Cara Squires, writer
If you’re a people person with a creative mind who would love to be their own boss, why not start your own marketing franchise? As a franchisee in this thriving industry, you’d be helping other businesses and benefiting from extensive franchisor support. Here are five of the best marketing franchise investment opportunities available in the UK right now.
Marketers and marketing consultants enjoy working in an exciting, dynamic industry worth £4 billion and employing over 36,000 in the UK [IBISWorld]. If that sounds up your street and you’d love to start a marketing company, this article and the following options are a great place to start.
Why start a marketing franchise?
For someone enthusiastic, outgoing and hard-working, the marketing sector is an extremely viable and profitable avenue (even without prior experience, in most cases). As a marketer, you’ll work with all kinds of businesses and across all kinds of industries, providing quality, care and insight wherever you go. Beyond the rising level of demand that you’ll enjoy, you’ll also benefit from all the following advantages:
- The chance to be your own boss
- The chance to benefit from a brand name
- The access to comprehensive franchisor training and support
- The ability to set your own hours and work flexibly
- The fun and fast-paced working environment
- The opportunities to flex your creative muscles
- The huge amount of room for growth and development down the line
>> Read more:
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The 5 best marketing franchises in the UK
If you’re interested in running a marketing franchise and you’ve already started your research, you might have become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of opportunities ready and waiting for your investment. Point Franchise understands that feeling, and that’s exactly why this list narrows it down. Start with these five strong options, and go from there...
1. eDivert
eDivert is a B2B marketing franchise offering administrative support, customer service support and marketing support to other UK companies. eDivert offers franchisees two different packages dependent on budget and ambition, and could be ideal if you’re looking for a scalable investment.
- Becoming an eDivert franchisee: Previous experience in customer service, sales, marketing or administration would be helpful. You should also be dedicated, passionate, driven and eager to learn.
- How much you need to invest: To become a franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £9,500, with a total investment cost of £11,400.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll be able to work flexibly with access to holiday cover. You’ll be onboarded with a programme of expert, personalised training, and you’ll then have access to plenty of ongoing franchisor support, including tried-and-tested strategies for marketing your franchise business.
2. FASTSIGNS
FASTSIGNS, a producer of signage, graphics and visual communications, was first established in Dallas in 1985. The franchise came to the UK in 1992 and continues to offer a huge range of options to its customers. The global franchise has now opened over 675 centres in 10 countries across the globe.
- Becoming a FASTSIGNS franchisee: You don’t need any prior industry experience, but you will need an excellent work ethic, an understanding of what makes a successful team, and plenty of enthusiasm for the role.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £36,000, with franchise fees of £21,000 and a total investment cost of £120,000.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll receive industry-leading training and pre-opening support. You’ll then have access to a mentoring programme, outside sales support and a dedicated business consultant.
3. Countrywide Signs
Countrywide Signs is a longstanding property signage franchise, offering estate agency board services such as printing, installation, updating and removal. The Countrywide Signs network is made up of dedicated experts, and with over 20 years of expertise under its belt, the company is a proven and ethical franchisor.
- Becoming a Countrywide Signs franchisee: You’ll need to be passionate about quality customer service, motivated and determined. You’ll also need to have some existing business acumen, and a willingness to follow the franchise’s proven business model.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £22,950.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll receive a comprehensive programme of franchisor support and training, including initial training, pre-launch assistance and ongoing development opportunities.
4. Minuteman Press
Minuteman Press is the world’s largest printing and marketing franchise. The well-regarded franchise was first established over 25 years ago and developed a strong reputation for its premier printing, marketing and design efforts for businesses up and down the UK.
- Becoming a Minuteman Press franchisee: You won’t need prior industry experience, but you will need to be alert to customers’ needs, enthusiastic about growing your business and willing to work hard. You should also be able to manage employees effectively.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £25,000, with a total investment cost of £50,000.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll receive a comprehensive programme of training and support as a franchisee, including a two-week initial training programme, setup support and ongoing guidance as and when it’s required.
>> Read more:
- Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 1)
- Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 2)
- New Year, New Career: No Better Time Than Now to Start a Franchise Today
- Franchising 101: 8 Signs You're Ready to Start a Franchise
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- It's Never Too Late to Start a New Business
5. Activ Net Marketing
Activ Net Marketing is a digital marketing franchise that offers small to medium businesses a range of helpful services, including web design, content marketing and more. The company boasts 11 years of experience in the industry, and has been able to build a strong and loyal customer base in this time (which you’ll likely benefit from as a franchisee).
- Becoming an Activ Net Marketing franchisee: You should be ready to approach and work with local businesses, putting in the enthusiasm and effort to win and retain business. You should also be driven and ambitious, with a strong desire to work for yourself and build a secure future.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £9,995.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll have access to a three-day training programme which introduces you to all things Activ Net. You’ll then benefit from ongoing franchisor support as and when you need it.
Make an exciting and profitable career change and enter the marketing sector as a franchisee
If, after reading this article, you feel more inspired than ever to start running your own business in the marketing sector, you can browse a wider range of marketing franchise investment options on Point Franchise. You might also choose to research a few specialisms and sub-sectors in search of your ideal place in the industry. If you do, be sure to find out how to become a graphic designer and discover a day in the life of a graphic design franchisee.
Cara Squires, writer