Transitioning Into Franchise Ownership

Franchising is a great way to own and operate your own business, but the concepts inherent to franchising aren’t always easy to understand. In many cases, newcomers to this type of business model — those who have never run their own business before — adapt more quickly to franchising than those people who come from the world of independent business ownership. Adjusting to a career as a franchisee can be difficult for those who have owned and operated their own businesses in the past, even though these individuals bring tremendous assets to the table.

Are you a business owner who is considering a shift into franchising? Your skills and experience will serve you well, but there are some important things to keep in mind as you make the change and learn how to operate successfully as a franchisee.

Let’s take a look at some helpful tips!

Do Your Research
This is true for everyone entering a career in franchising, but it’s particularly true for those who come from the world of traditional business ownership: researching the ideal franchise opportunity is crucial to your eventual success. As someone with experience in business, you’ll want to enter a franchising situation that rewards your depth of knowledge, and you’ll want to find an opportunity that allows you to use your accumulated skills to earn success. A lot of franchising opportunities will be less than ideal. Use your time in research to eliminate prospects that won’t serve you well.

Talk To People
As a business person, you probably have a large network of people whose experience and knowledge you can draw from. You learn by interacting with them, and they have been essential to your success. Use your networking skills to your advantage as you investigate various franchising opportunities — talk to existing franchisees and learn about their experiences. Don’t be afraid to seek out conversations with franchisors, either! Your efforts here will help you determine which franchise suits your skills and your business style best.

Consider the Industry
If you’re thinking about shifting into franchising from a career as an independent business owner, you must be looking for change. Perhaps this means that a change of industry is appropriate, as well. However, you may be better off remaining within the industry that you know and find familiar. The choice is yours, but it’s one that requires thought and serious consideration.

One thing is for sure: the senior-care industry is growing rapidly, and franchisees from all walks of life are finding renewed passion for their careers in this amazing franchising sector!

Learn More
Are you ready to build your future in the home care industry? The time to make a difference is now! Learn more about franchising with Always Best Care and get started on your journey to success by downloading our FREE E-Book today!

How to Set Up Your Franchise Facebook Page

As a senior care franchise owner, it’s crucial for you to be able to market your business well. Of course, franchising gives you access to tools and expertise from your area representatives, as well as powerful name recognition for your brand. However, there are a number of marketing initiatives that you can take on to ensure that people know you’re offering outstanding in home senior care in your community. These days, marketing means being able to make an impact online, and one of the best places to make an impact is on Facebook.

Your Facebook Business Page is an essential plank in your overall franchise marketing platform, but you need to set it up properly to ensure that you get the results you want.

A Page, Not a Profile

First of all, you need to make sure that your business has an official Facebook Page, which is different from a Facebook profile. A profile is what you have for your personal use, allowing you to interact with family and friends. A page is a separate creation that identifies itself through its direct association with a business or other entity. Using a Page is much more professional, plus it ensures that you remain within the boundaries of Facebook’s Terms of Use.

Getting started with your page is easy! Just go to your personal account and select the option for “Create New Facebook Page.” You’ll be guided through all of the steps for the initial creation of your page.

Spruce it Up!

Facebook will take you through the basic steps for setting up your page, which allows you to do the bare minimum to get it up and running. However, it’s important that you take some time to add a detailed description and a good selection of images. Choose your profile picture carefully — the thumbnail of this image will appear in all of your Page interactions. Also, be sure to select a cover photo that is 851 x 315 pixels, or at least 399 x 150 pixels (Facebook will resize it). Otherwise, your page will look less than professional.

Admin Privileges

As the creator of your Facebook Page, you have exclusive administrative access. You may want to give others access, though, so you can have your team post updates and interact with others.

To add users as “admins,” simply click on the option to “Edit Page,” then you can select (or deselect) users for admin access. Please note that admins need to have user profiles in order to be given access to your Page.

Promoting Your Pagefacebook

When you set up your Facebook Business Page, it won’t have any “Likes.” In order to get people to pay attention to your Page, invite friends from your personal profile and begin promoting your Page in blog posts and through postings on other social media platforms. You can also create a Facebook “badge” to place on your website, which will send users directly to your Page when they click on it. Of course, you can always use Facebook Ads to generate interest in your Page; just make sure that you use your advertising budget wisely and that you take time to focus on a targeted audience to make the greatest impact.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Three Ways to Take Advantage of the Aging-In-Place Boom

Three Ways to Take Advantage of the Aging-In-Place Boom“Aging in place” is a term that’s becoming increasingly common as you read about issues facing modern seniors. For today’s elder population — and those who are about to join it — staying at home throughout the aging process is vitally important, which means that traditional means of taking care of the older generation are not as popular as they used to be. In fact, the transition from home to nursing home, which used to be an automatic one, is no longer the standard when it comes to keeping seniors safe, happy and comfortable. These days, the trend is shifting toward ways we can keep our seniors where they want to be — at home.

