How to use Social Technology in your search for a Franchise.

by Computer Explorers

Social technology (social media) is used to discover, read and share content. It is used to promote and grow businesses but it also provides an opportunity to monitor conversations as they are happening. As you are conducting due diligence on franchise opportunities you can conduct your research using social technology.

Many franchisors are using various forms of social technology to build a following and engage in conversations with their customers. They are using platforms like Twitter, Blogs, Facebook and Flickr.

Here are a few easy ways to use social technology to begin your research to learn more about the brands you are researching. How are they engaged with their customers and what is being said by their customers and/or franchisees:

Addictomatic – There are possibly thousands of social sites you could visit in your market research. Go to the web site http://addictomatic.com and insert your search request. The site will search live sites for current news, Tweets (Twitter), blog posts, images, videos and photos for your request. This research application will provide a single page of search results that are separated in single boxes displaying information from various social network sites. You can review tweets posted on Twitter, read current blog posts, view photos posted on Flickr, and watch videos posted on YouTube, etc. Franchise brands with a strong social technology presence will have a lot of information to available.

Google Alerts – Google alerts is a great tool to help you monitor news, blogs, and Web site updates. To set up an alert on the franchise brands you are researching, simply Google “Google alerts” and fill out a form for each topic you’d like to receive an alert for, along with the frequency and e-mail address you want them sent to.

Social Mention alerts – These alerts are very similar to Google alerts, but specific to social media. Go to the Web site http://socialmention.com/alerts and click on the drop-down box. You can click ALL and it will look at all of the social networks for you.

Facebook – Facebook business pages are used for discussions about the product and/or service provided by the franchise brand, information about upcoming events, displays photos and possibly videos. Most importantly a Facebook business page engages in conversation with fans. Search http://www.facebook.com for the franchise brand you are researching. Do they have a business profile and if so what are their fans saying?

Using social technology to conduct research will give you insight to the loyalty and satisfaction of franchisees and customers and a better understanding of the franchise service and/or product.

Deb Evans
President & CEO
COMPUTER EXPLORERS

Learn more about COMPUTER EXPLORERS at www.franchisebusinessreview.com.
 

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