Tag Archives: franchise branding

Susan Boyle Thinks She Knows Social Media

Last I checked, Susan Boyle (video link below) or Britain’s Got Talent fame had 1.6 million fans on Facebook. Yes, ONE POINT SIX MILLION. Franchisors would love to have a base like that – which would provide them with instant franchise recognition and marketability. But, unfortunately, I doubt Susan Boyle has much knowledge on the power of her Social Media network. Susan, if you read this, here are some pointers.

T-SHIRTS: People are going to make them, sell them, and make money off your angel voice. Beat them to the punch. Create a t-shirt and sell it on your Facebook page.

eCLUB: Create one. And invite all of these people to join. By doing so, you can market to them instantly. If 1.6 million people love you now – imagine how high that global number will climb if you sustain your marketability.

TAKE 15 MINUTES AND MAKE IT 16: Your 15 minutes don’t have to end – especially with a network like that. Create an album. Create an MP3. Create something that can last, sell, and promote your brand.

KNOW THAT YOU ARE A BRAND: Because you are a brand. Take advantage of it. Grow your brand.

BE CAREFUL OF MONEY HUNTERS: They will want to market you. Don’t let them – unless they are willing to pony up a fee. Realize just how much value 1.6 million fans has.

Franchisors, while creating a buzz like this happens once in a million tries, look out for local talent. Don’t over look the power of your customers – as some may have a story that can create a 15 minutes of fame moment for your brand. Happy Friday, enjoy the video.

By the way, 42 million plus views of this YouTube video. How many of you would like to have that? That means the world spent 555 years watching this 7-minute video. 555 years spent watching it. WOW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

– Posted by Nick Powills @nolimitmc

Yelp! That’s right. And the idea of Paid Reviews

The world is adapting. No longer are you required to have a giant badge that reads “PRESS”. Now, bloggers are revolutionizing the rights of “journalists”. The media is no longer limited to glitzy reporters on TV, radio and in print. Online Journalists are the wave of the future. And smart franchisors are capturing this opportunity.

The question is: As a franchise, do you understand this?

And the follow-up: As a PR firm, do you understand this?

Both important questions. Both deserving of important answers. Both important to overall brand development.

With bloggers taking control of the media, what does this mean for franchisors? Well, in the simplest of terms, it means that anyone, anywhere can write about your brand. I have stated this before, but now you must focus on perfection. You, as zors, are being challenged to place the best product, service, and concept in front of the public. If you half (bleep) it, then you better watch out. Someone is going to blog about it. And someone else is going to boycott your brand. Word-of-mouth now travels virtually.

I have talked about Yelp before, as well. Yelp is a community of reviews. These reviewers aren’t anyone special – in the journalism world, that is. They are the general public putting stamps of approval and disapproval of your brand? Can you have control on these sites – absolutely (but, that benefit I will save for my clients). Can you have Internet control of content? Sure. In our ever changing world, you can even pay bloggers to write positive material about your brand. Is that right, though? That’s a moral question for you.

Just as the franchise portals allow you to place information on your wonderful concept on a third party site for a fee, you can now do the same thing by paying a blogger or reviewer to write about your brand. This creates more searchable content and keeps you, the franchisor in control. However, if I am a franchisee, or a potential franchisee and I read one of these reviews about how wonderful your brand is, how I am going to make money (earnings claim), and how I need to buy in now. And I do. And it sinks. I am going to be PISSED!

So, is controlled content fair to franchisees? If it is real, then yes. But, again, this brings up morality questions. What information can you present that is real, to your best belief, and is beneficial to your potential franchisees? Are you doing it? Lots of questions. Lots of answers.