senior care franchise | Senior Home Care Franchise

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.

Senior-Care Franchising: A Path to Entrepreneurship

In our modern, connected world, people are awakening to possibilities that they never would have had a chance to consider just a few years ago. For many individuals, these possibilities involve dreams of entrepreneurship. Becoming an entrepreneur is not something that you heard a lot about in the days before the Internet connected everyone. But today, it’s become the gold standard in terms of how people envision their ideal professional lives. The problem is that becoming an entrepreneur is not always easy. It takes a great deal of effort, an impressive amount of skill and a whole lot of luck. And there are no guarantees that it will work out. Thankfully, there’s a way for ambitious, hardworking individuals to enter entrepreneurship without having to risk so much in the process. The in home senior care industry is growing rapidly, and people in cities across the country are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams in large numbers through franchising in the elderly care sector.

Opportunities Abound for Everyone!

One of the great things about franchising is that it typically doesn’t require years of business training or management experience. The barriers that stand in the way of entrepreneurship for so many people are simply nonexistent in the world of franchising. Franchisees bring their ambition, enthusiasm and capital to the table, and in exchange, they receive amazing training and support.

In the senior care industry, franchisees learn about numerous aspects of the business in a focused, intensive manner that ensures that they’re prepared to handle the realities of running a franchise. They also have amazing access to mentors, area representatives and others within the franchise who can provide guidance and support. Success as a franchisee depends on one’s ability to work hard and innovate, but help is always just a call away. After all, in franchising, everyone in the company is in it together!

Making a Difference and Giving Back

Franchising provides a wonderful opportunity for people to enter the world of business ownership, but in many instances, it also offers people the chance to make a real difference in the world.

When you own and operate your own senior care franchise, you get to provide a valuable resource to your community. You aren’t just selling a product that people may or may not need; you’re giving people and families in the area choices that they may not have had available to them before.

By offering high-quality in home senior care services in your region, you give seniors and their loved ones the freedom to select the most appropriate and comfortable situation. Thanks to you and your efforts to establish your business, seniors can stay at home longer, and their families can rest assured knowing that they’re well taken care of!

Learn More About Entrepreneurship Through Franchising

Are you interested in finding out more information about how you can become a successful entrepreneur through senior care franchising? We invite you to download a copy of our FREE franchising ebook, which is packed with valuable information and insights. Get your copy today!

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

Franchise Marketing and the 80/20 Rule

Modern marketing is a constant process that involves using a number of technological tools. In this process, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the amazing ways you can promote your business and attempt to entice people to become customers or clients. But it’s crucial to remember that too much promotion is one of the surest ways to alienate your audience, drive customers away and prevent potential new clients from seeing what you’re all about. If you’re a senior care franchisee, you simply cannot afford to let business slip away, which is why you have to ensure that you’re using the vast array of marketing tools you have at your disposal properly. One of the best — and easiest — ways to make sure you’re connecting with your audience the right way is to follow the 80/20 rule. Doing this makes it possible for you to keep the proper balance at all times as you promote your business and engage with your audience.

What Is the 80/20 Rule?

If you’ve been in business for a while, it’s likely that you’ve already heard of the 80/20 rule. It’s also known as the “Pareto Principle,” having been named after the 19th-century Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. Pareto noticed that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the people. Over time, economists and others have noticed that the rule applies to business in many ways, including:

– 80 percent of a business’s profits come from 20 percent of its customers
– 80 percent of a company’s sales come from 20 percent of its products
– 80 percent of a company’s sales come from 20 percent of its sales personnel
– 80 percent of a business’s complaints come from 20 percent of its customers

The list actually goes on and on, making the 80/20 rule a vital rule of thumb across numerous aspects of business.

When it comes to promoting your in home senior care business using modern marketing techniques, the Pareto Principle should apply like this:

80 percent of your time should be spent engaging with your audience; 20 percent of your time should be spent promoting your business.

How Does it Work?

It might be difficult to get used to, but when you’re spending time sending emails, engaging on social media platforms like Facebook or writing your blog, you need to make sure that only 20 percent of your content is directly about your brand. The other 80 percent needs to be valuable, sharable content that your audience finds useful.

