You’ve taken the plunge and invested in your own branch of a franchise. Now, it’s time to create excitement around the services or products you’re bringing to your community. How can you get started? Read on to learn how to hype up your new franchise and start building a loyal customer base.
Find Your Target Audience
Before you can put together a marketing strategy, you need to know who your target audience is. Think about who stands to benefit from your business. Once you know what demographic you’re hoping to reach, you need to figure out where and how to reach them, both online and off. For example, All Dogs Unleashed franchisees can find their target audience in places like animal shelters, pet supply stores, and dog-friendly restaurants. Ask about hanging fliers or leaving business cards at locations your potential customers might frequent.
Take to Social Media
One of the best ways to reach your target audience online is to turn to social media. Before you start creating your own profiles on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, doublecheck your franchise’s social media policy. At All Dogs Unleashed, we love to see the Instagram pages our franchisees create. Social media is a great place to share everything from business updates to customer success stories. You can even host the occasional giveaway to grow your list of local followers.
Host a Launch Party
If you’re still getting ready for opening day, make it a successful one by hosting a launch party. Advertise your opening date on social media and share some of the fun things you have planned for the day, whether that’s a discount on services or a table full of free snacks and beverages. Talk to other businesses on your street about advertising your launch party or even participating. Networking with other local business owners is a great way to build a strong sense of community.
Increase Your Location Reviews
When customers are looking for the right place to do business, they’re almost always going to turn to Google. Make sure to create a Google Business Profile that helps customers find your business and distinguish your branch of the franchise from others. Then, focus on generating reviews. In the early days, you can offer small incentives to customers who leave feedback on Google and Yelp. To keep reviews rolling, provide consistently stellar service and engage with your reviewers, both good and bad. When customers see that reviews actually matter to you, they’ll be more inclined to provide their own opinions.
Learn From Your Parent Company
One of the biggest benefits of opening a branch of an established franchise is that you’ll have access to their marketing materials and guidance. Some of your potential customers may even recognize your franchise branding before you start to build a local presence.
At All Dogs Unleashed, we provide ongoing support to all our franchisees. Learn more about our franchising opportunities today!
