Time to Wake Up: Rented Land (Social Media) Won’t Cut It
The recent several-hour TikTok ban highlights a stark reality for brands: social media isn’t guaranteed.
Building an email list is.
The top tool we recommend to bridge this gap, helping you capture your audience’s attention and their contact information, is ManyChat. (Skip to the bottom for a 50%-off Momentum Brands Preferred Partner code BTW)
This tool has revolutionized how influencers engage with their social media audiences. And now, it’s time for franchise brands to use it to turn passive followers into active leads.
Turning Social Media Followers into Leads with ManyChat
If you’ve spent time on Instagram and seen influencers saying, “Comment [insert keyword here] below and I’ll DM you the details,” you’ve witnessed ManyChat in action.
This tool has revolutionized how influencers engage with their social media audiences. And now, it’s time for franchise brands to use it to turn passive followers into active leads.
And trust me, as someone who’s tested countless tools for franchise brands, ManyChat is my favorite for one reason: it works.
Why ManyChat Matters for Franchise Brands
Social media is powerful, but let’s face it: it’s like building your house on rented land.
Algorithms shift. Apps crash. Platforms disappear (RIP, Vine). If you’re relying on Instagram or Facebook alone to build your audience, you’re playing a risky game.
Here’s where ManyChat changes everything.
This tool allows you to move your audience from borrowed land to OWNED land—capturing names, emails, and phone numbers directly from social media platforms.
ManyChat starts the conversation on Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, or even SMS and WhatsApp, giving you direct access to your leads, no matter what happens to the platform they came from.
Social media is powerful, but let’s face it: it’s like building your house on rented land.
And, as of 1/21/25, ManyChat Now Supports TikTok!
ManyChat’s TikTok Open Beta officially launched, opening up a whole new level of opportunity for brands already leveraging TikTok for their marketing. For TikTok Business Account users, this means automating messaging, instantly answering FAQs, and seamlessly engaging with audiences 24/7.
If you’re a franchise brand that values content creation and has an active TikTok following along with Instagram, Facebook Messenger and SMS, this is a game-changer.
ManyChat now allows you to turn TikTok views into meaningful conversations and valuable leads.
What Makes ManyChat So Effective?
It’s Automated but Feels Personal
When someone comments on your post, ManyChat automatically kicks off a DM conversation—but it feels like you’re talking directly to them. It’s instant, engaging, and tailored to their interests. (Note: you have to set up the conversation funnels prior to using it.)
You Capture Contact Information
Once the conversation starts, ManyChat can guide users to share their email, phone number, or any other info you need. This turns them from followers into leads, giving you a way to reach them outside of social media.
It’s Scalable
Whether you’re running one location or managing 50 locations, ManyChat handles high volumes with ease. Set it up once, and it works for every comment, every DM, and every post.
It Drives Real Engagement
Instead of relying on likes and comments, you’re building meaningful interactions. ManyChat encourages back-and-forth communication that strengthens relationships and builds trust.
How Franchise Brands Can Use ManyChat
Here are some of our favorite ways franchisors and franchisees can put ManyChat to work:
Lead Magnets for Grand Openings
Post, “Comment ‘Grand Opening’ to receive exclusive event details!” ManyChat sends the info, and then collects names, emails, and zip codes to build your guest list.
Promotions & Giveaways
“Tag three friends and comment ‘WIN’ below to enter our giveaway!” ManyChat kicks off the conversation with participants, collecting their contact info for future marketing.
Customer Education
“Want tips on [your niche]? Comment ‘HELP’ below!” ManyChat delivers helpful resources while keeping your audience engaged and informed.
Pre-Sales & Offers
“Comment ‘JOIN’ to grab our exclusive Founder’s Rate!” ManyChat captures leads who are ready to buy before the doors even open.
Why I Love ManyChat for Franchise Growth
ManyChat is a lead-generation powerhouse that takes your Instagram followers and converts them into real, measurable results.
It does have a learning curve, though, so it’s best for brands who can have a dedicated social media support role to manage it and the content.
For franchisors, this is a tool you can teach franchisees to drive engagement, build their local audience, and capture data that’s invaluable for long-term success.
And the best part? It’s simple to use. (sort of)
Once you build your first one or two workflows, they are all basically the same. They do have a lot of video tutorials to help train you and shrink your learning curve.
From Followers to Fans
ManyChat is a lead-generation powerhouse. It gives you the ability to connect with your audience in meaningful ways, build trust, and drive action.
And, best of all, franchisees are generating a Guest List for grand opening to share important updates, offer pre-sales, invite to the opening, and engage them after opening.
Want to future-proof your franchise’s marketing strategy? ManyChat is just one of the tools included in our Grand Opening Bundle and Fractional CMO partnerships.
Let’s take your audience from rented land to owned. Reach out today to learn more!
Here's to your Momentum,
BB
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