneficial relationship where companies and talented individuals get exactly what they want from one another and nothing more. The problem is that freelancers are realizing by the droves that working from home is not quite all it is cut out to be. So that’s why I’ll message this article to those looking to leave the corporate world behind but who still understand the merit of showing up to work each day. If you ask me, working from your franchise beats working from home and I’ll tell you why.

The Great Generational Divide

It might not be sufficient to say that working from a franchise beats working from home for everyone as there is a generational component to it. A modern recent college grad has spent the sum of their entire lives connected online and an isolated setting where every human transaction is digital might come a little more naturally to them. Then, for those of us who have grown up to be accustomed to starting the work day at a particular time and shaking a few hands each day it can come as a challenge.

If you survey new freelancers you will find that one of the most common mistakes they made early on was to ditch the norms and cultural conditions that made one feel like they were at work. Sitting behind your laptop in your pajamas while you eat a bowl of cereal just doesn’t quite feel like work and productivity often reflects that. Moreover, failing to identify when your day ends and when it begins can often result in a complete loss of work/life balance that deteriorates one’s sense of rest. In a nutshell, the stay at home freelance lifestyle is not for everyone and yet that is often the only route burned out employees can see towards cutting the corporate cord.

There is Another Path to Freedom

Despite the popularity of the freelance and gig economy, there is another path that others are beginning to rediscover that not only grants them the freedom from the corporate world but also makes them captains of their own destiny. I say rediscovering because franchising was granting people their freedom long before Bill Gates first touched a computer. The benefit to this method of freedom is that one is allowed to retain many of the aspects of a hard days work that they love without any of the corporate hassle.

There is still a physical location which to go and in most cases even an office of your own. The only difference is that this is your ship now and you are captain of your own destiny. There are start times and end times to work though an entrepreneur’s day truly rarely ends. There are people to connect with, employees to manage and most importantly a proven business model to follow. There is even corporate help from your franchise should you really need it. Namely, you have the support and structure of a job but all the freedom and authority of an industry leader.

Franchises Never Go Out of Fashion

Finally, I’ll submit that working from a franchise beats working from home because franchises never go out of fashion. The gig economy is hot right now, but if you are in your 40’s and 50’s planning on the gig economy as your retirement plan then you might be sorely disappointed. Franchises, on the other hand, will continue to meet a need so long as they continue to have quality leaders to manage them. Taking on your first franchise and managing it in your 40’s can turn into a fleet of franchises by your 50’s. A fleet a franchises becomes a force and income multiplier long after the franchisee decides they do want to spend a little more time at home.

It’s a matter of preference for many, but for me it is a matter of practicality. While individual franchises might have to adapt to compete in the face of changing technology the franchise industry isn’t going anywhere. It is a proven business model that offers all the same structural benefits of the corporate you might miss. Except this time, you’re the captain and how far this ship sails you is up to you. Leave the basement in the pajamas for the next generation. As for me, I’ll stick with shaking a few hands everyday and building income into the future.


Franchise Your Way to Self-Employed Happiness

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Don’t we all love it when science confirms something that we’ve always known to be true? Even better is when science tells you that thing you enjoy doing most is actually healthy for you. Personally I’m still waiting for them to confirm that eating bacon stops the aging process, but they did recently announce some other good news for those in the franchise industry. Researchers from two renowned universities conducted a study on thousands of people and confirmed that self-employed people are happier. That’s right, science proved it and you can read the full story here. For those currently considering a franchise this should be all the extra motivation you need to make the leap. Working for yourself does come with a host of challenges, but it’s gotten a bad rap for far too long now. Science just confirmed what I already knew to be true and I’ll explain how you can franchise your way to your own self-employed happiness.

Conquer the Fear of the Unknown

It is no small moment in life when one decides to cut the corporate cord and step out on their own. Most of us have been condition since were young to work a job and wait for those reliable bi-monthly paychecks to roll out. Health care benefits often come from an employer as well things like sick days or vacation time. The thought of leaving all this behind creates a mountain of fear that often tethers people to the paycheck to paycheck lifestyle for the duration of their working years. But what if it didn’t? What if you conquered the fear of the unknown and grabbed you a little piece of this happy self-employed lifestyle?  