When you strike the right balance, you retain existing members of your audience while enticing new individuals to join the fold. You also set yourself up as an authority in your field, which is critical in terms of building trust. The proper balance also gives your promotional posts much more weight.

Remember — since you’re only spending 20% of your time on promotion through social marketing, you need to make sure that it counts. Place clear calls to action in your posts and updates. Offer discounts, specials and other compelling offers. Persuade people with statistics, facts and figures that make your in home care franchise look amazing.

Learn More

Are you ready to learn more about how marketing a successful senior care franchise? Download our FREE franchising ebook and find out how you can succeed when you Franchise With Always Best Care!

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

3 Franchise Marketing Challenges (And How to Overcome Them)

Modern marketing isn’t always easy. The old ways of advertising a brand and building its profile have been replaced with new, technology-driven methods that take advantage of consumers’ more active role. In years past, senior care franchises and other businesses would advertise to consumers using traditional media such as radio or newspapers. Today, businesses need to take advantage of the techniques inherent in what’s known as “inbound marketing.” Basically, it’s all about creating a path that makes it easy for clients to find you, and it’s necessary to become somewhat web savvy to make it work.

The landscape is always changing, too, making it especially difficult for new business owners and franchisees to keep up. Thankfully, modern marketing isn’t as difficult as it can seem. Franchisees come to their businesses with experience and intelligence, and the learning curve associated with modern marketing isn’t so steep that franchisees who are willing to put in some effort can’t overcome it.

3 Challenges that Franchisees Face

If you’re a franchisee who is not quite an expert at inbound marketing, you will probably be faced with some tough challenges. Have no fear! The following three challenges can be overcome.

#1 – Standing Out on Social Media

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are essential for business success in 2016. But by now, everyone has gotten the memo about the importance of a strong social presence. So how do you stand out in a crowded field?

The key is engagement. You don’t have to spend all of your time on social media, but the time you do spend online should be focused and productive. Think of the so-called 80/20 rule: approximately 80% of your social-media activity should come from interacting and engaging with people, while only 20% should be devoted to promotion of your brand. If you can provide value regularly and show that you relate to your audience, you’ll make a huge impact.

#2 – Search Engine Algorithms Keep Changing

Yes, Google more or less rules the Internet, and decoding its algorithm is often seen as the holy grail of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and online marketing. But if you spend too much time fretting about what Google is up to, you can lose sight of what you actually need to do to grow your business.

Google will continually tweak its algorithm, and you may need to adjust your strategies over time. However, as long as you engage with your audience and provide high-quality content in your blogs and on your website, you’ll be able to keep your head well above water.

#3 – Measuring ROI

Measuring the return on an online marketing investment is not always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary. Thankfully, as a franchisee, you will have access to tools and technologies that your franchisor makes available. Your success is crucial to the success of the entire brand, so it’s critical that you learn about all of the marketing tools that are made available to you. Doing this makes it possible for you to measure the true power of your online marketing efforts.

Learn More

Are you wondering how you can get up to speed on modern marketing to become an effective franchisee? Download your own copy of our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s loaded with great information about what it’s like to operate a franchise in today’s exciting business climate.
Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

3 Qualities Senior Care Franchisors Are Looking for Right Now

The process of purchasing a senior care franchise involves a number of steps, and it requires some effort when it comes to the evaluation process. As a potential franchisee, you want to make sure that you select a business that will reward you, your efforts and your specific set of skills while giving you a chance to work on something you’re passionate about. To ensure that this process is smooth and successful, it’s good to have a list of qualities in mind. When you do that, you can match your needs to the characteristics of the ideal franchise.

Keep in mind, though, that franchisors are also looking for candidates who possess specific qualities. What are the qualities and characteristics that franchisors are looking for today in the in home care industry? Read on and find out!

#1 — The Right Finances

This one might seem like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who decide to enter franchising without having the bankroll for it. Imagine if you were running a business and you were looking for investors; chances are, you’d partner with the people who could show that they have the right financial resources readily available. Well, franchisors do the same thing. When you’re meeting with franchisors, make sure that you have the finances necessary to succeed, and that you can show evidence of your economic standing.