The issue with this trend is that the demand for aging-in-place options is growing faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. That’s why owning an in home senior care franchise represents such a fantastic opportunity right now. As a non-medical elder care franchise owner, you can provide a much-needed resource, but you have to be able to embrace the big changes that are happening — and are about to happen — in the senior care industry.

Be Ready for the Aging-In-Place Boom

If you’re interested in senior-care franchising, and you want to be ready for the challenges presented by a rapidly shifting business world, here are three tips to help you manage your business and be a leader in the aging-in-place movement:

#1 — Take on A Growing Population

The senior population is growing quickly, and they are going to need excellent care in the coming years. By 2030, the number of people over the age of 85 could triple to 20 million, and many of them are going to need fantastic non medical care right at home. Will you be there for them?

#2 — Help Those Who Need It Most

About 25% of seniors suffer from a condition that negatively affects cognition, hearing, vision and/or mobility. As seniors join the growing 85+ population, the number who are affected by such conditions rises to more than two thirds. These seniors should not be forced to leave their homes, but they are going to need special care. Be the one to help them with your senior care business.

Three Ways to Take Advantage of the Aging-In-Place Boom#3 — Helping Those Who Don’t Have Help

As many as 16% of Baby Boomers do not have children to help take care of them, and a large portion of them are insistent on aging in place. As a senior care franchise owner, you can help this segment of the population by providing a resource that offers kind, compassionate care in your community.

More Tips for Successful Senior-Care Franchising!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

 

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Three Ways You Can Help Alzheimer’s Patients As a Franchisee

Three Ways You Can Help Alzheimer’s Patients As a FranchiseeAlzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia represent a huge health and wellness concern for many families across the country and around the world. Alzheimer’s is still somewhat mysterious — even to expert scientists and doctors — and there is no cure or treatment that can effectively reverse the symptoms and characteristics of the disease. However, recent years have seen numerous breakthroughs in the ways that people care for Alzheimer’s patients, most of whom fall into the growing senior population.

As a senior care franchisee, you play a special role in the lives of older individuals, and that role gives you a unique perspective into the disease and its effects on patients and their families. What you may not realize, though, is that your role as a non medical senior care franchise owner gives you a chance to provide help, hope and comfort in ways that aren’t possible otherwise.

Here are three ways you can use your role as a franchise owner to help Alzheimer’s patients:

#1 — Lead and Educate

As a franchise owner, you are the leader of a team. Therefore, it’s up to you to make sure you’re up to speed with the latest care techniques and data on Alzheimer’s. That way, you can ensure that your caregivers and other staff members are equally informed and able to provide the best, most comprehensive non medical care possible.

Of course, with the way the world changes these days, it’s important to constantly keep your ear to the ground to stay up to date. New breakthroughs are happening every day, and new methods of non medical care are being developed as we speak, so be sure to stay on the cutting edge!

#2 — Make it Personal

It’s likely that one of the main reasons you became a senior-care franchisee was to give back to your community because for you, it’s personal.

When it comes to caring for Alzheimer’s patients, you can make a huge impact by showing your team — and the families they help — that you are personally invested in the lives of the people for whom your business provides essential care. After all, if you’re like most people, you probably know someone close to you who also suffers from the disease.

Three Ways You Can Help Alzheimer’s Patients As a Franchisee#3 — Be Your Area’s Alzheimer’s Care Leader

More and more families are searching for options for Alzheimer’s care these days. When you can show your community that you are the leader in dementia care, you give people hope and reassurance. When people know that they can trust you to provide the best possible care, they will make sure the world knows that your business has what it takes to provide much-needed relief.

Make a Difference as a Senior Care Franchisee

If you’re ready to learn more about senior-care franchise ownership and the difference you can make as a franchisee, we invite you to download our FREE franchising ebook today!

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

Do You Have What it Takes to Be A Senior Care Franchise Owner?

