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Now offering POS integration

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America POS Integration Great for Large Brands

PMQ Magazine (October 2017) – Every new resident who moves to your town is an opportunity for a new loyal customer. With 45 years of running an industry-leading New Mover program, Our Town America’s data shows this to be true. “It’s the bread and butter of what we do,” says Steven Sgroi, director of sales. “When families move, they are completely open to their new environment. They don’t have loyalties yet, but they will eventually become somebody’s regular customer.” And that business could be yours! Using a combination of proprietary technology and 12 primary sources, Our Town America locates new movers in the area every month. The company keeps careful track of those who have already received a New Mover Welcome Package to make sure it’s the first time they receive a package from Our Town America. The mailing is addressed personally to the new mover household and stocked with valuable gift certificates. “The initial offer is a gift. It’s not a discount. That’s why the response rates are much better than typical mass mailers,” Sgroi affirms. Through the use of their mobile app, Our Town America allows businesses to track who redeems their initial offer, as well as the option to follow up with a second offer. “Businesses usually choose to offer something smaller, such as breadsticks,” says Sgroi. “If you can bring a customer back a second time, it’s much more likely they will be back a third or fourth time.” Our Town America’s data shows pizza restaurants, both dine-in and delivery, as the most successful category for their New Mover program. Regardless of record-breaking ROI in the pizza category, Our Town America continues to stay ahead with technological innovations. Their newest advancement allows businesses to apply a one-time-use tracking code on each new-mover gift certificate, providing better accountability amongst staff as well as POS integration. Business owners can now see who is redeeming their gift certificates without using a mobile app. With the hospitality industry’s relatively high turnover rate, large chains and pizzerias are thrilled about the program now being POS- friendly, as they don’t have to repeatedly train staff on the mobile app. Since this POS integration, the company has seen an uptick in tracking and a more thorough use of the New Mover Program’s capabilities, putting Our Town America ahead of the curve once again. To learn how Our Town America can help you win new customers, call 800-497-8360 ext. 226 and mention the ‘October PMQ article’. You may also complete a Contact Form, or sign up online with our New Movers on Demand portal! Source: PMQ Magazine 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. […]

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Our Town America’s Franchisee Success Series: Sally Hanson, Raleigh, NC

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

After Thriving in Raleigh, NC, Franchisee Sally Hanson is Expanding to Fort Myers/Naples, FL The calming sounds of waves crashing on the shores. That distinctive feeling of sand running through the toes. The postcard perfect sunsets 365 days a year. It’s a way of life for Raleigh, North Carolina-based Our Town America owner Sally Hanson has anticipated for quite some time. It’s a way of life that’s more attainable as she prepares to open her second Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, location in the Fort Myers/Naples, FL metro area. Traveling is embedded in Hanson’s soul. The mother of two adult children, she now enjoys every moment crisscrossing the globe with her husband, Roger. “We love to travel,” says Hanson. “We enjoy visiting different cultures and learning the history.” In fact, she is just coming off a trip to China. A decorated three-decade career based in sales and marketing afforded her plenty of opportunities to travel, quite often as a reward for her hard work and dedication to her craft. Hanson’s journey with Our Town America began with a trip to Hawaii. For three years, Hanson worked with an online marketplace that allowed registered users to buy and share things in their city. As one of the top sales representatives, Hanson earned a trip to the Aloha state. Refreshed and back home in Raleigh, the company informed Hanson she was being laid off. For Hanson, the news was a blessing in disguise. “I was tired of working for someone else, I had just had enough. My husband and I were already in the process of finding entrepreneurial opportunities when I learned I was losing my job.” That process got a major boost as she scrolled through her Facebook feed. A post from her high school friend, Mike Fisher, popped up. Fisher, along with his wife, Julie, are co-owners of an Our Town America franchise in Tampa, FL. The couple was profiled by the Wall Street Journal in an article highlighting people who left corporate America and succeeded as franchisees. Bang! The Facebook post allowed Hanson to catch up with her old friend, as well as pick his brain about Our Town America. The phone call, would forever change her life. After conducting their own research on various franchises, Sally and Roger concluded Our Town America was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. “We learned about the company and determined it would be a great fit for us. The business model allowed us to be in control of our earnings, and more importantly, gave us a better work-life balance, a pathway to retirement, and control of our destiny.” Three months after reaching out to Our Town America, Sally was the owner and operator of her very own franchise in Raleigh. The knowledge of the area coupled with her background in sales and marketing played to her strengths. So much so, by the end of the year, Sally was named Our Town America’s “Rookie of the Year.” “I just went out there and followed the blueprint the company laid out during training,” says Hanson. “I have 25 plus years of sales/marketing experience and I’m very comfortable in this market. I lived and worked in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area for more than 20 years, so I know the area well. It’s a thriving area, one of the fastest growing metros in the country which allowed me to help several businesses gain new customers.” Hanson wrapped up her second year of ownership similarly to her first, earning awards and accolades. She was one of two franchisees to earn a trip to Peru for having the highest revenue growth within the company. It’s those perks that confirm Hanson made the right choice. “I wish I would’ve done this years ago. I love having my own business and being in control. It hasn’t been all roses, but once I made the jump, it has and continues to be a really good journey.” It’s a journey that Hanson says wouldn’t be possible without the support from her husband. “It is vital to have a supportive spouse and I certainly have that with Roger. He’s the one who said, ‘you can do this.’ I wouldn’t have taken on this venture without him.” While Sally carries the bulk of the load, Roger is there to assist with the business. He works behind the scenes, handling billing and other back end functions, but mainly, he is Hanson’s number one advocate. Together, Sally and Roger are preparing for their next journey. The Fort Myers/Naples, FL location is opening-up this October. Sally is optimistic for the area’s potential. “The housing market is booming, the area, similar to Raleigh, is experiencing excellent growth in housing and overall economy. More importantly, it’s warm during the winter months, we like the area and may consider moving there permanently in the next several years.” Our Town America has made Hanson’s retirement dreams an achievable reality. For those looking to make the leap into entrepreneurship, she says don’t hesitate. “Our Town America is a great company, particularly for those who have a strong sales background. If you’re self-motivated, and if you can get out there and sell, Our Town America is a wonderful opportunity. Go for it!” Do you want to realize your own business ownership dreams, like Sally Hanson?  Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you?   If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. 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. […]