It is remarkable that this scientific study collected data from thousands of workers over three different continents and came up with the same conclusion. Yes, self-employed people often worked longer hours and fought the feelings of uncertainty about their income. That being said, they were still universally happier. It is as if all the fears keeping one from making the leap towards self-employment are only visible before you make the jump. Because those who already have made the leap don’t seem to mind them at all and are as happy as can be.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t hard work and it doesn’t guarantee success. But then again, that’s just like the rest of life now isn’t it? The difference is that those with the courage to take a risk get to enjoy the taste of happiness along the way. Now let’s talk about that word risk because that might make this leap sound a little scarier than it ought to be. Franchising offers some great features that help mitigate the risk for the owner. You are not quitting your day job on the speculation that the Chia Pet is about to make a comeback. You are not giving up the security of a steady paycheck on the hope and a prayer that you will become the next Bill Gates. You are cutting the corporate cord to follow a proven business model with the full backing of the very people who created that winning model.

Franchises Mitigate the Risk

Read that headline again because I don’t want to confuse you. I didn’t say eliminate the risk or guarantee success. But it does mean that you are going to have to work really hard to fail if you ever had a shot at pulling this off in the first place. Franchises understand that their reputation and brand are on the line when they franchise out to a new owner. Meaning when you fail that they will ultimately take a hit too. All the leading franchises can offer the market data on the front end that tells you whether a particular franchise is likely to be successful in certain areas. Then, when they issue you the franchise they offer the business model that has proven successful. If you can read a plan and follow directions then you don’t have to be a genius business master to live this self-employed happy lifestyle.

From marketing to management and beyond, there is help available to the newbie franchise owner that is not there when someone creates a new company out of thin air. Franchises are a fantastic way for the would be entrepreneur to cut the corporate cord and break out on their own. It doesn’t eliminate all risk, but it certainly mitigates it. With happiness on the line, those fears should seem a little less daunting now.

Moreover, the security you feel at your corporate job is just as made up as the fears keeping you there. Show me an industry where companies have not gone bankrupt and laid off all their employees. Find me a company in America where there is not at least one toxic manager ready to fire someone without reason. Tell me that you are not beyond accidentally hitting “reply all” to the email where you mock your boss for the message he just sent. Life happens and when you work for someone else you are never the captain of your own destiny.

Master of One’s Own Happiness

Perhaps that is the secret to happiness after all. To simply choose one’s own fate and whether life is good or bad at least it will be your own doing. The science is in and thousands of people across three continents and multiple industries have come to the conclusion that working for themselves is worth it. The juice is worth the squeeze as they say and they are happy about it. Franchising not only puts you in charge of your own destiny but it gets you some pretty good partners to sail with you on your ship. They offer navigation and guidance, but they still need a captain. If you think that’s you then perhaps it is time you too cut the corporate cord and take the first step in your journey towards a happy self-employed life.


Franchising in the Age of Knowing How to Get Things Done

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It has often been mused that youth is wasted on the young. The implication is that health, freedom and opportunity abound at an age when one is too young to have any idea what to do with it or to truly appreciate it. By the time a citizens crosses the grey line on the other side of 50 it is a much different story. Mistakes have been made and perhaps fortunes have been both won and lost. Whatever the outcome, what remains is an individual who has reached an age where they truly know how to get things done. With a certain natural wisdom and maturity that only comes with age, this population finds themselves in a prime position to take on the thrilling venture of entrepreneurship through franchising. So perhaps it’s time to put that wisdom to good use and find the opportunity that will carry you into the future during this golden season of life.

A 2nd Career When It Matters Most

Somewhere in around the age of 50, most individuals reach a milestone that recognizes at least 30 years in the workforce. Granted, some learn to hustle at a much younger age and they might have even earned a living for over 40 years doing everything from delivering newspapers as a kid to closing major deals in the boardroom as an adult. Whatever the case may be, if that is you then you are entering your prime and you have the capacity to revolutionize your future with franchising.

This is not about getting a 2nd job where you grind your days away just when you should be relaxing and hitting the golf course. This is about putting your life and professional experience to bear for your future. Whatever career you have found yourself in by the time you hit your mid 50’s doesn’t have to stop. Many successful entrepreneurs manage a full-time career as they set up their franchise operations. However, it is a fair question to ask yourself what you want to be doing when that primary career comes to an inevitable halt.

You might think you want to spend your days in front of the TV without so much as even putting on a tie ever again. You might then be surprised to find that retirees often report and overwhelming sense of boredom and isolation after retirement. Perhaps it is your belief that you are set financially for retirement and you plan to spend everyday on the golf course. Then again, you might find that your nest egg wasn’t quite as big as you thought as you carry yourself into your 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s. Right now is the time to take action that will pay social and financial dividends through it all.

