Once upon a time, a # was just another symbol but along came social media and turned this little mark into a world wide sensation. Hashtags are a powerful tool to help engage with an audience and to increase brand awareness.

A keyword or phrase is used with a hashtag throughout social media posts to help find people with similar interests and to promote the ethos of the brand. Razzamataz Theatre Schools has fully embraced every element of social media so finding the perfect hashtag was an important part of that process.

“Social media is an important part of marketing for both Head Office to attract new franchisees and school Principals to find new students,” says Denise Hutton-Gosney, MD and Founder of Razzamataz. “Finding an inspirational hashtag was an important part of the plan for our online marketing.”

As a network, Razzamataz decided to run a competition to find the perfect hashtag that encapsulates everything that they stand for. The winner was Charlotte Young, Principal of Razzamataz West Cumbria who came up with #BelieveInYou.

“Razzamataz is about empowering young people to be the best that they can be and the only way for them to achieve success is for them to believe in themselves as much as everyone at Razzamataz does,” says Denise. “This hashtag perfectly sums up how we feel about each and every one of our students. Being a Razzamataz student is not just about learning to sing, dance and act, it is about believing that you can achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.”

There are more than 40 schools within the Razzamataz network and each school is encouraging the use of the hashtag by posting success stories of their students. #BelieveInYou is being used for numerous Facebook and Twitter updates to praise the success of students. From gaining professional work on the stage and screen through to being selected for their school sports team, all stories are celebrated.

“Not all students who come to Razzamataz will want to pursue careers in the performing arts,” explains Denise. “So it is important that we recognise all sorts of success and instill in these young people a belief that if they work hard, they can follow their aspirations. #BelieveInYou represents hard work, dedication, commitment and then success.”

Razzamataz Theatre Schools is a franchise part-time theatre school business with schools up and down the UK. MD and Founder, Denise Hutton-Gosney took a leap of faith and 2007 and appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den and after a tough grilling from the Dragons, gained investment from Duncan Bannatyne.

“#BelieveInYou is definitely my mantra too,” says Denise. “I was incredibly nervous about appearing on Dragons’ Den but I had utter confidence in my business and I know what a good product we have and for the right people, it makes a fantastic business model. Our franchisees come from a wide range of backgrounds but the one thing they all have in common is complete dedication and a positive mindset. This has enabled them to have their own successful businesses that fit round their families and other commitments.”

If you would like to find out how you can join the franchise network, Razzamataz is actively looking to open further schools across the UK and in particular Aberdeen and Cardiff. The team will be holding regular Discovery Den days, which give people the opportunity to meet the Head Office team and find out more about this franchise opportunity, across the UK.

If you want to find out more about becoming a franchisee of your own part-time Razzamataz Theatre School, make an appointment to come along to one of the regular but informal Discovery Den days in London, Glasgow or Sheffield to find out more about this exciting and flexible business opportunity. To book a place contact Head of Franchisee Recruitment Suzie McCafferty on [email protected] or call Suzie on 07793 054 233. For more details visit: www.razzamataztheatreschools.co.uk.