How To Start a Vending Machine Business For Free ( Step-by-Step )

Full guide of  How to Start a Vending Machine Business for Free.

Do not turn the wheel again.

So often when an entrepreneur adopts a new business venture, he is determined to do things in his own way - a way that has never been done before. Sometimes it works but more likely, this technique will fail. Why? Because he is reinstalling the wheel.

 If you want to get into a business that has well-established, successful ways to earn successful profits, then you should learn how to start a vending machine business for free. Vending machines have been around for decades, but the business is not foolproof. 

Even though Americans spend more than $ 21 billion in vending machines each year, a smart and experienced operator is needed to gain market share and turn it into large profits. And if you don't have experience as a vending machine operator, there is still a way for you to get into the vending machine business and claim your share. Follow these four simple rules and you'll be on your way to a successful vending empire.

1. Location, Location, Location!

In just about any other business, location is important. You wouldn't rent a storefront location in a dark street without a car or foot traffic, would you? Likewise, you do not want to place your valuable vending machine in any place.

 You need to find a place that has at least 150 (ideally 250) people passing by every day. It takes a lot of planning to conduct a successful vending machine business, so it is important to list several key ideas and analyze each before making your selection. 

If you don't have any idea where to start when searching for the best location, then you should consider going with a franchise. Vending machine franchisees have the experience and resources available to help you discover the right location for your machine.

A vending machine company specifically offers its franchise operators a 5-step location discovery and acquisition service that is a time-tested way to secure the best possible locations for new operators' machines. 

In Phase 1, 250–1,000 of the top spots are spent on research and indexing, then to gain interest by contacting the top half of these locations.

 Phase 2 includes a one-month outreach campaign that uses direct mail and phone communications to spread the word to the top spots on the list.

 In Phase 3, personal communication is done with top venues and meetings are held with interested parties. 

Marketing kicks in with Phase 4 when product samples will be made available as T-shirts and posters. This is when most places will sign the contract. However, not all locations will sign during Phase 4, so it is important to follow up with your top spots.

 In Phase 5. With the help of a franchise company, operators are able to build relationships with the top spots and choose which one best suits their needs.

2. Give the best service possible.

What does service have to do with vending machines and How to Start a Vending machine business for free and grow your business to give them a better service. They are automated machines that do not require any human participation, right? wrong! IS is a service business and you should keep in mind whether you are going to succeed. You, as the operator, must bend over backwards to deliver top-notch service to your customers that will keep them coming back again and again. 

Surprisingly, a study reports that if you can keep your customers from leaving only 5%, you can increase your profit by 25–95%! One way to keep customers happy is to keep your machines full. There is nothing more frustrating than setting your mind on a particular snack you are craving badly and when you go to the machine, you see that the line is empty! But it's going to happen from time to time, right? How do you know when your supply is low?

 Easy. Remote monitoring technology allows operators to keep a virtual eye on their machines 24/7. If your stock is running low or there is a problem with one of your machines then you will know immediately. 

Remote monitoring allows you to keep your machine fully stocked so that it never runs out of products. Full machine means happy customers. No more lost sales due to running out of stock. In addition, knowing when you need to rest (and when you don't have to rest) saves you from making unnecessary trips to your machines as well as reducing fuel costs and, as a result, your business. Reduces carbon footprint.

When you visit your machines for the restock, take time to travel with your customers. Ask them what items they like, what they don't like, and what items you want to add to your stock. When you allow current and potential customers to taste some of the items you buy in your machine, you hand over free samples. Keep good records of which items sell best and consider stocking your most popular items in more than one slot. 

If you find that a particular granola bar is sold out quickly, then it would be smart to stock that item in two or three slots in that machine. Knowing who your customers are and what they like allows you to make those items available on a consistent basis.

Read article about how to start a business with no money. Click here.

3. Stand outside and attract attention.

There are over a dozen vending machines. Customers usually wonder if they have seen one, they have seen them all. Challenge this notion by setting your machines apart from the competition.

 In an environment where there is literally a vending machine at every corner, standing outside can mean the difference between success and failure. To do this you should use whatever equipment you have available. And with a certain brand of healthy vending machines, appliances are plentiful. Attractive graphics and signage make these machines look like nothing customers have ever seen before. Something new and different always attracts attention.

Once customers make their way to your machine, they can now see what is in the machine. Separating your machine from the inside is as important as separating it from the outside. Junk food vending machines are on the decline for several reasons.

 Production costs are forcing operators to raise prices and customers are refusing to pay the inflated price for the same old unhealthy snacks. Offering innovative healthy snacks and drinks gives customers something new and exciting. You can also use the attractive LCD screens of some machines to educate customers about the products.

 A purchase a customer makes before giving nutritional information about a product gives them the opportunity to make a smarter, more informed choice. These LCD screens give operators a golden opportunity to open a secondary revenue stream by selling advertisements. Spent more than $ 6 billion in business on digital advertising in 2009. Which company will not miss an opportunity to bring your product to its customers? The LCD screen has the ability to attract and educate your customers as well as earn you some extra cash.

4. Continue the optimization process.

This is the 4th step of How to Start a vending machine business for free and most Important step for growing your vending machine business. Optimization is important to ensure that you do not lose money on products that may end up selling you. If you follow the "stud" to "stud" program for 90 days, you will continuously evaluate your stock to find the right product mix. You will talk to your customers to see what they like and what they don't. Encourage participation by exchanging vending vouchers for feedback.

 Set up promotional events in which customers can win prizes. The more rappers or bottle caps they write their names on (in other words, the more they buy), the more likely they are to win (free training sessions, products, etc.). Product sampling events can expose your customers to other products they have not tried before and which will expand your sales potential. Samples also entice potential customers, who have not yet purchased from your machine. And after the first 90 days it is important to maintain the rapport built with your customers for a long time. 

Telling customers that you are still listening encourages them to continue shopping with their machine. It also allows you to keep your finger on the pulse of trends; You will be the first to know that the taste of customers has changed and you can swap your stock to reflect their new buying habits.

Finally, in an effort to avoid reinventing the wheel, you should study the work done by the vending experts to learn more about the trade. Take advantage of their successes, failures and lessons learned. A great way to do this is by partnering with a vending franchise if you are still not sure how to start a vending machine business. Make sure that the vending franchise you choose has great support services including location acquisition services, lifetime customer support and full training. Make sure their machines are cutting edge with all the bells and whistles (remote monitoring, LCD screen, etc.) that allow you to pay for the machine without physically touching it.

 Other features include credit / debit card readers, soft-drop technology, and non-exclusive product selection. You will find that operating the best machine on the market will make it easy to earn huge profits.

What are you waiting for?

These four simple guidelines will virtually guarantee your success in the vending machine business. Securing the right place, stocking your products, maximizing sales, offering the best customer service, and getting your machine (and your products) to stand out from the competition. Get customers out of your hands ... or Machine ... and will have them come back again and again. And if you go with a healthy vending machine franchise, you can feel good knowing the food and beverages that help make your customers healthier and happier. A fortune in vending is well within your reach, click on the link below to discover more secrets of the vending industry.

This article was written by Austin Brawner If you want to know more about him 

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