One of the major things people use social media outlets for is to let others know what they are doing. The great thing about Foursquare is it allows you to “check in” to where you are AND post it to Facebook at the same time. If your friends are on Foursquare, you can also see who else it at the same place as you. This is great if you are at a concert or sporting event for example.
In addition to these types of events though, it can be great from an online marketing standpoint. If there are a lot of people checking in to a specific business, it will be shown many times within the network and also on Facebook. This helps to make a business more visible by utilizing existing clientele as an advertisement. It’s genius!
Besides “checking in” people can also post comments. You can recommend where to sit, what dish to order, comment on the service, etc. It becomes a live testimonial page for your business, all unsolicited and so more trusted by consumers.
Some are concerned over the privacy issue. I have heard some people say “I don’t think it is safe to let people know where I am all the time.” My opinion is, if you are letting people know where you’re having lunch or where you went to gym, it’s great. If you are giving people a play by play of where you are every second, including when you get home, that isn’t safe…nor is it interesting. It’s annoying.
In summary, check out Foursquare. It is a great way to let the people within your network know what you’re doing. It is also a great way to recommend and help out with the marketing efforts of the businesses you like by simply going to them. So how do you get in on it? Download it as an app on your Smartphone. Type in the business you’d like to “check-in” to and then simply click “check-in.”’ I find that adding comments is easier on the actual Foursquare website so I would recommend adding comments that way. For example, I highly recommend the chicken burrito at the Sheetz near my office. Check it out!

Tags: Facebook, Foursquare, online marketing, smartphone

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