Manage Franchise Locations with Facebook Places

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Ben Baggett

In this technological driven world, social media is imperative to market your franchise business.  Patrons today are looking to interact more than ever.  Facebook and other social media sites allow for them to view your business more frequently and learn more about your products and business.  The emergence and popularity of social media has created a "Need to Know" sensation in society.  Putting your franchise on these sites helps to fulfill that need.  By using the Follow options on these sites, your customers are able to receive updates and share with their friends when they are at your locations.  

Benefits of Facebook Places

Specifically, Facebook Places offers a unique set of advantages for franchise owners.  Businesses are able to manage their "Place" on Facebook.  This means after you claim your "Place" you are able to manage your address, contact information, business hours, profile picture and link it to your original Facebook page.  You are able to claim your Place on Facebook by physically visiting the location, choosing the check in option on your mobile phone and creating the Place.  After this you can visit the Place on Facebook and click the link at the bottom left that says "is this your business?".  You will be prompted with a verification process and when it is completed you will be able to manage the information. 

As patrons visit your locations they will be able to "Check In" and share with their friends.  This is an incredibly strong marketing tactic.  Recommendations from a known source are the most believable for prospective customers. 

Managing Multiple Pages and Places

As your business grows it may become difficult to manage multiple Facebook pages and Places.   Create one main page for the entire business.  This page should contain general company information and nonspecific topics.  For each location of your franchise create a Place.  This will allow for you to control the information flowing from your locations on Facebook.  Next you will need to link the different locations to your main company page.  This is done through adding the different address of each location to the main page.  The addresses on the location Places will need to be the same as the one on the main page. 

Through doing this you will be able to use many different advertising features offered by Facebook to market your company and each location. 

Article by Alan Richards

Mr. Richards is a Franchise Marketing Specialist at Upside Group Franchise Consulting Group. For the past decade, Upside Group has been helping franchisees develop their business plans and marketing strategies with an aim to increase sales and to ensure long term success. Comprised of an experienced and professional team, Upside Group understands every aspect of the franchise model and how to execute the most effective strategies for a number of different business goals. With measurable results and proven expertise, Mr. Richards and his colleagues at Upside Group are committed to providing clients with a list of comprehensive services that will strengthen the development of their franchise.