Social media has never been so prevalent and here at activ Digital Marketing Franchise Head Office we have been in a social media frenzy the past week, looking at it’s meteoric rise over the years and how best Franchisees can utilise this invaluable tool to best grow their business.
Social media has always been an add on to marketing plans but this is not the case anymore, social media is now level pegging with many of the traditional marketing tools and in some cases running away with the mantle of being THE marketing tool to promote and grow businesses.
This article has been put together as a guide for Franchisees to use Social media to build their business and engage with their target audience.
Firstly any online marketing franchise needs to Develop a Social Media Strategy- Start by setting clear goals and objectives for your social media efforts. Define your target audience, identify key messages, and determine the platforms that are most relevant to your business.
In order to stand out from the crowd, digital marketing franchises, like activ Digital Marketing Franchise needs to Create Engaging Content- Share compelling and relevant content that resonates with your audience. This can include informative articles, videos, images, customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, promotions, and contests. Be sure to maintain a balance between promotional and valuable content.
Choose the Right Platforms- Identify the social media platforms that align with your target audience and franchise brand. Focus on building a strong presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Threads or YouTube. Tailor your content to suit each platform and its unique features. This is where it can get difficult and where the shift has come in more recent years. You can’t take your foot off the pedal, momentum needs to be gathered and maintained to see the real benefits of social media activity. So, Be Consistent- Establish a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and build brand awareness. Regularly share updates, respond to comments and messages, and stay active on your chosen platforms. Consistency helps build trust and credibility. Consistent engagement will create more authentic content, you can respond in realtime to your customers and truly tell your story.
Interaction and Engagement is the game changer- Social media is a two-way communication channel. Respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly and courteously. Engage with your audience by asking questions, running polls, and encouraging them to share their opinions and experiences. Show genuine interest and build a community around your franchise. Leverage User-Generated Content- Encourage your customers to create and share content related to your franchise. User-generated content adds authenticity and builds social proof. Share and highlight customer reviews, testimonials, and photos. You can also run contests or campaigns that encourage users to create content.
This is an area we have seen big results at activ Digital Marketing, Using Paid Advertising-Consider investing in paid advertising on social media platforms to increase your reach and target specific demographics. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer powerful targeting options to help you reach potential customers in your local area. It doesn’t have to be a huge spend but you will see a ROI very quickly if done properly.
Follow up on posts and paid posts by Monitoring and Analysing- Regularly track your social media metrics and analyse the performance of your content. This will help you understand what works best for your franchise and make data-driven decisions. Pay attention to engagement rates, reach, click-through rates, and conversion metrics.
Something that you may not have done in the past or have felt uneasy with initially is Collaborating with Influencers– Collaborating with influencers in your industry or local community can help amplify your reach and build credibility. Identify influencers who align with your franchise values and target audience, and explore partnerships or sponsored content opportunities. Choosing the most authentic influencers that have a following that aligns with your franchise can deliver great results.
Don’t be afraid to use social media, it’s ever evolving and as a digital marketing franchise it’s important to Stay Updated- Social media platforms constantly evolve, so stay updated with new features and trends. Explore emerging platforms and adapt your strategy as needed to stay relevant and reach your audience effectively.
Remember, building a successful social media presence takes time and effort. Consistency, authenticity, and genuine engagement are key to establishing a strong connection with your target audience and growing your franchise business. Whilst it is important to get the message right and engage with the correct audience, try not to overthink each post. Sometimes a less polished post actually creates more engagement.
If you’re interested in plugging Into activ Digital Marketing Franchise and Leading Your Own Path click this link and find out more from one of our friendly team https://www.activfranchise.com/becoming-a-franchisee/
