How long do you think it will be until we see a new franchise offering social media services 
on every corner like Starbucks?
(Editor’s note: Within the past couple of weeks two of my very good friends, one a software salesman and the other a Verizon employee, have been laid off. Man, I feel bad for them and their families…and it got me to thinking about what I would do if my current business collapsed. Below is one of my ideas.)
Yesterday I was out for a fairly long bike ride and because it is tax season, H&R Block popped into my head.
Naturally, my thoughts then progressed to social media and small business, and thinking about when someone might take the entrepreneurial initiative and create a franchises that offers social media assistance.
Now, before you “poo-poo” the idea of a franchise that offers social media services think about it…
Speaking from my own experience, most small business owners don’t have the slightest idea how to get started with social media and using the Internet to promote their business.
Sure, they know it’s a powerful medium, but it ends there.
Imagine if Chris Brogan took his New Media Labs and opened up a storefront in downtown Boston, London, Sydney, or San Francisco. Do you think it would be successful? Or how about some other people with a large following: Jeff Pulver, Seth Godin, Chris Garrett, Jason Falls, Laura Fitton.
Even better, how about YOU? Now’s your chance to be first, a true renegade!
If you decided to pursue this entrepreneurial model, you could offer a menu of simple social media services for a nominal fee (and perhaps give heavy discounts to non-profits).
The menu could look (something) like the following:
- Social media overview – – $49.99
- Set up a Twitter account — $20.00
- Introduction to Facebook and account setup – – $39.99
- Uploading a video to YouTube – – $19.99
- Business blogging defined and blogging platforms – – $35.00
- Drafting your first blog post – – $49.99
- 10 social media business promotion strategies – $67.00
- How to create your first podcast – $29.99
You get the idea. And you could even offer packaged services where customers could pick three menus items for $95.00.
Next Steps
If we expand the idea even further beyond just the services offered, we come to the all-important atmosphere, which includes amazing customer service, a non-intimidating and non-threatening environment, and clean comfortable décor and workspaces.
Heck, throw in organic coffee and free WIFI and I think you could give Starbucks a run for their money.
Even better, before Google or Microsoft join forces with Starbucks, maybe you could approach them to integrate small business social media services into their existing stores (they have locations throughout the world and they could easily test it by starting at one location).
Oh yeah, if someone has the seed funding to get this going, I’m happy to assist. :-)
(Note: If you like you can follow me on Twitter @mark_hayward, feel free to leave your social media info in the SandBox and please support Train for Humanity)
image source: Madrigal Photography
Mark,
That’s sad to hear about the layoffs of your friends. I used to work for Verizon, their wireless side. I’m sure their are plenty of virtual shops offering these services. If I walk into a coffee shop one day and see these services, I’ll know who said it first. Thx.
This is such a good idea. I think the non-threatening environment is key – there are many people who are intimidated by getting started, but just need a little tuition. In fact, why not add training to your menu? Become a personal trainer for social media … either one-on-one, or small group training.
You’dl lose a little repeat business as they get competent, but I bet you’d get a lot of upsell as they come back to learn the next thing.
This is a great idea Mark. The franchise setup is perfect – since it implies that it is repeatable and tested/error free. I know so many people that would pay for half hour of real time help since the web is just filled with too much information and can be overwhelming too :)
And with all that online interaction I do feel the need for some real face to face talk – the cafe would just be perfect for that :)
You should move ahead with this!
Mark, what a splendid idea!
But, you have to wonder. Is the general public ready to get “jiggy” with it? : )
Hey Shama – Given a little bit of training and background info, I think small business owners are ready for social media as a marketing tool.
Hey Mark,
Thanks for the link-love!
And you know, you’re right, as much as there’s a lot of resources on the web, a lot of times it’s also “information overload” and all that ends up happening is you pick up the wrong strategy and social media suddenly becomes nothing more than a time-suck!
I think that businesses would definitely benefit from either one-on-one coaching or group training. But ah, I won’t throw in a shameless plug here… Instead I’ll only say that I’m working on it :-)
Is that a Social Media setup? or a Web 2.0 setup? Because even though the terms are used fairly interchangeably, I’m not sure they’re the same thing.
I can’t imagine Chris or any of the others doing that – perhaps because one of the things they all know is that the “social” part of social networking can’t be skipped.
Yes, I can “set up” profiles for anyone – but what good does that do? Profiles don’t the strategy make – nor do they make any kind of connection with the target market of the ‘small business’ you mention. Why would a Dry Cleaners in St. Louis care about getting exposure on YouTube? More than that – how would that be a better $$ spent than advertising in their Local Yellow Pages?
Just because a medium exists doesn’t mean it’s the right tool to get your message to your target audience.
This is why there are thousands upon thousands of websites, youtubes, blogs, and twitters – but not thousands of Chris Brogans.
~GeekMommy
This is a great idea but many successful people, like myself, are doing something similar to this but solo by reaching out and offering consulting. Doing all of what you offered above but continuing to guide, teach, consult and then maintain the social networking. One key component missing in the above equation, longevity. We can all create the pages and add some friends but for social media to work you have to converse regularly…right? That’s where the package above expands and gets expensive but it’s great for people like me! Tutorials, slide shows and conference calls make the information overload a little more compact, at least from my professional experience.
Great idea, I think this is sort of happening though.
Hey GeekMommy – thanks for dropping by. :) Excellent point!
As a small business owner I had no idea where to start where to start with SM, so really I was just trying to discuss a service that could be available for those who are interested in pursuing SM to promote their biz.
I think that education about how to use these tools should be mandatory for each customer otherwise you’re going to end up with things like the Playstation Christmas blog and related astroturfing.
I think it’s a valid idea, but it propagates commercializing “social” sites. I don’t know about other people, but it’s kind of nice to talk to people, just to talk to people, and not because they want to sell me something. I’m not saying the idea isn’t valid, it’s just I think it would ruin the individualism of social networks.
Interesting concept and I see where you’re going with this but I’d have to sway towards Lucretia’s thoughts. Where you could switch it up, is to offer small consultations with companies prospecting the use of these strategies/tools and see IF it would be beneficial for them to even step foot into the SM world.
I understand it’s not a concrete ‘menu’ and I do like your thought process on this as I’ve also recently been hit by the layoff bug – but I think by allowing companies to first understand potential strategies, is more important than them learning how to send a tweet.
I like this idea a lot, especially as it pertains to nonprofits. I am doing my best to intorduce my local nonprofit organizations to social media by offering the services of my blog, but I can see that there is much more educating to be done. what’s interesting is entrepreneurs seem to get it and large businesses seem to be engaging, but the small business and the nonprofit seem to be looking the other way. You may be on to something here.
I think this is a fantastic idea. I spend so much time learning how to most effectively use these social media sites that by the time I’ve mastered one, I realize it was so six months ago. I would love to know how people customize their twitter page/blogs/etc. Mine all have the same generic template that twitter and blogger provide.
Hi Mark – Done well I see no reason not to be able to offer Social media services for SB (I think they are in an excellent position to try out what works) but the services would need to be customized to the needs of each business because these needs will be different.
Which would mean they could not be a franchise, since the defining factor of franchises is that in almost every respect (branding, marketing, vision, service, training etc) they are exactly the same. Think Starbucks ;) MacDonalds, Tim Hortons (for those of us in Canada). You know exactly what to expect.
Also I am very wary beginning with focusing on SM tools – everything should begin with the business objectives with the tools (if they fit), implementation and measurement of results as tactics of the strategy. There is also the “social” aspect which is perhaps the trickiest aspect… it requires time and that means money.
I think you may be on to something though. There’s more than enough of this evolving pie for everyone.
You can open up a Jason Falls franchise where you live. Just send me beer money. Heh.
Good post. Lots of good thoughts. The great thing about the future is that we have a chance to define it. Good on you for pointing us in an interesting direction.
I do something slightly similar for my clients to help get them started, but in doing so I stress the same thing that Lucretia Pruitt notes: It’s social media, and without interaction, it just doesn’t work!
If the person offering these ‘services’ doesn’t understand the interaction part of social media, they will be simply providing another broadcasting service…
I think you’re on to something. I work in high-tech Marketing and currently developing our corporate SM strategy, but I’m also helping out small (ie. 1-man businesses) with their SM and Marketing strategy. I’m finding that there is so much need out there with SM’s on helping them, and as I was told by the Jazz pianist that I’m helping build his community – “he just wants to focus on playing his music, and doesn’t know where to start with promotion”. Would love to hear more on this subject.