Could you be a media mogul?

Could you be a media mogul?

By: Linda Whitney

EVER fancied yourself as a media mogul? If so, there's a publishing franchise for you.

Home publishing franchises most commonly involve putting together community magazines and websites with local adverts, news, features and events listings.

You can usually work from home, and you do not need experience in the industry, as franchisors typically provide guidance about putting together features and adverts.

'We provide online tips about writing and creating advertisements,' says Nigel Ackroyd of community website franchise About My Area.

'Editorial is about local events and upbeat news, so you should be willing to get involved with community groups and societies, to build up your network and offer them advertising on the website.' The £495 start-up fee covers provision of a website personalised to your postcode, with a community social networking facility. You also get online training, set-up help and access to a forum so you can get tips from more experienced franchisees.

You will need a reasonable standard of literacy for franchises such as this, though in some cases franchisors will provide you with ready-made features for your site.

'We provide content and guidance on how to put together advertisements.

So you can put the magazine together, but you will need a degree of writing ability,' says Raring2go's Mike Giles.

Raring2go franchisees run a local family events magazine handed out to primary school children, with a linked website. It suits mums with primary-age children who are already familiar with children's facilities in their area, and costs £9,999 to £20,000 depending on location.

Its sister franchise, called thebestof, offers the chance to build a local website as a showcase for small businesses, so you will be networking and selling space. There is also a delivery service for leaflets featuring local firms, and a free 'what's on' section on the website. Investment is £11,000 to £36,000.

Ladies First, a handbag-sized glossy women's magazine, is looking to expand nationwide through franchising. You will be visiting hair and beauty salons, spas and fashion shows to network and gather news and advertising. Training from experienced journalist and franchisor Hilary Ferda is included in the investment of £25,000.

The Snippet is a five-minute read with adverts from local businesses.

The franchisor provides all the features, leaving you free to find advertisers and distribute it to local takeaways, dentist's surgeries and anywhere people have to wait.

The cost of £9,995 includes networking training from franchisor Alyson Roach, who reckons you can do all the work required in just one day a week.

About My Area 0870 062 2212, Raring2go 0845 2233 015, thebestof 0121 765 5556, Ladies First 029 2039 6600, The Snippet 07989 320 893..

USE A LOAN FOR START-UP COSTS

TO START a franchise you need to find an initial investment.

Provided you are pledging some capital yourself, you might be able to borrow the rest.

Most High Street banks will lend suitable borrowers up to 70 per cent of the money they need to start a franchise, as Adam Sharpe, from Cumbernauld, Scotland, discovered.

Adam, 27, started up a Totally Dynamic vehicle wrapping franchise last year.

'I spoke to an accountant who knew about franchising, and he suggested I approach banks for 50 per cent of the £60,000 investment,' says Adam.

He chose to take a loan from Clydesdale Bank. He says: 'I now get very good ongoing business advice from the bank, as well as the loan.' Totally Dynamic franchisees need to find the initial franchise fee of £28,999 plus enough to lease premises and support themselves until the business pays enough to do so — about £50,000 in all.

The credit crunch means you must make an extra-watertight case when asking to borrow.

'Ensure you have a cast-iron business plan with realistic profit and income projections,' says Richard Holden, franchise specialist at Lloyds TSB.

Totally Dynamic 01603 435 738, Lloyds TSB franchising 0117 943 3089..