For franchise owners, the moment after a soft opening can be hectic. Not only will you be taking your first real steps as a business owner, you’ll be working hard to get new customers and establishing your brand in your market. While you can rely on the marketing and advertising support provided by your franchisor, it’s important to take action on your own to get closer to breaking even with your investment.

As a long-standing, national franchise system, we’ve seen the power of social media for all types of franchisees – from new owners to industry veterans. However, some methods are time-tested but stale, while others are too radical for their own good. The key is finding the ideal middle ground so your social efforts result in positive ROI for your new franchise. Here’s how:

• Research corporate efforts: The beauty of a successful franchise system is the support frequently available to your location. More often than not, you won’t have to worry about setting up social media accounts and some corporate efforts even trickle down to the franchisee level. However, it’s recommended that you don’t rely entirely on your franchisor for social media, so do your research and find out what’s offered and any way you can add an individualized flavor.
• Personalize your presence: Taking corporate social media efforts one step further, you should be encouraged to customize your presence online so you can localize your pages. Customers want to identify with your brand, so take the time to add pictures, descriptions of you and your staff, and personalized posts that give off a human quality to your franchise location.
• Post: Social media is meant to spark engagement, but you can’t expect a conversation if you don’t start one. Take advantage of your social profiles by posting customer testimonials, personalized photos, videos, completed jobs and whatever else gets your customers excited.
• Promote: Social media can be a great way to gain new customers through promotions. You can appeal to established clientele by pushing specials that encourage shares to gain new business. It’s also wise to consider investing in ads through Facebook or LinkedIn that can target specific demographics to expand your customer base.

By taking these steps, your franchise should find a solid ROI with social media. It’s also encouraged to take advantage of any corporate efforts and use content developed at the franchisor level. At Tint World, we’re always trying to help our owners expand and grow their business – even on social media. If you’re interested in our national franchise opportunities, contact our franchise development team today for your franchise starter kit.