Franchise Development For Beginners: First Steps In Online Lead Generation

Finding investors and business buyers is one of the most important aspects of franchise development, and modern technology makes this an easier task than it once was. Unlike in the days before the internet, when cold calling was considered the best way to generate leads, today’s advancements in technology and data collection provide businesses the opportunity to target audiences who are more likely to become investors.

To successfully generate leads, you first need to know the four types of lead generation options are available to you:

1. Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL): This type of lead engages with your company’s marketing department but isn’t quite ready to become a paying investor.
2. Sales Qualified Lead (SQL): This type of lead shows an active interest in becoming an investor, and they may have asked for more information on your products or services.
3. Product Qualified Lead (PQL): This type of lead has used your product or service — usually via a free trial — which indicates that they are more likely to become an investor.

Lead Generation For Franchise Development

When you’re just starting out, it can be overwhelming and daunting — especially if you’re not sure where to even find leads for the sake of franchise development. As mentioned earlier, the advancements in technology have made the processes far easier.

Here are three ways to generate leads for franchise development:

1. Social Media

The power of social media is undeniable, and marketers who know how to successfully use apps and websites like LinkedIn and Facebook can aid franchise development. The trick is to create a trusted online presence, which includes deep research regarding your potential investors, posting click-worthy content and establishing yourself as an expert in your field.

2. Email

Franchise development in the 21st century doesn’t mean eschewing more classic methods. While email isn’t the hottest new thing around anymore, it’s still a crucial part of people’s lives. Successfully targeting audiences who have shown interest in your product with email campaigns is a popular way to generate leads.

3. Paid Advertising

Despite how good your products or services are, you’ll need to tell people about them. Content like blogs and emails can only go so far, and usually you need to rely on good old-fashioned paid advertising. Paid advertising is a way for you to get your product into the audience’s mind — but you still need to define your target audience in order to get the best return on investment.

Kickstart Your Campaign With FranchiseSoft

Franchise development doesn’t have to be a chore when you’ve got reliable franchise management software. Get in touch with us at FranchiseSoft and request a free demo of or franchise management software today.