Our Town America Logo
Skip to content

Category: Local Business

Local Foodies Launch Our Town America of Greater St. Petersburg

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America St. Petersburg, FL | New Mover Marketing

PRWeb (October 2015) – Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise, has announced its third Florida location on October 5th in St. Petersburg. This is big news as the Our Town America business model, a direct mail marketing program specializing in delivering warm community welcome packages filled with free offers for new residents, is a perfect fit for St. Petersburg – a fast-growing city filled with local businesses eager to develop loyal relationships with new customers. Melissa Nelson and Steve Schroeder were inspired to open the newest Our Town America location in St. Petersburg because they believe the city is poised for long-term, sustainable growth. And according to Schroeder, they believe no other direct mail marketing program does a better job helping small businesses acquire new, loyal customers. “We fell in love with the local restaurants here when we first visited in 2013, but when we returned a year later, many of them were gone. St. Petersburg has traditionally relied on seasonal visitors to survive, making the summer months difficult. We wanted to own a business that could help these small businesses survive those leaner times,” Schroeder said. “The economy is improving and more people are moving down here permanently. Our Town America of Greater St. Petersburg will help local businesses connect with these new residents and establish relationships for the long term, turning slow seasons into growth seasons and growth seasons into booms.” Statistics suggest that new mover marketing has never been more powerful as moving is back on the rise – more than 40 million Americans are expected to move this year – and new movers need a helping hand from local business owners more than ever before. Consider the following from a recent survey of more than 300 Americans who have moved in the past five years: ●    More than 53% of new movers say today’s neighbors are not as friendly as the neighbors they remember as a child because they “seem too busy.” ●    Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) new movers say that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new neighborhood, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift after a move. ●    More than 4 in 5 (81%) of new movers say they would like advice about their new community upon move in. ●    And 93% of new movers say they would take advantage of an offer from a local business that took the time to welcome them to the community. According to Michael Plummer, Jr., Our Town America’s President and CEO, the commitment shared by all franchisees in the Our Town America family to satisfy the housewarming void with warm and personalized community welcome packages filled with valuable offers from local businesses has been the key to the company’s expansion to 59 locations in 23 states since its initial inception in 1972. “Melissa and Steve are going to do an excellent job with their new Our Town America franchise because they truly understand the value of our new mover marketing program,” says Plummer. “As a couple who recently moved to St. Petersburg, they understand how important it is for local businesses to connect with new movers as soon as they come to town. Plus, they realize that the St. Petersburg/ Tampa area is evolving from a vacation destination to a desirable place to live permanently. And as more and more Americans relocate to St. Petersburg, Melissa and Steve will be there to help local businesses connect with them in meaningful ways. We are eager to see the impact Melissa and Steve make in their local community as they work with local businesses to help new movers feel more comfortable and welcomed in their new neighborhood.” Serving all types of businesses, including, but not limited to, pizzerias, salons, auto repair shops, dentists, restaurants, and furniture stores, Our Town America has established itself as the industry leader offering local small business marketing that connects local businesses with new residents as soon as they come to town. The company has been franchising since 2005 and has been the proud recipient of countless Franchise Business Review distinctions, including a Top 100 award for veterans in franchising and the Franchise Business Review Top Company Award – an honor bestowed upon only one franchise company per decade who has earned a top 50 franchisee satisfaction award for ten straight years. To contact Melissa and Steve of Our Town America of Greater St. Petersburg, you can fill out a Contact Form or call (727) 490-8155. Read press release on PRWeb. Source: PRWeb Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

Marketing to Millennials via New Mover Direct Mail

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Millennial Marketing Our Town America

