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CLOSE THE DEAL BLOG

By ewell smith
•
September 14, 2024
800,000 + franchises make up America's small businesses landscape. They play a major role as the economic backbone of the United States. For many, they are the American dream. If your entrepreneurial spirit is starving, consider your own business startup or explore franchise businesses. Start up businesses can be challenging and exciting all at the same time. Finding the right franchise is also exciting. Investing in a franchise takes due diligence. Business ownership is hard work. To be your own boss, evaluating your risk tolerance when exploring your options is essential. The major differentiator in starting a business from scratch is you have total control in making every decision. It can be overwhelming at times. In your first year as a startup business, you will be responsible for creating your playbook, figuring out every single aspect of the company, from concept to legal to branding to marketing to technology to hiring to site selection, to business operations, sales, etc. This process can take some time to "figure it out" while burning through cash. Going the franchise route, you're investing in a successful business model that provides a proven track record. Tested systems and processes are your friend and lay your foundation. Franchises offer a playbook written for you, erasing the "figuring it out" part. The startup time to launch a new franchise is significantly accelerated. Here are 9 reasons that favor a franchise vs. startup business: 1. Established Brand Recognition Franchises with an established brand can jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey. A well-known brand can provide an instant reputation and customer base. 2. Proven Business Model Franchises help take the guesswork and experimentation out of starting a business with a proven business plan as a turnkey business. 3. Proven Systems and Processes Established and tested systems and processes streamline the day-to-day management of the business. 4. Community Support Franchisees can plug into an existing network of fellow franchisees under the same brand to share what works and doesn't. Iron sharpens iron. 5. Training and Support Franchisors provide a playbook to follow, equipping new franchisees with the necessary knowledge and skills to run the business successfully. 6. Marketing Support Franchises typically provide a marketing plan and support. Some franchises offer turn key, done-for-you marketing support. Other franchises will share the marketing playbook and the collateral (designed websites, ads, commercials, banners, flyers, etc.) needed to draw attention to your business. 7. Economies of Scale Franchises contract for services at scale and buy products in bulk which helps to reduce your operating costs. Thanks to their buying power, the discounts can significantly improve cash flow, increase your margins and improve your bottom line. 8. Less Risk The established brand, proven model, ongoing support, and the community reduce the risk of failure vs. starting a business from scratch on your own. 9. Exit Strategy Franchises often have an exit value of 1.5 times the price of a non-franchise business, per the Rinker School of Business. Success rate vs. failure rate Reality is every business venture comes with risk. The good news is franchises generally have a higher success rate than startups due to the above mentioned reasons, notably the established systems, franchisor support, and the franchisor's community of franchisees. Per the Small Business Administration(SBA), a typical startup failure rate in the United States can be as high as 50% within five years. Per the International Franchise Association(IFA), franchises tend to have a higher success rate, with as high as 90% of franchises still operating after five years. There are many variables at play regarding success rates to consider, such as the franchise itself and the efforts of the individual franchisees. These statistics are not universal and can vary by industry, location, and personal circumstances. Note - before you enter into any franchise agreement or make an initial investment in a franchise(or any business), validating the franchise opportunities of interest is very important. That's a critical part of the process. Explore franchises.

