Posts

Family-Owned Business: How to Work With and Manage Family Employees

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS: HOW TO WORK WITH AND MANAGE FAMILY EMPLOYEES
 April 23, 2024 |  Business Tips |  hiring, training, inspection industry, small business, business growth

When entrepreneurs start a new business, they’re looking for ways to really hit the ground running and hasten their growth. In the inspection industry, that early grind can be difficult to navigate alone, which is why we constantly see family members step up to offer a helping hand. Whether it’s as a marketer, a bookkeeper, or another pair of hands on an inspection, it can be a great benefit to partner with a spouse, sibling, in-law, or child early on who can offer a bit more flexibility than a typical employee.

Family members can be an asset to businesses after seeing some growth as well, once extra help is needed to handle increased demand. Whatever the situation, the opportunity to hire family will likely come up at some point as a business owner, but some might not be prepared for the complex factors that go into this unique dynamic.

From the vantage point of home inspection franchisors, we’ve seen family members work extremely well as employees, and we’ve also seen situations where it hasn’t gone so well. If you’re thinking about starting or expanding your business with a family member, here are some things to consider so that you can manage that partnership to its full potential!

The Benefits of Working With Family

• Unique Level of Trust and Room for Honesty
  The first clear benefit that comes from hiring a family member into your business is that the time required to build up that essential employer-employee trust can be much shorter. Team members should feel comfortable enough to deliver honest feedback, but often, people can feel like they’re walking on eggshells at a new job until they get their sea legs.
  One of the keys to a positive work culture is open communication between all team members, both the veterans and the rookies. Family members should have a head start on becoming comfortable with a healthy level of communication and could set an early standard for collaboration in a growing team. Trust and honesty are both essential for any team’s long-term health.

• High Level of Understanding and Dedication
  Next, bringing a family member on the team usually means that their level of dedication, work ethic will be easy to understand early. Even when a business owner does their due diligence when hiring, asks the right questions during the interview process, and listens critically for the right answers, they won’t know how a new employee works until they start on the team. Prospects that seem to be a great fit might end up being a surprising culture clash, leading to a brand new search.
  Spouses, kids, and other family members should naturally want the business to succeed, and this tends to mean that they’ll put forth an amount of effort that goes above and beyond the typical employee. When it comes to personality dynamics, an extensive background that comes with being a family member usually means that you know which buttons to push, and which ones are off limits. Family members understand each other better than anyone else, and when channeled correctly, this can easily become a boon to a growing business.

• Opportunity to Help Your Family and Yourself
  Finally, the unique fulfillment that comes from working with family should not be overlooked. Whether you’re working with your son or daughter and giving them one of their first work experiences, or you’ve hired a spouse or sibling into a business partnership, working together means navigating both the highs and lows. It’s important to identify your “why” to stay motivated. Having a family member who’s just as invested in the business can make that “why” easier to keep in mind.
  Note: If you do end up bringing a family member on board, consider advertising yourself as a “family-owned business!” This will make clients feel like they are investing in the community when working with you, and can go a long ways in making your business seem more approachable.

Potential Problems, and How to Avoid Them

• Abusing the Relationship
  While there are plenty of benefits to hiring a family member, there can also be a tone of drawbacks if the new dynamic isn’t handled right. Firstly, this can take the form of an abuse of the relationship, from the employee or from the employer.
  From the business owner’s perspective, it can be easy to lean on the family member since they are willing to help out the business, but leading to them working longer hours, and putting in a ton of extra work without appropriate compensation. It’s important that every employee is fulfilled in their work, so take the time to consider whether this job lines up with the family member’s career goals. Do they want to be working in this position in the future? Do they enjoy their work?
  Just like with any other employee, one key to employee retention is by giving them room to grow. Family should be treated the same as any other employees, meaning treating them with the appropriate respect, making sure their goals align, and ensuring that they are happy and fulfilled in their position.

• A Lack of Proper Boundaries
  In a similar vein, there can be a danger of crossing boundaries when family members come into the workplace. This jumps to the extreme particularly when you live under the same roof. As small business owners, it can be difficult to know exactly when you’re “off the clock,” and when this spreads to other family members, this can easily lead to a hectic, overworked atmosphere at home.
  To overcome this, it’s important to set appropriate boundaries. If you have an office space, clarify that work is only to be discussed at work. If you work out of home, outline particular times of the day when the work day is officially over so that everyone has room to unwind and recharge.

• Tougher to Be Objective
  Finally, there is a serious danger when working with family of being objective. As a parent, sometimes it can be tough to see certain faults in your kids, or (conversely) it might be easy to overreact to mistakes that would not be as big of a deal if done by an unrelated employee. Employers should be careful not to show favoritism towards any of their employees, whether they are friends or if they are family.
  To avoid this, start by critically thinking through your family member’s background before hiring them. Are they actually qualified for the position? Do you really need to hire right now? If they aren’t a fit for the role, hiring them could lead to discontentment and resentment on both sides of the relationship.
  Before hiring any employment, it’s important to have a serious discussion about what happens if things don’t work out. This becomes even more crucial when dealing with family and wanting to preserve the personal relationship should the professional relationship not work out!
  Being the boss is always tough, but if you’re considering bringing a family member into your business in the near future, consider these words of caution and keep strategies in mind!

Insights from the VP
Before we leave you for today, we thought it might be a good idea to have your Vice President Chris Bates share some final thoughts. National Property Inspections, Inc. was started in 1987 by Chris’ father Roland Bates, and the two have spent a lot of time learning how to balance a working relationship with their father-son relationship. Here’s what Chris had to say about the subject:

“I worked for my father for roughly 10 years. It can be very rewarding, but very challenging at times. The biggest suggestion I can make is that you keep your family life and work life separate.

One thing that both he and I did at the office is refer to each other by our first names. Not as a show of any disrespect, just that we wanted to be seen as work colleagues, not father and son.

If you can keep that bit of distance, it can be very rewarding to work with a family member. However, just like any other work colleague, you must still treat each other with the same amount of respect.”

Thanks for sharing your insights, Chris! When it comes to balancing professionalism with a family-like atmosphere, no one does it better.

For more on business growth, marketing insights, and inspection industry news, keep right here on the Franchise Informant! If you’re interested in learning more about franchising with National Property Inspections, you can request a free info packet, or talk with our recruitment team directly.

