By: Joanna Ellis-Escobar–

Learning how to generate leads can be a challenge for novices to the franchise industry. Educating yourself on the best methods for lead generation requires research and hard work to ensure the most positive results. Here are six proven tips to help you learn the ropes of lead generation as a new franchisee.
#1. Deliver Mutual Benefits
In the online environment, offering something of value in return can provide a real incentive for consumers to provide their information to your franchise company. A coupon, discount or promotional gift can also reinforce the positive image of your franchise and can serve as a marketing tool even aside from the lead information gained during the process.
#2. Create a Personal Touch
Live chat services are a proven way to start a dialogue with potential customers and can create a positive image for your franchise. Working with a professional live chat company like Chat 24/7 Live can help you put your best foot forward in the online marketplace and can create connections that can lead to long-term relationships with clients in the Internet environment.
#3. Reward Referrals
Your current franchise customers can often be good sources for added leads. Offering a small reward to clients who bring in new business can help you jump-start your lead generation process and can deliver added revenues and greater visibility for your franchise.
#4. Establish Your Credentials
Positioning yourself as an authority in your industry can attract new customers and increase traffic to your franchise website. By publishing articles and e-books that provide real information on your industry and offer an inside look at your franchise, you can generate buzz for your company and can improve your position in the competitive marketplace.
#5. Socialize with Care
Maintaining a presence on social media networks can help your franchise attract new customers and new leads. Caution is in order, however; the wrong moves in these online communities can quickly backfire and draw negative attention to you and your company. Promoting sales and products is usually acceptable. Making political statements or attempting to cash in on current events can often be a serious mistake that can cripple your lead generation efforts.
#6. Start the Presses
Online press releases can provide your franchise location with added visibility. Because Google and other search engines maintain separate categories for news, web results and other types of content, a well-timed news release can sometimes get you front-page coverage to generate more leads for your company and for your franchise as a whole. Any time you have a major news-worthy event regarding your brand, you should consider crafting a well-written press release around it. This could include a conference or upcoming trade show you will be in attendance at; a major shift in roles or positions in your company; a new product or service launch; a new website design; major industry news or announcements; a location change of your physical business; or positive accolades, awards or media coverage you can promote – these are all great “newsworthy” events you can take advantage of via a press release.

Educating the public regarding the benefits of your franchise products and services can be the best strategy in achieving more leads and converting them into satisfied customers. By choosing Chat 24/7 Live for your chat support needs, you can create the most positive impressions on newcomers to your site and can ensure that current customers stay loyal to you and your franchise brand.