Foursquare: Not Just for the School Yard Any More

For those of you not yet familiar with Foursquare, it's a social media site connecting both friends and businesses.  The concept is a GPS-based locator system which you log into letting your friends - and the business you are visiting - know you are in "X" establishment.  By creating a Foursquare account and inviting friends, colleagues, and associates to join, you can share your interests and opinions about locations you visit.  The location benefits by getting your feedback on the experience and learning how often you visit them.  

So let's say I'm in the mood for an onion bagel with garlic cream cheese.  When I walk into Einstein Bros.®, I use my smart phone, text message, or computer (via WiFi) and use the "check in" feature.  Now my friends and Einstein Bros.® both know I'm there.  I can also post the information on my Facebook and Twitter account in case my friends are not currently logged into their Foursquare application.  The concept is friends can meet up with each other - if interested, learn about your experience at that location, and get tips for having their own successful experience there.  The business or location can read your feedback, can learn their loyal customers are, and how often they visit.

Privacy settings on the Foursquare website allow you to control who sees your information, what information they can see, and what user name you send out to protect your anonymity.  Just as with everything, knowing the people you are sending and accepting invitations from helps to keep you safe as you are out and about.

In addition to being a networking tool, Foursquare acts as a game for those of you, like me, who enjoy extra instant gratification.  Each time you "check in" at a location you earn points.  Points can be accumulated for going somewhere new, revisiting places, adding "tips", going somewhere for the first time that day, going to a near by business running a Foursquare special, etc.  Points earned and tips/comments entered equal the opportunity to earn "badges" that post to your profile.  You can even become the "Mayor" of a location by being the person to check in the most times at a specific place within two months, but watch out - that can be snagged from you quickly.  I would know:  I've not been a Mayor for more than one day.  It's tough competition.

My newest goal:  The Starbucks' Barista Badge.  In his posting "Starbucks and Foursquare", B. Nelson recently announced that by checking into five different Starbucks, this new badge will be added to your Foursquare profile.  Additionally, Starbucks is encouraging its fans to add tips to Foursquare about what makes the experience at that location unique or enjoyable.  

Businesses can also use the application to help build customer loyalty.  Businesses can track how often you check in at their location and give special offers, coupons, etc. as a way to reward frequent visitors and purchasers.  Since a successful business must keep current customers and add new customers, Foursquare not only markets to individuals and draws them in by offering points for a new visit, it allows the company to make a connection with their returning customers adding a sense of relationship and appreciation.  

So now not only does my Barista know my name and smile and greet me, but if she's off so might the other person at the register.  And when my friends are driving by, they can come by and see me too.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
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