Do Women Make Good Home Inspectors? Insights From Females in the Industry

DO WOMEN MAKE GOOD HOME INSPECTORS? INSIGHTS FROM FEMALES IN THE INDUSTRY
 April 9, 2024 |  Inspection Tips |  inspection industry, motivation, client satisfaction, hiring, training, networking

March is International Women’s Month, and we’re taking a moment to celebrate a few of our amazing female inspectors who are helping transform the industry. We had a chance to ask them all about their experience, from what it’s like to work in a male-dominated field to what they love most about completing inspections and helping clients. Get to know Savannah Guenther, Ashley Brown, and Susan D’Andrea, and be sure to give them a shoutout if you see them around.

Thank you for sharing, ladies - keep up the brilliant work!

• Savannah Guenther, Inspector of Dave Faber, NPI Northwest Arkansas, Inspecting Since 2022
• Ashley Brown, Inspector of Jason Baker, NPI Waco & Round Rock, Inspecting Since 2022
• Susan D’Andrea, Owner & Inspector, Carson Dunlop D’Andrea Team, Inspecting Since 2018

Q: As a female inspector, what are some unique benefits or challenges that you face in our industry? How do you overcome them?
Savannah: I would say that one unique benefit is being able to help female REALTORs who may be working an open house or event by themselves feel more comfortable. Women feel a bit more at ease with another woman one-on-one than they might with a man they may not know very well. I’ve found that we can have an easy conversation; they’re inclined to share more about their work and background, and they’re more open to listening to what I have to say.

The challenges of working as a female in a male-dominated industry are probably not surprising. Some clients (particularly male clients) are skeptical about you being their inspector, challenge your assessments, and constantly question your knowledge. You have to work harder to impress them and earn their trust. Once I start walking this type of client through their report and answer a couple of their questions, they’re usually very impressed, however, that trust doesn’t always come easily.

I think it’s so important never to question your knowledge and never allow anyone to make you second-guess yourself. You’re a professional, and you worked hard to become an inspector, and you take that seriously. One great thing about this job (that I’m sure we can all agree about) is that you learn something new on every inspection. Stay humble, keep an open mind, and most people will surprise you.

Ashley: I think many people assume that women don’t have any interest in homes, outside of decorating and general upkeep. Supporting that assumption, there are not very many women currently in the construction industry and/or trades. Despite that fact, I find that while people are sometimes surprised to see a female inspector, typically they’re excited about it! Many women have incredible attention to detail (is it cliche to say that “we’re good at finding problems”?).

Women also tend to be more relationship-oriented, making us excellent communicators and more attuned to our clients' needs and concerns. I find that when a client is showing doubt in my competence, I can usually earn their trust through thorough communication. And, of course, by doing my job well!

Susan: In our industry, the biggest challenge I've encountered has been gender biases and stereotypes. There were doubts about my ability to conduct inspections solely because of my gender. I've overcome this challenge through relentless determination and commitment to continuous training and education. By prioritizing excellence in my work, I've effectively overcome these biases. My self-confidence enables me to assert authority in my assessments and recommendations, regardless of any preconceived notions based on gender.

Another challenge I have encountered is the height and strength needed at times. I have overcome height limitations by using a GoPro on an extension pole connected to a tablet or phone that allows me to see much more than the tallest of inspectors, and I do upper-body strengthening exercises that allow me to lift myself up into attic spaces, etc. A benefit I’ve found that may be an advantage over men in the industry is flexibility. Even at the age of 50+, I’m much more flexible, fitting into confined spaces and moving throughout them.

Q: What do you love most about the inspection industry?
Savannah: Helping people!! That will always be my first answer to this question. I love being able to help families by giving them peace of mind about their new home, making sure they feel comfortable investing in one of the biggest purchases of their life.

My job is extremely fun, and I love what I do. There’s such a big variety when it comes to houses, and you never know what you’re going to see. You get a lot of great stories.

Ashley: Our homes are where so much of our lives take place. Buying a home is an incredibly important decision with many factors that need to be considered, yet most buyers only get to spend about 30-45 minutes in a home before deciding if it's going to be right for them. I love being able to come in at that point and “learn” the home for them. Being able to empower my clients to make informed decisions regarding their purchase and helping them to better understand how the home will function is extremely rewarding for me.

Susan: I've found the greatest satisfaction in helping individuals understand how their home systems operate and offering advice on maintenance practices, which ultimately extends the longevity and safety of their home or investment.

Q: What was your previous career, and what brought you to the inspection industry?
Savannah: I always attribute my career and success to simply an act of faith. Five years ago, if you showed me where I would be today, I wouldn’t believe it.

Like most of northwest Arkansas, I started my professional career at Walmart. I worked at the store level, then moved into various roles at the corporate headquarters before managing my own store. I think my history prior to my time at Walmart matches better with where I ended up in inspection.

I come from a big family, and I grew up on a farm, always playing outside, working, and helping my dad fix things around the house. We would fix roofs, repair cars, work on remodeling projects, take care of the chickens, and do other outdoor chores. I loved my childhood and have so many great memories. Today I love restoring old furniture, woodworking, and DIY projects. Instead of hiring someone for a job, I’ve always just figured it out. My wife has been amazing, helping me master the craft and boosting my confidence by saying, “That doesn’t look that hard…you can do it!”

Ashley: I was introduced to the real estate industry at a very early age through my father, who designs custom homes. My very first job was copying blueprints at his office! As I grew, I found that not only did I have an eye for detail, but I also had a knack for building and creating. Fast forward to adulthood, and I decided to follow that passion by creating my own carpentry business, specializing in custom trim carpentry, custom furniture, and artwork. Couple those skills, knowledge, and experience with the fact that I have also personally been a very hands-on homeowner for nearly 20 years, and Home Inspection was an obvious career choice for me.

Susan: I’ve always had an interest in houses, starting when my father built our home when I was about 11 years old. He would walk around each night inspecting what the different tradespeople had done that day and explained the materials and their functions to me and my sister. I cherish those memories and the pride we shared in our new home. It is still built beyond its years in the materials that were used and will outlast us all.

In my twenties, I became a bookkeeper for a log home manufacturing company. My role expanded from bookkeeping into the milling and assembly processes of custom-built log and timber-framed houses. This wasn't an easy transition. I often asked to learn about the process, and my boss had a strong mindset that women were not meant for such work. After several months of reminding him that I was willing to jump in if he ever needed me, he found himself quite shorthanded and finally gave me the opportunity. He was amazed at my work ethic and said that he took back everything he had previously said, as I was the only one he ever met who was able to keep pace with him. I was on a crew building log homes nationally for several years.