#2 — An Understanding of the Business

Non medical senior care is an area where the franchise model is booming, so it’s understandable if you’re looking in this direction as you evaluate the type of franchise you may want to purchase. That being said, if you don’t have a passion for senior care, or an understanding of what the business is like, you’ll probably make a poor impression on franchisors. Simply put, if you lack passion for senior care and learning about the industry is uninspiring, you should probably look elsewhere for opportunities. However, if you’re passionate and eager to make a difference in the lives of aging individuals and their families, you’re going to impress franchisors.

#3 — An Ability to Forge a Great Relationship

At the end of the day, a lot of business decisions are based on relationships and connections. You can impress a franchisor with your finances and your understanding of the business, but if you’re unable to make a personal connection, it might not make a difference. After all, it’s important to be able to develop a positive rapport with business partners, and franchising is no different.

The Bottom Line

It’s all about making money and making a difference in our industry, so if you can demonstrate that your passion, your investment and your willingness to get along can create profits, you’re on the right track!

Learn More

If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities of senior care franchising, download our FREE franchising ebook today!

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

Women In Franchising — Amazing Opportunities in Senior Care

As the playing field for business in the United States becomes increasingly level and more fair, people who may have had trouble finding opportunity in the past are now more than welcome to flex their entrepreneurial muscles. More and more women, for example, are starting their own businesses and finding success in areas that were thought to be male dominated just a few years ago. As women find greater opportunity in business, they also find that the world of franchising is an area where great success can be found and nurtured. This is especially true in the field of senior care.

Word is still getting out about the amazing opportunities available for women in the in home care sector, though.

Women In Franchising — The Facts

The numbers don’t lie: women are becoming a major force in franchising. Here are some facts, according to Franchise Business Review.

– Among female franchisees, 70% say they “agree” or “strongly agree” with the idea that they are a “valued member of the organization.” Some of the highest marks for this question came from the senior care industry!

– 88% of female franchisees say that their business contributes at least somewhat to the business as a whole. Again, some of the highest marks for this question came from respondents in the senior-care industry.

– Average overall satisfaction is slightly higher for female franchisees than it is for male franchisees.

– Male franchisees still earn more than their female counterparts, but those numbers are poised to change quickly as increasing numbers of women own more units (and own them longer).

– Overall, women employ one out of every seven workers in the United States; that number is expected to grow quickly.

Looking Ahead as Changes Continue

As women continue to diversify the ways in which they own and manage businesses, changes will continue to occur in the world of franchising.

Women will become more aware of opportunities in senior care, and many of them will become franchisees. As this happens, an increasing number of women will rise into the ranks of becoming area representatives and franchisors.

It’s likely that women will be drawn toward sectors that allow them to give back to their communities. The in home senior care industry is one such sector.

Women are drawn to industries that promote flexible schedules, continuous learning and regular, meaningful contact with other individuals.

Franchise With Always Best Care — Amazing Opportunities for Women!

It’s clear that franchising is one of the areas in which women will find tremendous entrepreneurial success in the coming decades, and as you investigate the possibilities that lay ahead, it’s easy to see why senior care is an industry that will nurture much of the female-led growth in franchising.

If you’re a woman who is interested in learning more about the possibilities that can be achieved through ownership of your own non medical senior care business, we invite you to download our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s full of information that will help you determine if becoming a senior care franchise owner is the right move for you.

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

The Keys to Content Marketing for Your Senior Care Franchise

The in home senior care industry is becoming increasingly competitive, which is why modern marketing is so important. Of course, you will be provided with the latest marketing tools and techniques by your franchisor, but to ensure success, you need to do some work on your own to develop a winning strategy. Getting out into the community is crucial, but online content marketing is just as critical to your ability to stay ahead of the competition.

Content Marketing – What Is It?

Modern marketing has been transformed by the Internet. People these days are hungry for content and information, and today’s consumers pride themselves on being well informed. Given that fact, you can create an advantage for your business by giving your ideal clients exactly the content they’ve been searching for.

Some examples of marketable online content include:

Blog Posts
Podcasts
eBooks
Press Releases
Video Clips
Whitepapers
Infographics

How to Create Content to Market Your Franchise

The first step is to identify your target market. As a senior-care franchisee, you’ll be focused on people living in your local area who have family members that are transitioning out of full independence due to advancing age. These people are already searching for solutions online – it’s your job to create and distribute content that lets them know that your business is the preferred provider of those solutions!

