Marketing strategies are part and parcel of managing a business, and this does not exempt franchising. While most of these options already have proven business models, you still need to craft a marketing plan to get you ahead. Below are ten of the best franchise marketing strategies you should try now:
1. Maintain Brand Consistency
Keeping your brand consistent is essential when implementing franchise marketing strategies. Consistency ensures that your business’s values, message, and aesthetics are the same across all your franchise locations. This significantly helps with brand recognition, trust, and authority with your customers.
To achieve this:
Give your franchisees clear guidelines and training on your brand’s voice, story, and style.
Create and use a centralized marketing approach, such as having pre-approved design templates and paraphernalia.
Always keep the communication lines open for all your team members so you can share feedback and updates and have everyone on the same page.
2. Identify Your Brand’s Marketing Solution Options
There are hundreds of marketing solution options available to your franchising business. However, there is no point in making and implementing them all. You need to identify the ones that will prove to be beneficial to your brand.
Marketing opportunities such as SEO, paid online advertising, and social media engagement are a few good examples. You can also consider using traditional methods such as print advertising as they are still proven effective.
3. Start an Email Marketing Campaign
One of the best franchise marketing strategies you can create is an email marketing campaign. It allows you to build solid and personalized connections with your customers and prospects. To create one, you need to make an email list of your customers who are genuinely interested in your franchise offerings.
Craft engaging and relevant content that resonates with your audience. Include special promotions, new product launches, and franchise updates. To make it easier and less time-consuming for you, you can automate using tools that streamline your campaign. This allows for timely and targeted emails. Don’t forget to personalize your messages so your recipients feel valued.
4. Use SEO Best Practices
Implementing SEO best practices is essential for your franchise marketing strategies. This will significantly help in boosting your brand’s organic visibility, drive targeted traffic, and achieve success in your chosen franchise business. You can begin by doing keyword research to identify the relevant and high-performing ones.
Use these to optimize your website’s structure, navigation, and content to improve your brand’s search engine visibility. Also, make sure that your website is fast-loading and mobile-friendly. Build high-quality backlinks and monitor your site’s performance using analytic tools.
5. Grow Your Social Media Presence
Social media is a platform every business owner should use to move toward success. Building a robust social media presence helps you connect with your target market and drive your franchise to success. You can start by producing compelling and consistent profiles across relevant platforms. Develop a content strategy that includes engaging posts, eye-catching visuals, and informational videos.
Use hashtags, work with influencers, and analyze your performance to help you optimize your marketing strategies. You can hold contests, engage with followers and fans, and leverage social media advertising to widen your reach.
6. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Another great way to establish your online presence is through your Google Business Profile. It helps attract more customers and drive business growth. Here’s how you can do it: claim and verify your profile to gain control over the displayed information. Make sure that all your pertinent data are accurate and consistent across all platforms.
Add engaging and relevant content, high-quality images, and customer reviews that showcase your franchise. Update your profile regularly to keep it current and informative. Respond promptly to positive AND negative feedback, as this shows your commitment to customer satisfaction.
7. Use Digital Advertising
A powerful tool you must have in your franchise marketing strategies is digital advertising. It has the ability to widen your reach and place your business in front of a more targeted audience. Some great options are Google Ads, social media advertising, and display advertising.
Most social media platforms now offer paid advertising to help you craft visually appealing and engaging ads that drive traffic to your website. This can help you maximize ROI and help you refine your campaigns and strategies to develop only those that work to your advantage.
8. Craft a Content Marketing Plan
Crafting a content marketing plan is essential for an effective franchise marketing strategy. Content effectively attracts more leads while establishing your brand as trustworthy and authoritative, which helps drive your franchise’s growth.
To do this, you have to define your target audience and understand their needs and preferences. You then craft a content calendar to plan and organize your content creation and distribution. Your content can come in many forms, blog articles, videos, infographics, and many more. Identify what your audience wants and create them.
9. Leverage AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves in many industries, and they are making the life of many business owners easier. Don’t be left behind. Find out how the technology can help you boost your business’ growth.
AI can provide valuable insights and automate many of your business processes, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and streamline your operations. You can use AI chatbots for instant customer support, AI writing tools for your content, and other tools that can help you unlock new opportunities.
10. Manage Your Online Reputation
Your online reputation matters, so always include it in your franchise marketing strategies. Managing your reputation means monitoring online platforms, review sites, social media comments, and forums. This will keep you aware of what your customers are saying about your brand.
Respond to these promptly, whether it’s positive or negative. This will address your customers’ concerns and allow you to provide solutions.
Final Thoughts
Managing your franchise means doing everything possible for its growth and success. Establishing franchise marketing strategies is an excellent way to do this. Find out what works for your brand and experiment with new ones.