Foursquare, or as I like to call it “You too can be a stalker!” has over 10 million users worldwide and over three million check ins per day. Are you part of the Foursquare mania? It’s easy to do because, like everything else, there’s an app for that. Foursquare’s website boasts that it can “unlock your world”. Most everyone has heard of Foursquare because it’s been around a while compared to some of the other social media networks, but do you know what it really is?
According to their website “ Foursquare is a location-based mobile platform that makes cities easier to use and more interesting to explore. By “checking in” via a smartphone app or SMS, users share their location with friends while collecting points and virtual badges. Foursquare guides real-world experiences by allowing users to bookmark information about venues that they want to visit and surfacing relevant suggestions about nearby venues. Merchants and brands leverage the foursquare platform by utilizing a wide set of tools to obtain, engage, and retain customers and audiences”.
Check in is based on your GPS location. You can have your Foursquare account linked to your Facebook and Twitter accounts so that when you check in at a location, your check in is shared with your friends and followers. (Which a stalker would love!) When you check in you can read tips regarding the location from those who have checked in previously or leave your own tip or comment. As you check in you can unlock badges and become the “mayor” of a location if you have checked in there more times than anyone else, which can get you rewards at that location. Several retailers offer special deals to everyone who checks in at their location, not just the mayor. It may be a coupon for a certain percentage off or a free appetizer or dessert.
Foursquare can be especially beneficial for the business owner for several reasons but the most profitable reason is that it is free advertising for the business. A business can generate a buzz with its special Foursquare offers and with Foursquare being a social platform, users are actively engaging friends and followers with the businesses they checked in at. Consumers often use Foursquare to search for businesses and local establishments to determine what is closest to them.
Some places may not be listed on Foursquare but you can add it. I’ve added our high school (which I remain the mayor of) and the football stadium. I’m surprised each time I check in to see who else has checked in. Not many high school students have embraced this Foursquare yet, maybe because their parents can see where they’ve been. While the largest demographic of Foursquare seems to be young people who are college educated and employed, it does appeal to everyone.
So whether you are stalking someone (okay, seriously don’t do that) or you just want to play the game, you should get involved in the Foursquare community. Every time I check in somewhere I can’t wait to see if I’m the mayor or if I get a special offer. Gotta love the free Chips and Salsa you get at Chili’s when you check in!