The neighborhood welcoming party for new movers sure isn’t what it used to be. Most Americans are so busy in today’s world that they hardly have time to say “hello” to neighbors they’ve known for years, let alone deliver pies, flowers, and other gifts to the door of their new neighbors. […]
While there are countless leading executives throughout the franchising community who are committed to providing opportunities for veterans, few can match the continued dedication of Our Town America CEO Michael Plummer Jr. […]
“From a business perspective, I am in complete control of my income. I know that I can generate as much revenue as I am willing to work for. I also know that I have a strong company support behind me that continues to develop products and processes that help me grow my income. I am not alone out here and I can focus on my customers and their needs. From a personal perspective, I am able to take my daughters to school every morning. I can be at their games and events that were subject to my work schedule in the past. I have a company I am building that I can pass along to them or sell for our future when needed…” […]
Heading to the 2016 IFA Annual Convention next week? Here are three quick-hitting tips… ‣ Highlight your top three priorities for the show – Need a lending partner? A new CRM tool? Or perhaps a new director of franchise sales? Know what your top priorities are for the show and arrange meetings accordingly. ‣ Review the attendee list and pre-show sales materials – It seems like a hassle, but it’s well worth it. Based on the priorities you’ve set, pinpoint the 10-15 people you want to meet at the show who can help with those issues. Additionally, take a peek at pre-show letters, e-Mail messages, and voicemails to see if any of those companies can address a problem you have. ‣ And limit exhibit hall time to your pre-show targets – This is why you put in the time on the front-end. Make sure you’re on a mission when you enter the exhibit hall. Only visit with the handful of companies/people you selected prior to the show and anyone with whom you may have sparked a productive dialogue earlier in the show. That’s it!! Keep these tips in your back pocket when you head to San Antonio and add us to your pre-show priority list! Come see us at Booth #723! 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. […]
This will be the 11th straight IFA convention appearance, and the 8th straight as an exhibitor, for CEO Michael Plummer, Jr. and the Our Town America team. According to Plummer. Jr., the IFA Convention – the biggest franchising event of the year hosted by the International Franchise Association – is particularly important to his company; one of the few in attendance that operates as a franchise while serving other franchise systems as a supplier. […]
When we live in a community for a period, we form loyalties to local businesses. We use the same hair salon, same dry cleaners, same dentist, same auto repair shop, etc. Most married couples only have about 5 or 6 restaurants they go to regularly. And when they visit one of those restaurants, they usually order something off the menu they’ve ordered many times before. We’re creatures of habit. […]
Prior to investing in a franchise, it’s crucial you spend time to determine if franchising is right for you and which franchise best meets your business and personal objectives. A great place to begin your research is by reading the Franchise Business Review Top Franchises 2016 Report, which takes you through factors you need to consider in order to give you confidence in your decision. […]
Lebanese-American Bassam Safi came to America years ago without a college degree, little understanding of the English language, and a dream. He worked excruciatingly long hours making and delivering pizzas for a small Domino’s Pizza location just to make ends meet. However, he knew he was destined for more and his persistence has more than paid off. He has realized his dreams of business ownership with Our Town America, the nation’s premiere new mover marketing company. […]
Furniture World Magazine (December 2015) – For the first time in years, moving numbers are on the rise for two major reasons: 1) A robust economy means companies are hiring and folks are moving for jobs, and 2) People (boomerang buyers), who foreclosed on their homes during the recession and waited seven years for their credit scores to be wiped clean, can now buy homes again. This means countless Americans are accepting better and higher paying jobs, upgrading from apartments to homes, relocating to brand new communities…and finding themselves in the market for new home furnishings items. The numbers don’t lie. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recent analysis of Census Construction Spending data, private residential construction spending increased over the summer to an adjusted annual rate of $378 billion – the highest rate since the housing market crashed in 2008. Further, Epsilon’s 2015 New Mover Report demonstrates that 60% of new movers wait to make household purchases until after the move – giving home furnishings and accessories businesses the perfect opportunity to gain new customers from new movers in their community. The report also states that furniture is by far the most popular type of purchase, followed by appliances. 