So Let’s Talk About Franchising

At this point, some might be doubting whether they have what it takes to kickstart a second career.  If that’s you then let me speak to your skepticism. Regardless of where your career has taken you I assure you that you have the capacity to start your first franchise. The first step is simply finding one of the many thousands of franchises out there that stirs your passion. Perhaps it is a restaurant, fast food joint, tool shop, clothing store or you name it. If there is a good or service that people pay money for then it is likely that there is a franchise options for you. The next step is simply doing a little research or perhaps reaching out to the franchise to see if there is a market for it in your area. You might have a passion for selling ice, but if you live in Alaska that might not be the best venture.

Franchises are heavily invested in the success of their name and brand. As a result, they are not going to open up a franchise in an area if the market will not sustain it. So right from day one, you know that you have a good chance for success if the franchise is willing to put their name on it. Next, you just need ask yourself if the sum of your life experience has taught you anything about managing others. Running your own business might sound daunting, but overseeing a couple kids making your Lenny’s sub sandwiches isn’t exactly rocket science. At this point in your life, can you lead, manage and influence others for good?

Finally, you simply follow the plan. As we mentioned, most franchise have the data down to show what works and what doesn’t. Most can even give you a fairly accurate prediction as to when you can expect a return on your investment. If you follow the model and use what life has taught you over 50 years of life you are primed to succeed. Then, if you should so choose it is simply rinse, recycle and repeat from one franchise to the next. Certainly there is more to it than what was just mentioned, but if you think it overwhelming you might need to consider just how simple it could be.

A Future of Passion and Profit

So now, rather than look towards retirement with an uneasiness about finances or purpose you can sit back and relax like you always intended. The truth is that you can start a series of franchises when you are 50 and manage them for 30 years and still only be the ripe young age of 80. Whereas you might be more active with the franchise in your 50’s by your 60’s you can turn them over to a capable manager while it still creates revenue. Then when you are 80 and you are looking to buy the corner lot on Golden Acre Estates you can always sell them or pass them down to family. Passion, purpose and profit are closer than you think if you can make the leap to join the ever growing world of franchising.  


How to Franchise Your Way into Retirement Bliss

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Let’s face it, everyone will reach their golden years at some point no matter how young of heart they might feel. Then again, if you don’t reach your golden years then something has gone terribly wrong and you’re likely not reading this article right now. So let’s speak to the seasoned individual who’s not quite done yet living life to their fullest. By the time AARP starts sending you literature you’ve seen and done a thing or two in life. The odds are high that everything did not go according to plan, but you’ve learned from it. Remarkably, at the time in life when persons know the most about life, love and business it is also the time they are considering winding down. So let’s ask the remarkable question of, what if you didn’t? What if right at the time when you know the most you took on a venture to secure a steady stream of income that would carry you into your golden years with class and style? It might very well be that right now is the perfect time in life to start a franchise and coast your way towards retirement bliss.

Retirement is Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Throughout senior centers around the nation, the same story plays out with regularity. A senior in their 60’s or 70’s shows up with the same story. Namely, “I retired 6 months ago and I absolutely hate it.” The stats are in and it seems like retirement is often not all that it is cracked up to be. Imagine a lifetime of action and movement to be with the stroke of a pen altered to endless amounts of time and little action. Retirement is often the life’s goal for an individual and it can come as a shocking revelation that this goal was found wanting.

It would seem that not only does a retiree’s life savings tend to stretch thin, but so does that sense of purpose and the pursuit of success. When a person has lived enough life to know most what contributes to success it seems oddly incongruent that they would then forfeit that venture. The average lifespan of an American citizen pushes 78 years with some going on to live another 20 plus years past that average. So what exactly does a seasoned professional in the early to mid 50’s think about throwing in the towel this early? Perhaps a franchise is the retirement answer you have been seeking.

Franchise Your Way into Retirement

Starting up a franchise requires a little work, grit and grind. Anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t telling you the full story. Ask yourselves 50 something citizens of America, do you have a little grit and grind left in you? I’m thinking the answer is an absolute yes and that’s great news for the franchise industry. You’ve lived life, you’ve managed people and you’ve taken your wins and losses. Now it is time to set up a steady stream of revenue that you deserve into your golden years.

