Press Archives • Page 9 of 19 • Our Town America, Inc.

Birmingham: A Top Desired City by Millennials per Our Town America Survey

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Birmingham Alabama Top Desired City

WBMA Birmingham – According to a new national survey released for May’s National Moving Month and the busy summer moving season – Millennials are growing up. They are choosing where to live based on factors like better jobs, higher pay, and benefits. The survey, commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, paints a new portrait of the Millennial generation who are often accused of having their priorities backwards. Millennials are actually eager to move for job opportunities that equate to a better future for themselves and their families. Luke Wood, Our Town America Franchise Owner in Birmingham, Alabama, sits down with WBMA TV to discuss survey results from more than 650 Millennial new movers (men and women born between 1981 and 1996). Birmingham ranked high on the list of desired cities to live in! Watch the video below, recently featured on WBMA TV in Birmingham, to gain insight on survey findings. The national survey reveals: More than half (58 percent) would move to a city they don’t like for the right job 71 percent would choose to move for a higher paying job in the middle of nowhere over a lower paying job in their dream city Nearly 1 in 3 (30 percent) made their most recent move for their career 39% said price mattered most when selecting current residence – well guess what? Birmingham was recently named as one of nation’s 10 most affordable cities. Those who moved for a job cite higher salary and better benefits as top reasons for the move 86 percent of Millennials who live with their parents or relatives want to move out 84 percent of Millennials plan to buy a home Most Millennials (72 percent) said they don’t live in their dream city; the reasons are practical and calculated. “Price,” “the neighborhood,” and “proximity to work” were the top three reasons Millennials moved to their current city. Millennials also love to have fun, but want to keep it close to home…in a place their dog can be comfortable too. The survey shows convenience wins with Millennials on the move. Respondents said their home must be: Within range of delivery services (69 percent) Within walking distance to restaurants and stores (57 percent) Home to great community events (53 percent) – the top five favorites, in order, were food festivals, concerts, sporting events, bar hopping/wine tasting, and family-friendly events And a great fit for their pet(s) – 3 in 5 Millennials have pets, 70 percent of whom say pets influence where they live And so much for bright lights, big city. When asked about their ideal living situation: 80 percent said they’d prefer a different option other than “Big City Life” More than 1/3 (35 percent) of those surveyed would choose to move an Uber ride away from the city 1 out of 4 (25 percent) want to move to the suburbs, living even further away from the city Only 1 out of 5 want to move to the city (20 percent), barely beating out the rural boonies (19 percent) as the ideal living situation for Millennials The survey also shows that when Millennials move, this Phone-in-Face generation actually craves Face-to-Face connection with new neighbors. 76 percent say they’d prefer to meet new people in person rather than online 44 percent try to meet their neighbors 80 percent say they’d love a housewarming gift and 45 percent say they have given a housewarming gift Those who don’t try to meet their neighbors say it’s because they’re concerned with safety when knocking on doors More than 2 in 5 (41 percent) fear that social media has become the new neighborhood Millennial respondents say their ideal city has good scenery, great weather, fun outdoor activities, and plenty of job opportunities. Over 48% said they want to have outdoor activities available to them in their dream city. Thankfully, Birmingham is known for providing access to plenty of outdoor activities including great walking tours, botanical gardens, biking, cable skiing, hiking and more! The study also shows that if Millennial is new to town, they’d love a new business to welcome them. 85 percent say they’d take advantage of a local small business offer/freebie (like a free meal or haircut). Almost all (98%) say they’d likely revisit the business after trying out the offer. ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local neighborhood businesses in a premium welcome package. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the new mover marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America […]

How to Inspire New Movers to Become Regular Patients

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Our Town America Dental Marketing

