A Business Built for People Who Know How to Sell

Initial Steps

Conduct thorough research on your specific area of interest. Take your time with this; there's no rush.

Focus on understanding:

• Travel statistics
• Traveler demographics

Research and Networking

Start Local

• Visit your Chamber of Commerce or visitor’s center.
• Collect tourism marketing materials (brochures, maps, etc.)
• Analyze:
  • Pricing of existing publications
  • Print runs and distribution methods

Engage with Organizations

• Schedule a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce or other Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).
• Inform them of your plans.
• Find out if they produce maps or other publications.
• Gauge their support or potential competition.
• While DMO support isn't mandatory, it can be helpful.

Connect with Businesses

• Talk to local business owners.
• Assess their interest in a map.
• Would they see it as beneficial for the area?

Key Research Areas

Existing Tourism Publications

• Number of advertisers (indicates publication health)
• Current advertising rates
• Publication frequency (annual or other)
• Number of distribution points
• Any special costs or obstacles for map distribution

Visitor Statistics

• Annual number of travelers
• Peak season (if any)

Sales Timing

• When is the best time for you to conduct sales?
• Ask potential advertisers their thoughts on this

Business Landscape

• Total number of businesses in the area
• Percentage reliant on tourism
• Locally owned vs. chains/franchises
• Presence of a downtown or pedestrian shopping area

Local Attractions and Events:

• Identify hotspots and popular events
• When do these occur?
• Do they attract visitors?

Remember, this list isn't exhaustive; it's a starting point Adapt it to the specific needs of your community.

Distribution: The Key to Success

Effective distribution is crucial for a thriving Discovery Map franchise. While you're evaluating the market, start building your distribution list. Visit potential locations like hotels, inns, visitor centers, train stations, and airports.

Find out:

• Will they allow you to display your maps?
• Are there any associated fees?
• How will the hotel staff, particularly the front desk and concierge, utilize your maps?

The more you know about your distribution strategy before you start selling, the better prepared you'll be.

Remember: Distribution isn't just an afterthought; it's an integral part of the product you're offering. Accurate and professional distribution management is essential for your business to succeed.

You will receive an “Area of Exclusive Rights”. There is no minimum Area.

An Area of Exclusive Rights is mutually agreed upon prior to execution of the Franchise Agreement.

Next Steps: Sales Assessment

Once your exclusive territory agreement is finalized, we'll ask you to take an online sales assessment. This isn't a pass/fail test. Instead, it provides valuable insights into your natural strengths, motivators, and potential for success as a franchise owner.

This information helps us tailor our training and support to areas where you might need it most.

There's a $295 fee for the assessment, but if you decide to purchase the franchise, we'll credit that amount back to you as a production credit.

Afterward, we'll schedule a call with the Sales and Admin team to review the assessment results together.

Discovery Day: Getting to Know Each Other

Discovery Day is an opportunity for us to meet in person and learn more about each other before making any commitments. During this time, we'll address any additional questions you may have, introduce you to our team, and provide you with a copy of our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

The FDD offers detailed information about our company and the franchise opportunity. This includes, but isn't limited to:

• General franchise information
• A sample of the agreement you'd be signing
• Fees and financial statements
• Contact information for current and former franchisees

We'll also ask you to sign the last page of the FDD (Exhibit F), which simply acknowledges that you've received the document. Signing the FDD doesn't create any obligations for you. However, it does initiate a 14-day waiting period required by federal law. We can't sign an official franchise agreement with you until this period has passed.