How did you get into the advertising service industry?
I stumbled into the on-hold message business by chance. I was working as an outside salesperson for a beauty supply company in Miami in 1993. Every time I called the company to check on inventory or something else, I was put on hold. I kept hearing this very annoying out of tune radio playing music and commercials. So, I proceeded to make a 3-minute recording with my own voice and music background. I copied it to an endless loop cassette tape I got at Radio Shack. I used a radio boom box with a cassette player and connected it to the phone system at the office. Much to my surprise, the message became a hit with many customers asking about it and how could they get one made for their stores.
What’s New in the Business or in the Franchise Model?
The ability for franchisees to work from home and create a loyal customer subscriptions base with local businesses. Much if not all of the sales can be done via the phone, e-mail, and web. In today’s post-pandemic world this franchise model is attracting a lot of attention.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
I see opportunities in new emerging home-based businesses market. There will be a huge wave of new companies that will be run from home offices with remote employees/workers. These companies will all be connected to workers via VOIP phone systems. They will want to project a professional business image when their customers call. Please Hold Advertising will help them establish this image with customized on-hold messages with music and professionally recorded phone greetings that highlight their products and services.
What is your Goal for the Business Moving Forward?
To grow the company nationally through a strong network of franchisees. Having a local presence in certain large metropolitan areas will help franchisees establish a strong customer base.
Talk to us About Training and Support, How Do You Deliver?
Training and support will be key to developing a strong and sustainable franchise network. We have been in business since 1994 and have extensive experience with sales and customer support for the unique product offering of Please Hold Advertising. We will deliver support to franchisees via phone and video conferencing.
Your most difficult moment at the Franchise Business?
Dealing with a post-pandemic business world and how that will look moving forward.
How is your Franchise Model Structured?
- Training and Support Model? Mainly via training manual, phone, videos, and in person. This is a unique and very different product offering from almost anything out there. So it does have many new and different training and support needs that we have developed over the years of proven sales.
- What is the Fee Structure? Available upon request.
- Territory Definition? Exclusive territories will be available to franchisees.
- Day in the life of a Franchisee? Making phone calls, setting appointments, networking with phone vendors, and participating with local chambers and BNI networking groups.
What does Your Franchisee Do in the Business Every Day?
We spend time cultivating new relationships with our vast phone vendor partners to nurture reliable referral streams. We also spend a lot of time in the studio recording, mixing, and preparing new on-hold messages and voice greeting recordings.
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate?
Someone who loves talking with business owners and helping them build their brand and increase customer loyalty. Ideally an individual with a marketing, branding, or advertising background that is looking to offer something new and unique to the business community, with little competition.
Success Stories and Failures with Franchisees?
Stay tuned. . . .
What Goals Do you Have for the Franchise Model in the Future?
To grow the network to 100 franchisees nationwide over the next few years. We feel that we have one of the stronger franchise marketing systems in the business and want to share our model with others looking to build a successful company for themselves.
For more information on the Please Hold Franchise System, visit the corporate site – https://pleasehold.com/