Dentistry Today (May 2019) — Businesses are always on the hunt for new and innovative ways to effectively reach new clients, yet many organizations are completely missing out on arguably the most lucrative portion of the population—new movers. Residents who have just moved to town are actively seeking out new businesses to frequent, including grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, and dental offices. Attracting new customers often can be quite challenging and one of the biggest obstacles a business can face, so it’s crucial to capitalize on this target market and build long-term relationships. The key is to create a personalized offer that will inspire new movers to visit your dental practice and keep them coming back for more! To build a sustainable client base, business owners first need to give their managers and employees the opportunity to spark relationships that last by getting customers in the door. Where Do You Begin? Let’s start with the initial attraction. Targeting new movers can be a tricky endeavor. The first major obstacle is simply locating a new mover. Fortunately, that’s where new mover marketing comes into play. Our Town America helps connect new residents with local businesses through custom welcome packages delivered right to their mailbox. These packages include a collection of one-time, practical, and enticing offers from local businesses. While this paper method of appealing to new movers may seem old fashioned at first, studies have shown that new movers are more likely to utilize a physically mailed offer than one delivered electronically. Despite an increasingly electronic world, paper mailers have shown to be effective. The key is to deliver a new mover marketing offer that inspires action. A simple 10% off coupon usually isn’t compelling enough to pique a potential customer’s interest. Ideally, local businesses will offer a free service or gift if possible, though that isn’t always an option in dentistry. Currently, some of the best new mover marketing offers available from dentists include a free exam or x-ray or a $100 gift certificate for your first visit. Each of these offers will help draw in new customers and give them an added sense of value and appreciation on their first visit. Some dentists even offer new patients a free t-shirt bearing their office’s name and information on the back. This is particularly effective because not only do these new guests feel valued, but each time they wear that t-shirt, the practice gets free advertising. When it comes to crafting an appealing new customer offer or gift, it can pay to think outside the box and get creative. Community involvement is also a terrific way to reach new customers. Many new movers will attend local community events to get a feel for their neighborhood. Hosting events, sponsoring a local sports team, or manning a booth at a festival can be an effective way to get your name out in front of new movers. As you gather more and more happy customers, word of mouth advertising can also be a fantastic method of reaching new customers, including new residents. Much like a new mover welcome package, a friendly neighbor can be a great introduction to the community. Neighbors will recommend their favorite restaurants, veterinarians, and, yes, dentist offices to a neighbor who is just settling in. As the new mover has no other frame of reference, a neighborly piece of advice can be a powerful motivator. While this method of marketing can certainly be effective, it is much harder to target. Many offices have seen success through a referral program. By offering a small discount or gift for both the old and new client, you are killing two birds with one stone. A referral program incentivizes the current resident to spread the word and encourages the new mover to give your office a try. First Impressions New movers are a high-spending target who are actively seeking new dentists. Local practices can’t afford to miss out on this segment of the population. That said, it’s important to reach new residents before your competitors do. Once consumers have chosen a dentist, they typically will not transfer unless given a compelling reason, such as poor service. This disinclination to switch dental service providers stems from a combination of brand loyalty, convenience, and a lack of time, energy, or desire to find a suitable alternative, though that’s not to say that a new customer will never switch locations. When customers have a terrible first experience, they very well may make the effort to find a different dentist who provides better service. The newer the customers are, the weaker their ties to the business are and the more likely they are to leave. It’s no surprise that first impressions can be crucial to long-term success. Sometimes it only takes one bad experience to turn away a customer for good. If you want to see a long-term profit, it’s important to think beyond the initial visit. Lasting relationships, built on a positive foundation, are the key to reaching more people in the community and becoming an established business. Retention rates are important because it is typically far easier (and cheaper!) to keep a customer than it is to draw in a new client. Beyond a tantalizing welcome gift, top-notch customer service and a passion for client satisfaction will keep patients coming back. New mover marketing can be a tricky endeavor, but it is one worth pursuing. Drawing in fresh patients will help keep your practice thriving for years to come, so now is the time to put in the work to grow your customer base. A few years down the road, you’ll be glad you did! Mr. Plummer is president, CEO, and CTO of Our Town America. A US Army veteran and Certified Franchise Executive, he has more than 15 years of experience as a senior-level franchise executive and IT professional in the direct marketing industry. For more than 40 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local […]