The U.S. Census Bureau currently reports a total U.S. population of 322 million people with 83 million of those people being part of the millennial generation, making up the largest living generation today. Millennials’ birth years range from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.  Epsilon’s #marketingtomillennials report, released September 2015, shows the average length of residence for millennials ages 18-24 years old at just 3.3 years and roughly 5.2 years for 25-33 year-olds.  Therefore, there’s no questioning whether this generation attributes to the over 40 million people who move each year. The great thing about marketing to new movers is that it allows you to reach a very niche market at an opportune time.  These impressionable folks are actively seeking reliable, go-to businesses in their new neighborhoods to help satisfy their everyday wants and needs and, for millennials, convenience and immediacy is key. New movers searching for a new hair stylist, pizza restaurant, home furnishing store, auto repair shop, etc. are highly likely to visit the businesses they hear of first. In fact, 93% of the more than 300 men and women who participated in the recent Our Town America National Survey of New Movers reported they would visit the local businesses that take the time to welcome them to the community. It may come as a surprise that although making purchases online is common and inarguably trendy among millennials, physically visiting a business and having an authentic customer experience reigns as the millennial generation’s most popular method of purchase – with 53% of their wallet spend taking place in-store. Here are some of our new mover marketing takeaways, as well as tips for marketing to millennials from Epsilon.  We hope you will use this as a guide successfully market to millennials. Target them based on life stage.  Their age doesn’t determine their behaviors, their stage does. –Epsilon While some millennials may still live with their parents, others are getting married, becoming parents, moving into an apartment, or purchasing their first house.  Each of these events are life altering and should be considered when marketing to millennials and deciding what your new mover offer should be. Employ one-to-one strategies: send targeted, hyper-personalized, relevant offers and messaging.  With this tech-savvy generation, you have to be a tech-savvy marketer. –Epsilon New mover marketing with Our Town America allows you to send personalized welcome letters and one-time housewarming gifts to a niche market in your chosen demographic areas while providing you with a cutting-edge method of tracking your ROI and triggering a second mailer to your respondents.  The initial welcome package is sent via traditional direct mail, which is great news considering 88% of the movers surveyed said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in their new home and 81% stated that they would like advice about their new community upon move-in.  With a well-accepted targeted and personalized offer sent to the new movers in your area, now it’s up to you as the business to complete the positive customer experience. Millennials will grow up and their stage will change, just because they might not be a homeowner right now, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start cultivating relationships now. –Epsilon As previously stated, millennials move roughly every 3 to 5 years and about 40 million Americans move each year.  It’s critical to understand that a simple introduction to your business and a housewarming offer might be just the thing to set you apart from your competition. The Our Town America program offers category package exclusivity, so if you’re not welcoming the new movers in your community, it’s likely your local competitor will be soon.  It’s never too early to start cultivating new relationships. Millennials have buying power that is influential because of their social media use.  They are very responsive to direct mail and it’s a channel you shouldn’t overlook when trying to engage with millennials.  Converting a customer now could create a valuable long-term relationship. –Epsilon Our Town America new mover direct mail is positively received by millions of new movers each year – many who fill out our new mover survey thanking the businesses that welcomed them into their new neighborhood.  Our Positive Postings program allows businesses to post these comments to their Facebook wall – further promoting the business. Moreover, millennials are constantly ‘tweeting’, posting to Facebook, Instagram and publicly reviewing businesses online, so it’s important to reach out, welcome and leave a good impression in hopes of gaining not just one new loyal customer, but their network of friends and family as well. Be flexible and evolve your strategy into 1:1 relationships.  Start thinking about the customer experience and step into their shoes and understand how technology combined with data and messaging can play a role in driving conversions. –Epsilon The Our Town America program addresses the full customer experience from start to finish.  From reaching out to the consumer with a targeted offer during a critical/ stressful time to providing you with data allowing you to personally welcome the new customer by name, to reaching out a second time inviting the customer back in with a follow-up mailer after their first visit (prompted by our smartphone application, Our Town TruTrak®), to providing you with the opportunity to engage in conversation surrounding their recent move – the program is centered on developing new loyal, long-term relationships by creating an unmatched customer experience for each and every new customer. If interested in New Mover Marketing with Our Town America, call 800-497-8360 or complete our Contact Form. Sources:  Epsilon #marketingtomillennials 2015 Research Report, U.S. Census Bureau, and Our Town America 2014 National Survey of New Movers Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

Technological Progression Leads New Mover Marketing Industry

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Franchise Technological Progression

