Is Podcasting The New Pastime?

What are you listening to right now? Is it the radio, your iTunes, Pandora, or Podcasting? Out of over 2,000 Americans, a little over 52 percent of them listened to the radio for 4/5 hours a day. This is followed by your owned music at 20.3 percent, internet radio/music at 11.6 percent, satellite radio at 7.7 percent, T.V. music channels at 5.2 percent and finally podcasts at 1.7 percent. Surprised that podcasts are so far down the list percentage wise? Don’t be, see Edison’s explanation on that number:




Podcasts have only been around 10 years, and each year they evolve into even more of a thriving mini-industry. There are several genres of podcasts to keep the audience engaged: politics, comedy, sports, literature, educational and opinion. It is possible that there are too many podcasts to snatch away your attention? According to Edison Research, 39 million people listened to a podcast 2014, which was the highest number on record at that time. Are we in the “golden age” of podcasting?

Why does it seem to be growing in popularity? For starters, it can be accessed virtually anywhere thanks to our mobile devices. At the gym, while you cook, as you commute, at work – the number of listeners has tripled. RawVoice, which tracks 20,000 shows, said the number of unique monthly podcast listeners went from 25 million to 75 million in five years. Listeners are building relationships, so to speak, with their favorite podcasts across every demographic. Since many of them are free and easy to find, the shows are available to virtually everyone.


“Our culture is so niche-oriented now (that) you don’t need 3 million people to listen to your podcast,” says Chris Hardwick, Nerdist producer and celebrity. “If 10,000 people listen, which isn’t a hard number to achieve, then 10,000 people listen to your podcast. You can do something with that, you can build a community, and literally change the world, just recording into a recorder.”

What does all of this have to do with your business? Marketing. This is a very useful and impactful tool that will get your business noticed, especially in the realms of social media. Your podcast could be in the conversations people share at work or the educational tidbit they were searching for. If you are struggling to get noticed, the best thing you can do is send your brand out across every available channel, and this is a very big channel.

Podcasting is the new pastime. Let it not only enrich your personal life, but your business too.

Embrace the Business Setbacks

Because life is so unpredictable, no matter your career or influence, there will always be a point in which things do not go as planned. Curveballs will always be thrown your way, and these surprising moments can actually be the turning point your business has been waiting for.

Arguably, the main reason why some thrive when setbacks hit versus those who do not is left up to how the issue is perceived. A person’s mindset contributes greatly to whether or not the setback is viewed as an opportunity. These unexpected moments could range in level of intensity, such as taking tough criticism from a superior or dealing with the loss of a deal.

No matter the setback, accepting it gracefully and using it as a way for honest self-evaluation will give it a positive spin and an element of wisdom. Setbacks are gentle reminders that there is more than one way to solve a problem. Look at them as an invitation to approach a challenge differently and you will find more peace and profit in your career.

As you figure out how to overcome these inevitable setbacks, keep in mind that no one can go it alone. No person goes through life as a one-person show. Look to your friends, family and co-workers when you need a little extra support. Their caring, thoughtful advice will carry more than emotional support – it will offer you the chance to remain vulnerable. Vulnerability is often reinforced as a weakness; however, expressing this side of yourself will show others humility and humanity. Embracing this quality will not only offer you more professional and personal support, it will show your co-workers and customers your human.

As soon as you stop equating setbacks with failure, you will have the confidence to forge ahead in the pursuit of a happier, more open-minded you. Knock the curveball out of the park and encourage those around you to do the same. Life is unpredictable, but we should be thankful that things do not go as planned. As they say, “When nothing is certain, anything is possible.”

Facing a turning point in your life? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Check out FranNet GoodWorks to learn how FranNet consultants are lending a hand for others in their community!

How Would You Feel If You Were Unstoppable?

Think about it. To be completely unstoppable. And, no, it’s not impossible. Even with the fact that entrepreneurs face several challenges, becoming unstoppable could be as simple as switching up your habits and redefining old routines.

First, if up until now all you have been doing is talking about becoming an entrepreneur, it’s time to make the talk a reality. All talk and no action does not make you unstoppable. You have to be ready to follow through on what you say and hold yourself accountable. Let’s go ahead and get this out there too – you’ve got to care about your health. Your mind is, without fail, affected by the state of your body. Care about how much sleep you get, the food you eat, the exercise you do and how much water you drink.

With the amount of uncertainty an entrepreneur faces, you have to be willing to embrace risk. Progress is impossible without stepping away from your comfort zone and exploring a variety of options. It’s actually less risky to accept change than to let you or your business become out dated and out of touch. As long as they are calculated, thoughtful risks, you will benefit from them.

Since your day is already complicated enough, try and keep your business plan clear and simple. If you want people to be on board with your idea, then you need to make sure it is easy for everyone to understand. Simplicity and brevity can take you far, so make sure your message is strong and to the point. Afterward, always try to expand your brand identity through authentic, honest marketing. Budget where to spend your money so it has the most impact and brings new consumers to your brand.

Unstoppable people are not super human – they make plenty of mistakes, are constantly rewriting their strategies and they learn more about themselves and their business every day. The fear of whether or not you will succeed will be there no matter what. The true test of an unstoppable person is what they do to put them in a position to test the unstoppable theory.

 Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Be Honest About How You Dodge The Truth

What triggers a person to lie? There are those we tell ourselves, those to get ahead, white lies, broken promises, exaggeration, deceptions, compulsive lying -- there are several ways to go about it. In Bella DePaulo’s Ph.D. research, she found people lie during one in five of their daily interactions. Pamela Meyer, author of Liespotting, says in her TED Talk that we’re lied to about 10 to 200 times a day! This leads us to wonder: how honest is our world?

As Meyer goes on to say in her TED talk, lying is a complex feature that is woven into the fabric of our history and our modern lives. She describes several indicators that unravel deception and arms people with the tools needed to spot lies. Lying in any form is serious, not just for our personal lives. Lying can be one of the main causes for the failure of your small business and why you aren’t living your ideal future.

How familiar does this sound: “it's too late to change direction now.” You’ve spent several years in a career you hate and the idea of change seems impossible – you’re convinced it’s too late. This is a lie! There isn’t a time of life that serves as an imaginary cut off point, age doesn't play a role in accomplishing your goals. What you do with your future is not permanently set in stone. If you want change in your life, go for it!

Your business needs to remain credible, and lying will never fail to ruin that. Stay credible by following through with your promises and remaining authentic. It’s okay for your goals to be reasonably aggressive, but when you're making a commitment make sure you do what you say you're going to do. Also, try to lay off the exaggeration. Stay honest and the customers will take notice, stretch the truth and the customers will see that too. 92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising: make sure what they say about you is good.

“I hate my job now, but I will be happy as soon as I [get the promotion/finish the project/collect my bonus/etc.]” Which is it? Small fixes are temporary boosters when it comes to feeling fulfilled, but you have to think long-term. Maybe this means starting your own business, or changing your businesses company culture or pursuing your true passions. Don’t wait for something you hate to suddenly get better, only you can remake your situation.

Question your narrative, discover what lies you tell yourself or to others. The truth will certainly lead to a more fulfilling, positive outcome. Find security in your authenticity -- honesty is the path to a happier, healthier you.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation with a qualified and experienced franchise consultant. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Get Your Business Back On Track

Owning your own business is a daily effort to keep revenue up and the client list strong. However, sometimes the money isn't where you want it to be and client aren't coming through the door as often as your would like. If you have been trying to figure out how to save your failing business, remember that nothing is impossible. It’s not too late and there are some tips that other owners have used to save their business.

The first thing you need to do is identify the problem. This is where many people fall short. Grant Cardone, the "Turnaround King" and author of several books, has made a career of turning around failing companies and making them profitable again. After 25 years he knows a thing or two about identifying the root cause.

"I've never seen the executives of a company have the right idea of what the problem is," he declares. "It's like talking to a drug addict about his problems: He'll blame everything but the drugs." So he says, "Before I meet with the management team I get some intel on the company."

It’s easier to blame the economy, a badly timed expansion, the government or anything other than your own decisions. If you really want to save your company, you can’t be afraid to point a finger inward and take responsibility for your actions.  That being said…

Maybe your staff or business partner needs to be revisited as well. You can’t run a business solo, which means a smart and motivated team is crucial to the success of your business. Make sure you trust their intentions for the company and look for those who have the initiative to take on problems and quickly solve them. Along those lines, reevaluate your clients and cut lose the ones that are draining your time and energy with little return.

Scrutinize your financials and make some tough cutting decisions. It’s time to trim the waste, time is money and so it the late payments on loans, credit card processing fees, personal salary, membership fees on certain business credit cards, paper and energy-sucking appliances. If you’re finding it hard to stay above water, you have to sacrifice something to throw overboard.

Know all of your options and keep your cool, it’s not too late to save your business. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, stay focused and get creative – you will turn it around and learn from what happened.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation with a qualified and experienced franchise consultant. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Align Yourself With Strong Franchises

A franchise is a specific license that a franchisee can acquire that in turn allows the owner to have access to the franchisor’s proprietary knowledge, processes and trademarks in order to allow the party to sell a product or provide a service under the business’s name. FranNet’s franchise experts know how to spot the best franchises with these simple giveaways.

If the franchise you are looking at doesn’t have a strong business system or a proven business model, then cross it off your list and move on. What is the difference? A strong business system is how the business operates on a daily basis, such as the payroll, point of sale system, marketing and point-of-sale systems. These items are in direct contact with your consumer. If it isn’t well executed, they will be the first to know and word of mouth can be disastrous (or conversely, highly beneficial). Also, a proven business model is what makes a franchise…a franchise. Franchisees purchase an idea that has shown massive success. They then get training on how to replicate that success (system) to obtain the same outcome. The entrepreneur has the option to choose a business that has been around for years or may be newer, but either choice should have both a strong model and system.

When you find a franchise that is constantly innovating and trying new ideas, keep it on the list. This is a strong sign that they will remain a success through their consistent flow of creativity and openness to keep their business relevant. A business has its staples, however it shouldn’t remain monotonous or its customer base will grow bored and restless. Look for the franchise that has solid staples with an equally solid stream of fresh product or offers.

Befriend other franchisees and seek their wisdom – this will undoubtedly weed out some “maybes” on your list. Ask what they did in their research stage and during their first year, and compare their personality to their ownership responsibilities. Who are you most like? Are they succeeding or is their business struggling? The trick here is to be honest with yourself after the interviews. If you speak with a franchisee that is failing, yet resonates perfectly with your work habits, seriously question your next step. Franchisees in your community could be your future – carefully reflect on that.

Is there such a thing as a perfect franchise? No. If you are seeking perfection, you will not find it. What you can find, however, is a franchise that will embrace all your particular wants and needs and provide you with the future you’ve always wanted.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation with a qualified and experienced franchise consultant. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.