Reprint:  Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine | October, 2010 issue IV:  By Lisa Wehr

Just the facts, ma'am--and how to use them

There are tweets and pokes, posts and check-ins, mayors, fans, friends, and likes. It seems as though every social media network has its own language and users--yet all of them are grouped together as the "shining light" of marketing for the year to come. Well, here's the truth. While social media is now a cornerstone for branding, sales growth, and PR, for multi-unit franchisees to successfully use social media to drive business into stores, you need to get the facts.
Facebook

The Facts:
Facebook has more than 400 million active users, 50 percent of whom log in to their account on any given day. More than 45 percent of Facebook's audience is over the age of 26. According to Quantcast analytics, 30 percent of the Facebook audience earns between $60,000 and $100,000, and nearly a third earn more than $100,000. And most important, a 2010 survey by Morpace found that 41 percent of Facebook users join fan pages to let their network know what products they support.

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Creative Tutors was recently featured in the Dallas Business Journal.  Jan Van Blarcum, Founder of Creative Tutors, "knows firsthand the challenges that come when you have a learning difference. In elementary school, she was diagnosed with dyslexia. Because she moved with her military family to various countries, learning resources often were limited. When her family didn’t have access to tutors, Van Blarcum relied on her mother to help her learn.

Nethercutt expressed appreciation to Franchise Congress member Jan Van Blarcum, founder and CEO of Creative Tutors International, who personally requested that Rep. Schock make a floor statement prior to Veterans Day, November 11, urging his colleagues to lend their support to the bill.

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FranchiseUpdate ran the following brief story about Creative Tutors' reduced franchise fee through the end of 2009!

Creative Tutors Reduces Franchise Fee | Announcements of discounted frachise fees, deferred royalties, and other startup incentives during the first half of the year have abated, but not ceased. Last month, Creative Tutors International announced it is discounting its franchise fee 25 to 40 percent. Regular start-up costs range between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on the size of a school district. With the discount (good until December 31, 2009) the cost is $15,000.
The company, which began as Creative Learning in 1999, has 12 franchised locations in Texas, Utah, and Colorado serving more than 25 school districts.

Inquiries about purchasing a Creative Tutors franchise should be directed to the Founder, Jan Van Blarcum.