Smarter Franchise Operations Start Now: Level up YouTube, GBP, and CRM Struggles

Small, strategic changes are often what move the needle — not massive overhauls.

In this issue, we’re diving into a few areas where small, smart adjustments can make a real impact: using YouTube to stay visible in the age of AI search, running a contribution margin analysis to gain true financial clarity, and tackling the ever-frustrating question of which CRM actually works for home services.

You’ll also find a few standout reads from the FS blog — quick, practical pieces designed to help you market better, lead better, and keep your margins strong through the busy season. Plus, we want to hear from you on what’s keeping you up at night?

👉 Pick one thing to focus on this month, and if you want to talk through any of it, just hit reply. We’re always here to help.

~ Brought to you by Amber & Eric Hoffman, founders of Franchise Solutions and franchise owners!

📹 Marketing Spotlight: YouTube in the AI Search Era

Is YouTube worth the effort for a home services franchise in 2025?

AI search is shifting how people discover businesses. YouTube videos are now showing up in Google’s AI-generated summaries, and even basic explainer content can help your brand rank better without paying for ads.

We launched the Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder channel just 3 months ago. Early signs? It’s helping with local credibility and keeping our brand top of mind, especially with homeowners doing visual research.

🎥 See the BBB Boulder YouTube Channel

👇 Thinking about starting your own channel? Here’s how to keep it simple:

• Start with 3 videos:

  1. A “Who We Are” intro

  2. A behind-the-scenes of a job

  3. A walkthrough of a finished space

• Use your phone. Don’t overthink production — clear audio and good light are 80% of the battle.

• Title + tag smart. Include your city, service type, and common search terms (“window treatment install Boulder”).

• Drop the link in follow-ups. Add your channel or a key video in email follow-ups to leads.

Have you tried video yet — or are you thinking about it?
👉 Reply and let us know what’s working (or what’s holding you back).

📍 Struggling to Stand Out on Google? We Can Help.

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most powerful and underused tools in local lead gen. If you’re not showing up in the top 3 map results, you're likely missing out on dozens of qualified leads each month.

That’s why we created the Google Business Profile (GBP) Audit & Coaching Program for home services professionals.

What’s Included in the Audit:

• ✅ Full review of your GBP

• 📊 Comparison against up to 3 local competitors

• 📌 Clear, actionable steps to improve local visibility

Audit: $599 (one-time)

Want help implementing the changes?
Add our 3-month coaching program ($300/month) for ongoing support, performance tracking, and hands-on guidance to turn your profile into a lead machine.

This special launch pricing is limited to the first 10 audit clients—don’t miss your chance to lock it in.

📊 Scaling Smarter: The Contribution Margin Check

Want to know exactly how much you need to sell to hit your income goal?

We recently ran a contribution margin analysis for Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder and some of our clients, and it was more than just a math exercise — it gave us real clarity on how pricing, product and install costs, and team efficiency impact bottom-line profitability.

🔍 If you’ve never done one, this framework from Brian Beers is a great place to start: This Math Tells You Exactly How Much to Sell

Key questions it helps answer:

• How much should you charge for every job?

• How many jobs do you need to break even — or to grow?

• Where are you leaving margin on the table?

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t average out your costs. Break them down by job type. Your high-margin work might be hiding the inefficiencies of low-margin installs or services. Knowing that mix is a game changer.

Not sure where to start? Just hit reply and we’ll talk through how you might approach this for your market and model.

🧰 Operations Focus: CRM Frustrations & Fixes

Let’s be honest — CRM is still the biggest operational pain point for most home service franchises.

We hear it all the time:
❌ Leads slipping through the cracks
❌ Inconsistent homeowner follow-up
❌ Referral partners going cold

The truth is, most CRMs weren’t built for home services, especially when you're juggling both residential customers and B2B relationships.

Across the FS network, we’re seeing franchisees get the best results from CRMs that prioritize task automation and integration, even over fancy dashboards.

🛠️ If you’re evaluating tools, ask:

• Can I automate follow-ups without needing Zapier?

• Can my team access it easily on mobile, at the job site?

• Does it help me stay in touch with referral partners, not just customers?

We’re actively researching what’s working (and what’s not) across brands — and we want your input.

📬 Hit reply and tell us what CRM (if any) you’re using and how it’s going.
Your feedback will directly influence what we test and recommend moving forward.

📚 Quick Hit Reads from the FS Blog

We hand-picked three recent articles designed to help home services franchise owners sharpen operations, improve visibility, and stay profitable as they grow.

📍 Google Business Pages for Home Services: A Practical Guide

A breakdown of what makes a Google Business Profile actually generate leads, from photo strategy to review responses and avoiding keyword stuffing. Includes a checklist for best practices.

💵 Ensure a Profitable Franchise in Home Services

This post outlines 5 steps for keeping your franchise profitable, including understanding your personal income goal, calculating break-even, and knowing when to raise prices.

🧱 How to Make a Franchise Business Successful

A deeper dive into the mental shifts and leadership habits that separate strong owners from those who stay stuck — including advice on focusing, delegating, and trusting the model.

🗨️ Curious how these ideas could apply to your market? Let’s talk — just reply.