With the social media landscape becoming increasingly saturated with new platforms and new users, does Facebook still matter for businesses and franchises trying to reach current and potential customers? In a word, YES. In fact, numbers from the first half of 2016 show that in the U.S., more than 60% of adults access Facebook from their smartphones an average of 15 times per month. And the next two most-used social apps are Facebook owned: Messenger and Instagram. Read on →

“Heart Content” should make up about 15-20% of your content strategy. But what is heart content, who creates it, and what does it look like? What is heart content? Simply put, heart content is content that allows social media users to connect personally with your business or franchise. Who creates heart content? Heart content can’t be curated by an expert. Only you (or someone at your on- site location) can create and post this very important type of content. Read on →

New reports reveal that a full 85% of social media users follow brands online… and 75% of these people make a purchase because of something they saw on social media! That’s incredible news for businesses and franchises looking to strengthen current customer relationships and develop new ones. But it’s important to understand what consumers are looking for, as well as what turns them off. Social media users are drawn to brands that share content that’s authentic, informative, and valuable. Read on →

Want to fully maximize the effectiveness of your business or franchise’s social media content marketing? Make these best practices a part of your strategy: Quality > Quantity. When growing your social media audience, it can be tempting to think that more followers will translate into more sales. In reality, a smaller number of truly interested followers is exponentially more powerful. Focus on building loyalty with this “driest tinder,” and watch your sales catch fire! Read on →

Traditional advertising is all about “the ask”: a direct request to purchase your business’s product or service. However, on social media, less is more… and a heavy-handed sales push will actually backfire. (Yes, every time!) So how can your business effectively use an ask on social media? Start by building a strong foundation of value-rich content. In other words, provide informative and entertaining posts that your target audience will enjoy, no strings attached. Read on →

What’s the fundamental principle of social media content marketing? Simple: Provide content that entertains and educates your target market in order to gain their attention, develop their interest or deepen their loyalty, and earn the right to promote your product or service. To effectively achieve these goals, developing the right balance of content is vital. A key part of your business’s strategy should be “Heart Content.” Beyond informative and entertaining posts, heart content helps your audience connect personally with your business. Read on →