Learn about the

Learn about the Digital Marketing Franchise and

Digital Marketing Consultants

A Survey Class Exploring the Digital Marketing Franchise Industry

About this Class

• Objective survey of the concept– I’m a digital marketer– A small business owner– A consultant– I do not personally use a franchise

• Many people consider these programs– Not enough objective information available– Many Pros & Cons to evaluate

What is a Franchise?

• Renting a Successful Business Model• Characteristics– Easily Duplicated– Successful Track Record– Known Brand

• Exists Across Many Industries– Food, Products, & Services

Well Known Examples

Common Elements of Franchise

• Specific Start-up Costs• Franchisee Access to Liquid Capital• Corporate Support• Fees to the Franchisor• Managed Supply Chain

Digital Marketing Franchise

• Also called Internet Marketing Franchise• Service business focused on delivering digital

marketing support to clients• Franchisees often called CONSULTANTS• Clients are most often small and medium sized

businesses• Similar to financial consulting &Insurance• Often MLM

Consulting Entry Considerations

• Start-up Fees– Lower than retail/food—but not cheap

• Current Skill Set– How much training is needed

• Current Network– Client density in location– Familiarity with local business– MLM or Client Focused Business

Benefits of Digital Marketing Franchise

• Technology Tools• Training• Lead Generation• Support Network• Buying Power• Proven Systems• Brand Power• No products on shelves

Risks of Digital Marketing Franchise

• Loss of start-up investment– Can you afford a failure?

• Little equity in business– Hard to sell a consulting business– Labor driven– Built on another’s brand

• Different than being an employee– Must be self-motivated– No benefits guaranteed (vacation, pension, health,

etc…)

Franchise or Independent

Franchise best if…• Need business support• Need training support• Need to build a network• New to the field• Want structured plans

Independent business best if…• Expert in field• Large network• Comfort with business• Desire to own brand

Companies Offering Franchises

• Some specific examples:– Bizzibiz (New)• Created by Jim Piccolo • $45m invested to create

– WSI (Established)– IMS (Established)– IMG (Established)

A Deeper Look: BizziBiz

• A look at Bizzibiz because it’s new– www.bizzibiz.com– Based in Scottsdale, Arizona– $15,000 investment (much

lower than many)– No previous Digital Marketing

Expertise Needed• 20-30 of initial training

BizziBiz (Continued)

• Services offered:– Analytics and Reporting – BizziBiz “Customer HQ” – Content Creation – Custom Web Application Development – Email Marketing – Mobile-Optimized Website Developmen

t

– Search engine marketing (SEM) – Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Short Message Service (SMS)/Texting – Social Media Optimization

Other Resources

• Digital Marketing Franchise: http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/imsinternetmarketingspecialists/333740-0.html

• Business Services Franchises: http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/businessservices/indexbs.html