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Our Town America stands for Hurricane Harvey victim – CBS Houston

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Deserving Hurricane Harvey victim Surprised with nearly $3,000 Check CBS Houston | Texas (October 2017) – After Hurricane Harvey destroyed her Houston home, Lucia Flores, a Mexican immigrant and single mother of two, has been desperate for a miracle.   And on Tuesday, October 3rd, she unexpectedly received thousands of dollars from an unexpected source. Our Town America, a national new mover marketing company with a local representative in Houston, recently raised nearly $3,000 through a Hurricane Harvey Facebook fundraiser.   The company donated the money to a local Houston partnered business, Shipley’s Do-Nuts, who suffered flooding damage during the storm. Here’s the catch – local Shipley’s owner, Mike Simon, didn’t take a dime.   He, along with Our Town America beside him gave it all to Lucia – a devoted employee who has worked for Simon for years.   Simon teamed up with local Our Town America franchise owners, Clint Finch and Mitchell Saulsberry, to surprise her with the check on Tuesday, October 3rd at the local Shipley’s store (located at 12403 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX, 77077). Few people deserve good news as much as Lucia.  She has been raising her two kids (21-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter) on her own and, without renter’s insurance, lost everything when Hurricane Harvey flooded her home up to her waist. Watch video below for the emotional moment as two local business owners present Lucia Flores with a much-needed check and something much more – a reminder that those closest to her recognize and admire her for being a wonderful and devoted mother doing her best under impossible circumstances. **This story was also featured on CW Houston & ABC Houston. 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. […]

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Our Town America’s Franchisee Success Series: David Cox, Phoenix, AZ

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
David Cox Our Town America Franchisee Success

