10 Franchise Marketing Trends That Will Make You an Industry Guru
Business Development
By
RJ Gumban
•
Sep 21, 2023
Welcome to the fast-paced universe of franchise marketing! Just when you think you've got the game figured out, it morphs with new trends popping up like sneaky ninjas.
Here at Digital Resource, we're always on the hunt, tracking every shift, every pivot. Why? Because in this ever-evolving world, mastering the latest franchise marketing strategies isn’t just a 'nice-to-have'—it's a survival essential.
Stick with us, and we'll ensure you’re not just riding the waves but making them, too!
1. 📱 The Rise of Localized Mobile Marketing
In today's digital age, our phones have practically become an extension of ourselves, right? And franchisees are smart to notice. Leading the charge in fresh franchise marketing strategies, localized mobile marketing is changing the game.
Why's It Important?
Mobile First: Most of your audience is on mobile. In 2021, mobile internet usage surpassed desktops worldwide, a trend that's not slowing down.
Local Vibes: Imagine promoting a winter sale for your Miami outlet when it's 80°F outside. Oops! Localized ads ensure your marketing message aligns with community vibes.
Use geo-fencing techniques to push promotions when potential customers are nearby.
2. 🎯 Hyper-Personalized Advertising
Building on the localized theme, let's crank it up a notch. It's not just about the overall brand anymore. Successful franchises recognize the gold in personalizing their advertising to the broader audience and each location.
What's the Deal?
Locality-Centric Branding: Your franchise in Austin may have a different energy than the one in Portland. Embrace it!
Local Preferences Rule: Knowing that a particular franchise location sells more of 'Product A' can allow tailored promotions. If Portland loves your vegan burgers, give them more of it!
Use location-based insights from platforms like Facebook Insights and Google Analytics to guide ad campaigns.
3. 🌐 Franchisee-specific Websites
The franchise world is buzzing, and the word is: Microsites. Gone are the days when a singular brand website did all the magic. Now, it's all about giving your franchise outlets their digital space to shine.
Why Go Micro?
More Relevant Content: A franchise in New York might have a different promo than one in LA. Microsites let each outlet cater to their local customer needs and news.
SEO Love: Localized content boosts local search rankings. Meaning? When someone's searching for services you offer in, say, Boston, the local franchise outlet's microsite stands a better chance to rank.
Actionable Steps:
Invest in creating a unique domain or subdomain for each franchise location.
Populate the microsite with local events, testimonials, and promotions specific to that location.
4. 🤖 Chatbots and Virtual Assistants for Customer Engagement
Step into any leading franchise's website, and who greets you? More often than not, it's a handy chatbot! Franchises are now leveraging AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants to supercharge customer interactions.
Why All the Hype?
Always On Duty: While humans need breaks, bots don't. They're there 24/7, answering queries, taking feedback, or helping with orders.
Scaling the Unscalable: Offering personalized customer service at every hour of the day across multiple outlets? Done and dusted with the help of AI.
Actionable Steps:
Integrate chatbots on franchisee-specific microsites for consistent customer engagement.
"Hey Siri, where's the nearest burger joint?" Sounds familiar? Welcome to the age of voice search! With voice-activated devices gaining popularity, franchises need to jump on this bandwagon to ensure they're heard, quite literally.
Why Voice Search is the Talk of the Town:
Hands-free, Hassle-free: Whether it's multitaskers or just someone searching for quick answers without typing, voice search offers convenience on a silver platter.
The Local Champion: Especially crucial for franchises, voice search optimization can position them as top answers for local search queries, driving footfall and sales.
Actionable Steps:
Ensure your business listings (like Google My Business) are accurate and complete.
Use a conversational tone in content, mimicking how real people talk and ask questions.
6. 📸 Using AR for Virtual Tours & Product Previews
Ever fancied a walk around a store without leaving your sofa? Or visualizing how a product will look before splashing the cash? Franchises are taking the shopping experience up a notch with Augmented Reality (AR).
More than Just a Fancy Toy:
Try Before You Buy: With AR, customers can experience products or space virtually, significantly improving purchase confidence.
Millennial & Gen Z Magnet: Let's face it, the younger crowd loves tech. AR isn’t just futuristic; it's the here-and-now way to attract a tech-savvy audience, making franchises cool and relevant.
Actionable Steps:
Collaborate with AR development companies to create virtual tour experiences for your outlets or products.
Integrate AR features into your official app, allowing customers to visualize products in their space.
7. 🌍 Geo-fencing for Targeted Local Promotions
Ever had your phone ping with a promotion just as you strolled past your favorite coffee shop? No, it's not magic—it's geo-fencing working its wonders! By defining a virtual boundary around a location, franchisees can ensure that their promotions reach you when you're literally steps away.
Geo-fencing:
Spot-on Timing: Deliver offers or ads to potential customers when they're in the vicinity, nudging them to walk in.
Data Goldmine: Collecting location data can offer valuable insights into customer habits, peak visit times, and more.
Actionable Steps:
Collaborate with location-based marketing platforms to set up geo-fencing for your outlets.
Analyze location data periodically to refine offers and timings for maximum impact.
8. 🔄 Emphasis on Local SEO
It's not just about being visible online anymore; it's about being seen by those around the corner. Local SEO ensures your franchise isn't just a speck in the vast digital universe but a shining beacon for those nearby.
Local SEO:
Narrowed Focus: Why target the world when your customers are in the neighborhood? Local SEO brings attention to those who matter and can actually visit your outlet.
Boosted Visibility: Ever searched "near me" on Google? That's local SEO at play, bringing franchises front and center for local queries.
Actionable Steps:
Ensure consistency in Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) across all digital platforms.
Garner reviews and ratings on Google My Business, emphasizing customer experiences in your local outlet.
9. 🤝 Franchisee Collaboration in Social Media Campaigns
When each franchisee gets a mic, expect a harmonious chorus, not a cacophony. It's all about balance—keeping the brand's tone consistent while letting individual franchisees sprinkle their local flavor.
Unified Yet Unique:
Brand Cohesiveness: A clear brand guideline ensures that all franchisees sing from the same song sheet, maintaining brand integrity.
Local Charm: Encouraging franchisees to share local events, testimonials, or unique offerings ensures the content resonates more deeply with the local audience.
Set up regular training or webinars on best practices in social media for franchisees.
10. 📊 Data-Driven Decision Making
In the ever-evolving world of franchise marketing strategies, data is your compass. With each campaign, post, and promotion, a trove of insights awaits your next move.
Let Numbers Lead the Way:
Informed Strategies: Dive deep into analytics to understand what works and what doesn’t. Tailor your approach based on honest feedback.
Local Insights: Each franchise outlet will have its own set of unique data. Harvesting this can help tailor strategies to specific local preferences.
Actionable Steps:
Implement tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Insights to gather and assess data.
Hold monthly data review meetings with franchisees to ensure everyone's on track and pivoting where necessary.
Fast-Forwarding to Franchise Greatness
As we steer towards a future shimmering with potential, franchise marketing strategies aren't just about keeping up—they're about zooming ahead. To truly thrive, embracing these trends is less of a choice and more of a clarion call.
Whether AR previews or hyper-local SEO, each franchise marketing strategy is a stepping stone to a more dynamic, responsive, and impactful brand presence.
Ready to turbocharge your franchise's digital voyage? Digital Resource is your co-pilot, geared up and raring to go. Let's pave the path to tomorrow, today. ✨ Hop on board with us now!
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