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How to Start a Mystery Shopping Business

Isabel Isidro

January 21, 2012

QUESTION on How to Start a Mystery Shopping Business

I want to start up a mystery shopping business. Can anyone give me advice on how to do this and things to avoid when starting a mystery shopping business?

– Jennifer (Baltimore, Maryland)




ANSWER by Isabel Isidro

Dear Jennifer:

There are two dimensions of starting a mystery shopping company:

  • getting corporate accounts who will hire your company to do the mystery shopping
  • recruiting the mystery shoppers who will actually do the mystery shopping for you

Like many new companies, your main problem will be how to get that first corporate account. Companies who engage in mystery shopping in most likelihood already have a company that they work with; some may even have contracts with mystery shopping companies.

You have to first identify the establishments in your geographic area and categorize them accordingly:

  • which ones CURRENTLY USES a mystery shopping company
  • which ones SHOULD USE but are NOT using a mystery shopping company
  • which ones are not but could benefit from a mystery shopping service

Then network with these companies. Learn who their main decision makers are. But you need to develop a solid presentation for your business:

Why should these companies use your mystery shopping company instead of the one they currently have?
What do you have extra to offer to them?
Once you develop your unique selling proposition, it would be easier to do sales calls and sales presentations.

The finding the mystery shoppers will not be as challenging considering the number of those looking for part time income. But you have to have a training system in place and teach them the right questions to ask, what to look for, who to talk to, how to evaluate an establishment, etc.

See also  Five Old-school Rules You Can Break When Starting Up A Business

Here are some resources I highly recommend:

Recommended Books on the Mystery Shopping Business:

 

Article originally published March 2006. Updated on January 19, 2012

 

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Author
Isabel Isidro
Isabel Isidro is the Co-founder of brigittesglobalstore.com, one of the longest-running online resources dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow home-based and small businesses. She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Ysari Digital, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, content strategy, and performance marketing for small and mid-sized businesses. With over two decades of experience in online business development, Isabel has launched and managed multiple successful websites, including Women Home Business, Starting Up Tips and Learning from Big Boys.Passionate about empowering others to succeed in business, Isabel combines real-world experience with a deep understanding of digital marketing, monetization strategies, and lean startup principles. A mom of three boys, avid vintage postcard collector, and frustrated scrapbooker, she brings creativity and entrepreneurial hustle to everything she does. Connect with her on Twitter Twitter or explore her work at brigittesglobalstore.com.

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1 thought on “How to Start a Mystery Shopping Business”

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