Tom’s Franchise Information Blog
First, you probably would not be reading this article about increasing your business unless you wanted to do it cheaply. Otherwise, you would have contacted a local advertising agency, listed in the yellow pages, to assist you. There are a number of paths you can take to increase your business; it will depend on how aggressive you want to be. Also know, it will take a good chunk of your time, since you are doing it on your own.
First, if you do decide to contact an advertising agency, know that it can get expensive fast. An agency usually requires that you commit to several advertising projects. Their object is to grow their business, too. This is their way. One of the most inexpensive methods to grow your office cleaning business is to send out postcards, via the agency. You decide how much money to invest in the postcards, the more money, the better they look. Then the agency does the mailing for you, say 1000 postcards every 6 weeks.
Does that give you any ideas? Do the design yourself. If you are good with computers, you can incorporate a photo of your choice onto the card. Also, you can print the card yourself, in the comfort of your home. The card stock can be purchased from a local computer shop. There are still costs involved but not even a fraction of the cost of an ad agency. Be sure to emphasize what your office cleaning business can offer them.
Another less expensive method is paper fliers. Get together with all the constituents of the company and design your own flier. Be sure to maximize your name, phone number and what you have to offer. Freebies, of any kind, always draw business. A freebie can be a free week, you’ll throw in windows once a year, or you’ll take off a month’s fee once they have paid for 6 months, etc. Try to use bright paper and eye catching words, with an easily read font. What is great about this me (more…)
One of the things that bother people most in life is that they can sometimes feel geographically trapped by their job. Having always worked in the same place and knowing nothing outside their hometown, they feel as though the availability to travel the world is lost to them, because getting up and going would be the end of a career which they have worked 20 years to build. That, however, is more an ill-informed misconception than an actual fact of life; getting up and moving to France is very much in the realm of possibility for someone with the drive to succeed and a bit of adventurism. Though established businesses are fairly stationary, international franchises are travel-ready, capable of going almost anywhere on the globe, so if you’ve always dreamed of owning a pretzel shop in Germany, don’t give up hope, because your opportunity may be right around the corner.
And, in fact, if a pretzel shop is your dream, you may not have to wait very long at all, because Mr. Pretzels is one of a handful of food franchises with international expansion in the plan. So far, the Mr. Pretzels kiosk has found its way to Dubai, London, Sao Paulo, Santiago, and Caracas, among a host of other global locations. Wherever an international franchise pops up on the map, the franchisee remains connected to all the aid that a domestic partner gets. Location-purchasing help, building layout assistance, extensive initial training, and ongoing marketing support are all provided to every franchisee around the world.
Carl’s Jr. is another great franchise ready to jump international borders to bring the great taste of the classic American hamburger to foreign taste buds. The first fast food restaurant to introduce sit-down quality, 100% Angus beef “six-dollar burgers” to the fast food world, this business is built to succeed. The initial franchise investment with this (more…)
So you want to own your own business. I think that is a wonderful idea and applaud you for taking a step towards being your own boss. But I ask you, have you weighed the different possibilities?
Traditional business models and franchises can produce a significant profit for those owning them. Unfortunately, it usually takes several years before you see any profits. If you last that long. Most new businesses only last a few years and never reach the profit stage. That is a few years of your life that you have now wasted. So what are the alternatives if you want time freedom and financial independence? Few people know of the advantages of the new internet business model.
Lets take a moment to compare the two side by side. Here is the breakdown:
Franchise and Traditional Business Models
-Investment of $100,000 to $2,500,00
-Five years until profit
-15% profit or less
-16 hour work days as owner
-$40k typical owner annual salary
-Employees - often teenagers
New Internet Business Model
-Investment of $2,500 to $25,000
-Fifteen DAYS until profit
-75% profit or more
-3 hour work days as owner
-$250k+ owner annual salary
-No employees
While these are all impressive statistics, there are also some other benefits to the new internet business model. With traditional business models and franchises you will have daily inventory, expensive rent, pricey insurance, more taxes, and less time freedom. With the new internet business model, you have no inventory, no rent, no insurance, less taxes, and more time freedom to do the things you really want to be doing.
The days of trading time for money as an owner or employee are over. With the new internet business model you can leverage your time, money, and yourself to getting the success you deserve. No more driving in rush hour traf (more…)
