elderly care franchise - Senior Home Care Franchise

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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:

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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.

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.