AI adoption in franchising spreads quickly

Engaging Technology: AI adoption in franchising spreads rapidly

Social media and different digital advertising instruments weren’t immediately adopted by many individuals in franchising 15 years in the past.

Different advances in digital advertising and know-how additionally weren’t accepted shortly on this house. So many franchisors have dismissed new tech till the final minute that the trade has gained a fame for being far behind the occasions. We hear on a regular basis that “Franchising is sluggish to adapt,” or “Franchising is late to the sport.”

Not this time. There’s one thing completely different occurring now. There are a lot of individuals in franchising method forward of different industries in relation to AI. Actually, in contrast with different sectors I’m watching proper now, our group is main the way in which.

Why is curiosity in AI so sizzling proper now with our colleagues? Why are so many franchisors and suppliers actively utilizing AI to write down, create, and produce? The reason being social media engagement.

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The LinkedIn explosion

The previous 3 years have seen a large improve in business-to-business social media engagement by franchisors, particularly on LinkedIn. After a decade of slowly utilizing Fb, Twitter, and Instagram for shopper advertising, the franchise growth group has gone all-in on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the channel that issues now. Franchise execs can share concepts and join with like-minded professionals to increase their networks. Maybe it was the pandemic lockdown that left fewer choices for networking. Many turned to LinkedIn as the one supply of attracting new enterprise alternatives. Quick ahead to 2023, and franchise execs can’t get sufficient LinkedIn.

AI attracts a crowd at IFA

I had the pleasure of moderating a session on the 2023 IFA Annual Conference. Becoming a member of me had been Patti Rother, VP of franchise growth at The Now; Robert Mitchell, head of franchise growth at Extremely Pool Care Squad; and Dan Monaghan, founding father of Clear Summit Group. (To hearken to the session, click on right here.)

Initially, Dan and I had been engaged on different digital subjects for a session on the conference, together with the Metaverse, NFTs, and extra. By January, our social media feeds had been filled with franchise execs sharing questions on AI. It was apparent to us and to the IFA {that a} shift to AI was warranted.

We had been amazed on the turnout. A whole bunch of individuals flooded the ballroom in Las Vegas. By the point we began talking, the standing-room-only crowd poured out into the foyer space. We had assumed it could be a fairly widespread panel. However there was not a lot alternative to unfold the information of this last-minute entry. Phrase of mouth was restricted, and there was no solution to promote a person session. Why did so many individuals find out about this? Social media.

We had spent the last few weeks sharing LinkedIn posts in regards to the session with our contacts. We recorded podcasts about AI potential for franchisors and shared these podcasts on social media. We engaged with others on LinkedIn who had been speaking about AI and steered {that a} session on AI can be precious at IFA. It labored nicely due to the partaking nature of our colleagues, and we spent a complete of $0.

Prepare for related classes at FCXC in June, FLDC in October, and at different franchise occasions! When you’re talking on a sizzling matter, spend as a lot time on LinkedIn as you may spreading the phrase over the earlier month.

Assets for franchise professionals on social media

There are such a lot of movies, blogs, and podcasts being shared every single day geared towards serving to professionals use AI. However a lot of this materials will not be useful for or particular to franchise manufacturers. Listed below are a number of locations to search out assist with a franchising angle from trade franchisors and suppliers:

1) Dan Monaghan’s Unlocking the Potential of Chat GPT is a information to assist franchise execs keep forward:

2) Keep In Your Lane’s AI-Mazing Useful resource shares concepts, prompts, examples and extra for franchise manufacturers: (There’s additionally a free biweekly dwell on-line occasion!)

3) Social Geek’s AI Replace is a month-to-month audio podcast with the newest information particularly for franchise professionals that includes Robert Mitchell and me.

Jack Monson is the proprietor and host of Social Geek, dwelling of the highest podcasts in franchising, together with The Franchise Information Podcast and Social Geek Rock Stars. He’s additionally the CEO of Model Journalists and has been serving to franchisors and franchisees with digital advertising for 15 years.