December 18, 2022
3 Precise Reasons Cash Flow Suffers & How the Story Sales Sequence Fixes That There are over 353,997,523 products sold on Amazon competing for your customer's wallet. There's over 1.8 billion websites globally. You're definitely not alone if you're wondering why your product is sitting on a virtual shelf collecting cyber dust. Your cash flow's not flowing. Or perhaps you offer a service but the clients aren’t calling? You truly thought you had an attractive offer that impacts lives? It very well may be. But - why do so many small businesses struggle? My answer is candid. If you hate sales , you'll appreciate what I'm going to share that much more as you continue reading down the page. Over the years, I’ve seen 3 scenarios that stunt business growth play out over and over. Busy - it’s so, so easy for the entrepreneur to get lost in the day to day operations. Marketing is simply neglected. The entrepreneur builds a solid customer base with marketing. Staff and pay role grows. Then one day the market shifts for whatever reason. The competition swoops in. Cash flow stalls. Panic sets in. The entrepreneur had a marketing strategy, but it was stale, static or miss fired. It was neglected. The entrepreneur hates selling so the sales pipeline's never full. Cash flow is the lifeblood of any company. It suffers in all 3 scenarios above.That's despite the entrepreneur's #1 job is to promote and market their business no matter the industry. Here's the issue... ...if the marketing to get customers to your website AND (and and -and- and) the messaging on your website * aren't clear as a bell , your efforts are undermined. That costs you the entrepreneur sales revenue . 1.8 billion websites and Amazon no doubt play into the fact that: 1 in 5 business fail within the first year 49.5% fail in 5 years 60.5% fail in eight years. How do you get your potential customer's attention to avoid becoming a business obit statistic? A. Getting your potential customer's attention becomes priority #1. Your ad copy/email copy must be highly relevant balanced with creative. There was a time it only took only 3 ad impressions to get the consumer to take action. Today some marketing pros say it takes 9 times before the consumer acts. I think it's in the teens. Then once a potential customer or client lands on your website or sales funnel, , you have maybe 1 second to capture the customer's attention. B. Keeping the customer's attention so you don't lose the sale becomes priority #2. To keep your customer's attention on your site, we take your customer on a journey they are a part of and want to be a part of. The unbeatable power of story is how we do that to build your brand. FACT: Since the beginning of mankind, the unbeatable power of story to this day is the most effective method to engage people. Think of your favorite movies that captivated you till the very end. Sometimes you'll even hang on till the credits roll to learn more about a movie you just saw for the first time. You want more. In lies the power of story. How we leverage the unbeatable power of story... We've harnessed the same unbeatable power of story applying it specifically to the sales process starting with your website. We do that in 7 steps. The CTD Story Sales Sequence is a mix of psychology, data, art, grit & story forged together through extensive experience to educate the customer. It's tested under the most extreme of circumstances helping thousands of businesses through two of America's major crisis events to save an industry. Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill upended a multi-billion dollar industry just 5 years apart from each other. The Louisiana Seafood industry lost 98% of its customer base across the US and globally due to BP. It's a rich culture 8 generations deep that provides 1/3 of the seafood harvested in the continental United States. The unbeatable power of story and to market billions in sales turned the Louisiana Seafood industry around at its darkest moments. Twice. Today, the CTD Story Sales Sequence specifically helps entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing pros and executives build their business brand to increase revenue. That impacts lives. Not only do we cut through the noise, the CTD Story Sales Sequence takes a LOT of stress off you, your sales reps or anyone who hates selling. I've long said smart marketing that educates tees up the sale making the sale so much easier. It's a fundamental principle that erases tired old-school, high pressured sales techniques. Better yet, it makes for a soft close meeting your prospect’s needs educating them. The customer wants your product...think about the lines at an Apple store for a new product launch. Steve Jobs said it best, “Marketing is the art of rendering the sales process obsolete.” At the end of the day, the CTD Story Sales Sequence educates the customer answering important questions solving a problem. That's what you and I do as entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing pros and executives - solve problems. By using story as an educational tool, we do that best. As entrepreneur and coach, my role is to bring you simplicity. That provides clarity. If your sales are struggling, there are two options: Option one - keep the status quo for your business. Status quo is often a slow then faster decline. Option two - shake things up. Give your product or attractive offer the attention it deserves to grow your revenue. You've read this far so your gut may be telling you were you need to be. The next step is easy. It may be your most important step. Taking action. If this is speaking to you, you can schedule a free consultation call here. To increasing your profits, Ewell * Your website is your business hub. It's your online foundation

November 26, 2022
27 Rest Quotes to give you more energy. Exhaustion may be draining you. Burnout too? In the short term and the long run, the best way to get your energy back is with the right amount of rest. Rest , however, is not an excuse to be lazy. That day of rest God created is earned with 6 days of action. That day of rest is essential! Also the right amount of sleep is absolutely a necessity – that's non-negotiable if you want to be your best. At the end of the day, we believe in taking massive action in business, life, health, relationships etc…then take that earned day off once a week…and reward yourself with at least one very much earned vacation a year to recharge your batteries. Make rest a priority to… …make it a great day!

By ewell smith
•
September 14, 2024
800,000 + franchises make up America's small businesses landscape. They play a major role as the economic backbone of the United States. For many, they are the American dream. If your entrepreneurial spirit is starving, consider your own business startup or explore franchise businesses. Start up businesses can be challenging and exciting all at the same time. Finding the right franchise is also exciting. Investing in a franchise takes due diligence. Business ownership is hard work. To be your own boss, evaluating your risk tolerance when exploring your options is essential. The major differentiator in starting a business from scratch is you have total control in making every decision. It can be overwhelming at times. In your first year as a startup business, you will be responsible for creating your playbook, figuring out every single aspect of the company, from concept to legal to branding to marketing to technology to hiring to site selection, to business operations, sales, etc. This process can take some time to "figure it out" while burning through cash. Going the franchise route, you're investing in a successful business model that provides a proven track record. Tested systems and processes are your friend and lay your foundation. Franchises offer a playbook written for you, erasing the "figuring it out" part. The startup time to launch a new franchise is significantly accelerated. Here are 9 reasons that favor a franchise vs. startup business: 1. Established Brand Recognition Franchises with an established brand can jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey. A well-known brand can provide an instant reputation and customer base. 2. Proven Business Model Franchises help take the guesswork and experimentation out of starting a business with a proven business plan as a turnkey business. 3. Proven Systems and Processes Established and tested systems and processes streamline the day-to-day management of the business. 4. Community Support Franchisees can plug into an existing network of fellow franchisees under the same brand to share what works and doesn't. Iron sharpens iron. 5. Training and Support Franchisors provide a playbook to follow, equipping new franchisees with the necessary knowledge and skills to run the business successfully. 6. Marketing Support Franchises typically provide a marketing plan and support. Some franchises offer turn key, done-for-you marketing support. Other franchises will share the marketing playbook and the collateral (designed websites, ads, commercials, banners, flyers, etc.) needed to draw attention to your business. 7. Economies of Scale Franchises contract for services at scale and buy products in bulk which helps to reduce your operating costs. Thanks to their buying power, the discounts can significantly improve cash flow, increase your margins and improve your bottom line. 8. Less Risk The established brand, proven model, ongoing support, and the community reduce the risk of failure vs. starting a business from scratch on your own. 9. Exit Strategy Franchises often have an exit value of 1.5 times the price of a non-franchise business, per the Rinker School of Business. Success rate vs. failure rate Reality is every business venture comes with risk. The good news is franchises generally have a higher success rate than startups due to the above mentioned reasons, notably the established systems, franchisor support, and the franchisor's community of franchisees. Per the Small Business Administration(SBA), a typical startup failure rate in the United States can be as high as 50% within five years. Per the International Franchise Association(IFA), franchises tend to have a higher success rate, with as high as 90% of franchises still operating after five years. There are many variables at play regarding success rates to consider, such as the franchise itself and the efforts of the individual franchisees. These statistics are not universal and can vary by industry, location, and personal circumstances. Note - before you enter into any franchise agreement or make an initial investment in a franchise(or any business), validating the franchise opportunities of interest is very important. That's a critical part of the process. Explore franchises.

December 18, 2022
3 Precise Reasons Cash Flow Suffers & How the Story Sales Sequence Fixes That There are over 353,997,523 products sold on Amazon competing for your customer's wallet. There's over 1.8 billion websites globally. You're definitely not alone if you're wondering why your product is sitting on a virtual shelf collecting cyber dust. Your cash flow's not flowing. Or perhaps you offer a service but the clients aren’t calling? You truly thought you had an attractive offer that impacts lives? It very well may be. But - why do so many small businesses struggle? My answer is candid. If you hate sales , you'll appreciate what I'm going to share that much more as you continue reading down the page. Over the years, I’ve seen 3 scenarios that stunt business growth play out over and over. Busy - it’s so, so easy for the entrepreneur to get lost in the day to day operations. Marketing is simply neglected. The entrepreneur builds a solid customer base with marketing. Staff and pay role grows. Then one day the market shifts for whatever reason. The competition swoops in. Cash flow stalls. Panic sets in. The entrepreneur had a marketing strategy, but it was stale, static or miss fired. It was neglected. The entrepreneur hates selling so the sales pipeline's never full. Cash flow is the lifeblood of any company. It suffers in all 3 scenarios above.That's despite the entrepreneur's #1 job is to promote and market their business no matter the industry. Here's the issue... ...if the marketing to get customers to your website AND (and and -and- and) the messaging on your website * aren't clear as a bell , your efforts are undermined. That costs you the entrepreneur sales revenue . 1.8 billion websites and Amazon no doubt play into the fact that: 1 in 5 business fail within the first year 49.5% fail in 5 years 60.5% fail in eight years. How do you get your potential customer's attention to avoid becoming a business obit statistic? A. Getting your potential customer's attention becomes priority #1. Your ad copy/email copy must be highly relevant balanced with creative. There was a time it only took only 3 ad impressions to get the consumer to take action. Today some marketing pros say it takes 9 times before the consumer acts. I think it's in the teens. Then once a potential customer or client lands on your website or sales funnel, , you have maybe 1 second to capture the customer's attention. B. Keeping the customer's attention so you don't lose the sale becomes priority #2. To keep your customer's attention on your site, we take your customer on a journey they are a part of and want to be a part of. The unbeatable power of story is how we do that to build your brand. FACT: Since the beginning of mankind, the unbeatable power of story to this day is the most effective method to engage people. Think of your favorite movies that captivated you till the very end. Sometimes you'll even hang on till the credits roll to learn more about a movie you just saw for the first time. You want more. In lies the power of story. How we leverage the unbeatable power of story... We've harnessed the same unbeatable power of story applying it specifically to the sales process starting with your website. We do that in 7 steps. The CTD Story Sales Sequence is a mix of psychology, data, art, grit & story forged together through extensive experience to educate the customer. It's tested under the most extreme of circumstances helping thousands of businesses through two of America's major crisis events to save an industry. Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill upended a multi-billion dollar industry just 5 years apart from each other. The Louisiana Seafood industry lost 98% of its customer base across the US and globally due to BP. It's a rich culture 8 generations deep that provides 1/3 of the seafood harvested in the continental United States. The unbeatable power of story and to market billions in sales turned the Louisiana Seafood industry around at its darkest moments. Twice. Today, the CTD Story Sales Sequence specifically helps entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing pros and executives build their business brand to increase revenue. That impacts lives. Not only do we cut through the noise, the CTD Story Sales Sequence takes a LOT of stress off you, your sales reps or anyone who hates selling. I've long said smart marketing that educates tees up the sale making the sale so much easier. It's a fundamental principle that erases tired old-school, high pressured sales techniques. Better yet, it makes for a soft close meeting your prospect’s needs educating them. The customer wants your product...think about the lines at an Apple store for a new product launch. Steve Jobs said it best, “Marketing is the art of rendering the sales process obsolete.” At the end of the day, the CTD Story Sales Sequence educates the customer answering important questions solving a problem. That's what you and I do as entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketing pros and executives - solve problems. By using story as an educational tool, we do that best. As entrepreneur and coach, my role is to bring you simplicity. That provides clarity. If your sales are struggling, there are two options: Option one - keep the status quo for your business. Status quo is often a slow then faster decline. Option two - shake things up. Give your product or attractive offer the attention it deserves to grow your revenue. You've read this far so your gut may be telling you were you need to be. The next step is easy. It may be your most important step. Taking action. If this is speaking to you, you can schedule a free consultation call here. To increasing your profits, Ewell * Your website is your business hub. It's your online foundation