63% of all moving-related purchases are made once people move into their new home. Therefore, the time is now for home furnishings companies to make valuable offers to new movers who need new home furniture and accessories. The Power of Modern Day Housewarming Gifts With so many people on the move in a world increasingly defined by insane work schedules, limited neighborhood interactions, and mobile/digital communication, home furnishings retailers have an opportunity to make lasting impressions on new movers by delivering thoughtful offers to their mailbox via personalized welcoming packages. According to a recent survey of 300+ men and women who have moved in the past five years conducted by our company, Our Town America, it’s up to local business owners to fill the role once held by next-door neighbors. Consider the following: More than half (53%) of recent American movers say that today’s neighbors are not as friendly as the neighbors they remember as a child because they “seem too busy.” Nearly 9 of 10 (88%) of recent American movers say receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new home/neighborhood, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift when new to a neighborhood. And more than 4 in 5 (81%) of recent American movers said they would have liked the advice about their new community upon move in…with 93% saying they would take advantage of an offer from a local business that took the time to welcome them to the community. So, while the housewarming tradition of neighbors bringing over flowers or homemade pies may be a thing of the past, housewarming gifts still matter, and its local businesses who are filling the void…and generating invaluable customer relationships in the process. OK – so why do all of these numbers matter to you as a home furnishings retailer? Well, like many other things, learning from other home furnishings retailers is a great place to start. Each year, we survey millions of movers to determine which kinds of companies and which industries are experiencing the most success using personalized new mover marketing programs. And in 2015, we have frequently found home furnishings companies among the top performers. One trend driving this success is the growing percentage of new movers who are seeking out home furniture and home accessories as soon as they move to their new home. According to the most recent survey, 1 in 3 new movers seek out home furniture options and more than 30% seek out home accessory options. These statistics mean new mover marketing offers delivered on behalf of home furnishings retailers are as desirable as those delivered on behalf of restaurants, grocery stores and hair salons – the three industries that typically experience the best response. So, to paint the picture more clearly and showcase what home furnishing retailers are doing to take advantage of these trends, we interviewed a few of them on their experiences. Here’s what these retailers shared with us that can help you visualize how you and your staff can capitalize on the impressionable new movers who enter your community each and every month. New Mover Marketing Program Results Tony Curtis-Wellings, Owner, Faraday’s Kitchen Store (Austin, TX) offers one free $10 gift certificate that can be used like cash toward anything in the store. Faraday’s has consistently seen 15-20% monthly response rates, allowing their sales associates to earn the trust of hundreds of new movers. New movers appreciate the offer and most come back again. And if their sales folks can turn that into a lifetime relationship, that customer, on average, will spend $1500-2000 at the store. For furniture retailers who sell primarily bigger ticket items, a $10 gift certificate may be insufficient. That’s why Donna Ball, Owner, Georgia Furniture & Interiors of Savannah, GA offers new movers 40% off MSRP on any furniture item in the store. While Ball’s team is just getting started with new mover marketing, she is confident the offer will help her store generate long-term, loyal relationships with northern “snowbirds” who move south in the colder months to buy homes on the Georgia coast. Each of these retailers worked with an outside vendor to construct a thoughtful offer, and in some cases, an included follow-up offer, that helps their business generate relationships with new movers. Here’s how you can do the same at your store to take advantage of the rising trend highlighted throughout this article. Five Tips to Build Effective New Mover Programs Here is a quick-hitting list of five tips that any home furnishings company can use to launch a new mover marketing program: 1) Target multiple zip codes in close proximity to your store: As a home furnishings provider, your business has the potential to attract and retain customers who live outside of the confines of your local community. Target nearby zip codes poised for growth and/or zip codes that lack quality home furnishings stores. 2) Create a […]
CBS Charlotte (November 2015) – This past Saturday, widely recognized as Small Business Saturday, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America – Charlotte drove through the city in their Our Town America-branded car to thank partnered small businesses by giving gifts of thanks for their continual hard work in the community. Watch the clip below from CBS Charlotte for full story. If you’re a Charlotte-area business looking to team up with Our Town America – Charlotte, please call 704-341-4982 or complete an online Contact Form. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. Non-Charlotte area businesses looking to become a sponsor business in your community can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. If interested in opening a franchise in your area, please visit the Franchise section of our website or call 800-497-8360 ext.236. 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. […]
If you refer a business who partners with our new mover marketing program, we'll send you a $50 Visa gift card!
We only need a little info! If our database can validate and qualify your move, you will receive your welcome package in approximately 2-6 weeks!