Franchising USA (July 2015) – Our Town America began the year with a projected goal of adding 20 new franchise units in 2015 and, after just one month, had signed six new franchise agreements – expanding their presence into a half dozen new markets across the United States. Since then, Our Town America has shown no sign of slowing down.  Three week-long new franchise-training classes have taken place since January, positioning the franchise closer to their 20-unit goal. The commotion surrounding Our Town America, the nation’s first New Mover Direct Mail Marketing franchise, can be attributed in part to their technological abilities and forward progression – proving repeatedly why they’re still the industry leader. “It all started 43 years ago with my father’s small family business in Iowa and Nebraska,” says Our Town America President and CEO, Michael Plummer Jr. “This being a part of my family since I was born, I may think of franchising a bit differently than others.  The reason we initially went into franchising wasn’t merely to grow – we were doing very well.  It was for the simple reason of helping others have a hand in controlling their own destiny and providing an income and service to their community that they could be proud of.” The company began franchising in 2005 providing entrepreneurs nationwide with the opportunity to help new movers feel welcomed into their community, as well as help local businesses gain new loyal customers every month. In 2003, Our Town America announced their one-of-a-kind electronic survey, completed by thousands of new movers every year across the country, providing businesses with incalculable feedback on their product/ service. They familiarized the industry with electronic respondent lists and new mover loyalty programs and introduced social integration giving businesses the opportunity to increase social media page traffic and drive revenue. Our Town America’s cost-friendly marketing program also includes a second follow-up mailer, a unique feature in comparison to similar franchise’s new mover programs. The second mailer is prompted by an automated system – a smartphone/ tablet app called Our Town TruTrak®, available on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store.  Our Town America was the first in their industry to offer response rate tracking by way of 2D barcode, which can be accessed through their app as well. Separate from their new mover program, Our Town America’s Intuitive Marketing program provides businesses with the ability to target particular demographics year round by way of customizable direct mail postcards.  Special event mailings such as: birthdays, grand openings, etc. are supported by this program. In 2014, the franchise unveiled another technological breakthrough.  Our Town America became the only new mover direct mail marketing program to offer postal carrier route targeting.  The option to demographically focus by neighborhood, rather than full zip codes, is cutting-edge technology in their industry. The franchise is also a USPS Every Door Direct Mail® vendor allowing businesses to saturate entire neighborhoods without the need for a mailing list and, again, presenting the ability to target by postal carrier route. But it’s not only their ever-progressing technological abilities and continual growth that make this renowned franchise attractive.  After 43 years of business, one thing that hasn’t changed is Our Town America’s dedication to their franchisees. “I love to see our franchise owners achieving their financial and personal dreams,” says Plummer.  “Witnessing the successes out there in our system is what does my father’s legacy proud and what I’m honored to be able to continue to steward into more communities.” The business model allows franchisees to work from home and be active members within their communities.  Our Town America offers the largest territories in the industry and, with no need for build-outs, storefronts or inventory expenses – the initial required investment has landed them a top spot in the Franchisee Business Review (FBR) Low-Cost Report four years in a row. Rankings and recognition within the franchising industry also verify Our Town America’s spot as the leader in their industry. In January 2015, FBR revealed their annual Top 200 Franchises list and, for the tenth consecutive year, Our Town America was ranked a Top 50 Franchise – making them the only Advertising and Sales franchise in the ten-year Hall of Fame. At February’s IFA Convention, Our Town America was crowned FBR’s All-time Top Company – a pioneer for the award, which will be presented only once every ten years. And, while the franchise is ranked number two in the Under 50 Units category in this year’s Top Franchise report, this year’s new franchises have promoted Our Town America to 57 units – bringing the new mover program to markets in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee. Today, Our Town America can be found in 23 total U.S. states and, if their track record and technological capabilities prove just one thing, it’s that this franchise has no plan of regressing from their spot as the leader of the new mover marketing industry. Interested in Our Town America? Complete a Franchise Application or explore New Mover Marketing. By Brittany N. Johnson Read article in Franchising USA July 2015 Issue, Pg. 20-22.       Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