Once you’ve identified your target market, you can begin to brainstorm a series of topics that will resonate with them.

Remember: your primary job is to provide value and solutions immediately within the content in order to establish yourself as an authority. In other words, don’t just write blog posts or film videos with the purpose of describing the benefits of your business; instead, provide actual solutions, tips and wisdom that the audience can use right away.

It’s a good idea to remember the so-called 80/20 rule: approximately 80% of your content should be providing direct value or encouraging engagement, while about 20% should be about direct promotions of your business. This ratio is flexible, of course, but keep in mind that too much promotion is a sure way to erode the trust you’re building with your target market.

Create a Content Calendar

To keep things organized, it’s a good idea to organize your topics into a calendar that shows when certain blog posts will be published or when you plan to record videos, podcasts, etc. This will make your life much easier, but it has the added benefit of allowing you to nudge your future clients closer and closer to you with content that continuously solves their problems.

Analyze, Adjust and Convert

You’ve created content and you’re sticking to a regular, consistent schedule of publishing it. The next step is analyzing how the content has been working.

You can use simple tools to measure the popularity of your content and determine which topics resonate most with your audience. Over time, you’ll be able to adjust and focus your content so that it entices people to get into contact with you and eventually become clients.

It’s an ongoing, ever-shifting process, but keeping up with it is one of the best things you can do for the success of your senior-care franchise!

Learn More!

Would you like to learn more about how you can take advantage of modern marketing to build a successful business and make a difference? Download our FREE franchising ebook today!

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

5 Tips to Improve Your Social-Media Marketing Power

Marketing your senior care business requires you to act on a number of different fronts. Thankfully, as a franchisee, you have a wealth of knowledge, information and assistance available to you when it comes to spreading the word about your in home care business. But when it comes to social media, too many franchisees leave untapped potential on the table.

Are you looking for a new edge over your competitors in the region?
Do you need a strategy that adds power to your overall marketing campaign?
Is keeping up with the demands of social media simply too intimidating?

Well, you’re in luck! Here are five tips that can help you boost the power of your social-media efforts:

#1 – Schedule Your Posts

These days, automated services such as Buffer and HootSuite make it easy for you to schedule targeted social media posts on all of the major platforms quickly and easily. By using one of these apps or services, you free yourself from the constant demands of social-media posting.

#2 – Schedule Your Posts Strategically!

When you schedule your social-media updates, it’s easy to slot them into times that look good on the calendar, but might not make sense in reality. Instead of posting an update right at 1:00 pm, for example, schedule it for a few minutes later or earlier. Why? Doing this catches people when they’re most likely to be checking their phones or tablets for updates between meetings and appointments. Also, pay attention to the times you post and the engagement you see. By doing this type of analysis, you can further improve your social-media targeting.

#3 – Engage More!

Engaging on social media is perhaps even more important than promoting your business. Unfortunately, taking time to engage can seem daunting. Fortunately, it’s not that hard if you follow this simple strategy: simply follow and/or “favorite” every account that reshares or interacts with your posts. Simple, easy and essential, this practice is how the economy of social media works. Jump in and use it to your advantage!

#4 – Complete Your Profiles

Social media users are savvy people, and when they see that a business doesn’t have a fully filled out profile, they ignore it. Before you share your next post, make sure that all of your profiles contain complete – and consistent – information about your business. This means that all logos, slogans, contact information, etc. should match across all platforms.

#5 – Use Hashtags, but Use Them Wisely

According to research, tweets that contain hashtags receive twice the engagement of tweets that have no hashtags. However, tweets that contain more than two hashtags receive a 17% drop in engagement. If you can find one popular hashtag that fits appropriately, use it! If you have three awesome hashtags, you’re going to have to sacrifice at least one of them (or use it in a different update altogether) if you want to make an impact.

Learn More!

If you’re interested in learning more about the tips and advice we have to offer our Always Best Care franchisees, we invite you to download your own copy of our FREE franchising ebook! We are always here to answer your questions about franchising success in the senior care industry, so contact us today.

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

Five Tips to Avoid Franchisee Failure

Success as a franchisee is all about following the system and using the tools that are made available. But that doesn’t mean franchisees are immune to the types of mistakes that can cause a business to fail. Following the system is essential, of course, but successful senior care franchisees know that they have to work diligently and bring their own skills and experience to the table in a big way if they want to succeed. It’s also important to avoid some common pitfalls that can cause a business to perform poorly.

