1851

The franchise model places the responsibility of establishing a successful business model on the shoulders of the franchisor—no one else. However, even if the franchisor can prove that its corporate stores and those managed by franchisees are successful, the model is not guaranteed to sell. There are a lot of points to check off between “I have a successful business model” and “Great, I’m glad to hear that you’ll invest your life savings to open a business that follows my plan.”That’s where new, or maybe less traditional, forms of awareness and marketing enter the equation. When managed correctly, social media marketing creates a great opportunity for franchisors and franchisees to continue to spread their name and message while connecting with local viewers (and prospective customers) in a way that is even more personalized and encourages immediate engagement.Develop a StrategyOne of the most damaging occurrences for a franchisor is a disgruntled franchisee or one who does not follow appropriate strategy and guidelines. When building a social media strategy for the franchise, franchisors should carefully consider whether they want to run a single, system-wide social media presence; a franchisor presence and one for each respective franchisee/location; or manage the franchisor page and leave local pages in the hands of their relative franchisees.If local accounts are made, analyzing the demographics, interests and trends of the respective populations can make for an even stronger strategy.Hone the Strategy for Each PlatformOnce an overarching strategy has been created, the execution can be optimized to ensure the proper content and messaging is reaching the intended audience. For example, franchise development content is often posted to LinkedIn, as many of the businesspeople who will be pursuing ownership are likely spending the majority of their time on professional platforms. Alternately, more casual franchise concepts or those looking to draw in a younger customer base should consider making customer-facing content for TikTok.Efforts To EmbraceThere is more than one way to grow a franchise. A proper social media strategy should reach beyond consistent “Buy this!” messaging to create an experience that truly allows the audience to connect with and learn about the brand. Here are a few ways to encourage growth.<ul><li>Engage in Education:&nbsp;With both prospective franchisees and existing or prospective customers, education can go a long way. Your audience likely enjoys being in the loop. A willingness to educate conveys an interest in and passion for the brand and its mission beyond just the sale.</li><li>Create an Emotional Connection:&nbsp;Sharing person-first content does this organically. A brand alone won’t sell itself, but its people will. Telling employees’ stories, spotlighting community efforts and bringing the brand into a living space encourages connection, which naturally leads to growth.</li><li>Establish a Recognizable Voice, Start a Conversation:&nbsp;Using a clear, consistent and recognizable brand voice is crucial. Without it, messaging can become muddled, and it does not always stand out to the audience as something that is definitely coming from a given brand. After a voice is established, the audience will be quicker to recognize the brand’s content and may even feel like they are being spoken to directly. This can start a conversation.</li><li>Promote Events:&nbsp;If a local franchise location is putting on an event, the information should be posted online. This will increase visibility, likely driving up attendance and work to build out a robust social history of a community-focused local business owner.</li><li>Share Trends:&nbsp;When and where it is appropriate, sharing trends can be a great way to connect with specific sectors of the audience. Even if a trend is not a direct outbound marketing effort, that content’s ability to connect with the viewer and expand a loyal following is remarkable.</li><li>Employment Recruitment:&nbsp;If a local franchisee is hiring, social media is a great place to get the word out.&nbsp;</li></ul>The majority of these efforts will not have an immediate impact, but the compounding difference each step makes can quickly benefit the growth of the business. With increased presence comes increased connection. The more an audience connects with a brand, the more likely they will be drawn to engage with it on a deeper level, either as a consumer or prospective business owner.

How To Use Social Media To Grow Your Franchise

1851 Franchise

Many franchisors feel that more traditional marketing approaches can no longer carry the weight on their own. Here’s how social media can help.


how-to-use-social-media-to-grow-your-franchise

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Investing in the Morning Rush: The Financial Benefits of a Biscuit Belly Franchise

biscuit-belly-franchise-financial-benefits-2025

Children's Lighthouse

Legal Expertise Meets Heart: How Stephanie Russ Builds Franchisee Confidence at Children’s Lighthouse

legal-expertise-meets-heart-how-stephanie-russ-builds-franchisee-confidence-at-childrens-lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Multi-Unit Franchise Opportunity

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-multi-unit-franchise-opportunity

Why Franchise Prospects Should Consider Opening a Children’s Lighthouse in Up-and-Coming Markets

why-franchise-prospects-should-consider-opening-a-childrens-lighthouse-in-up-and-coming-markets

Caring Transitions

How Personal Experience Shaped My Entrepreneurial Path With Caring Transitions

how-personal-experience-shaped-my-entrepreneurial-path-with-caring-transitions

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Subway Pushes Global Growth Despite U.S. Closures 

subway-pushes-global-growth-despite-us-closures

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

How To Use Social Media To Grow Your Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS