Best Practices for Operating a BrightStar Care Franchise Pt. II: Building Awareness and Driving Referrals

There has never been more demand for home health care agencies like BrightStar Care, but without effective tactics to get the word out about your business, you’re left with few avenues to tap into the overflowing market.

That’s why more entrepreneurs are opting to start their home health care agency within a franchise system, which provides them with a proven business model, built-in brand awareness, as well as ongoing marketing support.

This article, which focuses on the most effective ways to drive new business to your agency, is the second in a three-part series about best practices for operating a BrightStar Care franchise.

Leverage the BrightStar Care Name and Existing Brand Awareness

As a BrightStar Care franchise owner, you stand miles ahead of the competition before even opening your doors. With more than 340 locations nationwide, BrightStar Care is the most widely-recognized home health care agency in the industry.

Our franchise location footprint that stretches across the country, along with best-in-class national marketing campaigns, have garnered strong attention toward our brand and positioned franchisees in all markets for success.

Not only that, after years of impressive growth and a reputation for delivering the Highest Standard of Care®, we have also received recognition from some of the franchising and home health care industry’s biggest names.

Among other accolades we racked up last year, 2018 marked our sixth year winning the Joint Commission’s Enterprise Champion for Quality Award – underscoring our ongoing commitment to provide the highest quality of care that the industry has to offer.

By using our stellar reputation for delivering second-to-none care to your advantage, you can quickly establish a loyal, trusting client base already familiar with the brand. And, because we offer franchisees protected territories, you will never have to worry about another BrightStar Care franchise poaching your clients.

Capitalize on Corporate Support to Foster Professional Referrals

Our strong brand name and widespread awareness provides you with a solid competitive advantage over independent operators and smaller agencies. But, even more beneficial is the strength of our industry-leading support system, and the national partnerships we’ve established to drive referrals to your business.

As a BrightStar Care franchise owner, you can leverage five unique revenue streams, by offering clients a full continuum of care and helping staff professional medical institutions.

Staffing other organizations not only ensures you’re able to leverage your skilled resources effectively and increase additional revenue, it also provides you with the opportunity to build important relationships with local and national health care providers. When you regularly engage with local health care providers, and help their business by bringing them top talent, they are much more likely to refer patients and their families to your agency. Since you will also likely be working with national accounts to provide these backup staffing solutions, you’ll be able to create strong relationships with national health care organizations as well.

Because of our brand’s high-voltage visibility and established partnerships with respected health care organizations, our franchise owners have a leading edge over the competition and can easily drive professional referrals to their business.

Generate Strong Leads with Client Referrals

Leveraging quality professional referral sources is undeniably one of the most important strategies to bring in new and consistent business. Still, the power of recommendations from your clients cannot be overstated.

In fact, nearly 28 percent of clients chose a home health agency based on recommendations by family and friends – eight percent more than those who chose based on a professional referral source.[1]

Offering incentives to clients who recommend your business, like referral bonuses or discounted services, are a sound strategy to encourage them to start thinking about referrals. Ultimately, however, your reputation and the quality of care you provide will be the deciding factors in a client’s decision to stay with your business and refer it to a friend.

Since BrightStar Care is the only franchise with Joint Commission accreditation, you’re already set up for success with a solid reputation for delivering quality care.

Creating strong brand awareness and cultivating reliable referral sources are essential components to run a successful home health care agency. BrightStar Care franchisees are able to leverage widespread brand awareness and national accounts that help them foster the growth of local referral networks.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with BrightStar Care, get started with our free franchise overview.

[1] https://homehealth carenews.com/2015/04/3-easy-ways-to-boost-home-care-profits/