Imagine a social media site that also acts as a game that gives you points for every place you check in to. This is exactly what Foursquare was created to be. Foursquare is a relatively unknown social media network with great marketing potential. Its core revolves around checking into places you frequent such as restaurants, stores, events, etc. to let friends know what places you often visit and what sort of places you identify with. At first glace, Foursquare might seem intimidating, but with the right understanding it can prove to be a very successful business tool.
Understanding Foursquare
Think of a well-known application such as Facebook Places where you are able to check yourself into a venue, letting others know exactly where you are at any given point in time. The more places you check in to, the more points you receive. This is the basis of Foursquare. However, Foursquare is solely dedicated to sharing and connecting people to a larger network of similar interests.
To do anything on Foursquare, whether it is creating a venue for your business that others can check into or simply engaging with friends, you must create an account. You will enter your personal information to create your account, this includes your full name, birthday, and approximate location. You can adjust your information depending on how much information you want others to know about you. It is advised to use your real last name and location so that friends can easily find you.
Foursquare Friends and Followers
After your account has been created, you can then begin to search for friends and followers. Friends are people you allow to know where you check in to while followers allow you to know where they have checked in to. You can search for friends and followers through a variety of ways including searching on Foursquare, inviting by e-mail, and adding from other social media networks. Friends can leave you shouts outs such as telling you where to get the best prices shoes or what the hot new menu item is at your favorite restaurant.
With a network of friends on Foursquare, you find out how small the world can be. How many times have you talked with a friend, only to find out that you had barely missed connecting at a random place or event? Foursquare allows users to keep up with friends, discover what’s popular nearby, save money and unlock deals. By using the Foursquare app on your smart phone, you can check in to alert your friends to your location. The check-in user activated, and can be connect to Twitter and Facebook accounts to allow contact with friends that might not use the Foursquare platform.
Foursquare rewards users activity by awarding points, badges and mayorship. These achievements give users special bonuses and status throughout the community.
Foursquare Branding
Foursquare helps business owners promote and market their company through a variety of methods. Businesses can create helpful tips, allow users to ‘follow’ the company and receive special offer when they check-in at a specific location. By promoting multiple check-ins to earn a badge, Foursquare can help drive new customers to any company. For brick and mortar locations, Foursquare has tools to attract new customers and to keep the valuable ones returning. If you are a brand, the Foursquare platform allow you to engage your customers and the community around the world.