November 26, 2022
27 Rest Quotes to give you more energy. Exhaustion may be draining you. Burnout too? In the short term and the long run, the best way to get your energy back is with the right amount of rest. Rest , however, is not an excuse to be lazy. That day of rest God created is earned with 6 days of action. That day of rest is essential! Also the right amount of sleep is absolutely a necessity – that's non-negotiable if you want to be your best. At the end of the day, we believe in taking massive action in business, life, health, relationships etc…then take that earned day off once a week…and reward yourself with at least one very much earned vacation a year to recharge your batteries. Make rest a priority to… …make it a great day!
CLOSE THE DEAL PODCAST

By ewell smith
•
November 21, 2024
Eric Murr, VP - Kegerreis Outdoor, shares 11 deadly mistakes to avoid when investing in billboards. 3 takeaways on this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast: 👉 Billboards Amplify, They Don’t Fix Broken Brands Eric emphasized that advertising cannot fix foundational problems in your business. Before investing in billboards, ensure your customer experience and online reputation are solid. A billboard will amplify whatever already exists—good or bad. If your brand isn’t ready to deliver, no amount of advertising will bring sustainable results. 👉 Keep It Simple: You Have 5 Seconds or Less The success of a billboard hinges on delivering a single, clear message that resonates with viewers in mere seconds. Overloading a billboard with too much information or using poorly designed layouts will result in missed opportunities. Distill your core value proposition and focus on what matters most to your target audience. 👉 Billboards and Digital Marketing Work Hand in Hand Eric shared how billboards drive search behavior, influencing local search algorithms and lowering digital advertising costs. When paired with a strong online presence, billboards can dramatically enhance your overall marketing ROI. This integration is a powerful way to use both traditional and digital strategies to complement each other. These insights highlight why a well-thought-out billboard strategy can elevate your business when used correctly! Visit AG1 for your free one year supply of D3+k2 and five free travel packs of AG1 https://kegerreis.com/ emurr@kegerreis.com Close The Deal Podcast Player

By ewell smith
•
October 9, 2024
Shane Evans, the CEO of Massage Heights, shares how her team supports their "family" of franchisees. Shane shares 3 takeaways on this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast (Your First Franchise Episode): Turnkey Franchise System: Massage Heights offers a complete, plug-and-play franchise model. They handle everything from real estate to equipment setup, allowing franchisees to focus on marketing and building their team for a smoother opening process. Pre-Opening Revenue Boost: Massage Heights' goal of securing 200 members before a location opens ensures immediate revenue through membership dues. Their strong marketing support helps franchisees start off financially strong. Know Your ‘Why’ for Success: Shane highlights the importance of understanding your personal "why" before pursuing a franchise. Whether for financial freedom or lifestyle, having a clear vision and a strong operator are key to long-term success. To learn more about this franchise, set up a time to learn more here. To get a free copy of Your FIrst Franchise Roadmap , click here. Visit AG1 for your free one year supply of D3+k2 and five free travel packs of AG1