franchising | Senior Home Care Franchise

Three Tips for Selling Your Senior-Care Services

When it comes to operating a successful in home senior care business, you’ve got to be able to split your focus on two different aspects: On one hand, you probably entered the senior care industry because it offers a way to provide help, assistance and much-needed care to aging individuals in your community who might otherwise suffer from a lack of options. On the other hand, you’re also running a business, which means that if you want to continue to provide excellent care and act as a resource in your community, you need to be able to sign up clients and turn a profit.

All too often, unfortunately, franchisees in the non medical elder care industry fail to focus adequately on the business side of things, leaving them vulnerable to the competition and making it difficult to establish a local presence.

Are you wondering how you can restore balance so that you provide excellent care for your clients and your bottom line? We have three tips that you can’t afford to ignore!

#1 — Be Proactive!

Even though you might be able to provide the best care in the country, that’s not enough to sell your services to people. You just can’t afford to expect that the mere presence of your franchise in a specific market will drum up enough interest to get people to dial your number or sign up for more information on your website.

You have to be willing and able to put yourself out there and sell.

If you have sales experience, great! Take full advantage of your sales skills, and you will likely find success. However, if you feel uncomfortable with sales, remember that what you’re actually selling is better lives for older individuals and their families. You simply have to be proactive about it.

#2 — Build a Network

If you want to sell your senior-care services successfully, you have to position your pitch in a way that it gets heard by people who matter. That’s why it’s so important to establish strong relationships with hospitals, physicians, senior communities, estate attorneys and others in your area.

Through these connections, you will find exactly the clients that you are looking for.

#3 — Watch the Competition

You don’t want to be looking over your shoulder constantly, but you have to be aware of the fact that senior care is booming right now, and a lot of hungry franchisees are entering the industry, many of them with unique and innovative ideas about selling their services.

Pay attention to what your competitors are doing and work to set yourself — and your business — apart. And when you notice that someone might be working a little harder than you on the sales side, that’s your signal to find another gear, seek the wisdom of your area representatives and do what it takes to find your client base.

Learn More

If you want to know more about what it takes to be a successful franchisee, we invite you to download a copy of our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s packed with information you won’t find anywhere else. Download it now!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Four Franchising Mistakes to Avoid

Franchising in senior care is one of the best ways to build and own your business. Doing so is a great way to avoid the pitfalls that owners of startups and other traditional businesses struggle with so much. And buying a franchise allows you to completely avoid much of the difficult work that must be done when starting most types of businesses. However, even though franchising is one of the smartest — and safest — options available for owning your own business, there are a number of common mistakes that you might not be aware of.

If you’re interested in owning your own successful senior-care franchise, you’ll want to become very familiar with the following four mistakes! Avoiding them might mean the ultimate difference between wild success and utter failure.

Underestimating Franchise Costs

Franchising requires a significant initial investment. But it also requires having a sufficient amount of capital on hand to cover expenses that you might not be aware of. One of the biggest mistakes new franchisees make is failing to build capital beyond the initial costs of franchising.

Overestimating Freedom

You want to be your own boss and control your own destiny, which is great — franchising requires people who are willing to work hard to be successful. What’s more important, though, is your ability to defer to your franchisor who is able to provide you with a proven system for success. Sure, you’ll have to give up some of the freedoms enjoyed by people who run more traditional types of businesses, but you’ll also give up most of the headaches they experience!

Failure to Perform Research

Too many new franchisees are enchanted by the idea of getting in on the ground floor with a franchise opportunity that may be full of promises, but that offers little actual reward. The best thing you can do for yourself before you sign with a franchise is perform diligent research. How long has the company been around? How happy are its franchisees? Is there a future for its business model?

Underestimating the Competition

Your research will lead you to believe certain things about the competition, but you have to be willing to adjust your view over time. Your competitors may not be doing well today, but they are just as hungry for success as you are, so you’ve got to do what you can to stay on top of your game — even when the competition seems less than fierce.