Franchising affords one of the more predictable business models in the free market. Hundreds, if not thousands have gone before you and you have a little data on which to rely. The truth is that many franchises will not risk partnering with you if the data tells them you have a high likelihood for failure. Their reputation is on the line and they are not willing to let it suffer to secure a few easy franchise fees. If you do the research and partner with a reputable franchise you have a pretty good shot at success. More than success, you have a pretty good shot at a steady stream of income that not only provides profit, but purpose into this new season of life.

The Exponential Power of Franchising

Recent studies show that the average retired household might spend on average of $40,000 a year. That sounds fairly reasonable, but keep in mind that is just an average. Now imagine that $40,000 a year played out as you live into your 70’s, 80’s or even 90’s. That’s a lot of money to spend for a season of life where social security might be your primary source of income. So what if it wasn’t? Right now in your late 40’s and 50’s, you have everything you need to start building a successful network of franchises where each one will send you a steady stream of money long after you might have given up the day to day management. Franchises don’t just increase your earning power in retirement, but they increase it exponentially.

In Conclusion

For experienced professionals in the latter seasons of their careers, franchising poses a great opportunity to live like you want into retirement. Beyond just the extra income, but running a series of successful franchises in your 50’s and 60’s can also provide you with a fascinating opportunity to avoid the boredom and drudgery of retirement that most don’t expect. You’re done working your way up the corporate ladder and a corner office no longer excites you. So why not bring in some extra income while pursuing a passion project into your golden years.

Moreover, the franchises themselves are an investment. Should you need the cash for reasons of health or housing difficulties you can always sell them. The franchising world is larger that most people think and it extends far beyond hamburgers and pizzas. So perhaps it is time to start doing the research and find your passion project. One that you are ready for as a seasoned professional and just might need as you head into this new season of life. Whether you are dreading retirement for fiscal reasons or simply boredom, franchising just might be the solution for both.


5 Time-Tested Marketing Principles That Your Franchise Must Use

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Owning and operating a franchise is the best way to start an independent business. It is relatively easy to raise finance, as the lender knows that you have the backing of the franchisor’s proven model. Additionally, you will be provided with access to the franchisor’s operations manual. This is an invaluable tool that will guide you in nearly every aspect of your functioning.

Remember that your primary function as a franchisee is to promote the business of the franchisor and market its products. You are responsible for protecting the franchised brand and building up a loyal customer base for the franchisor’s products.

How can you establish the new business and attract an adequate number of clients? You will need to develop your marketing skills and ensure that your franchise is in a position to meet the requirements of its customers.

Here are five marketing principles that you can use to build up your business and set it on the path to success:

1. Marketing is about beating the competition

Regardless of the type of business that you operate, your customers are going to compare you with others who provide the same service or product. It is absolutely essential that you position yourself in a manner that places you ahead of the competition in the eyes of your clients.

The first step that you must take is to identify your competitors. Understand their business model and the methods that they use to attract customers. Don’t be a copycat, but at the same time, your business must be in a position to offer clients a value proposition that is greater than that which is provided by your rivals.

2. Differentiate yourself from the competition

When you are running a franchise, you will need to follow a standardized approach in most areas. But it is definitely possible to differentiate yourself. Here are some ways in which you can do this:

  • Employee training and attitude – each of your worker’s should have a deep understanding about the product that you sell or the service that you provide. Your clients will place great importance on the quality of the interaction that they have with your employees. Well-informed and courteous employees can be your greatest assets.
  • Offer a consistently high level of service – set the bar very high within your organization. Do all that you can to ensure that every customer is given the greatest respect. While mistakes will happen, it is up to you to acknowledge them and take corrective action immediately. Your clients will appreciate your candor and the fact that you made the effort to rectify the situation.

3. Understanding your customers’ needs

You must take out the time to understand your target market. Which is the customer segment that you cater to and what is the exact need that you fulfill? Getting this aspect right is crucial to the success of your business.

When you understand why a client buys your product, you will be in a position to work on enhancing its most important features. You must conduct some primary research to get this information.

Your objective should be that when your customer has a certain need or requires a solution to a particular problem that pertains to the area in which you operate, your business must be the one that first comes to mind. This is possible only if you have taken the trouble to understand what your clients are looking for and worked towards addressing those issues.

4. Measure the results that you achieve

Your marketing expenses will form a significant part of your total budget. While this expenditure is absolutely justified, you must keep track of how it is helping to establish your business and build up its reputation. Which activities provide the greatest bang for the buck?

Every marketing campaign that you conduct should lead to greater awareness about your business. Over a period of time, it should also result in more sales. Soon after you launch a marketing push, implement a program to gauge customer response. The feedback that you get will help you to take corrective steps and optimize your efforts.