With my father’s passion for our custom-built home and my experience building log homes, becoming a home inspector seemed like the only logical next step. Transitioning into the role of a home inspector feels like a natural progression, weaving together my early experiences with my ongoing journey in the housing industry.

Q: Would you recommend the inspection industry as a good career choice for other women?
Savannah: For the right type of person, yes, I would! Would the inspection industry be great for all women? Probably not. Inspection is like any other job where there are things about it that make it fun and other parts that people tend to gasp at when I tell them what I do. When I talk to others about my career, I often get the typical, “I couldn’t get down inside crawl spaces. EW!” or “No way would I ever get up on that roof - you’re crazy!” But those two aspects of the job are such a small part of the inspection.

Having knowledge of everything that makes a home function properly is so cool, and I would recommend inspection to any woman who is into learning how things work. Someone who has a background in carpentry, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, contracting, and other such professions can excel in this industry. Women have a great eye for detail, and they often have above average emotional intelligence, allowing them to pick up on when clients are getting stressed or scared during the final walkthrough. I firmly believe that communication skills are make-or-break in this industry!

Ashley: Absolutely. I’ve been told countless times by other women, "I'd love to do carpentry/home inspection/etc. but I could never, I don't know how." Yes, you can!! Women can learn to do literally anything. We also have a unique skill set that is greatly needed in this industry. Having your home inspected doesn’t have to be scary. Inspecting homes utilizes so many traits that women innately possess.

Susan: Yes, I would recommend the inspection industry as a good career choice for other women. Always follow your passion!

Q: In your opinion, what traits make for a good home inspector?
Savannah: Communication is key! Being a home inspector, you’re constantly answering calls and texts, meeting clients, talking to REALTORs, marketing, advertising, answering questions, and more. Being able to handle difficult news in a calming, non-alarming way is a crucial skill that comes with practice and experience.

Being detail-oriented is also important, not just while inspecting, but while keeping paperwork and supplies organized.

Patience is another important trait to have, as well as the ability to slow down and look at things from multiple angles. It can be very easy to miss something important if you’re rushing.

Finally, confidence and bravery are essential in inspection. It might sound cheesy, but it’s important to be confident in your work and keep an open mind for learning. Bravery comes in when you’re crawling around in 130-degree attics, climbing on roofs right before a rainstorm, belly-crawling through those tight crawlspaces with nothing but a flashlight and camera, and most importantly, when “the Dad” shows up to the inspection with a tape measure on his hip and a pencil behind his ear. You got this!

Ashley: Must love sweating nine months out of the year! Those attics get HOT in Texas, y’all! In all seriousness though, outside of the obvious knowledge of home systems and interpersonal skills that are required, I think flexibility is key. This is not your typical 9-5. Inspectors spend a lot of time in their vehicles, and inspection locations are new each day. But even more critical than flexibility, is trustworthiness. Not only are we in people’s very personal spaces day in and day out, these same people are entrusting us to find potential life-threatening issues hidden within their homes. This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Susan: I believe the most valuable traits for a good home inspector are curiosity, a commitment to lifelong learning, impartiality, integrity, and a dedication to safety.

Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us!

If you’re a female inspector interested in taking the next step in your career,talk with our recruitment team about opening your own franchise! Request your free info packet for more details.

7 Underutilized Google Business Page Features That Boost Your Ranking

7 UNDERUTILIZED GOOGLE BUSINESS PAGE FEATURES THAT BOOST YOUR RANKING
 April 26, 2024 |  Marketing, Social Media |  Google, Digital Marketing, SEO

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.'s Senior SEO & Marketing Strategist

Establishing an online presence is an essential for every small business owner, and the current king of the online search (by a mile) is Google. Whether you like it or not, creating and keeping up your Google Business Profile is no longer an option for the modern business - it’s the baseline. Plus, since your competition is already on Google, new business owners have some catching up to do if they want to show up first in the search results.

The good news is that there are plenty of features on every Google Business Profile that most business owners don’t take advantage of. After getting your Google Business Profile set up, here are a few little things that you can do to make a big splash online.

1. Find Your Google Review Link
There are a surprising number of factors that feed into how high your business ranks in search results, from your business’ proximity to the searcher, to the quality of your website’s keyword selection. Still, out of the many, many factors that feed into a business’ overall search result ranking, the most powerful influencing factor is Google reviews.

Of note, it isn’t just the number of Google reviews that’s impactful to a business’ ranking. Your business also needs to continue getting new reviews on an ongoing basis if they want to reach for that number one ranking. Developing a robust review-gathering strategy is important for every new business, but Google is kind enough to provide its own tool that small business owners should take advantage of much more often: their Google Review Link.

Navigate to your business profile dashboard and select the “Ask for Reviews” widget to find a short link that you can attach to your inspection reports, follow-up emails, texts, marketing materials, emails, wherever! With one simple click, your clients and customers’ ability to leave reviews for your business has never been easier. This feature is a no-brainer to integrate into your review-gathering strategy - so find it, and enjoy the new reviews!

Increase your total number of reviews and the number of reviews you receive per week by taking advantage of the best strategies. Then, respond to every review: the good, and the not so good.

2. Turning Messaging: ON
Another function that many home inspection businesses do not utilize is Google’s messaging feature. After navigating to your business page, simply select the “Messages” widget and hit the “Turn On” button - it’s that easy! While it’s understandable that some business owners would want to try and funnel all of their leads to a single source (eg. their website, a phone number, or maybe an email), the most successful entrepreneurs will be able to meet their customers wherever they’re at.

The messaging feature is all about making contact as easy for prospective clients as possible, adding a new chat option next to the call function. Business owners will receive alerts through the Google Maps mobile app (make sure to download this if you haven’t already) whenever a question or quote request comes through. This is just another feature that business owners can utilize to capitalize on leads quicker than the competition!

3. Add Photos to Your Page
Next up, the majority of business owners set up their Google Business Pages with an initial handful of pictures to show their team, their logo, and maybe themselves in the field on a job. These are all great additions to a business page, with the opportunity to show your work ethic, some of your most impressive tools, and to present yourself in a positive light.

What most business owners are missing out on is the SEO boost that comes with continuing to add photos after your business page is set up! Service area businesses have plenty of opportunities to take interesting and engaging photos, so just like how your social media pages can gain traction with fresh content, explore a posting schedule to your Google Business Page.

Explore some of the strategies of taking engaging photos for social media with this guide for a little extra help!