New National Moving Month Survey Reveals Why Millennials Move

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Why Millennials Move Our Town America New Mover Marketing

WRAZ Raleigh (May 2019) – Millennials are growing up, and a new national survey – released just in time for May’s National Moving Month and the busy summer moving season – indicates they may be aging out of a YOLO, carefree-phase. Instead, Millennials are choosing where they live based on factors that would make their parents proud (like better jobs, higher pay, and benefits). In fact, do we dare say it? Millennials – ranging from age 22 and graduating college to age 38 and having families – are starting to sound a lot like their parents! The surprising new national survey of more than 650 Millennial men and women (born 1981 – 1996) who have moved in the last five years shows Millennials would forfeit living in a fun, dream city for a job that pays well with good benefits. And get this – they desperately want to get rid of mom’s couch and plan to buy their own home. The survey, commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing franchise, paints a new portrait of the “non-committal slacker” generation often accused of prioritizing selfies over salaries. Rather than Uber from adventure to adventure, Millennials are eager to move for job opportunities that equate to a better future for themselves and their families. Watch the video below, recently featured on WRAZ TV in Raleigh, to gain insight on survey findings. The national survey reveals: More than half (58 percent) would move to a city they don’t like for the right job 71 percent would choose to move for a higher paying job in the middle of nowhere over a lower paying job in their dream city Nearly 1 in 3 (30 percent) made their most recent move for their career Those who moved for a job cite higher salary and better benefits as top reasons for the move 86 percent of Millennials who live with their parents or relatives want to move out 84 percent of Millennials plan to buy a home Most Millennials (72 percent) said they don’t live in their dream city; the reasons are practical and calculated. “Price,” “the neighborhood,” and “proximity to work” were the top three reasons Millennials moved to their current city. Of course, Millennials also love to have fun, but want to keep it close to home…in a place Rover can roam. The survey shows convenience wins with Millennials on the move. Respondents said their home must be: Within range of delivery services (69 percent) Within walking distance to restaurants and stores (57 percent) Home to great community events (53 percent) – the top five favorites, in order, were food festivals, concerts, sporting events, bar hopping/wine tasting, and family-friendly events And a great fit for their pet(s) – 3 in 5 Millennials have pets, 70 percent of whom say pets influence where they live And so much for bright lights, big city. When asked about their ideal living situation: 80 percent said they’d prefer a different option other than “Big City Life” More than 1/3 (35 percent) of those surveyed would choose to move an Uber ride away from the city 1 out of 4 (25 percent) want to move to the suburbs, living even further away from the city Only 1 out of 5 want to move to the city (20 percent), barely beating out the rural boonies (19 percent) as the ideal living situation for Millennials The survey also shows when Millennials move, this Phone-in-Face generation actually craves Face-to-Face connection with new neighbors. 76 percent say they’d prefer to meet new people in person rather than online 44 percent try to meet their neighbors 80 percent say they’d love a housewarming gift and 45 percent say they have given a housewarming gift Those who don’t try to meet their neighbors say it’s because they’re concerned with safety when knocking on doors More than 2 in 5 (41 percent) fear that social media has become the new neighborhood “Millennials are growing up, and they’re turning down pie-in-the-sky ‘dream cities’ for places that offer a better quality of life,” says Our Town America’s CEO Michael Plummer, Jr. “They’re seeking careers that provide good pay and benefits so they can have families and buy a home someday. It’s also clear they want to live close to an active social scene and develop real connections with neighbors. The cities that check those ‘wish list’ boxes will soon see a boom of Millennial movers.” Millennial respondents say their ideal city has good scenery, great weather, fun outdoor activities, and plenty of job opportunities. The study also shows that if Millennial is new to town, they’d love a new business to welcome them. 85 percent say they’d take advantage of a local small business offer/freebie (like a free meal or haircut). Almost all (98%) say they’d likely revisit the business after trying out the offer. “This survey shows that Millennials crave social connection – the warm and fuzzy feeling they remember from their childhood neighborhoods,” says Plummer. “It also shows Millennials are on the move and on a mission to build a better life for themselves and their families. Therefore, the local businesses who reach out and make these Millennial movers feel welcome in their new community will have loyal customers for life.” ### *Editor’s Note: *Please cite Our Town America as the source for this survey. *This online survey of 652 men and women was conducted by a third party and commissioned by Our Town America. *Survey participants have no affiliation with Our Town America. About Our Town America For 47 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local neighborhood businesses in a premium welcome package. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one […]