Ways to Cut Back on Moving Costs & Stress

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
family-moving-homes

ABC 15 Arizona (June 2015) – Our Town America Phoenix-area franchise owner, David Cox, shares a few ways to lower moving costs and moving-related stressors. Specializing in helping local businesses market to new movers, Cox can be considered an expert in the moving industry. As one of 57 Our Town America franchisees across the nation, Cox and his local business sponsors encounter countless new movers throughout the calendar year. Ronnie Gray, a new resident of Central Phoenix and a recipient of the Our Town America welcome package, gives insight on his recent moving experience.  To read the story on ABC15.com, click here. If you’re a local business interested in welcoming new movers to your community, we invite you to complete a Contact Form. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

People Moving Can Face Fiscal, Emotional Potholes

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
People Moving Our Town America

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (June 2015) – Kevin Drewery has moved from Pittsburgh to Oregon to Texas and recently back to his native community in Beechview over the past 12 years for family and other personal reasons. He says all the moving has practically emptied his bank account and left him in a deep hole of debt. “Moving from state to state due to life changes has taken a toll on my pockets,” said the 44-year-old man, who has disabilities. “I got in trouble with the bank for letting my debit card go negative, and I even owe relatives and friends.” Mr. Drewery’s experience is not unusual, according to a national survey of 300 people who have moved recently, commissioned by Our Town America, which reveals moving creates a financial nightmare for 1 in 6 people who find themselves in debt after a move. Money problems aren’t the only challenges. Our Town America, a new mover marketing company based in Pinellas Park, Fla., found 49 percent of people reported a recent move not only caused them serious financial stress but lasting friction with a significant other. “Moving is a very difficult time,” said Denis Byrd, owner of an Our Town America franchise in Robinson. “We have found through surveys how stressful and expensive moving can be.” The marketing company helps build relationships between local business owners and people who move into town by delivering personalized welcoming packages full of gift certificates to new residents each month. The company is similar to Valpak, except it focuses exclusively on people who have relocated. Moving business has picked up in recent months, according to Our Town America. An improved economy means businesses are hiring and people looking for work will move for jobs. But employers don’t always cover the cost of moves. Almost half of those surveyed said their employer did nothing to help pay for relocation. One in 10 people said the average cost of their move was $5,000 or more. That might help explain why 35 percent said moving tarnished personal relationships, citing financial strain (49 percent), increased bickering (51 percent) and decreased intimacy (49 percent). “A lot of the stress occurs due to people not financially preparing for the move,” Mr. Byrd said. “Ultimately, the financial stress leads to other stress and it can affect relationships.” Read full article on Post-Gazette.com. If interested in more information regarding the new mover marketing program, please contact Our Town America. In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

The Financial Impact of Moving to a New Home

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Moving: The Financial Impact

Money Radio (June 2015) – David Cox, owner of Our Town America of Phoenix, sits down with Money Radio for a short discussion on the financial impact of moving to a new home. Cox, one of more than 50 Our Town America franchisees across the nation, is recognized locally as an expert in the unique New Mover Marketing industry. Startling statistics from a moving survey recently commissioned by Our Town America and suggestions for local businesses interested alleviating moving stress are unveiled. For information on Marketing to new movers in your community, we invite you to please complete a Contact Form. Press play to listen.       Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

De-Stress The Moving Process: Tips & Tricks

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Moving Tips

National Moving Month Tips WIAT CBS News (May 2015) – Our Town America Birmingham-area franchise owner, Luke Wood, sits down with Jamie Langley of WIAT ‘Wake Up Alabama’ to discuss tips and tricks to prepare for the busiest moving season in years, beginning with May’s National Moving Month. As the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, Our Town America helps new movers adjust to their new area and offers local businesses a chance to be a part of this community welcoming organization. Watch the clip below and read this related article to find out why. If interested in welcoming new movers to your community, we invite you to complete a Local Business Contact Form. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

Local Business Marketing Can Minimize Moving Stress

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Minimize Moving Stress Our Town America Local Business Marketing