More Franchising Wisdom and Advice

The senior care franchise world is a rewarding one for those who work hard and follow the guidelines recommended by their franchisors. Always Best Care has been a leader in non medical home care for 20 years, and we know what success looks like. However, if you’re interested in learning more about franchising in our industry, we recommend that you do your due diligence before making any decisions. Start by downloading our FREE senior care franchising ebook today, which is loaded with information you simply can’t find anywhere else!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Four Signs that Franchising Is Right For You

Like a lot of people these days, you might be searching for opportunities that make your personal and professional lives more comfortable and successful. Perhaps you’ve worked in the corporate world, or you’ve considered hanging your own shingle as the owner of a business. If nothing seems to satisfy, but you’re eager for something new, franchising might be your best bet. Franchising, particularly in the rapidly growing in-home senior care industry, is a great way to make a living while making a difference. Moreover, it features the best of all worlds when it comes to the business experience. And when you find the ideal franchise, you experience the perfect balance between support and freedom.

But how do you know if franchising is really right for you?

Here are five signs to look for:

#1 — You’ve Got an Active Mind

Are you always thinking of ways in which a business you run could be successful? Are you constantly looking at trends and performing forecasts of the future? Do you often find yourself considering possibilities surrounding marketing initiatives? Your thoughts can be put to good use in the world of franchising, where good ideas are always welcome.

#2 — You Motivate Yourself

You don’t need anyone to tell you what to do in order to get the job done. You just do it, and you do it well. As a self starter, you are perfect for a possible career as a senior care franchise owner. However, it’s important to note that you will need to take direction from the franchisor who will give you guidance based on proven principles.

#3 — You Know How to Follow A Successful System

Sometimes business is all about doing the right thing based on what’s worked in the past. Yes, you’re a thinker and a self starter, but you realize that when something works, it’s worth repeating. As a franchisee, you will work with people in your industry that have proven time and again that they know what works. All you need to do is recognize that the system is the path to success, then you can augment it with your own expertise and business savvy.

#4 — You Feel Like It’s Time for A Change

Are you simply ready for a new direction in your life and your career? Have you looked at different opportunities and found them lacking something? Perhaps franchising is the ideal scenario and you simply haven’t investigated it yet.

If you are truly ready for a change in your life that will affect every aspect of your personal, social and career tracks, it’s time to take a look at franchising. Franchising — especially in senior care — is a great way to play to all of your strengths while ensuring that your future remains bright.

Learn More About Senior Care Franchising

Are you interested in learning more about what franchising in the senior care sector can do for you? Download our FREE senior care franchising ebook today! It’s loaded with excellent information and insights that you won’t find anywhere else. Simply click the link and see where franchising can take you and your career!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Three Rules for Social Media Franchise Marketing

One of the biggest advantages of franchising is the ability to use a proven system as a means of finding success. Owners of startups and other types of businesses are required to do it all by themselves in most cases, and that can be stressful. Franchisees are expected to do some work on their own, though, and those who put in the proper effort are usually rewarded with greater successes than their competitors and peers. One of the major ways in which senior care franchisees can give themselves a boost is by using social media intelligently and effectively, but there are some rules to follow.

Are you wondering how you can maximize your social media efforts and help your in home elder care franchise become more successful? Read on for five essential rules!

#1 — Provide Quality Content

We’ve addressed this one before, but it can’t be overstated — your social media content should consist of 80% value and 20% promotion. People aren’t going to follow you because you fill your feed with boasts about how great your business is. They follow and support your business because you provide them with valuable, unique insights. Take some time to craft high-quality content that contains value, and you’ll see your social media presence grow considerably.

#2 — Have Some Patience

Growing your presence on social media takes time, especially when you’re just beginning. Seeing your follower count hold steady can be frustrating, and you might feel like acting rashly to get the meter to move. The best advice is to be patient and let the process work. Trust that by providing great content you will grow your follower base. Remember: slow and steady wins the race!

#3 — Be a Good Listener

As a provider of in home senior care, you expect your caregivers to be excellent listeners. You need to operate in the same way on social media if you want to gain traction. Pay attention to what your target audience is talking about and join the conversation with valuable insights. Try to locate their pain points, then show how you can relieve them. Keep your ear to the ground, and you’ll see your social-media status grow.

The Final Word

As you can see, marketing on social media is fundamentally similar to marketing through other media. Be mindful of the content you’re providing, be patient and remember to pay attention to what’s going on — these are pieces of advice that may seem obvious, but they’re all too easy to forget when working with social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and others. It’s an ongoing process, but it’s one that will pay dividends as long as you follow the rules!

