Building a referral-based business doesn’t stop at the front desk—it stretches into your neighborhood, your online presence, and the families who already believe in your mission.

In Part 1, we covered how to lay the groundwork for trust-based referrals through thoughtful follow-up, simple incentives, and strong relationships with schools. In this second part, we’re expanding that reach into community events, digital tools, and happy customers.

Marketing an education franchise requires more than a website and a few social media posts—it takes a relational approach rooted in visibility, service, and trust. The good news? When done well, that approach doesn’t just bring in new families—it strengthens your reputation and deepens your community impact.

Read On to Learn How to Network Your Education Franchise

Through Community Engagement and Online Presence.

Show Up Where Families Gather: Community Events That Spark Connection Will Help Your Education Franchise’s Visibility

Families notice the businesses that show up and invest in their neighborhoods. 

Local events like school carnivals, community fairs, parenting expos, and back-to-school nights are great opportunities to introduce your Best in Class center to families in a low-pressure, friendly setting.

Community events offer our center owners the opportunity to think interactively and relationally. At these events, you can build conversions with families in simple but creative ways:

• Set up a simple math or vocabulary challenge for kids.
• Offer mini-assessments or free educational games.
• Hand out branded materials with referral cards or QR codes.

When parents can engage with you face-to-face, and their kids also interact in your booth, you’ll leave a lasting impression. Even if they’re not ready to enroll that day, they’ll remember the positive experience and reach out in the future if looking for education support services or be more likely to refer you to a friend who’s looking.

Build Local Partnerships That Extend Your Reach

You’re not the only one serving families in your community. Pediatricians, after-school clubs, toy stores, and local youth programs all share your audience and, quite often, your values.

Reach out to complementary local businesses and offer to collaborate:

• Co-host a workshop, make-and-take craft day, or Q&A night on topics such as “How to Help Your Child with Homework” or “Navigating Standardized Testing.”
• Provide cross-promotional materials for each other’s locations.
• Offer a referral incentive to their staff or clients.

These partnerships are mutually beneficial. You gain exposure to a trusted network, and they get to offer added value to their families. Plus, being seen as part of a local village working together to support kids reinforces your commitment to the community you serve.

Use Online Reviews as Word-of-Mouth Marketing

We often think of referrals as something that happens in person. But these days, they occur just as frequently in search results.

A glowing review on Google or Facebook could be why a parent calls you after an online search. In fact, many parents will read a review and feel as though they’ve already been referred. Social proof is a powerful marketing tool!

Here’s how to make the most of testimonials for your marketing efforts:

• Ask happy families to leave a review right after a success moment (an excellent report card, a noticeable boost in confidence, etc.).
• Make it easy—send a thank-you email with direct review links.
• Respond to every review. Thank the positive ones, and address concerns with professionalism and care.

Online reviews attract new families and also help reinforce your reputation when someone hears about you through another channel. Furthermore, when you respond well, you’re not just talking to one reviewer—you’re showing dozens of future customers how you operate.

Launch a Parent Ambassador Program

Your most satisfied families are often your best marketers, and when their kids have made great strides, they’re happy to tell others about the center that helped them. The key is to empower parents to speak up and give them a structure that makes it easy.

A simple parent ambassador program can include:

• Inviting parents to share their story at open houses or events.
• Encouraging them to refer friends through personalized referral links or cards.
• Offering small rewards (like tuition discounts, gift cards, or public shoutouts) for successful referrals.
  

Even better? It builds community inside your center. Families feel like they’re part of something special and take pride in being part of your growth.

And remember—this isn’t about formal “selling.” It’s about giving people who already believe in your mission a chance to bring others into the experience.

You’re Not Alone in Growing Your Business Through Referrals.

As a Best in Class franchisee, you have more than a business model—you have a network of support, tools, and shared experience.

From customizable marketing materials to ongoing guidance from the corporate team, you don’t have to guess what works. These community-centered, people-first strategies are part of what makes Best in Class different. Our center owners love to share ideas on what’s working in their communities to build their businesses and serve children well. You can read about some of the outstanding work happening in centers nationwide on our blog. 

The more you connect, the more your business will grow. And the stronger your community ties, the more natural—and powerful—those referrals become.

If you’re ready to explore a fulfilling business journey, we’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Contact us today!