4. Post to Your Business Page
In the same vein, many small business owners don’t realize that they can post to their Google Business Page in the same way that they publish posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or X (Twitter). Whether posting articles, pushing promotions, or celebrating holidays, fresh content posted to your business page shows that you’re active and will continue to boost your SEO.

If you’re already taking advantage of automated posting platforms, consider adding your Google profile to your list of social platforms for another little bump to your ranking. Additionally, if you haven’t looked into posting videos for social media yet, take the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon today! According to some social media analysts (like Sam McFarlane of the digital marketing outfit “Sam Says”), videos might be the most effective way to capture your audience’s attention on social media.

5. Add a Booking Link
Another feature that many small business owners miss out on using is the “Bookings” function through their Google Business Profile. As easy as copying and pasting the link to your website or external appointment scheduler, this is just another option that makes things as easy as possible for your clients and customers so that everything they need is in one handy location.

Even if most of your leads get funneled to your business phone line or to your email, it’s wise to leave options open to your client base.

6. Keep Your Services Up to Date
For businesses that have been in operation for a while, there’s a good chance that the information that you posted online has fallen out of date as your services have expanded and the industry has changed. To reduce confusion and improve your ranking for valid services, remember to update your business website, and your Google Business Profile whenever your services change.

Of note, if you’ve been in operation for a few years and you haven’t made the effort to diversify your services yet, what are you waiting for? Diversification, trying new things, and taking educated risks are all vital for business owners who want to grow. If you don’t need to update your services - that’s a problem you need to fix!

7. Track Your Performance
Finally, as with every digital marketing campaign, and every new add-on service launch, tracking the performance of your investment is the only way to know if you’re seeing the right ROI. Built into every Google Business Profile, business owners and managers can track impressions, view their top search terms, their number of calls, messages, and their website clicks over time.

Tracking and growing your ranking on Google is totally within your hands - all you have to do is take advantage of the many available tools built into Google’s platform to start off on the right foot. For any additional help, reach out to your NPI marketing team! We specialize in Google SEO, keyword research, and much more to help you get in front of clients.

Interested in learning more about the benefits every NPI franchisee receives from their corporate marketing team? Get your free info packet or reach out to our recruitment team today!

About the Author
Zach Vesper, Senior SEO & Marketing Strategist
Zach brings twelve years of content marketing and nine years of search engine optimization (SEO) experience to the NPI in-house marketing team. His areas of expertise include building marketing plans that increase franchise sales, optimizing web content for search, crafting effective paid search campaigns, reputation management, and content strategy. Zach is always more than happy to answer your questions about all things Google and considers this the most important and enjoyable aspect of his job.

How to Overcome Being Told “No” as an Entrepreneur

HOW TO OVERCOME BEING TOLD "NO" AS AN ENTREPRENEUR
 March 12, 2024 |  Business Tips |  , motivation, entrepreneur

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach

The most successful entrepreneurs are self-motivated, innovative, and ambitious. Their minds are focused on expanding their services, broadening their territories, and putting a stamp on their industry that will effect positive change. New business owners rarely imagine hearing the word, “No.” But the hard truth is, rejection in any sales endeavor is inevitable, and it will happen more often than many expect.

Every small business owner needs to develop sales skills if they want to achieve their aspirations, and the first (and maybe most important) sales skill to learn is how to handle the word, “No.” To get started on becoming a salesperson extraordinaire, here are a few truths to keep in mind!

Understand What “No” Really Means in Sales
Often, when people face rejection after giving a “sales pitch,” it can be natural to take that rejection personally. But in reality, rejection is almost never personal. In sales, a “no” can mean many different things, and this is only rarely related to your delivery. Here are a few common translations for the word, “no,” in sales:

“I don’t understand.”
The first common translation for an unsuccessful pitch is that the concept of your product or service doesn’t make sense to your prospective client. Whether due to a lack of clarity on your part, or a lack of background understanding from the potential client, misunderstandings can happen for many different reasons, and they can be a core reason for bringing the deal to a halt.

This situation can certainly be frustrating, but as an entrepreneur, losing out on business due to misunderstandings presents a valuable opportunity to improve. In these instances, take the time to reflect and refine your pitch based on where the miscommunication may have occurred.

Did you stick to your script too much? Practice more active listening!

Were you too rushed in your delivery? Slow down and simplify!

If you haven’t taken the time to examine your communication style yet, now might be a good moment for some introspection! Are you extroverted? More introverted? Somewhere in between? Learn about your communication style with a DISC analysis, and improve how you relate to other people. If you haven’t taken a DISC assessment yet,shoot me an email!

“I don’t see how this is applicable to me.”
Some people may understand the concept of your service, but if they don’t see its importance to their situation, they’ll likely opt to save their money instead. In these situations, you can improve your pitch by bolstering your information and researching more evidence to bring to the table.

If you’re pushing a new add-on service that’s either new for your clients or new to your market as a whole, you’ll need to rely on details about how your service adds value to the customer. Some evidence worth gathering includes:

1. Hard Data - Numbers, percentages, and statistics all appeal to the analytic side of a person’s brain. Bringing this into your conversation also shows that you are well-researched on the topic, and it bolsters your standing as an expert.
   Note: If you bring data into the conversation, be sure to have a good understanding of the study that you’re referencing, as well as the source! Expect follow-up questions. One great way to shut down a deal is to exaggerate a stat, or overemphasize your data. Clients who are knowledgeable about the topic will not appreciate inaccurate information.
2. Appeal to Authority - When thinking of an appeal to authority, you should already be an expert in your field, but you may need to establish this trust with a new client unfamiliar with your work. In this situation, you should reinforce your claims by pointing to recognizable sources with widespread credibility. In the field of property inspections, look at groups like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a couple examples. Both of these groups consistently conduct or cite new studies worth pulling from!
3. Tell a Story - Finally, consider telling a story about a previous client who ordered the service you’re recommending, and why they had a good experience. People respond very well to anecdotes, and perspectives outside of your business can help solidify trust (that’s also why stories are great for social media!).

“I do not need this service.”
After you consider these underlying reasons why you didn’t book the job, consider the possibility that your services may not be the right fit for your prospective client. No matter what you do or say, there are some people who simply will not benefit from your product or services. In this instance, it’s better not to expend unnecessary energy trying to find business where there is none.