Clint Finch named Rock Star Franchisee by Franchise Business Review

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Clint Finch Rock Star Franchisee by Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review (April 2019) — Clint Finch purchased his first Our Town America franchise territory in 2005, after working as a sales representative for a majority of his career. What is his key to success? Be excited about the product you are selling. This year, Clint was named as an FBR Franchisee Rock Star. “Clint doesn’t let anything stand in the way of making a sale that he knows will benefit the client. Due to his relentlessness, he has become quite the role model and mentor to fellow franchisees in the system.” – Brittany Johnson, Marketing Executive, Our Town America What advice do you have for someone considering investing in a franchise? DO IT! But don’t think that because you own a business that you are going to just make money! It takes work and discipline. There is no one there to check that you are working. It is really up to you to go out and make it work! What are you most proud of when it comes to your career in franchising? We have grown to a top franchisee group in our company and we get to spend time helping and training others who are coming in. It is humbling to know that other business people respect and admire your work. What was your career path before you entered franchising? I was climbing the corporate ladder. From the beginning as a Sales Representative and working my way up to VP of Sales in several organizations. As a business owner, what has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome? Expecting everyone to be as excited as I am about my products. I have learned to accept that others might not see the benefit. However, so many people do, and I will continue to find those people! A second challenge has been keeping my work-life balance. Getting carried away with work seems easier when it is your own business. What do you like most about your franchise organization? Total support from each and every person at our corporate office! It is more than just the systems in place, which are also fantastic. We also enjoy a great group of franchisees who care about and support each other. To learn more about an Our Town America franchise, request information here. 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. […]

Marketing Mogul, Tom Feltenstein, and Our Town America Team Up to Empower 60+ Small Business Owners

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Tom Feltenstein Marketing Mogul Our Town America Keynote Speaker

TAMPA, Fla. (April 2019) – Our Town America, the nation’s premier New Mover Marketing franchise, recently hosted Keynote Speaker, Author and Marketing Visionary, Tom Feltenstein, at their annual franchise convention. Feltenstein has been a Marketing mogul for over 30 years and, much like Our Town America, is known to be an expert in the industry. Our Town America, which was founded in 1972, has been holding annual conventions since 2005 when they first began franchising. The company hosts a variety of sessions ranging from sales & marketing tips to how to make the most of the tools provided to the franchisees, such as their constantly-improving technology including mobile applications, the CRM, USPS Every Door Direct Mail®, and more. However, the company knows that, for many, the most motivating session can be one that focuses on internal drive. At this year’s convention, Feltenstein’s session focus was ‘how to be remarkable’ and what that can do for your bottom line. At the core of being remarkable is taking customer engagement to a whole new level by going above and beyond expectations to deliver extraordinary value to your customers. This lines up perfectly with Our Town America’s core beliefs. The company’s convention theme this year was ‘Mission Possible: The Code to Success’. The convention was centered on all that is possible for the franchisees if they are relentless in their work ethic & pursuit of excellence. This duo, Tom Feltenstein and Our Town America, as many of the 60+ franchisees noted, is ‘one for the books’. And what’s more: Feltenstein is already a firm believer in marketing to new movers. With decades of marketing and advertising success under his belt, he has a respect for this niche market – knowing just how loyal these new customers can be to searching businesses. The company and their many franchisees look forward to another year of prosperity, fueled by innovation, commitment to excellence & Feltenstein’s powerful and impactful presentation during this year’s Convention: That success will always be based on understanding what the customer wants & needs. ### About Our Town America For 47 years, Our Town America has been connecting new movers with local businesses by helping turn them into long-term, loyal customers.   As the leaders in New Mover Marketing, they use a mix of proven and perfected methods of direct mail and new technologies to focus exactly on the businesses ideal type of customer.  Through their mobile app, they are 100% trackable and also offer demographically targeted full-color postcard mailings, EDDM, and more. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the New Mover Marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America is committed to following through on that mission statement. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/. 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. […]

Our Town America Announces 2018 New Mover Survey Winner

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Our Town America 2019 New Mover Survey Winner with Jet's Pizza and Our Town America Owner

Franchising.com (April 2019) – Our Town America, the nation’s premier New Mover Marketing franchise, recently named Patrick and Carey Clinton as the 2018 New Mover Survey Drawing Winner. Patrick and Carey, along with their three children, Lucas, Caleb and Amelia, were awarded the grand prize of $3,000. The Clinton family recently moved to Tampa, FL from San Diego. Upon arrival in Florida, the Clintons were welcomed with an Our Town America New Mover Welcome Package, a personalized collection of useful, one-time offers from local businesses such as Jet’s Pizza. This welcome package helps new residents acclimate to their new neighborhood while supporting the local economy. Carey was one of tens of thousands of new movers from across the country who completed the annual survey found within the package. “We are so excited to have won this award! Filling out the survey was so easy; it was definitely worth it,” says Carey Clinton. “I’m a huge fan of Our Town America. As a military family, we’ve moved around quite a bit. As we settle into a new town, we are always on the lookout for new places to eat in our neighborhood. Through Our Town America, we found our favorite pizza, lunch and date spots around town. I can’t recommend Our Town America enough to other new movers.” The check presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 3 at Jet’s Pizza, located at 14624 N Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33618. Local Our Town America franchisee Michael Avallone presented the check on behalf of Our Town America. “Throughout my childhood and early career, I was constantly moving from town to town. I know how hard it can be to settle into a new neighborhood, which is why I have such a passion for helping movers connect with local businesses,” says Avallone. “I am so proud to be a part of the Our Town America team as a franchisee. And I am thrilled that this year’s big winner was in Tampa, so I have the opportunity to participate. I was very excited for the opportunity to show our appreciation for local new movers and present the Clinton family with the $3,000 check!” Our Town America has been helping businesses across the nation capture the attention of new movers for 47 years. Capitalizing on new residents gives local businesses a competitive edge. By providing new movers with unique coupons and deals straight to their mailbox, Our Town America helps stimulate the economy on a local level. Tampa-area businesses who are interested in the Our Town America program can complete a contact form or call franchise owner Michael Avallone at (614) 378-2977. For more information on the New Mover Survey, visit OurTownAmerica.com. About Our Town America For 47 years, Our Town America has been connecting new movers with local businesses by helping turn them into long-term, loyal customers. As the leaders in New Mover Marketing, they use a mix of proven and perfected methods of direct mail and new technologies to focus exactly on the businesses ideal type of customer. Through their mobile app, they are 100% trackable and also offer demographically targeted full-color postcard mailings, EDDM, and more. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the New Mover Marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America is committed to following through on that mission statement. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/. Source: 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. […]

New Mover Marketing Generates Word-Of-Mouth Referrals for Dentists

Written by Michael Plummer, Jr.

