Are you interested in starting a mystery business? Want to be a mystery shopper? You need a sample Mystery Shopping business plan template ? then I advise you to read.
Mystery Shopping simply involves presenting yourself as a loyal customer to help the business evaluate their products and services. Mystery shoppers report their results to their customers, who in turn use these reports to improve their products or services.
How does Mystery Shopping work?
The company is hiring you ( Let’s say you’re a mystery shopper here ) to evaluate their products or services, or any other aspect of their business, such as customer support; and you, in turn, will present yourself as the customer who will perform these assessments.
Usually the client will give you a list of things to evaluate during your secret trading session Examples of things like this:
- How long does it take for the receptionist to greet you
- The speed at which you were visited
- The attitude of the employees you meet
- Compliance with company and industry standards – signs, dress code, greetings, language, etc.
- At the end of your mystery shopping session, you submit your review report and receive payment for your services.
What types of businesses use mystery shoppers?
Many businesses hire mystery shoppers to review their products and services. Examples include restaurants, hotels and resorts, grocery stores, movie theaters, car dealerships, amusement parks, gas stations, retail stores, and many more.
There are different options for mystery businesses. Besides businesses, mystery shoppers also serve homeowners who are trying to sell their home but cannot find buyers. These homeowners hire mystery buyers to assess their real estate agent’s attitude and find out what they are telling potential buyers. Likewise, parents can hire mystery shoppers to assess childcare.
Beginning of the roadworks
If you love to shop, eat, visit places, and talk to people and follow the details very closely, then starting a mystery business might be the right choice for you. Here are the steps needed to start your own mystery business:
Starting a Mystery Business – Sample Business Plan Template
1. Development of a business plan
While mystery commerce may seem like a random adventure on the surface, it isn’t. And for this reason, you need to write a detailed business plan. This plan will include your mystery business goals and objectives and how you will achieve them over time.
Your business plan will also detail how much you will charge for your services, how you will mystery shopping for the position, and how you will communicate your findings to the customer after each mystery purchase. Since a business generally does not require start-up costs (, excluding marketing costs ); you don’t have to worry about it.
2. Promote your business and find customers
You need to think about ways to promote your business to potential customers. You can start by contacting the owners and CEOs of businesses around you who may need your mystical shopper services. Submit your business plan with each visit, as this will indicate that your business is legitimate and worth reviewing.
Email potential customers you can’t visit in person or speak to them over the phone. Tell them about your mystery business and the benefits they can get by using your services. Follow up on your letter or call by phone in a few days and try to make an appointment with the owner or manager. To attract customers, you can offer discounts to new customers.
3. Start and grow your business
Once you’ve started planting customers, you should get started right away. You should strive to provide high quality service to your new customers, so that they will check back whenever they need your services again.
Grow your mystery business in an honest and ethical manner. In other words, build loyalty and trust your customers. Always keep track of the errands you have paid for and send customers your mystery reports on time. Remember that if you make your customers happy, they will send referrals in your direction.
Look for other businesses around you that offer mystery services. Find out who their customers are and what they do well to attract customers. Also, you need to identify areas where they are lacking and make those areas your strengths. So you can stay ahead of the competition and even snatch customers of them.
Additional tips:
You should consider marketing your mystery business. Visit the online communities and forums that your potential customers frequent and advertise your services in subtle ways. You can also use social media to market your business. If you can afford the expense, use paid advertising to promote your business on blogs for business owners.