In the property inspection world, this may come up when trying to push various add-on services like radon, mold, or termite inspections. Homeowners may have confidence that an add-on service doesn’t apply to them and, in that situation, learning when it’s time to move on and direct your attention towards leads that will be more receptive to your offerings is an important skill that every business owner needs to develop.

When it comes to real estate agents, however, we know that every one of them needs our services. For them, “no,” will probably mean that they already have an inspector they are satisfied with, and they aren’t necessarily looking to move away from that partnership. In that situation, it’s again important not to take that rejection personally!

Instead, make yourself available to them as a back-up. Let them know that if their main option is ever on vacation, if they’re sick, or if they’re booked solid, that you’d love to get their business! You can get your foot in the door then and show your quality of work when the opportunity eventually comes. Dealing with rejection can be tough, but remembering the opportunities that come with every “no,” will mean you’ll be hearing “yes” a lot more often in the future!

Gear any early rejection into valuable lessons to improve your business and set yourself up for success in the future! One crucial way to establish value in a service is through professionally-designed marketing collateral (like brochures, booklets, and business cards). You can learn more about your available materials by reaching out to your NPI marketing team!

Want to learn more about opening your own National Property Inspections franchise? Get your free info packet today!

About the Author
Kimberly Stevens, Marketing & Business Coach
The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!

Print Marketing 101: 6 Types of Marketing Collateral and When to Use Them

PRINT MARKETING 101: 6 TYPES OF MARKETING COLLATERAL AND WHEN TO USE THEM
 March 5, 2024 |  Business Tips, Marketing |  small business, business growth, money management, networking, entrepreneur

By Melisa Rana, NPI, Inc.'s Graphic Designer

Across industries, experienced marketers know how important it is to practice omni-channel marketing to find success and grow consistently. This means finding your audience wherever they are and delivering your message to them in many different ways. Businesses that rely only on digital marketing will begin to feel impersonal and distant, while marketers who focus solely on in-person interactions spread themselves too thin and miss out on opportunities to stay top of mind.

The most effective marketing plans employ multiple campaigns and various diverse strategies to foster business, ongoing referrals, and loyalty with their key customers. Because of this, no business should expect to reach their long-term goals consistently without a selection of well-designed, attention-grabbing marketing collateral.

From posters to brochures, flyers, and door hangers, it can sometimes feel like there is an endless list of potential physical marketing materials to invest in. But to achieve the best possible return on investment, it’s important to understand how each material differs and in which situations they excel. With all that said, let’s discuss some of the most popular and effective print marketing materials, and when to use them!

Brochures Pack a Big Punch in a Small Package
One of the most recognizable and well-regarded types of print collateral, brochures and ubiquitous in the marketing world—and there are good reasons why that’s the case! Brochures are very likely the most versatile type of print marketing material because they can be used for so many different subjects, and they can be distributed to potential customers in so many different ways.

The most classic version of a brochure is the trifold—a single sheet printed with images and copy on both sides, folded into thirds to allow for a natural break-up of content. Brochures really shine when it comes to conveying a large amount of information on a particular service or product in situations where you may not have enough time to explain it yourself. With brochures, interested consumers can delve deeper into the specifics of a service when they have time, and it frees marketers or business owners to build relationships at networking events.

If there is any slight weakness for brochures, it’s that they might not be the best “first touch” marketing material that a customer comes across. Brochures perform best when the customer is already familiar with the product or service, and they need that extra bit of detail to make their purchasing decision.

Brochures are great for: leaving at displays, handing out at networking meetings, or sending through a direct mail campaign.

Flyers Catch Your Eye Quickly
The other most recognizable form of print marketing has to be the flyer. Designed to grab attention and be easy to digest at a glance, flyers separate themselves from brochures in that their focus is much more on an artistic layout meant to hook in an audience. With flyers, the challenge for graphic designers and copywriters is to keep information brief and leave their audience wanting more, while providing enough to make them interested.

Common features that can contribute to an impactful flyer include a bold title, a surprising fact, or an appealing graphic. Flyers are a great cost-effective option for first contact marketing and can make great use of QR codes for anyone looking to learn more.

Flyers are great for: introducing a new service, educating an audience, or making a special announcement.

Booklets Explore the Business In-Depth
Where flyers might be described as brochures with less detail, booklets sit firmly on the opposite end of the spectrum, describing and expanding upon a business’ history, service customization options, and full product catalogs. Most print marketing materials are fairly cost effective, especially when printed at larger quantities, but booklets tend to be a larger investment in anticipation for a larger return.

Booklets shouldn’t be designed for campaigns that are expected to come and go. Rather, they are ideal for long-term clients and referral sources, particularly in businesses with a long list of products and services, or special products or services that ask for a larger investment.

Booklets are great for: long-term clients, referral sources, businesses with a long list of products and services, and special products or services that ask for a larger investment.

Business Cards are a Classic Essential
If there is only one print marketing material that can be called “essential” for entrepreneurs, that item has to be the business card. Business cards are extremely compact, designed to be easily dispersed and stowed in a pocket or wallet in hopes for future conversations. With limited space, business cards need to stick to the basics while maintaining a clean, professional, and hopefully still memorable look.

A name, title, phone number, email, logo, and headshot are usually plenty of information that easily fills a business card, with some extra room to include things like company mottos, QR codes, or a basic list of services. A business owner with a sharp business card in hand gives off an impression of professionalism, credibility, organization, and preparation that can all be otherwise lost without one. Seriously, being caught in the wrong situation without a business card can mean losing out on an opportunity to take your business to the next level!

Business cards are great for: every situation, but particularly at open houses, conferences, trade shows, and random encounters.

Getting Your Message Right to Their Doorstep with Door Hangers
Services or products that cater to a specific area or demographic can leverage the unique power of door hangers. While not as versatile as some other options, door hangers are hard to miss and incredibly effective when the offer resonates with the homeowner.

Door hangers can advertise new local business services or products with special promotions, include attached business cards, and even utilize QR codes to capture leads. To maximize return on investment, marketers should target untapped audiences most receptive to this strategy.

Door hangers are ideal for: targeting a specific area, pairing with a direct mail campaign.

Postcards Leave a Memorable Impact
For business owners with a concise message, postcards offer a highly cost-effective option. Slightly larger than business cards but with smaller than most marketing materials, postcards demand a clear and compelling design to effectively convey their message.

A popular choice for economical product or service introductions in direct mail campaigns, postcards are also fantastic for personalized, handwritten notes and thank you cards. The USPS reports that a surprising 62% of millennials make purchases based on received mail each month, even surpassing Gen Xers. The combination of targeted mail and a handwritten touch can significantly strengthen customer or client bonds with a business owner.