Do You Have What it Takes to Be A Senior Care Franchisee?If you are reading this, there is a good chance it’s because you’re curious about becoming a senior care franchise owner. Perhaps you’ve gained experience in the corporate world, but you’re interested in owning your own business. Maybe you’ve even been considering franchising for a while, but the right opportunity hasn’t come along. Whatever your reasoning, it’s true that right now is a great time to enter the growing in home senior care industry as a franchisee. It’s a solid industry with a tremendous growth forecast, and those who have followed their franchisor systems and worked hard have experienced impressive successes.

The senior care industry is highly appealing, so it makes sense that you would consider it when evaluating franchise opportunities. But there’s something you need to ask yourself: Do you have what it takes?

Are You Cut Out for Senior Care?

Our industry attracts prospective franchisees from all backgrounds and walks of life, but the senior care sector is not ideal for every individual. That’s why it’s important to evaluate yourself, your abilities and your preferred way of working before you jump in and sign on.

Here are four qualities that successful senior-care franchisees possess:

They Can Handle Coaching and Feedback

As a franchisee, this can be difficult if you’re used to giving orders instead of taking them. However, if you are a team player who can trust a proven system and integrate constructive feedback into your career, you will probably do just fine in the world of senior care franchising. It’s all about working hard and using your specific talents to make the system work for you and your business.

They Appreciate Structure

Some people require a certain degree of excitement and spontaneity in their professional lives, and these individuals tend to make exceptional entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, they don’t always make the best franchisees. But if you feel comfortable working within a structured system with clear guidelines to follow, franchising might be perfect for you.

Do You Have What it Takes to Be A Senior Care Franchisee?They Possess Strong People Skills

Although it’s possible to run some businesses without interacting with a diverse group of individuals, that’s just not how most franchises work. If you’re a “people person” who can work successfully with all kinds of people while putting your ego aside, though, franchising is an avenue worth considering. The senior-care industry, in particular, is incredibly diverse, bringing together people from all backgrounds, cultures and economic realities.

They Want to Support the Community

Senior-care franchising is different from other opportunities because it allows franchisees the chance to truly help their communities. Senior care companies provide a resource and a lifeline that might not exist otherwise. So if you’re interested in doing more than just making profits, you can find lots of chances to help others as an in home senior care franchisee!

Do You Have More Questions?

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a senior care franchisee in your area, we invite you download our FREE franchising ebook today! It’s loaded with information that will help you make the best choice for your future, so don’t hesitate to get your copy.

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

The Surprising Benefits of Owning Your Own Senior Care Franchise

The Surprising Benefits of Owning Your Own Senior Care FranchisePerhaps you’ve heard about the positive aspects of owning your own senior care franchise. Yes, now is the ideal time to join the growing in home elder care industry thanks to a booming senior population and new ideas about how to best enjoy life in one’s senior years. But what about some of the intangibles?

As it turns out, owning and operating your own senior care franchise is not just a great business move; it’s also a wonderful way to experience some additional benefits that you may not have expected!

Let’s take a look at some of the surprising perks of franchising in the senior-care industry!

A Chance to Learn Through Top-Notch Training

People who choose to become franchise owners are usually individuals who come from other industries, and they often come to their new industries with much to learn. But most prospective franchisees are eager for the opportunity. With franchising — particularly in the growing non medical senior-care industry — you get a chance to learn from a diverse array of experts, all of whom want to teach you in a way that ensures success for your business and a solid future.

We’re not talking about boring classroom lectures here — with franchising, you become exposed to the latest news, data and information, as well as the techniques that will make you and your businesses real resources of your community!

Freedom From Rookie Mistakes

Training is highly valuable for franchisees because they get to learn from the best how to be the best. Franchising also allows for freedom from many of the embarrassing — and potentially costly — mistakes that new business owners tend to make.

Successful franchise operations excel because they’ve been built through a trial-and-error process. As a franchise owner, you can trust that the system you enter has been developed through years of experience, testing and proof of success. This means that you can rest easy knowing that you don’t have to suffer through growing pains and “rookie” mistakes.

Most of the pains that are associated with beginning a new business have already been relieved. All you have to do is follow the system and apply your talents. The proven system that your franchisor has developed will take care of the rest!

The Surprising Benefits of Owning Your Own Senior Care FranchiseA Full and Comprehensive Marketing Plan

As a franchisee, you simply don’t need to worry about advertising and marketing the way that other new business owners do. Your franchise comes with a well-known and respected brand name, and your franchisor is ready to assist you when it comes to promotion. National advertising campaigns ensure your continued name recognition within the community, and your own efforts complement the proven procedures undertaken by your franchisor. This frees you to be the best senior-care franchisee you can be for your community!