CBS Tampa Bay (May 2015) – Forty million Americans are expected to move in 2015, but the decision to pick up and leave may be harmful to both your wallet and your relationship. A new survey from the new mover marketing franchise, Our Town America, finds that 1 in 6 people go into debt after they move and half of couples felt a sense of both “decreased intimacy” (49 percent) and “increased bickering” (51 percent) as a result of moving’s financial strain. May’s National Moving Month is expected to see a large number of movers as people move to pursue new careers and put bad credit from foreclosed homes behind them. But while moving may boost one’s career – the survey indicates a harmful effect on relationships and your finances. More than one-third of survey respondents said their moved “scarred personal relationships” and nearly half (46 percent) said their company did not help pay for any part of their relocation. Nearly 1 in 3 survey respondents admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possession and half of those surveyed said intimacy with their significant other decreased during the move. “Knick knacks, photo albums, books, decorative towels, and old trophies” were among the items purposefully tossed or donated away by significant others. Although an overwhelming majority (88 percent) of respondents said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in their new residence, less than half (46 percent) said they actually received any welcoming gift. And more than half (53 percent) said today’s neighbors are less friendly than those from their childhood because everyone “seems too busy.” “These survey results show that it’s critically important for neighbors and local businesses to welcome new movers to town with open arms,” says Our Town America President & CEO, Michael Plummer Jr. “The emotional and financial stress associated with moving takes a heavy toll on new movers. They desperately need a helping hand to limit stress, minimize costs and feel comfortable in their new home.” Our Town America’s data is from a local survey of more than 300 men and women who have moved in the past five years. If interested in more information regarding the new mover marketing program, please contact Our Town America. In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf In today’s world, moving to a new home may leave a larger dent on your wallet than your personal belongings. A new, national survey reveals that new movers face thousands of dollars of moving expenses, at times $5,000 or more – expenses that cause a debt disaster for 1 in 6 movers. To make matters worse, more than 2 in 3 new movers say busy and unapproachable friends and neighbors add to their emotional and financial stress. – See more at: http://www.franchising.com/news/20140527_our_town_america_national_survey_reveals_moving_ca.html#sthash.bUSR1OKg.dpuf Source: CBS Tampa Bay   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

May Brings Busiest Moving Season in Years

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
National Moving Month Our Town America

WABC-TV (May 2015) – With 40 million Americans expected to pick up and move in 2015, May’s National Moving Month will kick off the busiest moving season in years for two reasons: A robust economy means companies are hiring and folks will move for jobs. Plus, people who foreclosed on their homes in the recession have waited seven years for their credit scores to come clean, and now can buy a home again. While moving is great for the economy, it’s a killer for relationships. A recently released local survey reveals a move scars personal relationships as couples fight over why they moved and where they moved while struggling with money problems and decreased intimacy. And talk about relationship revenge! Nearly 1 in 3 survey respondents admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possession or purposefully tossing it in the Goodwill bag. According to the local survey of more than 300 men and women who have moved in the past five years, movers can expect: More Arguments, Money Problems and Less Sex – Of those in a relationship, more than 1/3 (35%) say moving has scarred their relationship due to increased fighting (51%), decreased intimacy (49%) and financial strain (49%) – the top three moving relationship stressors. The Kids May Not be Alright – Those with children say the stress hit the whole family with “choosing the right school” and “helping the kids find new friends” as the top two moving stressors related to their kids. And missing Prized Possessions due to Dirty Dumping – Topping the I Hate it Hit List of the 5 things people secretly toss are “knick knacks,” photo albums, books, decorative towels, and old trophies. Our Town America, the national new mover marketing franchise who commissioned the survey, has a local representative in our area who is making the transition easier by delivering welcoming packages to new movers full of personalized gift certificates with free offers for goods and services at local businesses. According to Our Town America’s President and CEO Michael Plummer Jr., these thoughtful offers, like a free pizza or free haircut, help local families recover quicker from the emotional stress related to their recent move as they settle into their new home. And research shows, once the new movers try the business, they repeatedly come back. “These survey results show that moving is highly stressful on relationships so it’s very much appreciated when local businesses make the transition easier,” says Plummer. “In a move, people are overwhelmed with learning new roads, meeting people and perhaps starting a new job. These welcoming packages help families focus on their relationships instead of worrying about what to cook for dinner – when they haven’t had the time to unpack the pots and pans yet.” If interested in more information regarding the new mover marketing program, please contact Our Town America. Source: WABC-TV New York   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…