Postcards are great for: personal notes, direct mail campaigns, soliciting referrals and feedback, event reminders.

Print marketing materials are a fantastic opportunity for marketers and business owners to express their creativity. Although this article outlines many of the broader categories of collaterial, don’t feel limited by only these options! Every industry and market is different, and unique, innovative concepts can pay off in dividends. As with most aspects of running an ambitious, growing business, it’s important to experiment and take advantage of new opportunities when they came along.

Learn more about integrating cost effective marketing strategies into your marketing plan, and reach out to the NPI marketing team to collaborate on your next campaign today! Want to know more about how franchisees benefit from a full team of marketing specialists? Request a free info packet and speak with our recruitment team for more.

About the Author
Melisa Rana, Graphic Designer
Melisa graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a B.F.A. in graphic design in 2022. As the team’s dedicated in-house graphic designer, she creates digital and print marketing collateral for NPI and GPI inspectors on a daily basis. With a background in layout design, brand identity, and photography, Melisa also creates visual content for our organization’s three blogs, email marketing campaigns, and social media accounts. She enjoys crafting professionally branded materials so our inspectors can always make a great first impression and stand out from their competition.

From Startups to Industry Veterans: Why You Should Write A Business Plan

CRAFTING YOUR VISION: THE POWER OF A BUSINESS PLAN
 February 27, 2024 |  Business Tips, Marketing, Franchise |  small business, business growth, money management, Google, Entrepreneur

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator

When launching a new business, entrepreneurs embark on a demanding journey, defining goals, charting growth plans, and strategizing execution. A business plan condenses these key elements into a streamlined document for investors to assess.

While securing funding often necessitates a business plan, even established businesses benefit from revisiting and updating theirs. Let’s delve into what a business plan is, how to write one, and how each section empowers seasoned entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions.

Understanding the Business Plan
The format of a business plan varies depending on its purpose. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), a valuable resource for new business owners seeking funding, outlines two main types:

Lean Startup Plan: This concise, one- or two-page document provides a bird’s eye view of a business’s purpose and goals. It might not suffice for securing funding, but serves as a vital tool for entrepreneurs to revisit their goals and adapt their strategies as needed.

Traditional Business Plan: This comprehensive document dives deep into each facet of the proposed business. While requiring more effort, the detailed information and commitment to crafting it instill confidence in investors and provides clear direction for the entrepreneur. Notably, the information compiled in a traditional plan (which can span dozens of pages) likely overlaps with what an entrepreneur already considers crucial for success.

No two business plans are the same, and while the format and order of information should be different based on why the business plan is being written and the industry the business will be part of, there are a few sections that should be included. To get started with your business plan, map out your outline with these sections:

Crafting a Compelling Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
A well-written business plan is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, both new and established. It serves as a roadmap for success, outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. This guide will walk you through the key sections of a business plan, helping you craft a document that secures funding, attracts investors, and propels your business forward.

1. Executive Summary: Your Captivating Introduction
The executive summary is your business plan’s elevator pitch. It’s the first impression you make on potential investors, so it needs to be concise, engaging, and informative. Briefly cover your mission statement, the problem your business solves, the target market, and your competitive edge. Think of it as a mini-version of your entire plan, enticing readers to delve deeper.
Tip: While the executive summary appears first, it’s often easier to write after completing the detailed sections of your plan.

2. Company Description: Standing Out from the Crowd
In this section, delve deeper into your company’s unique selling proposition (USP). Here’s where you’ll detail your legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), location, and key personnel along with their backgrounds and expertise. Existing businesses can showcase their history, awards, and milestones. New businesses should focus on the experience and skills that set them apart from competitors.

3. Market Research: Understanding Your Landscape
Market research is an ongoing process, but a solid foundation is crucial for any business plan. Here, you’ll analyze industry trends, identify your target audience, and conduct a competitive analysis. Determine who your biggest competitors are (USP), what products or services they offer, and their strengths and weaknesses. This analysis will help you carve out your niche and demonstrate the viability of your business model.

4. Products and Services Summary: What You Offer
This section details your core offerings and any ancillary services you provide. Explain the specific needs your products or services address, whether they’re new to the market, and how often customers typically utilize them. If seeking funding, include relevant industry statistics to provide context for investors unfamiliar with your business. Established businesses can use this section to identify gaps in their service offerings and explore potential add-on services.

5. Marketing and Sales Strategy: Reaching Your Audience
The marketing and sale strategy outlines how you plan to attract and retain customers

. While a vast topic, some key areas to consider include:

• Email marketing campaigns
• Strategies for gathering positive online reviews (e.g., Google Reviews)
• Website design and user experience
• In-person marketing strategies (e.g., trade shows, networking events)
• Physical marketing materials (e.g., brochures, flyers)
• Social media marketing plan
• Digital marketing advertisements

6. Financial Projections and Plans: The Numbers Game
No business plan is complete without a solid financial foundation. This section dives into your projected expenses (marketing, equipment, salaries, etc.), loan requests (if applicable) and repayment plans, and anticipated revenue. Accuracy is paramount, so consider consulting a certified public accountant (CPA) to ensure your financial projections are realistic and robust.

Keeping this section up to date years down the road can help owners determine if they are hitting their predicted bench marks and set new goals for further growth. Learn more about managing your money as a small business while still growing right here!

By following these steps and carefully crafting each section, you’ll develop a compelling business plan that positions your venture for success. Remember, a business plan is a dynamic document; revisit and update it regularly as your business grows and evolves.

Writing a business plan can seem like a herculean task at times, but doing the work early on can pay massive dividends down the road! Talk to our recruitment team if you’d like to see a fleshed out example, and learn more about franchising with NPI with a free info packet.

National Property Inspections operates nation-wide and is part of the most respected network of property inspection experts in North America! Visit our FAQ for some insights at a glance.

About the Author
Sammi Marcellus, Recruitment Coordinator
A member of the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2017, Sammi assists the NPI recruitment team through building relationships with military veterans who are interested in franchising. Sammi has a background in customer service and is an asset to the NPI corporate team with her ability to relate with active and former military, guiding them through our recruitment process.

National Property Inspections, Inc. is Now Part of the Co-operators Family

NATIONAL PROPERTY INSPECTIONS, INC. IS NOW PART OF THE CO-OPERATORS FAMILY
 February 20, 2024 |  Franchise |  news

We at National Property Inspections, Inc. are proud to announce our organization, along with Carson Dunlop, have been acquired by Co-operators Group Limited. With aligned goals of serving homeowners and communities, NPI is excited for this expanded reach throughout North America and the opportunity to further innovate the property inspection industry.