More Senior-Care Franchising Benefits

Are you interested in learning more about the perks of owning your own senior-care franchise? Download the free Always Best Care franchising ebook and find out how you can get started on your own successful franchising journey today!

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

Four Fantastic Facebook Tips for Franchisees

Four Fantastic Facebook Tips for FranchiseesDo you use Facebook? If you said “yes” in response to this question, chances are you spend a significant amount of time using the popular social media platform. Naturally, you use it to keep up with the lives of friends and family members, and you probably post your share of updates. Of course, if you’re like most Facebook users, you spend some time interacting with brand pages and updates posted by your favorite companies. Facebook is used by so many of these brands and companies because it’s incredibly effective, plus it makes a very small dent in the marketing budget.

If you’re an in home elder care franchisee, Facebook can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal, as well, but you’ve got to understand how to use it properly to promote your senior care business. Otherwise, you might as well be spending your days watching the latest viral cat videos!

Here are four tips that will help you get the most out of using Facebook for your franchise:

#1 — Provide Real Value

Ultimately, your Facebook Page is all about your promoting your business, but if you want people to take notice, you need to give them something of value.

Fortunately, doing this isn’t that difficult. Simply scour the web for interesting, relevant articles or newsworthy pieces on aging. Share content that adds value to peoples’ lives without promoting your business. That way, when you do use a post to promote your franchise, it has a greater impact. Also, be sure to post about local events and community activities to show that you’re invested in your area.

#2 — Be Consistent

Your Facebook page should be consistent with everything else you employ to promote your brand. Logos should look the same as they do on your website and everywhere else online. Images should convey a professional, authoritative aesthetic consistent through all social media platforms. Additionally, you want to make sure that your personal Facebook profile reflects positively (and consistently) on your brand.

Four Fantastic Facebook Tips for Franchisees#3 — Always Use Images!

When people post using only text, they generate very little interest; you’ve probably seen this for yourself when perusing social media. That’s why it’s so important to add an image to every single post. Use images that you have on file or search for unlicensed images on Google. You can also use stock-photo services that allow you to pay a small fee for the rights to use professional-quality photos and illustrations.

#4 — Check Your Links!

When you insert a link into your Facebook post, it populates it with an appropriate image and text. However, you shouldn’t just assume that your link will work as planned. Before you post your update, check all links to be sure they go where they’re supposed to and that they populate the post with the right image.

Always Best Care Can Help!

When it comes to marketing a senior care franchise, we are experts! Download our FREE franchising ebook today and learn how you can be a successful franchise owner in this growing industry!

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

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

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

Just the Facts: A Senior-Care Franchise Q&A SessionWhat 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.

3 Franchise Marketing Challenges (And How to Overcome Them)

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

3 Franchise Marketing Challenges (And How to Overcome Them)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.

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Home Care Franchise Sector Enjoys Continued Growth

Good news for current and prospective franchise owners: the franchise industry continues to grow, despite the economic slump of recent years. The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently released a report indicating that the franchise sector has added 184,000 jobs over the last 12 months, according to a recent Forbes article.

The franchise industry supports 18 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, according to the IFA report. While franchises are often associated with fast food restaurants, the franchise model includes dozens of industries. In more recent years, especially, this has begun to include assisted living and home care for seniors. The Baby Boomers are aging, and the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to increase dramatically by the year 2030, to around 72 million in the United States.  According to the Pew Research Center, more than 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day.

With our aging population will come increasing demand for non-medical in-home care for seniors, who overwhelmingly opt to stay in their homes when given the choice.

The IFA report indicates several trends, including increasing numbers of women and minorities in franchising. This is good news, as while women and minorities have traditionally played a major role as caregivers in industries like nursing and elder care, they have not played as integral a role as business owners in these industries. Among the obstacles they have faced is lack of access to start-up capital. Franchising opens new opportunities for these individuals, and many franchisors offer financing for franchise costs.  Always Best Care is one of the top franchises for minorities, as featured in USA Today.

The IFA report sends a clear message: the franchise industry continues to grow and offer excellent opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to start a business.

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s largest and most reputable senior in-home care franchises. Learn what it takes to start your own home care franchise for seniors.

Learn more about the senior care franchising industry by downloading our FREE eBook.

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