How to Market Your New Franchise: Five Easy Methods
So you've made the investment into a new franchise and now need some full-proof tricks for marketing it. Owning a franchise is similar to owning a start-up small business in that you have to build your business from the ground up. Luckily, unlike owning a start-up small business, many franchisers offer marketing packets, complete with sign age, tips and useful information for getting the word out. After all, your franchiser wants you to succeed. Below are a few traditional and non-traditional methods for marketing your new franchise.
Post cards
One helpful and cost-effective way to marketing your new franchise is investing in postcards. Find a graphic designer and a writer if you are not design/language savvy. Your new post card should be eye-catching, announcing the launch of your franchise. Include a coupon for the first visit to your business and, of course, contact information so that your post card recipients will know how to get in touch with you.
Send your post card to residents living within five miles of your new franchise (you can obtain a list of residents from the local city hall.) If you don't have the budget to purchase stamps, consider hiring a student to distribute the cards door-to-door in the surrounding neighborhoods. Your post card campaign should cost you no more than $600, including design, writing and printing (add an additional fee for mailing.)
E-Newsletter List
Many business now how email newsletter lists. Newsletters lists are a great way to reach an audience that is already interested in your company. Once you develop your franchise Web site, make sure you set aside space for your newsletter and for people to register for it. It is recommended that you send out a newsletter at least once a month. Don't over do it though - people don't enjoy receiving E-mail spam. Include coupons and valuable announcements in your newsletter to ensure that people read it each time you send it out.
Grand Opening Party
Host a Grand Opening party for your franchise. Invite the neighbors and the local media. Make sure to send a press release about the grand opening party to newspapers, TV stations and radio stations so that they include it in local calendars. The more media exposure you get means the more chances your franchise will be seen by interested parties. Furthermore, hosting a Grand Opening party shows that you are community-oriented and interested in getting to know your neighbors.
Radio/Newspaper Contest
Host a contest and announce it in the local newspaper. If you're opening a doughnut shop franchise, announce that you're hosting an all-you-can eat doughnut eating contest and the winner will receive a year's worth of free doughnuts. Be sure to take out an ad in the local media. Your contest will help to show that you sponsor fun events and are interested in giving back to your supporters.
Traditional Advertising
Most franchise owners take out a radio/TV or newspaper ad at some point. Unlike grassroots marketing, traditional advertising tends to be more expensive, but the trade-off is that you reach a greater audience. Shop around the local papers and media outlets for the package that's most cost effective for you and your market.
