Social media now reigns supreme in the world of online marketing!
No matter how much paid traffic your franchise business’ website is getting, you need to be able to generate high quality leads in order to convert them into clients, thus building revenue and growing your franchise business. Social media has quickly become one of the best ways to attract and retain new franchise prospects – if you use an effective lead-generating strategy.
Here are 4 steps to help your franchise business navigate the world of social media.
1. Choose the Right Channels. All social media platforms are not created equal. The first step to generating franchise leads through social media is to be sure you’ve selected the right platform or platforms. You don’t need to be on every single social media site – just the ones that will work best for your franchise business.
2. Don’t Overlook LinkedIn. When it comes to choosing the right channels, you’ll likely want to make sure one of them is LinkedIn. LinkedIn typically generates more leads than other social media platforms. Since it’s designed with business owners and professionals in mind, it’s more tailored to businesses’ needs than other platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter.
3. Create Contests and Giveaways. Who doesn’t love free stuff? Creating a series of contents or giveaways is a great way to build interest and get your social media audiences revved up. E-books, digital downloads or free consulting sessions are great draws for franchise businesses. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Consider all your options and choose an offer for which franchise prospects will easily provide their contact information. Remember the purpose of any contest or giveaway is to be a lead magnet.
4. Run a Live Event. There is no better way to connect with your social media followers than in real-time. Try running a Twitter chat. Pick a specific topic to discuss like the newest franchises to hit the market and choose a catchy hashtag so everyone can join the conversation. If you’re on Facebook, you will definitely want to start using Facebook Live – one of the latest features allowing users to live-stream right from their smartphones.