Dental Office New Mover Marketing Our Town America

Dentistry Today (March 2019) – Attracting new clients can be a difficult and ongoing challenge for many businesses, and it is particularly true in the medical field. Many young patients simply choose to follow in their parents’ footsteps when it comes to selecting a dentist. Older patients are often hesitant to take a risk and switch doctors. Fortunately, fear of the unknown is often assuaged by the recommendation of a trusted friend or family member. As a result, much of the medical industry relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. To capitalize on this proven marketing method, dental and medical offices across the country are taking advantage of new mover marketing. Companies such as Our Town America help local businesses draw in new customers with innovative, custom welcome packages. These packages are personalized collections of practical, one-time offers from local businesses that are delivered right to the new resident’s mailbox. The Benefits of Snail Mail Despite an ever-increasing inclination toward digital platforms, studies have shown that many new movers are much more likely to utilize a physically mailed offer than one that is sent electronically. An email offer is often redirected into a spam folder and never even seen by the intended recipient. With paper mail, new residents literally receive a special gift made just for them. Capitalizing on new movers is imperative for dental offices that are looking to grow their client list. Residents who are new to the area often have no prior affiliation with any local businesses. They are actively searching for new opportunities. As a result, it is critical to reach new movers during the introduction phase. An offer they can’t refuse In new mover marketing, the key to success is an appealing offer. Dr. Ethan Brown and his brother Jason have seen the results of an effective offer firsthand. Five years ago, they opened a 24-hour emergency care facility in Katy, Texas. Since then, they have offered a variety of coupons to new movers including a free first aid kit, $75 off the ER copay, and a $25 gift card. In one such offer, the Browns encouraged new residents to come and simply take a tour of the office in person to receive a free gift. That way, should new residents fall ill, they know exactly where to go to receive treatment. As an added incentive, these new customers would receive an additional discount on their first medical visit. “We’ve seen tremendous results working with Our Town America, consistently seeing four or five new patients every month. That’s huge for us because of the ripple effect,” said Jason, general manager and marketing director of the practice. “I’m willing to bet that word-of-mouth advertising alone pays for Our Town’s services. That new mover offer entices people to physically drive to the facility, see how great it looks, and interact with our staff. They also get a free gift embossed with the ER Katy logo as a take-home reminder. That in itself is incredible,” he said. New Neighbors = New Clients It’s well known that obtaining new clients is often far more expensive than retaining current customers. New mover marketing is a cost-effective way of drawing in a new crowd and establishing a long-term relationship. This is a big deal when you consider that each new customer secured by a dental practice is worth an average of $1,000 a year. As these new clients settle into their community, they will inevitably discuss their experiences with new friends in the area. This verbal affirmation of their local dental services could inspire their friends to try new things—like a new, top-notch dentist—rather than stay with their current one out of convenience. In the medical field, this is a common phenomenon. Many people simply stick with what they’ve always done. That’s why it is so important to capitalize on new movers! This demographic is actively seeking new businesses for the necessary staples in their lives, such as grocery stores, veterinary offices, gyms, and, of course, dentists. From there, the new movers can spread valuable, firsthand testimonials to their friends and family. Such is the case for Dr. Nate Bonilla-Wardord, owner of Bright Eyes Family Vision Care in Tampa, Florida. In 2006, Bonilla-Wardord purchased and rebranded a small practice. The previous owner had been working with Our Town America with amazing results, so Bonilla-Wardord decided to continue the relationship. In the 13 years since acquiring the practice, Bright Eyes Family Vision has expanded and opened a new satellite office, with very little marketing other than new mover marketing. “We offer new movers a $50 voucher. With insurance, that $50 would cover their copay and some glasses purchases. Without vision insurance, it can go a long way toward the overall cost of the exam,” said Bonilla-Wardord. Effective and convenient “Not only is working with Our Town effective—we see referrals come in all the time—it’s convenient. Independently, it would take a lot of time to do marketing well. With Our Town, they do the leg work and provide us with a simple, powerful solution that really gets folks in the door! We get monthly status updates and reports to showcase the power of the program, so I can feel comfortable knowing our money is being used wisely,” Bonilla-Wardord said. Our Town America’s new mover marketing can be a powerful tool for any local dentist office looking to expand its client base and reach new members of its community. Capitalizing on new movers will inevitably cast a much wider net of impact as those residents settle into their new town and share their experiences with friends and neighbors. Source: Michael Plummer, Jr.Michael Plummer, Jr. is Our Town America’s President and CEO. Michael strategically leads Our Town America while maintaining our core principals of connecting new residents to the local businesses in their communities. www.ourtownamerica.com […]