Learn More!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to operate a successful non medical senior care franchise? Download our FREE senior care franchising ebook today! It’s packed with valuable information you won’t find anywhere else!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

The Advantages of Ethics in Franchising

Recognizing the difference between right and wrong is one of the fundamental qualities of being a good human being. Unfortunately, the business world is full of temptations that make it difficult for otherwise good people to always do the right thing. This has the effect of turning many people away from potentially lucrative careers in business because they feel as if they’d have to muddy their morals just to succeed. In franchising, ethics are incredibly important, though. There are simply too many people who depend on good leadership and honest behavior for any wrongdoing to happen continuously. And this is particularly true in the senior care franchising sector, which tends to attract good people who want to make a real, positive difference with their franchises.

If you’re considering franchising and you value living an ethical life, you should know that franchising tends to reward those who consistently choose to do the right thing!

Let’s take a look!

Building Customer Loyalty

When you operate an ethical franchise, you build loyalty among your customer and client base. It’s not even that hard to do. People see that you operate ethically and transparently, and they respect your practices. They see themselves as good people, too, and they love that your business shares the same values of honesty and hard work.

Simply put, if you want to run a business that people love — and tell everyone they know about — then it pays to do the right thing and operate ethically.

Keeping the Best People Around

Any great business is built through the efforts and teamwork of a great staff of employees. Businesses that fail to operate ethically often see employees come and go in a constant revolving-door scenario. On the other hand, franchises and other businesses that operate ethically tend to keep good employees around for a long time, strengthening the business, its reputation and its profits!

In the senior care industry, the quality of care you provide will be your calling card. That’s why keeping your best caregivers around by operating ethically should always be a priority.

A Better Environment for All

When you operate your franchise ethically, you create an environment of positivity and goodness instead of a place people can’t wait to leave. As an owner of a senior care franchise, it’s crucial for you to set the tone, and that tone needs to be friendly, honest caring and ethical if you want to be successful.

It all starts at the top, so if you see yourself as an ethical person, make sure your franchise embodies the very same values that you find so important in your life. You’ll build a fantastic reputation, and you’ll set yourself apart from the competition in a way that ensures loyalty, stability and profits!

Learn More!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to own and operate a successful franchise? Download our FREE senior care franchising ebook today to find out how you can take the next steps toward a bright future!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Just the Facts: A Senior-Care Franchise Q&A Session

Franchising is a form of business ownership that people tend to understand in a general sense, but they often become confused about the details of franchise operation and the differences between franchises and other business types. In our last post, we answered some of the most common questions people have about franchising. Today we want to drill down deeper into questions you may have specifically about franchising in the growing senior-care sector.

Operating an in home elder care franchise is a great alternative for people who have a passion for business, but don’t believe they fit in with other types of business opportunities. It also appeals strongly to those who feel more at home working with people instead of products. If you fit this category, read on for some insights that will help you understand the realities of senior care franchising and, possibly, move forward confidently with your own franchising dreams.

How Does Senior Care Compare with Costs?

The costs associated with franchising vary greatly, so it’s not easy to give a clear answer to this question. That being said, the cost of franchising in the senior care sector is comparable to or less than many other popular service-oriented franchises.

One thing we can say with confidence: Always Best Care is proud to have been named one of the “top low cost franchises” by Franchise Business Review.

Will I Succeed in Senior Care?

Not everyone is cut out to be a successful senior-care franchisee, so how do you know if you have what it takes?

Successful franchisees in our industry are:

– “Self starters” who display a willingness to do what it takes to succeed on their own on a daily basis

– Passionate about helping others and improving the lives of the people around them

– Effective when it comes to time management and delegation

– Willing to receive and implement coaching from area representatives and others with authority in the system

– Comfortable following a proven system, but with a willingness to innovate within that structure

What About the Future?

Franchising will always be around, and there will always be opportunities. As far as the future of franchising, we can only speak confidently about the senior care industry, which is more “recession proof” than virtually any other sector of the economy. Senior care services will always be needed, regardless of the state of the economy. And the growth of the senior population ensures that a continuous customer base will be ever present.

Have More Franchising Questions?

If you’re interested in learning more about franchising in the non medical home care industry, we’ve got the answers you need! Just download our FREE franchising ebook to get started today.

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Four Franchise FAQs Answered!

If you’re interested in the possibility of franchising in the rapidly growing in home senior care industry — or if you’re simply curious about franchising — we’ve put together a list of the top-four franchise FAQs.

How Much Does Franchising Cost?