“In Co-operators, we have found an ideal partner that brings a wealth of experience, relationships, and resources to drive growth and long-term value for our stakeholders. Our core values are in sync, and Co-operators’ long-term vision uniquely positions us to effectively scale our network and help us live our purpose: to better the lives of homeowners.” - Craig Rowsell, CEO of Carson Dunlop and National Property Inspections, Inc.

Co-operators was originally founded to provide coverage for farmers who couldn’t find protection elsewhere. Today, the organization has grown to become one of Canada’s leading financial services cooperatives, with a focus on multi-line insurance, wealth management, and brokerage operations.

With Co-operators, National Property Inspections, Inc. and Carson Dunlop are looking forward to continuing our mission in serving homeowners and investors throughout their post-purchase story, with Honesty, Integrity, and Professionalism. Combining our commitment to keeping homeowners informed with Co-operators’ assistance to families and communities, our partnership is sure to provide more ongoing support than ever before.

Our growth is a credit to our amazing network of inspectors throughout North America, and our corporate staff at Omaha is happy to deliver the same support to our franchisees throughout this transition with no anticipated changes in personnel.

Learn more about joining the NPI and Carson Dunlop family through purchasing your own franchise today!

Boosting Conversions and Improving ROI with Call Tracking

BOOSTING CONVERSIONS AND IMPROVING ROI WITH CALL TRACKING
 February 13, 2024 |  Business Tips, Marketing |  digital marketing, paid search, SEO, business website, email marketing, Google, Facebook

By Sydney Bailey, NPI, Inc.'s Marketing Director

As small businesses grow, marketing often becomes a more complex endeavor with leads flowing in from many different campaigns and platforms. To find out whether a marketing campaign is cost effective, it’s crucial to track the cost for each lead and each conversion—but how is this tracking accomplished?

For digital marketing, tracking a lead is fairly straightforward. Thanks to cookies and analytics, businesses can know which marketing campaign a lead interacted with to land on their website. But other lead generation avenues aren’t so simple. Many customers still prefer to call service-based businesses to gather more information before making their final decision. Learning how to convert a lead over the phone is an art in itself, but it can be difficult to quantify a lead’s analytics from a phone call.

For entrepreneurs that receive a lot of their business through inbound phone calls, capturing valuable information about which marketing campaigns are pulling their weight—and which ones aren’t—can be tough, but it’s essential when it comes to optimizing an advertising budget. Today, let’s discuss the best solution to this issue: call tracking.

What is Call Tracking, and How Does It Work?
Call tracking helps determine which marketing campaigns bring in the most leads and contribute to sales. By assigning unique phone numbers to each campaign (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.), businesses can track and identify callers associated with specific campaigns. Call tracking software even utilizes "automatic phone number replacement" to match the campaign's unique number on your website, reducing confusion. While most digital ads are monitored for efficiency (pay-per-click), call tracking goes further by tracking conversions and contacts from any marketing effort.Many software packages offer features like call recording, caller information collection, and cost-per-lead statistics, letting you assess each campaign's effectiveness.

One common concern with call tracking is the use of different phone numbers in advertising and its impact on search ranking. Businesses want consistent contact information for optimal SEO performance. Does call tracking impact SEO when used this way?

Does Call Tracking Impact SEO or Cause Client Confusion?
Boosting a business website in search results can be tough (which is why some businesses resort to unethical tactics for quick improvement). Building up a business’ online discoverability the right way takes time and plenty of hard work, so it’s understandable that business owners might be a bit overprotective when it comes to making changes to their website. Rest assured, call tracking is not known to negatively impact SEO.

According to the industry experts in Google Business and SEO strategy at Sterling Sky, Google’s bots don't see dynamic phone numbers. While a call tracking software will replace the business phone number that website visitors see, Google will still see the business’ official phone number in the website’s code, allowing the site to retain the consistency crucial to good SEO. As with any digital marketing strategy, there are problems that can crop up if things aren’t done correctly, but a negative impact to SEO shouldn’t be a concern for businesses looking to give call tracking a try.

Client confusion, on the other hand, might be a more valid concern, though minor. In situations where customers encounter multiple business phone numbers and record them for later use, there is some potential that this competing information could make them look elsewhere. Fortunately, as smart phones become more prevalent, people are less likely to record or recall business phone numbers from memory. For most marketers, the benefits of call tracking software vastly outweigh the potential drawbacks.

If you’re thinking about giving call tracking a try but would like to know more about the pros and cons, email the marketing team! Did you know that every NPI franchise gets unlimited access to our full marketing team for custom materials, messaging, and informed marketing advice based on your unique situation and national trends? Learn more about the benefits of opening an NPI franchise today!

About the Author
Sydney Bailey, Marketing Director
Sydney specializes in creative marketing strategy and project management. In her current role, she leads the NPI marketing department in implementing new initiatives to increase business for franchisees in our network. With experience in art direction, public relations, and brand development, she also served as the organization’s in-house graphic and web designer during her first five years with NPI. Sydney continues to support our franchisees on a daily basis with their overall marketing strategy needs.

Franchise Financing: Starting a Small Business with an SBA Loan

FRANCHISE FINANCING: STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS WITH AN SBA LOAN
 February 6, 2024 |  Business Tips, Franchise |  small business, money management, entrepreneur

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator

Every great journey starts with the right tools, and for most entrepreneurs, that key tool is financing. While self-starting hustle and innovation are essential, even the best business plan can stall without capital. This is where SBA loans come in. Acquiring a loan through the SBA can be a great option for small business owners looking for that initial capital needed to franchise or otherwise start their business venture. To better understand if an SBA loan is right for you, let’s discuss some of the essentials.

What is an SBA loan?
An SBA loan is a specialized loan provided by partners of the US Small Business Administration. For entrepreneurs that have exhausted other options, an SBA loan can be the answer they’ve been looking for to cover the early costs needed to start a new business or expand their business. SBA loans are a great option for many because of their lower rates and the option of long repayment periods, but not all SBA loans are the same. It’s also not a guarantee that everyone gets approved for their desired loan.

