Well done on getting a franchise! This is a big opportunity. But you need to be visible in your local area to succeed. Local marketing is key to getting customers and building a following for your franchise.
This post is for new franchise owners to help with simple ways to promote their business locally.
Below are 7 simple ways to connect with local customers, build loyalty and stand out. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your local marketing, these will give you the tools you need to succeed.
What are the benefits of promoting your franchise locally?
Promoting your franchise locally helps your business grow. It builds trust with people in your area because they see you as part of the community. This leads to loyal customers who come back and recommend your business to others. Plus, it’s often cheaper than national advertising and gives you better results by targeting the people nearby who are most likely to visit your business.
What are the 7 ways to promote locally?
1. Get involved in the community.
Getting involved in the community is a key way to promote your franchise. Start by joining local Facebook groups where residents discuss community events, interests and services. This allows you to connect with potential customers, share updates about your franchise and join in on the conversations to build trust and rapport.
Also, consider attending community events such as school fairs, markets or local festivals. Having a stall at these events gets you visible and lets you connect with locals.
2. Optimise Local SEO
Local SEO, also known as local search engine optimisation, gets you visible online so your franchise shows up in local search results. This is important because it makes finding you easier for local customers.
To get started, you should set up a Google My Business (GMB) Listing, a free tool that lets you control how your business appears on Google. Make sure your business name, address, phone number and hours are correct. Add photos and updates to attract customers.
Next, if you have a website for your franchise business, use local keywords such as “children’s football classes in [your town].”
Encouraging customer reviews is another key step. Good reviews build trust and can improve your search results. Ask happy customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing. Make sure you respond to these reviews to show you care about feedback.
By localising your SEO, you’ll make it easier for local customers to find your franchise and grow your business in the community.
3. Use social media
Our next tip is to make sure you’re using social media to connect and build relationships. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) let you share updates and interact with your audience. Social media is a simple way to connect with your local community and promote your franchise.
You can post:
- Local content and news
- Promote your events
- Run contests
- Behind the scenes content
- Regular updates, including images and graphics
- Customer stories
- Photo tagging
4. Offer exclusive deals and discounts
Exclusive deals and discounts are a great way to attract local customers to your franchise. People love a good deal, and special offers will encourage them to try out your service or product.
One idea is to offer first-time customers a discount or free trial. This will get new customers excited to visit your franchise.
You could also create loyalty rewards. This means giving back to customers who come back often. For example, you could give them a punch card where they get a free item or service after a certain number of visits.
Seasonal promotions are another option. Offer discounts during holidays or local events to attract more customers, such as a back-to-school sale or summer deal.
By providing exclusive deals and discounts, you not only attract new customers but also encourage them to return and grow your franchise in the community.
5. Local ads
Running local ads is an easy way to reach customers near you. Local ads drive foot traffic and increase brand awareness in the community through Google and Meta Ads.
Local ads let you target specific areas to reach the right audience. For example, Facebook ads can target users near your franchise, and Google Ads show up when locals search for services you offer.
6. Launch Event
Another great tip is to host a launch event, which is an excellent opportunity to introduce your franchise to the local community.
There are many fun and creative ideas for launch events. If your business offers a specific skill or service, consider holding free workshops or demonstrations to give attendees a hands-on experience. If your franchise is food-related, offer free tastings of your menu items to get people in and showcase your product.
7. Referral program
The last tip is to offer a referral program. A referral program rewards your loyal customers for spreading the word and growing your customer base.
To make your referral program work, offer incentives. For example, you could give customers a discount on their next service or a free item for every new customer they refer. You could also offer a two-way reward where the referrer and the new customer get a special deal, 10% off, or a free consultation.
Referral programs work because people trust recommendations from people they know. By offering a referral program, you can turn your happy customers into ambassadors who can help grow your franchise.
Grow your franchise today
So now you have your franchise set up and know that local promotion is the key to success, we hope this blog has helped you with the top tips for a successful franchise business.
In summary, promoting your franchise locally is the key to building a strong presence in your community. Engage with locals, optimise your online presence, and offer exclusive deals, and you’ll attract new customers and retain existing ones.
Try these out, and you’ll be in touch with your audience, visible and have a customer base that will keep your franchise alive. Local marketing is about relationships, so get real and grow!
