Today, we are going to take a look at how McDonald’s Facebook ads are used to drive sales for their restaurants.
At Relevantly, we have over 15 years of marketing experience and we would love to share what we’ve learned with you!
In this article, you’ll learn more about the creative and effective marketing strategies that McDonald’s uses, and how you can use these techniques in your own business. So, let’s get started.
McDonald’s Facebook Ads
McDonald's is the world's leading fast-food restaurant chain with more than 39,000 locations in over 119 markets with an estimated brand value of about 129,32 billion U.S. dollars.
The McDonald's brand is ranked at number nine among the top global brands like Amazon, Apple, and Facebook.
Today, you will get a closer look at McDonald’s Facebook ads and how you can use the same strategies to help improve your own digital marketing efforts.
Mcdonald’s Facebook Ad #1: Use Nostalgia
Source: McDonald’s Facebook Page
Using nostalgia is a great way to target an older audience as well as expand to a new generation and this McDonald’s Facebook Ad does just that. Adults who were kids in the '70s will clearly remember the lovable characters that featured in most of McDonald's ads in the past.
They grew up with these characters and seeing them in this image will probably bring back many fond memories of times when their parents finally gave in and took them to McDonald's for a treat.
Promotions with free glasses were also a big marketing strategy in the '70s, so tying in this theme will also tug at the heartstrings of older audiences.
Even the choice of text is very retro with the neon-coloured letters in a funky 3D font. McDonald's is hoping to use nostalgia to encourage grown-ups to go back to their childhood and hopefully introduce their own children and grandchildren to a pleasant part of their upbringing.
use nostalgia to connect with your audience
Takeaways:
So what can you learn from this McDonald’s strategy?
In your own business, try to find ways of using nostalgia to connect with your own audience. If you have been in business for many years, maybe do a "throwback" campaign to one of the original marketing ideas that you used in the past.
If your logo has changed, why not design a Facebook post with your old logo and an image of the decade when it was used to try and spark a conversation around the good old days.
Mcdonald’s facebook Ad #2: Keeping it simple
This McDonald's Facebook Ad that ran on their South African page, is simple in more ways than one.
Simple Wording: The ad has very few words, but they have been chosen carefully to make the most impact. Even the font choice is very simple.
Simple Colour Scheme: The ad doesn't use flashy colours, it keeps things very simple. The monochromatic colour palette really makes the ad appear simplistic and is a big step away from McDonald's usual bright and colourful ads. That's the beauty of it. It catches your attention and makes you take a second look.
Simple Sign-up: The point of the ad is to get more followers for McCafe on Instagram and to make it very simple to install the McDonald's app.
When you click on the ad, you are taken to their website where you are granted access to download their app. Here's what you see when you click on the image.
Takeaways:
Here are some things that you can apply to your own business:
Keep the wording in your Facebook Ads simple. Your target market won’t wade through large blocks of text.
Try to do the occasional ad that is very different from your usual style to catch peoples’ attention.
And finally, make your call to action easy to find and easy to follow through with.
Mcdonald’s Ad #3: Don’t Always be selling
Source: McDonald’s Facebook Page
You don't always have to be selling something to make a positive impact on Facebook. This post from McDonald's is clearly not an ad, however, it does serve a very important purpose.
It shows what kind of company McDonald's is by demonstrating that they truly care about specific issues affecting their customers. This is a great way to build trust with their audience and to demonstrate the high standards they believe in. Ads like this can go a long way in building your brand.
Instead of taking you to McDonald’s website, this ad takes you to the Stop AAPI Hate Facebook Page.
Source: Stop AAPI Hate Facebook Page
Takeaways:
So what can we learn from this Facebook post?
Is there a current cause that is close to your business's heart and that you can promote through your Facebook advertising?
Your target market wants to do business with companies that believe in the same things that they do. Therefore, if you want to build trust and loyalty with your customers, find out what they are passionate about and see if there is a way that you can support those causes.
For example, if you have a deck building company, then a cause that might be good for you to support could be Habitat for Humanity or if you own a pet supply store, you may want to support your local humane society.
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If these McDonald’s Facebook ads grabbed your attention, and you’re wondering how you can do the same for your business, contact Relevantly.
At Relevantly, we have over 15 years of marketing experience and have helped small businesses across Ontario, Canada, and North America build their brand online.
If you’re ready to create an effective Facebook marketing strategy, contact us today!
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