David Cox is thriving in the Valley of the Sun as the proud owner of a pair of Our Town America franchise locations. He opened his first location with Our Town America, the nation’s fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Hard work, a dedicated staff and perseverance allowed Cox to return to his Southern California roots, where he’s cooking up something special in San Diego with his second franchise location. David Cox’s Our Town America San Diego franchise is a pseudo-homecoming. Southern California is where Cox was born and raised.  It’s also where he got his first taste of entrepreneurship. He left the area after he sold his initial business and headed to Arizona where he enrolled in graduate school. After a successful stint in corporate consulting work, the entrepreneurial bug came roaring back to life. “I was starting to feel the urge of being a business owner again,” says Cox. “There’s always risk involved, of course, because you never know how it’s going to turn out. However, I wanted to be in control of my own operation.” Ever the student, Cox proceeded to do his homework, researching what business opportunity best fit his requirements of sales and marketing. A four-month project of due diligence reached its tipping point when a friend’s brother introduced him to Our Town America. In January 2014, David purchased the rights to become the Our Town America franchise owner in Metro Phoenix and he hasn’t looked back. “It’s a very independent operation, you have the ability to work from home and work on your own hours,” says Cox. “Success is dependent on your work ethic and your organization skills.   It’s also imperative to manage mandatory networking with community members, chambers of commerce and fellow business owners. The Our Town America business model presents each franchise owner with fantastic income potential if they’re willing to get out in their community and create relationships.” Our Town America helps businesses reach out to residents just moving in to their new community, creating long term, loyal relationships before they connect with competitors. And according to Cox, he couldn’t have chosen a better area than Phoenix to build his first Our Town America business. The Phoenix metro is one of America’s fastest growing areas. In fact, the latest data from the Census Bureau says the area adds 88 people per day on average. “There’s a lot of franchisees and small businesses who moved from other parts of the country here for a new life in the desert,” says Cox. “There are quite a few people in the same boat as me – working hard and trying to make a living. That makes it easier for me to meet with them, strike up a conversation and hopefully establish a new business relationship.” What was once a calculated risk has paid off big time for Cox.  “I went in thinking six to seven percent growth a year would be good, and I’ve been close to that if not spot on each year.” He credits a dedicated staff, who have followed his “cookbook.” “My cookbook lays out exactly what it takes to be successful as a salesperson,” says Cox. “The number of calls you make, how you approach folks, your ability to knock on doors, networking, plus your attention to details, your propensity for datamining. Following the cookbook produces sweet results.” Cox says finding that right personnel takes time. Thankfully for him it didn’t take long to make that discovery. A successful two years in Phoenix had David eyeing expansion, and he knew San Diego was the perfect spot to deliver Our Town America. “It is a wide-open market, a huge area with tons of different people and businesses,” says Cox. Plus, as he points out, it’s San Diego. “It’s a beautiful city. If I need to spend some time to relax and gather my thoughts, might as well do it in sunny San Diego.” Our Town America is giving him the opportunity to appreciate a good work-life balance. He says it’s a great franchise for those looking for a healthy challenge. “Be curious, work on your communications and sales skills.   Also, realize it’s all about being consistent out there. Doing a few things right every day will go a long way.” What’s in store for David Cox? 20 years from now, he says retirement. As for right now, the father of a seven-year-old daughter is focused on personal growth as well as making sure his two Our Town America franchises continue to flourish. Do you want to realize your business ownership dreams like David Cox?   Does the Our Town America franchise opportunity sound like it could be for you?   If so, learn more at https://www.ourtownamerica.com/franchise-us/. 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. […]

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Why Send Targeted Postcard Mailings During the Holidays

Written by John Guerra
Targeted Postcard Mailings Our Town America

Now is the time to develop a targeted postcard mailing plan for the upcoming holidays. The fourth quarter is vital – a make or break time that includes football season, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. What you do to ensure a strong showing during peak buying season is up to you, but targeted postcard mailings are sure to grab the attention of buyers. […]

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The How and Why of Direct Mail Personalization

Written by John Guerra
Direct Mail Personalization Our Town America New Mover Marketing

So how does one personalize direct mail pieces? How far can one take it? Personalization includes details that attract customers within a cohort, such as common hobbies, beliefs, or lifestyle. The images one chooses on the envelope can be matched to the personal likes or interests of the recipient. If the target likes golfing, then a photo of golf clubs, a long fairway or houses near a green personalizes direct mail intended for that consumer. […]

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Evolving Paper Coupons into a New Mover Goldmine for 45 Years

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America New Mover Gift Certificates

Right now, thousands of moving trucks are crisscrossing the country, hauling furniture and other belongings to new locations. Summer means making “the move” for many single professionals, couples, and families, so they have the time to get used to their new homes before the job and/or school year starts.   During that all-too-critical time when new movers are actively searching for new go-to restaurants, grocery stores, dry cleaners, hair salons, etc., what’s the best way for local businesses to reach them first in ways that cultivate long-term relationships? […]

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Top 4 Things That Help Build Customer Loyalty

Written by John Guerra
Customer Loyalty Our Town America New Mover Marketing

Marketing experts and business consultants who help companies win more market share always urge clients to build customer loyalty. Why does everyone keep harping on customer loyalty? It’s because loyal customers return repeatedly resulting in you making money. They spend more at your store because they trust your products and customer service. […]

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Maximizing Your Marketing Budget

Written by John Guerra
Marketing Budget Our Town America New Mover Marketing

Your marketing is underway whether you have a plan or not. That sign above your store? That’s marketing. How you treat customers? That’s marketing. What your customers tell their friends? That’s marketing. Read on for more ways to identify marketing within your business. […]

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The Our Town America Advantage for Dry Cleaners

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Dry Cleaners Our Town America New Mover Marketing