This is probably the most commonly asked question about franchising. Unfortunately, there is no clear, solid answer. Franchise costs are based on a number of different factors that change over time and are different depending on location. Your best bet is to ask questions of people who operate franchises in your area. Then, you can gain a sense of the financial outlay that will be required of you.

One thing you should remember: regardless of the cost of a franchise, it’s important to have extra capital on hand to account for costs that you may not consider at the outset of your franchise operations. Before you make any decisions, make sure you have a comfortable amount of capital on hand. Be sure, also, that you have the ability to borrow the necessary amounts of money, if needed.

How Can I Tell if a Franchise Has a Good Reputation?

This question should be addressed from two different angles:

1. What franchisees have to say (or not say) about the franchise
2. The press and media coverage for the franchise

Plan to talk to people who are current franchisees with the business you’re considering. Ask them lots of questions about the level of support they receive, the time commitments that are expected of them, their income (assuming they will share such information) and whether the experience has met their expectations. This is incredibly valuable information, but you should also pay close attention to what franchisees conspicuously leave out when they discuss their experiences. Take good notes and be proactive in this process for the best results!

In addition to speaking with current franchisees, it’s helpful to augment your explorations with research into the types of press and media coverage the franchise has received. By doing this, you get the perspective of the person on the front lines, as well as those who watch franchising from afar.

What Type of Franchise Is the Best?

This is like asking what kind of food is the best; it really depends upon one’s personal attributes, characteristics, preferences and history.

Obviously, we operate in the senior care industry, so we’re a bit biased, but a quick look at growth in various franchising sectors reveal that in home senior care is an area that will likely expand considerably in the coming years, making it a terrific choice for those who have an interest in the field.

As always, the best advice is to do your homework and trust your instincts.

What Kind of Support/Marketing Assistance Is Available?

The most successful franchise operations tend to be the ones that offer the most sophisticated and comprehensive assistance to franchisees. If an opportunity seems like it would involve too much responsibility on your part, you may want to look elsewhere. Ultimately, a franchise is a partnership in which the right balance needs to be found between the efforts of the franchisee and the work of the franchisor.

Learn More About Senior Care Franchising!

If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to own and operate a franchise, we invite you to download a copy of our FREE franchising ebook. Get your copy today and learn whether franchising is the right business opportunity for you!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Build a Team of Top-Notch Caregivers

Becoming a senior care franchise owner is an exciting process. Throughout it, you will learn more than you ever thought possible about the in home care industry, and you’ll be presented with a number of challenges. It’s all worth it, of course, because you get to use your particular skills and talents to run a successful business of your own while helping your community. And along the way, you’ll add people to your team who will help your business succeed — and help you establish your franchise as a real resource for seniors and their families in your area.

One of the first challenges you will have to face is hiring a team of caregivers. This is crucial for the health of your franchise and your ability to provide helpful, credible care. But as long as you follow some simple guidelines, you can rest assured knowing that the people you hire will represent you and your business amazingly well.

Recruiting

Recruiting refers to your ability to locate the best possible candidates out in the world.

When it comes to recruiting, you first need to identify the type of caregiver you want for your franchise. Make a list of characteristics and/or traits that the ideal candidate would possess. Then, you can match potential hires to your ideal. When a caregiver matches what you have in mind, you know you’re on the right track!

The other critical part of the recruiting process is advertising for caregivers. Here are some tips that can help you maximize your efforts:

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benefits and perks of the job

–

Advertise in places where the highest-quality caregivers are likely to look as a means of targeting the best candidates

Onboarding

Onboarding refers to your ability to bring your new hires up to speed so they can contribute quickly and meaningfully to your franchise’s success.

This process is incredibly important because it initiates your staff members into the values and ethics that you want to convey as a business owner. Your image and your reputation as an in-home care franchisee will be determined largely by your staff. A comprehensive and thorough onboarding procedure is the best way to ensure that your people “get it.”

Here are some pointers:

–

Manage expectations by answering questions and concerns honestly

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it’s like to hire a team of caregivers for a senior care franchise? We’d love to work with you! Just download our FREE franchising ebook today to find out what it’s like to run your own business in our amazing industry.

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Three Reasons Why Senior Care Is Booming in 2016

2016 is set to be a year of big changes and transformations, especially in the world of business. The economy is, for the most part, back on track, and people are beginning to feel more comfortable when it comes to using their capital to start their own businesses. More and more, people are realizing that franchising is a great way to start a business of one’s own without the headaches and extreme challenges that are often associated with typical startups. The savviest entrepreneurs in franchising, however, are starting to focus increasingly on the in home senior care industry, where Always Best Care is a leader.