Another way that you can measure the effectiveness of your marketing strategy is to see the effect that it has had on the competition. If your rivals try to copy you or introduce a variation of what you have done, you will know that you are on the right track.

5. Build strong relationships

People like to do business with those whom they are familiar with. It is important to establish and nurture long-term relationships with your customers. Try and find the best way to stay in touch with your existing clients as well as those you want to add to your customer list. You could do this through email, personal phone calls, or even individual meetings.

Once a customer gets to know you and trusts you, the likelihood of doing a greater volume of business will increase. In fact, strong personal relationships form the bedrock upon which many successful businesses are built.

Check with your franchisor

A large part of your marketing efforts will be based upon the guidance and inputs that you receive from the franchisor. It will be your responsibility to execute the marketing plan in a manner that provides the best results.

However, if you think that you need to take some steps that do not strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by the franchisor, it is best to check with them first. Their advice and the information that they provide can be invaluable in helping your marketing efforts to succeed. 



Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

How To Build Customer Loyalty For Your Franchise

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The success of your franchise depends to a great extent on the number of new customers that you can attract. A steady stream of fresh clients will ensure that your sales volumes continue to grow at a healthy clip. Your business will register increased profitability and consequently strengthen its financial position.

But adding new customers should not be your only focus. You should devote at least as much time and energy to retaining your existing clients. Getting additional business from a customer who has already bought your product or used your service should be much easier than constantly adding to your client list.

Repeat business from a client has one distinct advantage for your franchise. It costs much less to convince someone who has had a positive experience with your company to use your services again. But it does require a special effort from your side.

How can you build loyalty for your franchise and increase the volume of your repeat business? While the following is definitely not an exhaustive list of the steps that you can take, it will provide you with an idea about what you should do:

Make them feel special

When a new franchise is launched, the entrepreneur would make every effort to ensure that each customer is provided with service of the highest order. But as the business grows and gets established, there may be a tendency to take customers for granted. If a franchise does well, you may not notice if some of your clients drift away to the competition.

Don’t let yourself fall into this trap. A successful business operation can quickly find itself in a position where it finds it difficult to generate an adequate level of sales. Remember that every customer interaction is important. Even if the work becomes routine for you or your staff, the client should feel special every time that a transaction takes place.

Establish a loyalty program that works

Give your customers a reason to remain loyal to your franchise. One of the most effective ways to do this is to reward them for increasing the volume of business that they do with you. If you can structure a loyalty program to offer greater discounts for higher purchase amounts, it will be more effective.

Experiment with different types of programs. In addition to a “tiered” program with stepped-up discounts for greater dollar volumes, you can try to target specific groups within your customer base.

Remember to keep your program easy to understand and honest. No one likes to register for a program and to be told about the “fine print” when they try to get a discount or claim a reward.

In addition to this, the rewards should be within the reach of a significant number of your customers. This will give you a dual benefit. Not only will your franchise register higher sales, you will also get free word of mouth publicity from the customers who benefit from your program.

Communicate regularly with your clients

It is extremely important to remain in constant contact with your customers. But this does not mean that you send them the same message repeatedly. Your communication should be both meaningful and made at appropriate intervals. You have to find the correct balance between retaining top-of-mind awareness and communicating too often.

Your messages should include information about your new products and the ways in which they can provide a benefit to your customer. Use professional language, but avoid industry jargon that some clients may find difficult to understand.

Many businesses miss the importance of replying to the messages that they receive in response to their communication. You should revert within a reasonable period of time and your reply should answer the query effectively.

If you are not able to do this, your communication strategy could backfire. Instead of getting your franchise additional business, it could lead to disgruntled customers.

Tell them about your services and ask for their feedback

Do all your customers know about the excellent service that you provide? Or about the quality of your products? The answer is unlikely to be yes. It is a good idea to include the positive aspects of your products and services in your messages.

Encourage your customers to make suggestions about how you can improve. Even if you can’t use their advice, the fact that you have asked for it will tell the customer that you care about their feedback. Of course, you must remember to thank them and explain your position.

Loyalty is built on trust

If your franchise is successful in establishing a loyal customer base, you will find it easier to achieve increased sales and profitability. But getting your franchise to a position where it can attract large volumes of repeat business from customers is not an overnight process.

You will have to ensure that your products and services are of the highest quality. It is also important to develop an emotional connection with your customers. Small gestures like sending birthday or anniversary greetings can help if they are used appropriately. An occasional note thanking them for their business can also play a role in strengthening the bond that you share with your customers.