Fabricare (July/ August 2017) – Let’s face it – the dry-cleaning industry has taken a hit in today’s modern working world. According to recent statistics from IBISWorld, dry cleaners are currently experiencing a marked decline in revenue and traffic. More people are working from home and more employers are relaxing dress codes at the office – meaning fewer people are taking suits, shirts, dresses and slacks to the dry cleaner each week. Of course, for most dry cleaners, this isn’t news, but some strategic dry-cleaning business owners are beginning to fight back. They’ve realized that it’s more imperative than ever to establish credibility and brand awareness with new movers as soon as they get to town so they DO know where to turn when they need a dry cleaner.   Their solution?  Targeted, category-exclusive New Mover Marketing campaigns that help them gain a critical competitive edge over other dry cleaners in their communities. Why Is New Mover Marketing Powerful? Businesses spanning a wide variety of industries have discovered that direct marketing programs that target new movers are outperforming other tech-based marketing programs, such as eMarketing and mobile offers.   Even in today’s increasingly technological world, timing is everything and nothing is more powerful than reaching new movers first as soon as they come to town.   New movers are actively searching for replacements to their old “go-to” grocery store, dental practice, and yes, dry-cleaner, as soon as they get to town. The business owners who reach these impressionable new movers first with valuable offers delivered directly to their mailbox are the ones who are top of mind in times of need.   From a dry-cleaning perspective, take the example of Keith Kocher, owner of Star Brite Cleaners in Austin, TX, who says his New Mover Marketing program generates a 10:1 or better ROI per month. Numbers/results like that outpace the average ROI of marketing efforts like email, social media and newspaper advertisements. One of the biggest reasons New Mover Marketing has proven to be so powerful in recent years is the uptick in US migration. The US Census Bureau recently stated that migration rates in 2015 approached pre-recession levels, indicating a nearly-recovered housing market following the great recession. Also, just over 35 million Americans moved in 2016, which translates to several million businesses losing and acquiring customers. With so many people on the move, it’s clear that businesses who deliver a compelling offer to new movers as soon as they get to town have a higher chance of converting them into loyal customers.   Consider that, according to Data Mentors, new movers will spend about $9,000 on their new moves, and they will look for new vendors of goods and services in the first six months surrounding their move-in. Additionally, these new families will be four to eight times more likely than established residents to respond to offers from local businesses. The bottom line for dry cleaners? It is crucial that you connect with new residents before your competition does. Why New Mover Marketing Works for Dry Cleaners The dry-cleaning industry is not seeing the growth it once experienced. This is due to several concurrent trends, including a relaxation of workplace dress codes, the proliferation of low-maintenance fabrics and the increase in people working from home. Dry cleaners are also seeing more competition than before, from services like self-service laundromats, laundry valet services and household laundry appliances. Because the customer pool is shrinking for dry cleaning businesses, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of effective marketing programs like New Mover Marketing. Here are three examples of dry-cleaning business owners who have used New Mover Marketing to help their business thrive despite today’s industry challenges.   Each of these owners has been working with our team at Our Town America for years to battle back against the “dressed-down” working world and cultivate long-term, loyal relationships with new movers who still do need dry-cleaning services. Keith Kocher – Star Brite Cleaners (Austin, TX) – To gain a competitive advantage over four different dry cleaners on the same block, Keith Kocher has been offering new movers a $10 gift certificate on any purchase for more than 10 years.   Kocher says he sees an average of 10-12 new movers redeeming their $10 gift certificate each month. He believes he receives a 10:1 ROI or better every month as each new customer spends an average of $100 per month.   Jeff Levine – ZIPS Dry Cleaning (Alexandria, VA) – Ever since taking over the ZIPS location in January 2007, Jeff Levine has stuck with New Mover Marketing because he knows he’s reaching a brand-new audience each month…and it’s working.   His new mover offer of five free dry-cleaning garments brings in a consistent stream of new customers each month and has helped his business grow 10% year over year in each of the last 10 years.   Lee Haskin – Martinizing Dry Cleaning (Dallas, TX): Owner Lee Haskin has been offering new movers $40 worth of free dry-cleaning since June 2015. Haskin says the first customer he received from the New Mover Marketing program spent $400 in his first visit and has since become a loyal customer.   Additionally, he says he typically sees five or more new customers per month redeeming their $40 new mover gift certificate in-store. How You Can Get Started with New Mover Marketing Consistently sending greetings and deals out to new movers by hand would be a Herculean task for any small business owner…and no owner has time for it. A New Mover Marketing partner, like Our Town America, already has vendor relationships, on-the-spot tracking infrastructure, graphic designers, and mailing lists in place, so businesses simply need to work with them to define their goals, specify their offer and select their targeted zip codes. Equipped with that information, your New Mover Marketing company will be able to accurately target new residents in your area with valuable welcome packages designed to introduce them to the services they need to feel at home following their move. Here are three […]

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