Comments on: Franchising: I want to buy a FRANCHISE! http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/ A blog by the small business experts at SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Betty Otte http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/#comment-689 Betty Otte Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:33:49 +0000 http://scorementors.wordpress.com/?p=1202#comment-689 Great question as I believe you are not alone with this concern. What is your current source of leads? A rule of marketing is to put more effort into what is working and stop doing what isn't working, as you already know, but I need a bit more information. How are you selling the franchise? Do you hire your own salespeople or do you have reps or franchise brokers selling for you? Are you a member of IFA? Sorry to have more more questions than answers at this point, but need a little background. What is your marketing budget? Right now networking (both actual and virtual) and associate building is at the top for most businesses - what organizations are you active in? Your web site is good - just checked it out. Do you have a blog, are you doing podcasting and what web sites are cross linked with you? Your presence on the internet is crucial. Can you check into other blogs with information about chocolate (not commercials) with a link for you to provide more information? Anyway, that is my first blush of an answer without more knowledge of what you are doing. Let me hear more about your current activities. Betty Great question as I believe you are not alone with this concern.
What is your current source of leads? A rule of marketing is to put more effort into what is working and stop doing what isn’t working, as you already know, but I need a bit more information.
How are you selling the franchise? Do you hire your own salespeople or do you have reps or franchise brokers selling for you? Are you a member of IFA? Sorry to have more more questions than answers at this point, but need a little background. What is your marketing budget? Right now networking (both actual and virtual) and associate building is at the top for most businesses – what organizations are you active in?
Your web site is good – just checked it out. Do you have a blog, are you doing podcasting and what web sites are cross linked with you? Your presence on the internet is crucial. Can you check into other blogs with information about chocolate (not commercials) with a link for you to provide more information?
Anyway, that is my first blush of an answer without more knowledge of what you are doing. Let me hear more about your current activities.
Betty

]]> By: Susan Davis http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/#comment-678 Susan Davis Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:45:21 +0000 http://scorementors.wordpress.com/?p=1202#comment-678 Hi Betty: I just found this website. What would be your best advice to franchisors in this market? Chocolate is still selling very well ! --- It's not very hard -- but we are seeing fewer leads for purchasing franchises. I am sure that is to be expected but how would you maximize your marketing dollars? Thanks! Hi Betty:
I just found this website. What would be your best advice to franchisors in this market? Chocolate is still selling very well ! — It’s not very hard — but we are seeing fewer leads for purchasing franchises. I am sure that is to be expected but how would you maximize your marketing dollars?

Thanks!

]]> By: Betty Otte http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/#comment-676 Betty Otte Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:58:25 +0000 http://scorementors.wordpress.com/?p=1202#comment-676 Hi, Derryl - after rereading your question, I realized you were relating to the current bail out stalemate of yesterday and the challenges now facing our whole economic system. Again, that is a great question, Now is an excellent time to continue researching the existing franchisees on your menu of franchise options. Call them and see how they are doing. This will give you a temperature reading of how well the franchise sustains itself in a changing economy. Buying a franchise is like buying any free standing business in that you must do your research and a full business plan. Hope that helps. Betty Hi, Derryl – after rereading your question, I realized you were relating to the current bail out stalemate of yesterday and the challenges now facing our whole economic system. Again, that is a great question, Now is an excellent time to continue researching the existing franchisees on your menu of franchise options. Call them and see how they are doing. This will give you a temperature reading of how well the franchise sustains itself in a changing economy. Buying a franchise is like buying any free standing business in that you must do your research and a full business plan. Hope that helps.
Betty

]]> By: Betty Otte http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/#comment-675 Betty Otte Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:58:35 +0000 http://scorementors.wordpress.com/?p=1202#comment-675 Great question. The ones that appear to be on the top of the list right now are: anything related to children, senior care, business to business services and home care - non medical. Although there are several market segments to select from, make sure the category you select is something that interests you. You will be spending a lot of time in your new business so it is important to be doing something you enjoy. Good luck! Which category interests you? Betty Great question. The ones that appear to be on the top of the list right now are: anything related to children, senior care, business to business services and home care – non medical. Although there are several market segments to select from, make sure the category you select is something that interests you. You will be spending a lot of time in your new business so it is important to be doing something you enjoy. Good luck! Which category interests you?
Betty

]]> By: Derryl http://scorementors.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/i-want-to-buy-a-franchise/#comment-673 Derryl Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:13:32 +0000 http://scorementors.wordpress.com/?p=1202#comment-673 Hi Betty: What franchises might make most sense to investigate given the current economic climate? Thanks Hi Betty:
What franchises might make most sense to investigate given the current economic climate?
Thanks

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