Some of the most exciting industries in which to start a business this year involve anything related to home-improvement or auto repair. Regardless of how the recovery goes and how quickly some local businesses open, travel will be limited or still just not an option for many Americans. It is likely that few will be flying off to Paris this summer.
That means for the second summer in a row, we will see more stay-at-home fun and home-improvement projects. We’ll also see a return to the good old family road trip. Consumers will be taking extra care of their current homes and their current cars.
If you already have or are planning to start a franchise in one of these areas, social-media marketing is the most cost-effective way to reach those customers. Facebook and Instagram are particularly good visual channels to advertise and show off images of your home service’s beautiful work, such as painting, windows, or remodeling. Or for outdoor services like mosquito control or swimming-pool maintenance, these channels are perfect for sharing visuals for those consumers aspiring to have some backyard fun with the kids this year. Targeting is easy for ads on these platforms; you can reach homeowners with certain income levels who live in very specific parts of your geographic territory.
And to reach those car owners who are getting their kicks on Route 66 or driving the family truckster to Wally World, Facebook and Instagram are the perfect places to reach new customers who may need some maintenance or repairs before heading out on the highway. Gain brand awareness and build trust by sharing automotive tips along with interesting car images and videos. Get them thinking about the fun they had on past road trips by engaging them about their favorite car tunes or destinations for a great day trip in your state!
And for both home and auto-service businesses, don’t forget to share some behind the scenes pics or videos of your team and technicians. Your customers love seeing the human side of your local business.
Speaking of road trips – if you’re near Atlanta on March 9, please join me in-person at the Southeast Franchise Forum luncheon. Details are on the events page of socialgeekradio.com. I’ll be sharing the latest important Facebook changes impacting franchises and small business owners. See you there!
– Jack Monson
Jack Monson is the host of the Social Geek Radio Network, home of the number one podcasts in Franchising including The Franchise News Podcast and The Facebook Franchise Podcast. Monson is also the Chief Revenue Officer at Social Joey and has been working with franchisees and small businesses in social media marketing for 13 years. For more information, visit socialgeekradio.com, or email jack@socialgeekradio.com.