Veteran-Owned Franchise Connecting Communities Nationwide

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
our town america franchise connecting community

Franchising USA (May 2015) – For families who have just moved into a new community, finding all new services like salons, pizza joints, doctors, dentists and even hairstylists can be daunting. That’s where Our Town America steps in, connecting those new arrivals with the businesses that want to extend a warm welcome and gain new customers. “Our organization essentially connects those new families with those businesses who need them,” president Michael Plummer Jr. said during a recent interview from the company’s headquarters in Pinellas Park, just outside Tampa, FL. The company has been in operation since 1972 and is family owned, with Plummer having taken over the operations of the company from his father, who started it. Late Franchising Bloomer While the company has been around for a number of decades, it actually only started franchising in 2005. Prior to franchising, it issued licenses to people to use the brand. These were generally people that Plummer’s father knew throughout the decades and all those licensees are now franchisees. “Franchising proved to be practical for Our Town America in 2003 when we went through a major technological upgrade, switching to variable printing,” Plummer said. After that, they started the process of becoming a franchise business in 2004 and by 2005 were legally able to start franchising. Now, the company boasts 55 franchisees positioned all over the country, but focused mainly in the Mid-West and on the East Coast. On the Move “Our Town America has locations available across the country,” Plummer said. “This is one franchise that can be successful in smaller markets as its success is largely dependent on the number of movers.” Considering that 17 – 20% of Americans relocate each year, there will always be a lot of potential new customers for businesses to reach out to in their area. For families who are new to a community, it’s a great welcoming gift. Even if people are only moving to the next town, they still have to find all new services in that new town. And Our Town America helps those businesses connect with new potential customers. “We’re the personal invitation for the businesses to stand out from the crowd,” Plummer said. So, a salon could put a gift certificate in the Our Town America package for a free haircut. The new family is then personally welcomed to their new neighborhood by the salon with the free haircut and likely to become a loyal customer. Looking for Relationship Builders Because the company is all about facilitating relationships —between recently relocated families and businesses, as well as between those businesses and Our Town America — Plummer is looking for franchisees who are not only sales oriented, but who really understand the importance of these relationships. “What we really want is a relationship maker, a networker, a community builder, someone who is able to connect with people,” he said. Some of his most successful franchisees have a background in retail, marketing or sales. “Those who connect and communicate well with others do great with our franchise model.” Getting Specific Over the years, Plummer has found that the newly arrived families are more apt to open the welcome packages as it’s not perceived as everyday advertising – but as housewarming gifts. In addition to targeting newly arrived families, Our Town America also provides their clients the option of targeting by various demographics. For example, Plummer said that a rent-to-own business could use Our Town America to specifically target new arrivals within a five mile radius who have an income level of over $50,000 and who are between the ages of 20-40. Any new arrivals that fit that profile would be targeted, while those who did not would not be targeted. Support and Training “Sales people should be out there selling,” Plummer said. “Which is why Our Town America wants to make things as simple as possible for new franchisees.” The company offers assistance in the way of production, creating graphics, creating invoices and even setting up appointments with business owners. Ideally, Plummer wants them to primarily concentrate on connecting with local businesses. Veteran-Owned In addition to being family-owned, Our Town America is also veteran-owned, as Plummer was a combat medic with the United States Army from 1997 – 2001. For any honorably discharged veterans, he gives a $10,000 discount on the franchising fee. For anyone looking to invest in a home-based franchise business offering flexibility and a steady income, Our Town America offers just the thing. Apply online by filling out a Franchise Application. View article in Franchising USA’s Veterans in Franchising, Pg. 13-14.   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

Read More…