Franchisee organizations like Subway, H&R Block, Hampton Inn and Dunkin' Donuts are using Twitter for specials, price promotions, customer advice and services.
Their followers range from 6,000 to 38,000 using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other strategies, according to entrepreneur.com.
Highlights about their Twitter successes reported in story:
o Subway's @subwayfreshbuzz attracted more than 6,000 followers in less than 6 months, monitoring its online buzz and tweeting product and promotional news.
o McDonald's operates two main Twitter handles. @McDonalds has more than 4,700 followers, using it for brand news, information and customer service. @McCafeYourDay promotes its specialty coffees
o Hampton Hotels' @HamptonFYI promotes the brand and share information relevant to travelers.
o H&R Block uses @HRBlock as a customer care question/answer tool, posting information about the tax law changes and expertise like staying healthy on the road and saving on airfares.
o Dunkin' Donuts' @DunkinDonuts has more than 38,000 followers, who share their Dunkin' Donuts' experiences.
He has a few secrets of Twitter success from franchisee expert Ed Segreto of FranchisEssentials:
1. Diversify your messages. Give them codes, sales and specials but give them something more. What's going on at your franchise, national car care month, etc. Make sure there's content with real value.
2. Stay on brand. Get involved in social media repurposing HQ content and following the corporate social media experts and directions.
3. Get in the game now. Too many franchisees are on the sidelines. Develop a presence so your franchise will be able to capture the audience that your competitors are ignoring.
There's some great ideas from a lot of different franchises that golf organizations can emulate.
