Social media platforms have become one of the best ways for businesses to reach consumers. There are 2.3 billion social media users around the world. On average, each person has more than six social accounts, most of whom check their profiles once a day.
With so many people turning to social networks to connect with their favorite businesses and brands, it is important for franchisees to establish their own voice in the space. Below are some tips for franchisees looking to make a splash on social media.
1. Be Consistent & Find Your Voice
Set up a schedule for updates and posts, whether it is a specific time of day or certain days of the week. From there, find your voice. Depending on your franchise, this may be more professional, laid back, or a mixture of both.
2. Be Local
You are a local business owner, so it’s important to circulate local news to your followers. Whether it’s boasting about the winning little league team, discussing fun events, or even complimenting new businesses, your followers will appreciate your community engagement. Just remember to stay away from anything potentially controversial, such as politics.
3. Stay on Brand
Though you want to stand out, remember to use your brand power. Most franchises are well-known, so focus on what the company stands for, its signature products, and imagery that promotes the brand. You want to strike a balance between being a well-known brand and a local community leader.
4. Avoid Overexposure
Sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, so keep that in mind when posting on your social accounts. While platforms like Twitter move quickly, others like Facebook and Instagram can lag. When you post too often, it can overload someone’s feed and sometimes cause people to stop following.
5. Use the Right Tools
There are many tools available that can help you enhance your social posts. Design websites, such as Canva, or a scheduler, such as HootSuite, can help you create more engaging posts and schedule them out in advance. Take some time to research which platforms are right for you, and start using them to your advantage.
6. Monitor Your Results
It is important to be consistent and post frequently, but you should also be monitoring your results to determine the best times to post, if followers are engaged with certain types of posts, and if your efforts are increasing sales. By monitoring your efforts, you can determine if your current strategy is working well or if you need to try something new.
7. Consider Using Paid Ads
Unfortunately, the amount of followers who will see your message has become more and more limited on various social networking platforms. Create a budget and test out using paid ads, also known as sponsored posts, to expand your reach. Additionally, using paid social media ads can help you find new customers.
Source by Jennifer J
