Local Fame can make you famous online

Local Fame is a UK based company that was started in 2012. They specialise in online marketing for a variety of franchise brands all over the world. Dani Peleva – Managing Director of Local Fame, has over 10 years of experience in digital marketing, branding, and project management. Moreover she holds a BSc in Business Management and an MSc in Project Management from UCL. In this interview we understand how Local Fame can make you famous online.

1.How did you enter in the franchise business?

I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship and business. I started my career in franchising working as a Marketing & Brand Manager for a global franchisor. Later on, I bought into the business myself and became a franchisee. Understanding the challenges of franchising both, franchisor side, as well as a franchise owner, the idea of Local Fame was born- a global franchise marketing agency. The rest is history (laughs).

2.What are the services that you provide to your clients?

Local Fame offers a full spectrum of digital marketing services for the franchise sector- web design & development, franchise lead generation, Google ads, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, SEO and more.

The agency has adopted a two-tiered approach and works successfully with franchisors and franchisees, helping them either generate leads to sell their franchise in a more cost-effective and efficient way, or market the franchise locally to get more clients through online channels.

3.What is the criteria that you look for in a franchise brand to be part of your clientele?

No matter how big or small a franchise business is, Local Fame could help translate its business objectives into digital marketing strategy and implementation. The only condition is for the business to trust the experts, keep a positive mind and be willing to adapt to the experts’ advice and the results won’t be late.

We haven’t turned down any franchise clients so far, big or small. Even if you think your budget is too small or you haven’t got any budget for marketing, you are probably wrong and we can help, so do not hesitate to get in touch and ask. This is probably the biggest gift you can give your business in the challenges times we are in.

 4.What makes your organization different from your competitors?

Most of all, the fact that we understand franchising in-depth, I have personally spent 10+ years in franchising and understand the challenges, aspirations of franchisors and franchisees, as well as the various business models within franchising and the business dynamics.
In addition, our approach is custom-tailored to the needs of each business, there is no one-recipe-fits-all type of approach, because we understand that every business is unique and has specific business objectives. This allows us to also be extremely cost-effective and efficient and often accommodate enquiries that nobody else would.
The state-of-the-art tracking and reporting systems Local Fame uses provide business owners and stakeholders full transparency and deep understanding of the campaigns, the results achieved and the ROI from each marketing endeavour, something essential when managing a business on a tight budget.

Lastly, the fact that we are a global agency gives us a very competitive edge- Local Fame works with clients from all over the globe, which allows us to stay up-to-date and very knowledgeable about the latest digital marketing trends in the sector.

5.What was the major challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Perhaps this was a few years back when I started to feel that I am plateauing. I needed some extra boost in terms of knowledge and theory and took the best decision and investment in my life so far- I enrolled into a Master’s Programme with the University College London and graduated a year later with a bunch of business ideas, a strong professional network and ambition to thrive in franchising. I guess having a curious mind always helps (smiles).

6.What is your best achievement?

I firmly believe that our clients’ success translates into our own. I can think of dozens of successful campaigns and clients whom we have helped grow their franchise from a few franchisees to a global franchise network.

One thing I am grateful for is that Local Fame managed to navigate through the challenging times of the global pandemic and still managed to grow our client portfolio.

7.How does your business day start?

I am a very active person myself, so my day starts with a brisk workout to clear my head from the day before and plan for the new business day ahead. Exercising keeps me in high-spirits and very switched on throughout the day and is an incredibly important ingredient to my business success.

The morning usually starts with quick calls with the teams I work with, catching up on projects progress and calls with clients. My afternoon is usually dedicated to strategic planning and more conference calls with clients and stakeholders. I’d like to sometimes have a second quick workout in my lunchbreak or at least go for a walk and move away from my desk.

8.What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

Every time my team and I succeed in landing a deal with a new client or receiving an appraisal for the work delivered or hearing a grateful client saying that we have saved their business from going bust is incredibly rewarding and gratifying. Of course, that is a shared success, and I would not be where I am now without the team of A-players I have surrounded myself with, I keep reminding myself this every day and that helps me stay humble and grateful.

There is no one best moment, but every day is a pleasure and a new challenge that I am curious and eager to take on.

9.Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

Right now we are working on a very exciting project that will help Local Fame pivot and add even more value to the franchise clients whom we work with. My vision for Local Fame involves the company becoming a global market leader in franchise marketing and a brand everyone in the franchising sector recognizes and goes to for advice, help and support.

10.Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

Franchising is a great opportunity to leave your 9-5 job and make that business idea a reality. It’s the best way for entrepreneurs to minimise and mitigate risk while still working for themselves but with structure and support from someone that has done it already.

In turbulent times such as the global pandemic we are now experiencing globally, the shift from a secure employment to entrepreneurship has never been easier with the help of franchising brands and we observe an increase of 70% more franchise sales for this year compared with the previous in the UK, for example. One thing I learned from my business mentors is that uncertainty does not always mean a threat, but it could also provide an opportunity. There is no better time to focus on and work on yourself, your personal and business development, the environment we are in is a great opportunity for you to tap into your dreams and start building your successful business through the power of franchising.

For any further queries, please visit Local Fame website.

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