SBA loans vary from person to person in part because the SBA doesn’t give out loans themselves. Instead, the SBA partners with a wide network of banks, credit unions, and other third-parties who ultimately set the terms of the loan. The good news is that borrowers can compare different lending partners through the SBA’s Lender Match tool to find the best terms for their unique situation, allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to search for the right fit.

What Are the Benefits of Getting an SBA Loan?
SBA loans benefit from low rates due to their imposed interest rate caps and favorable repayment terms, which can reach up to 25 years. There are a number of different types of SBA loans, some that can offer upwards of $5 million dollars in capital, but the SBA Microloan which maxes out at $50,000 is one that matches up well with franchise start-ups.

While applying for an SBA loan can be time-consuming and require gathering diverse information, the process itself offers valuable benefits for any small business owner. Think of it as a built-in checkup on your business health! Here's what you might encounter:

• Business Plan: Crafting a solid business plan helps you articulate your vision, identify potential challenges, and map out your growth strategy. Even if you already have one, revisiting it for the loan application strengthens your understanding and potential success.
• Financial Statements: Gathering income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements provides a clear picture of your financial health, revealing areas for improvement and future opportunities.
• Tax Returns: Sharing your tax returns demonstrates your income stability and creditworthiness, crucial for securing loan approval.
• Credit History: Understanding your credit score and working to improve it strengthens your overall financial profile and increases your chances of favorable loan terms.
• Your Industry Experience: Writing out your industry background story can be an early boon for marketing!

Note: When applying for an SBA loan, we recommend borrowing a bit more than the initial franchise costs to cover expenses while building the business! Also, when franchising with NPI, you can ask our recruitment team for a sample business plan, a pro forma worksheet, and other resources to help determine estimated net income on a yearly and monthly basis.

What Can Keep You From Getting Approved for an SBA loan?
SBA loans are a great option for many entrepreneurs, but not everyone gets approved. Having a poor track record with payments, defaulting on any other loans, filing for bankruptcy, or just generally having an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio can be red flags for lenders. Another way that background can become a sticking point in the SBA application process is if the borrower has a criminal background. Although this doesn’t necessarily result in disqualification, a criminal record can become more of a problem depending on the severity of the offense.

Another reason that SBA loan applicants might be denied is due to lack of need. If borrowers haven’t explored other traditional loan options that they are qualified for, or they have plenty of capital or assets that they aren’t willing to devote to the business, the SBA may be less willing to approve the application. An SBA loan is designed with a particular focus on those that are limited in their available options, and who are currently working for a basis of income and assurance of future payments.

Note: Subcontractors and people who are already small business owners will need to provide two years of tax refunds, instead of just paycheck stubs during their application!

An SBA loan can be a fantastic financing option when the situation fits, and NPI has partnered with many franchisees who have utilized the SBA to start their own home inspection businesses. If you’re interested in franchising and want to discuss more about working with NPI, contact marketing team today to get the conversation started!

If you are having trouble finding a lender on your own, talk to our recruitment team about other financing options! National Property Inspections is a family of industry experts 35+ years in the making! Get your free info packet today to learn more.

About the Author
Sammi Marcellus, Recruitment Coordinator
A member of the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2017, Sammi assists the NPI recruitment team through building relationships with military veterans who are interested in franchising. Sammi has a background in customer service and is an asset to the NPI corporate team with her ability to relate with active and former military, guiding them through our recruitment process.

Why Now Is A Great Time To Franchise With NPI

WHY NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO FRANCHISE WITH NPI
 January 30, 2024 |  Marketing, Social Media, Franchise |  inspection industry, small business, business growth, networking, Google, entrepreneur, email marketing, digital marketing, business website, SEO

Opening up a small business requires boldness and a willingness to think big, but the most successful entrepreneurs tend to have their pulse on the current trends and projections of their selected industry. In an industry like residential and commercial property inspections, it makes sense to track the health and activity of the local real estate market before making major investments.

While recent housing struggles might tempt some to delay franchising in property inspections, encouraging real estate projections and the challenges of solo operation paint a different picture. Here's why now might be a strategic entry point:

Housing Market Projections for 2024
According to the most recent housing market projections from Forbes, 2024 projects a rebound from 2023's real estate woes. Declining mortgage rates predict a much-needed rise in inventory. While improved affordability may arrive later in the year, these trends signal a recovering market.

While healthy real estate markets benefit property inspections, solo businesses often follow a boom-bust cycle. They launch during hot markets and struggle when things cool. Conversely, inspectors who weather tough times gain valuable experience and client relationships. When the market rebounds, they are perfectly positioned to dominate.

Considering this cyclical nature and the time required to build a business, entering during market recovery makes strategic sense. New inspectors can capitalize on lower competition and rising demand, honing their skills and reputation in preparation for a booming market.

Solo Operators Have a Tougher Time Today
Today's small business owner wears many hats. Industry expertise and relationship-building remain crucial, but so is proficiency in website creation, social media marketing, and graphic design. Franchises offer support in these areas, allowing solo inspectors to focus on their core expertise.

Even the most ambitious and multi-talented entrepreneurs would be spread too thin if they wanted to cover all of these bases when building a new business. This means the most resilient small businesses either start with enough excess capital or investment that they can hire out talented people to fill these different roles, or they opt for a franchising system with built in support to fill these needs. Developing a robust support network takes a lot of time and energy - but it’s essential to have people to lean on for guidance when encountering unfamiliar hurdles.

NPI Offers Tons of Support
With National Property Inspections, franchisees gain access to a wide array of benefits, support, and tools that they can use to climb to the top of their local market. Our marketing team provides a proven plan that walks inspectors through initial relationship building, widening their scope through Google ads and online marketing in the first few years, and expanding their team with their first employees. Our dedicated marketing coach analyzes each franchisee's communication style, providing personalized strategies for team management and building referral relationships.

On the digital side, website support and updates, social media training, customized materials, and access to our experts help inspectors with even limited experience get noticed. In the field, tech support is available to work through issues and to talk through obscure finds (which will definitely come up during inspections - every home is different, after all), and our National Accounts Department provides opportunities for potential jobs.

Finally, for growth-minded business owners, National Property Inspections offers support for those that want to diversify their business and add new services to their repertoire. The NPI network of inspectors is full of some of the most experienced and successful business owners in the industry who invest in one another through sharing their strategies for growth, while also mentoring those who are just starting out.

For those waiting for the right time to make that jump into becoming your own boss - reach out today, get your questions answered, and figure out if NPI is the right fit for you!

Request your free info packet to learn more about the advantages of franchising with NPI, or contact our team directly to get your questions answered!