Why?

Let’s take a look at the three big reasons that senior care promises to be a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors i 2016.

#1 — The Senior Population Is Growing Fast

The “Baby Boomer” generation is reaching retirement age in huge numbers, and the oldest members of this important generation will turn 70 in 2016. This segment of the population is massive, and its members want to stay as independent as possible during their retirement years. That means that in home senior care services, such as those provided by Always Best Care, will continue to be in high demand.

Today, seniors make up more than 13 percent of the population. In less than a couple of generations, that number will rise to 20 percent. The need for senior care options is becoming more and more urgent, which is why getting into the industry as a franchisee is such a smart move.

#2 — Seniors Want to Stay at Home

Members of the independent Baby Boomer generation aren’t interested in living out their later years in nursing homes and other such facilities. Instead, they prefer to maintain the routines and lifestyles that they’ve grown accustomed to, and that means staying at home. But remaining at home and staying independent requires assistance as individuals age. That’s where non medical senior care services come in. Seniors — and concerned family members — can relax knowing that their independent lives are supplemented by caregivers who can make daily tasks easy.

Seniors are increasingly opting to stay at home, which is why getting into the senior care industry is so potentially lucrative.

#3 — Care Costs Continue to Rise

Caring for an aging person’s needs in a traditional nursing home facility is no longer a reasonable cost to bear for many families. When combined with the rising costs of health care, it’s enough to make a large portion of the senior population consider alternatives, and in-home senior care options are incredibly attractive.

When you provide senior care services in the home, you help seniors and their families save money. The best part? You’re doing so in a way that builds your business and provides a much-needed service to the community. What could be better than that?

Your Own Senior Care Business

If you’re interested in getting into the booming senior care business, we invite you to consider a Franchise With Always Best Care. To learn more, download your copy of our FREE franchising ebook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Franchise Or Startup? Make the Right Choice!

You’ve saved some money and you’ve made the decision to go into business. Congratulations! As an entrepreneur, you represent the backbone of our economy. But deciding the type of business you want to run presents its own challenges. You’re about to make a huge investment, but you need to determine whether you and your business savvy are better suited to a franchise or a startup. Obviously, we’re excited about the opportunities available within the senior care industry, but we know that any entrepreneurial journey begins with a strong, honest self assessment.

Let’s get started!

Can You Follow the System?

The beauty of franchising is the fact that success comes from adhering to a proven system. More often than not, simply following the system prescribed by the franchisor (combined with your hard work and enthusiasm) is enough to ensure some degree of success. However, if you’re the type of person who requires complete independence at all times, franchising might not be for you. Be honest with yourself before you make your choice!

Brand Awareness

Franchises are wonderful opportunities because they allow you to take advantage of amazing brand awareness. Always Best Care, for example, is well known across North America, which means that our franchisees don’t need to spend time and energy just getting the word out about what their businesses offer. Perhaps you’re more interested in building your own brand’s awareness from scratch, even though it represents a great deal of work. If that’s the case, you might be better suited for a startup.

Supplies, Equipment and Materials

Most businesses require equipment and supplies – not to mention space – to operate effectively. If you opt to go the startup route, you’ll probably be on your own when it comes to researching and acquiring the things you need to operate. With a franchise, however, your franchisor can give you a tremendous amount of assistance so you can find exactly what you need at the best available prices.

Marketing and Advertising

Some businesspeople insist on doing things their way, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re the type of person who needs to have creative control over all aspects of advertising and marketing, it’s easier than ever for the average person to create and administer effective campaigns to promote their startup business. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a ton of work! Franchising, on the other hand, makes marketing and advertising easy. As a franchise owner, you have access to marketing tools that are just not available to anyone else. Moreover, you get to enjoy the power of an established company when it comes to your ability to attract clients and customers.

Are You a Potential Franchisee?

It really comes down to your self assessment. If you see yourself as a maverick who needs to do it all alone, you’re probably best suited pouring your money and your talents into your dream startup. But if you have a more collaborative personality and you want to take advantage of a proven system, franchising – especially in the in home senior care sector – could represent the perfect opportunity!

Learn More!

If you’d like to know more about franchising with Always Best Care, download our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s packed with information that will help you determine your best next steps in business.

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.