For small businesses, video has emerged as the dominant force in storytelling and branding. If you’re not currently using video to engage your customers and compel new prospects to engage with you, it’s time to consider it as part of your content strategy. By Jack Monson
My 2023 prediction: Franchising is going to see a big, busy year. More small-business owners will fight to grow their businesses. More franchisors will work hard to expand in an increasingly competitive marketplace. More franchise suppliers will shift and change their business models in order to evolve and innovate. By Jack Monson
Tell me about it, and I might be able to guess where you grew up. Your taste in pizza will give you away if you grew up in or around places like Chicago, Detroit, Boston or New York. By Jack Monson
I’ve spent the last month listening to a lot of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers albums. And, as the joke goes, so have my neighbors! During this binge, it hit me that Petty was one of the greatest American storytellers. The reason is that he wrote songs not about himself, but about you, the listener. By Jack Monson
Many people in marketing spend their time pushing wild ideas and searching for some “cool factor” to attract consumers. But the thing that really sells your product or service is a referral from a customer or a testimonial by a customer. By Jack Monson
Last month we shared some tips for franchise professionals to increase their impressions on LinkedIn and build a personal brand as a thought leader on the national or local level. These tips included details on posting every day, posting from your personal profile rather than your company account, and sharing links to your website in comments instead of in the body of your post. By Jack Monson
Some people spend hours per day watching videos on YouTube or TikTok. Some people check Facebook or Instagram every two minutes. I am a LinkedIn junkie. I have the desktop version or the app or both open all day at my desk. Many in our franchise community do the same. (I see you on here!) By Jack Monson
I recently joined a company called Eulerity. I had been consulting with them for a few months, so when I came onboard full time, we thought it would be fun to use the title of adviser or consigliere. Several friends and colleagues in the franchise space have asked me about this title. By Jack Monson
The start of any new year is a great time for a checkup of your personal fitness and wellness. It’s also a perfect time to check on the fitness of your brand. Whether your brand is part of a global enterprise or local small business, it may need some attention or a remedy. By Jack Monson
Earlier this fall, our community lost a giant. Jerry Darnell, the “Mayor of Franchising,” spent decades making franchising what it is today. He was a mentor to countless franchisees, suppliers, and franchise development professionals. By Jack Monson