While franchises can be a more economical way of starting a business, the cash outlay is still great. Even with an established brand behind you, marketing your new franchise business can be expensive. Individual locations operate much like small businesses and this usually means budget restrictions. Especially during the first year, you'll need to keep a reign on marketing costs. This means finding proven ways to build customer loyalty fast without wasting money. The name of the game is keeping your name on the minds of customers so they think of you first each time they have a need.
Coupons
Coupons are an excellent way to draw foot traffic to your location. By offering a discount at your specific store/branch, you attract customers you might not otherwise have had, encourage those who previously visited other locations to patronize yours and develop good will.
Mailing coupons is certainly a viable option, but you can also start a coupon exchange with other businesses. Your store will make available other non-competing business' coupons and those same companies will make your coupons available. Another idea? Insert your coupons into local newspapers. While display advertising is normally quite expensive, inserts are generally much more economical.
Coupons can be economically printed on colored paper with black ink or done in an elaborate fashion with glossy paper and four-color printing depending on your budget. You can even include a small code in the bottom corner in order to track which coupons get the best results.
Lapel Pins
Affordable and attractive, lapel pins have staying power. Customized lapel pins can be created with your corporate brand, your location, specific product replicas and more. And promotions with lapel pins are highly versatile.
Give them away during grand openings to add a little extra excitement to the day. Create a loyalty program involving lapel pins. Inform customers that, when they wear their lapel pin when visiting your location, they will receive 10% off (or some other benefit). You could even issue lapel pins as "customer of the month" awards. Customers who purchase X number of times or who buy X dollars worth of products each month receive a "preferred customer" lapel pin that entitles them to a particular perk.
Available in completely customizable sizes, shapes and colors; lapel pins are highly affordable and desirable.
Community Events
Community event sponsorships are a great way to support your local community, make a memorable impression on those in attendance and possibly gain some press coverage, too. Sponsorships are usually available at a variety of levels to accommodate most budgets.
There are many other franchise marketing ideas that have proven to increase traffic. Talk with franchisees in non-competing industries to get additional techniques. By exchanging marketing tips, you can quickly increase sales while keeping your promotions budget in check.
First, the mother-to-be will find that the body is going to make a lot of changes in order to prepare for the growth of this new body within. Hormone levels increase during pregnancy, and because of this dental problems are often greater, which increases the need for good oral hygiene.
Commonly, during pregnancy, a woman will notice problems with swollen, bleeding, red and tender gums. This dental problem often occurs during the first trimester, and is a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. It has been found that if gum disease, periodontitis, reaches a more serious stage it may cause low birth weight in babies, and on occasion has been established, by researchers, to cause premature birth.
Therefore, excellent oral health, before and during pregnancy, is a must. This includes thoroughly brushing teeth at least twice a day, in order to properly remove plaque. Flossing daily will remove the remains of food that your toothbrush can't reach. This should also be done daily. You can also brush or scrape your tongue daily, which will remove any bacteria found there. And do make sure to schedule your regular check ups and cleanings.
Getting in the habit of eating only healthy snacks and nutritious meals is especially important during pregnancy. Eating sugary and junk foods are not good for your teeth and gums. And once your little one begins to eat what you eat, he or she will have a good example to follow.
Once your baby arrives, it's important to begin thinking about their teeth as well as yours. Continue all your necessary dental habits described herein. Nursing your child is the healthiest dental choice for your baby. It has been found that suckling at the breast is good for your baby's tooth and jaw development. It has been shown that breastfed babies actually use more of those muscles than do those drinking from a bottle.
Whether you choose to use a bottle from the beginning or a bit later, it is important to avoid baby bottle tooth decay. This is tooth decay in infants and children who drink from a bottle. This disorder destroys teeth and most often occurs in the upper front teeth.
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused when sweetened liquids are given to the child and then are left clinging to an infant's teeth for long periods of time. This can be caused by any number of sweet liquids, including milk, formula and fruit juice.
Just as with adult decay, the sugar in the drink produces acids that can attack the teeth. Every time your child drinks from the bottle, acids can attack for 20 minutes or longer. Decay can set in after many of these attacks and damage the teeth.
So it's best to avoid allowing the child to fall asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. This can circumvent baby bottle tooth decay. Also, after each feeding, use a clean gauze to wipe the baby's gums. Once that the child's first teeth have erupted, begin to brush your child's teeth daily.
Make sure to bring your child in to see a dentist at the first sign of possible decay, or sometime after six months of age. We will not only check the child's teeth but also teach you proper care of a baby's unerrupted teeth and gums.
Bright Side Dental is a Michigan family dental specialist. We will take care of your entire family. With dentist locations in Canton, Sterling Heights and Livonia, we are here for you.
Both Caryn Smith & Jean Brightside are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Caryn Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Trade Show Exhibit and Franchise. Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. When you need affordable, memorable employee rewards with a high perceived value, lapel pins are an excellent option. Visit