Are you interested in becoming a franchisee in the in home senior care sector? You need to keep these five essential tips in mind!

#1 – Beware a Bad Fit!

It’s important to be able to recognize awesome opportunities and capitalize on them quickly, but it’s equally important to research franchise opportunities thoroughly before making a big investment – and possibly a big mistake.

Before you commit to a franchise, you need to do your due diligence, perform research and ensure that the business you select is the perfect fit.

#2 – Find the Right Funding

There’s more to becoming a franchisee than simply coming up with the franchisee fee for the business. In order to succeed and ensure growth of your business, it’s crucial to have the proper amount of funds. Capital is king, regardless of the type of business you operate, so be sure you have sufficiently deep pockets before you sign the dotted line.

#3 – Management Matters

If you don’t plan on being involved with the day-to-day operations of your franchise, you need to put extra effort into finding dependable management personnel who can keep your business on the right track. Exceptional management can mean the difference between massive success and ultimate failure.

#4 – Are You Cut Out to Be Your Own Boss?

Evaluating your franchise opportunity is critical, but it’s just as important to evaluate yourself and your ability to be an effective boss. Do you feel comfortable with the idea of being your own boss? Do you have any experience sitting behind the desk that says, “The Buck Stops Here?” Big business dreams are great, but you have to be honest with yourself and about your abilities.

#5 – Follow the System

This one can never be repeated enough. The biggest reason for franchisee failure is ignorance of the system that has made the franchisor (and existing franchisees) successful. Although following the system is no guarantee of success, it is absolutely the best way to avoid failure!

Learn More About Franchise Success in the Senior Care Industry

Always Best Care has been providing excellent opportunities for franchisees since 1996, and we know a thing or two about what it takes to have the best possible franchise experience. If you’d like to learn more about franchising, download your own copy of our FREE ebook today!

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

Training and Support for Senior-Care Franchise Success

Franchising is so attractive because it allows entrepreneurs and business-minded folks like you the chance to succeed using proven systems and techniques. When you combine the power of your own experience and expertise with the resources that are available from a high-quality franchise operation, finding success is simple as long as you’re willing to work hard and stick with the system. This is especially true in the senior-care industry. In home care is one of the fastest-growing franchise sectors, and the market is becoming more and more competitive by the day.

If you’re looking for an edge as you select the right senior care franchise for you and your family, make sure you spend time investigating the training and support resources that are offered. It could mean the difference between success and failure for your business!

Here are some tips:

Look for Training and Support Before You Open

You want to feel confident and ready to provide an amazing service on Day One of your business’s existence. That’s why it’s important to invest in a franchise that offers extensive training prior to your opening day. At Always Best Care, for example, we provide new franchisees with a comprehensive, twelve-week training program, which covers essential topics like initial setup, management, marketing and more!

Mentors and Teachers

Although it’s possible to find mentors and teachers on your own, your best bet is to select a franchise that provides mentorship as a built-in part of its system. Always Best Care’s Area Representatives, for instance, provide ongoing local support for franchisees at every stage of business, and they’re available to answer all of your questions and address your concerns as they come up.

Marketing Support

These days, business success is more dependent upon marketing savvy than ever before. That’s why it’s so critical for prospective franchisees to make sure they franchise with businesses that offer ongoing marketing and advertising support. Always Best Care is a leader in the industry because we provide cutting-edge marketing tools and techniques in addition to our amazing national advertising campaigns. This gives our franchisees a huge advantage in their local markets.

Licensing Help

If you’re going to succeed in senior care, obtaining your license is a necessary step. That’s why you want to partner with a company that will provide guidance for every aspect of the licensing process. Otherwise, you may run into costly delays and snags that keep you from starting on the right foot. Always Best Care understands the importance of proper licensing, which is why we provide experts at every level to help you!

Consider Franchising with Always Best Care

Are you interested in learning more about the amazing training and support we offer to our franchisees? Are you curious about the tools and techniques we have to offer? Learn more about our business and the opportunities we have available by downloading your own copy of our FREE franchising ebook today!

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