10 Habits of Highly Successful Future Franchisees Just because you own a franchise, a business with proven systems and tested procedures, doesn't mean you can kick back and chillax.

In order to be a successful franchise owner, you have to do a lot of things right.

One of those things has to happen before you even become an owner.

Keep reading. What follows are the top 10 things franchise owners need to do to be successful.

Your franchise choice

It's important to make sure that you've done everything in your power to make the right choice in a franchise.

One of the ways to do that is to ignore the conventional wisdom.

In franchising, the conventional wisdom is to find something that aligns with your passion.

For example, if you're a pet lover, conventional wisdom suggests that you look for a franchise that's focused on pets.

Or, maybe you're a lover of pizza. Some franchise industry types would suggest that you find a pizza franchise that you like, and buy it.

Don't do it. I rarely suggest that tactic when working with clients.

Related: The 3 Scariest Things About Owning a Franchise

Ignore the convetional wisdom

Instead of focusing on your passions, focus on your skills.

And, focus on your unique personal traits.

In a nutshell, you need to put together a list of things you're really good at combined with a list of things that describe your personal traits.

For example, my list would look like this:

Skills: Sales, Marketing, and Public Speaking

Personal Traits: Outgoing, Determined, Personable, Royal (Kidding)

Those are the things that I bring to the table.

What do you bring to the table?

If you're looking to buy a franchise anytime soon, start your list.

Other things you need to get right

Ignoring the conventional wisdom by focusing your search for a franchise on the awesome things you bring to the table is only the first step towards becoming a successful franchise owner.

Another thing you're going to want to do is come up with your budget for a franchise. Find out how to do that on the Small Business Administration's website.

Once you've determined the upper limit of what your investment in a franchise should be, you can start your search for the right one-as long as you have that trusty list of all of those great things you bring to the table right by your side.

You should start your franchise search on one of these top 10 franchise opportunity websites.

Once you've found some good matches, its franchise research time.

Your research has to be thorough. It has to be in-depth. It has to be done right.

Once you've done your research, it's time to start thinking about franchise financing. Unless you're going to pay cash for your franchise business, a small business loan is the way to go.

One way to improve the odds of getting your loan approved is to make sure you have a thorough business plan prepared. Go here to tilt the odds in your favor.

Related: From Pizza in a Cone to Poutine: The Marketing Power of Far-Out Food Franchises

And, to make sure all your ducks are in a row, legally, hire an attorney who's familiar with franchising and franchise contracts. A few franchise attorneys have made the wise decision to have their firms listed on this franchise directory, so they can be found by people just like you. Smart people. People who know it's better to spend a little money before spending a lot of money.

Then, it's on to Discovery Day. That's the day you get to meet the entire franchise team...at headquarters.

However, not just anyone can attend a Discovery Day. Only candidates that qualify financially, and have been through every stage of the franchise exploration process with their franchise development representatives can get an invite. Learn more about Discovery Day.

Decision Day quickly follows Discovery Day.

If you've done everything right up to this point, you're decision on whether or not to buy the franchise you're interested shouldn't be that difficult.

As a franchise owner

Let's say your choice was a good one.

You're happy about the franchise business you've chosen, and it feels right.

There are no real surprises. You're putting in a ton of hours, but you were prepared for that because you got that information from the franchisees you talked with and visited during your research.

You should watch this video before you read the rest of this top 10 post.

As an Owner, there are certain things you can do to become successful.

Just because you own a franchise, a business with proven systems and tested procedures, doesn't mean you can kick back and chillax.

Here are some things you can do to insure your success as a franchise owner.

Related: The Restaurants Business Travelers Love the Most (Infographic)

The Top 10 Things Franchise Owners Need to Do to Be Succesful:

1. Follow the procedures that are stated in the operations manual
2. Follow every rule and regulation stated in your franchise agreement
3. Take the suggestions given to you by your field reps; remain coachable
4. Use the technology that's made available by your franchisor
5. Follow your franchisor's marketing plans
6. Become obsessive about your numbers; track everything
7. Create and maintain close relationships with other franchisees
8. Get super-involved in your local community
9. Always be networking
10. Focus on being enthusiastic and positive inside and outside your business

If you do those ten things, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful franchise owner.

Finally, remember to ignore the conventional wisdom when choosing the right franchise. Follow the steps I outlined at the beginning of this post.

That way you'll actually have the chance to be an owner.