Our Town America Named a Top Franchise Brand by Entrepreneur Magazine

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Our Town America Ranked on Entrepreneur Franchise 500 List 2019

Clearwater, FL (January 21, 2019) Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Placement in the Franchise 500® is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, as evidenced by the fact that Entrepreneur received more than 1,000 applications this year, making it one of the company’s most competitive rankings ever. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500® ranked Our Town America 428th for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. “As we celebrate 40 years of producing the Franchise 500, it’s a good opportunity to step back and look at how much has changed since that first ranking in 1980,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. “While the franchise business model has changed little, the strongest franchise brands are constantly evolving and innovating to keep up with changing trends and technology.” The key factors that go into the evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order. Over its 40 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Our Town America’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. To view Our Town America in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2019 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 15th. For more information on the Our Town America franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.newmoverfranchise.com/. About Our Town America For over 45 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local neighborhood businesses in a premium welcome package. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Top 50, ranking top in their category for franchisee satisfaction. Our Town America’s dedication to the “sponsor exclusivity” concept, meaning Our Town America will only recommend one of each business type in any specific zip code within its welcome packages, has been one of the key catalysts for the company’s long-term success. In addition, sponsors consistently rave about other unique aspects of the new mover marketing program – such as their ability to reach a brand-new audience of impressionable new movers each month and the insightful data/metrics delivered by Our Town America’s innovative pinpoint tracking system. Due in large part to Our Town America’s devotion to those concepts, thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, dozens of locally owned franchisees validate Our Town America’s concept as a viable business opportunity. It is Our Town America’s mission to assist new movers adjusting to their community, help businesses gain new and loyal customers and provide franchisees with an excellent opportunity. The eight million households who receive Our Town America’s welcome packages each year prove that Our Town America is committed to following through on that mission statement. For more information, visit the Our Town America website at https://www.ourtownamerica.com or call 1-800-497-8360. ### 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. […]

Red Salon Celebrates Small Business Saturday

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Red Brick Salon Our Town America Fort Myers Small Business Saturday

WINK News Ft. Myers (November 23) — Sally Hanson of Our Town America Fort Myers is a small business owner, and decided to thank her partnered local businesses for Small Business Saturday. Featured on WINK News, Our Town Southwest Florida and Red Salon have a mutually beneficial relationship. If you’re a business in the Fort Myers area and looking to team up with Our Town America Fort Myers, please contact Sally Hanson at 919-349-7611. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. Non-Fort Myers area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360 or visit us online. Watch full WINK clip below, as well as Behind the Scenes below. 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. […]

Welcome Package Encourages People to Shop Local

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Small Business Saturday Our Town America Indian Trail Hardware

Spectrum News Charlotte (November 28) — Small Business Saturday is all about shopping local and one group is working with local stores to spread the word about their business in Indian Trail. Our Town America sends out monthly packets to new neighbors full of coupons to local shops. Stores like Indian Trail Hardware have been including coupons to their store for eight years. On November 24, Indian Trail Hardware customers got Small Business Saturday deals and coupons to a pop-up shop featuring local artists at the store next week. “We’re just glad that they want to participate and be here. Hoping to bring more people for us and for them too,” Karen Wingo, owner of Indian Trail Hardware said. In honor of Small Business Saturday, Our Town America gave Karen Wingo, and the Indian Trail Hardware store, a community service award for their support of local businesses. Watch full video from Spectrum News below. 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. […]