Above all, remember that you will have to work continuously to retain your loyal customers. Their loyalty is dependent to a great extent upon how well your franchise can fulfill their requirements. It is up to you to ensure that you maintain the highest standards in the products and services that your franchise deals in. 



Photo by Kevin Curtis on Unsplash



Think Like A Leader – 6 Ways To Motivate Your Team

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One of the most important prerequisites for a successful franchise is a set of workers who have a positive frame of mind and a strong work ethic. Your employees must have the interest of your business at heart and they should be willing to walk that extra mile to ensure that your customers’ needs are satisfied.

How will you get your workers to develop these attributes? While it is crucial to have a stringent screening process for new employees, you must also learn how to motivate them so that they perform their roles effectively.

Here are several ways by which you can boost morale within your organization. If you are able to implement some of these techniques, it is likely that productivity will rise and your business will achieve greater sales and profits.

1. Don’t try and fit a square peg in a round hole

You may recruit an individual for a certain role but after a few months you may notice that the person’s skills are suited to a different job. This happens more often than you would think.

Smart entrepreneurs are quick to take advantage of these recruitment “mistakes.” Instead of trying to persuade the worker to do a better job, they simply reallocate work. In many instances, this benefits the employee as well as the organization.

In fact, there is a variation of this technique that you can use to give your business a boost. An employee may be performing perfectly well in the role that has been assigned. But you may think that this person could be more useful to your business doing some other work.

Shifting workers from one job to another is a good way of increasing productivity and allowing them to develop different skills.

2. Work on your communication skills

 When workers come to you with their problems, you must give them a patient hearing. Many business owners tell their workers “don’t come to me with problems, come with solutions,” but this is not a good approach.

Don’t discourage employees from raising issues that they cannot solve. If you do this, it is quite likely that you will come to know about a problem when it reaches an advanced stage.

If you maintain an open door policy, you will encourage employees to discuss what is bothering them. Over a period of time, this will lead to better customer service and more business for your franchise.

3. Learn to delegate efficiently

It is quite natural to want every aspect of your franchise to work perfectly. But this does not mean that you should carry out each task yourself or constantly look over the shoulder of the employee who you have delegated the work to.

You have to learn to let go and trust others. At the same time, it is essential to provide clear instructions and guidelines. Set up a mechanism that allows you to get regular feedback about how the work is progressing. If you do this, it will be possible to spot errors at an early stage and take corrective action.

Remember that delegation doesn’t mean passing on the entire responsibility for a task. You must provide the necessary guidance to the employee. It is also important to ensure that the person who is carrying out the task has the necessary skills and expertise.

4. Lead by example

As the head of the franchise, you are the role model for your employees. Everything that you say and every action that you take will create an impression on your workers’ minds. If you speak harshly to them, they may resent it and take out their frustration on the customers who visit your franchise.

One way that you can build morale and show that you care is to ensure that your employees are not overworked. A work life balance is important for your employees as well as for you.

If the situation warrants, you must be willing to work alongside your employees. This will help you to earn their respect and encourage them to put in their best.

5. Show that you are serious about results

If your franchise is to do well, you must closely monitor employee productivity and hold workers responsible for their individual goals. Don’t play favorites, because if you do, you will build a culture where keeping the boss happy is more important than achieving results.

Establish a system that measures end results. Each worker should have a clear job description and the actual achievement should be compared with the target that has been set. Every individual’s progress should be tracked and the necessary support and training provided to help that person achieve the stipulated goals.

If you follow this practice, you will instill a culture that encourages employees to work towards the goals that you have set for the franchise.

6. Create a positive work atmosphere

 Customers prefer an environment that is upbeat and cheerful. If the atmosphere in your franchise is gloomy and depressed, your clients will leave if they have a better option.

Get to know your employees as individuals. Even a little time spent on inquiring about their families and their personal welfare will help you to establish a better relationship.

Treat your employees with respect and they will pay you back with hard work and dedication. But if you have a dictatorial management style and you are constantly berating your employees, they will leave at the first opportunity.

A little praise goes a long way

One of the most effective ways to provide encouragement is to express your approval when a job is done well. Genuine praise is a strong motivator and it serves a dual purpose.

One, it makes the employee feel appreciated and is a great morale booster. Secondly, your workers understand that you are keeping track of their their activities and that you know how each individual is performing.

Photo by  Štefan Štefančík on  Unsplash