Is one of the worries of buying a franchise that you’ll have to do your own marketing? There’s no way around it. You’ll be in charge of a good portion of marketing your franchise . But that shouldn’t stop you from entering the exciting world of franchise marketing.
Modern marketing helps franchisees outsource that task to their customers. By getting your customers to talk about you on social media, you establish loyal brand ambassadors and get free exposure within your community.
That’s great, but how do you go about getting people to post on social media? Here are four modern marketing practices that’ll give your franchise a boost.
1. Check-In on Facebook
Your customers will be excited that you’re in the area. So excited, in fact, that they may want to check-in to your store to share with their friends that they checked you out.
Set up your Facebook page before you open your doors. Use your Facebook page to tease your local community about your impending arrival and post updates. Then, during your ribbon cutting ceremony, encourage everyone in attendance to check-in on Facebook. As soon as they do, everyone in their network will see that they’re at your store. It’s an easy way to gain exposure in your community and let others know you’re open without the high cost of advertising.
2. Tag You on Instagram
Like the first practice, this modern marketing practice requires you to have an Instagram account. There are many benefits to having a presence on Instagram. One is that your customers can tag you in their pictures.
As soon as you buy your franchise and before you break ground, you should set up an Instagram account and start posting pictures. Use local hashtags to reach people in your area with each post. You’ll generate a following. Then, at your grand opening, you can ask your customers to take pictures in your store and tag you on Instagram. This will help spread the word organically through social media that you’re open.
3. Respond to Instagram Hashtags
People in your area are posting to Instagram every day. They’re hoping for others to see their picture and show them some social media love. Your franchise can get in front of these people simply by liking their pictures or commenting on their photo.
To find photos in your area, search for your city as a hashtag. Then, start liking and commenting.
Another way you can engage with people on Instagram is by encouraging them to use a hashtag in your store. For example, if you own a restaurant, encourage your audience to use a hashtag with your store location and name. Then, check that hashtag daily and like any posts that appear.
4. Encourage Reviews
Believe it or not, some franchisees cringe at the idea of customers leaving a review. “What if someone leaves a bad review?” Although that’s a possibility, the power of positive reviews (or even dozens of positive reviews) has enough to drown out the occasional nay-sayer and amplify your franchise message.
Ready, Set, Market!
Marketing doesn’t have to be an overwhelming practice. With these modern tips you can harness the power of social media and amplify your word-of-mouth marketing with just a few simple moves.
Susan Payton is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, a marketing firm specializing in content writing and social media management. She’s written three business books, including How to Get More Customers With Press Releases, and frequently blogs about small business and marketing on sites including Forbes, AllBusiness, The Marketing Eggspert Blog, and Tweak Your Biz. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing.