Will FourSquare help your business?

Filed in archive Online Presence on February 2, 2010

© dpstyles™


Who needs to campaign for mayor when all you takes is a few FourSquare check ins? That's right, the online location based game, FourSquare has really started to get some traction. Which leaves the question: does this new social media fad offer anything useful to business owners?

If you haven't logged on to FourSquare yet, it works as follows. First, you sign up and connect with other people (pulled from your Twitter, Facebook or email friends). Then you download the FourSquare app to your phone. From your phone you can "check in" at different locations. Based on the GPS in the application your phone will tell foursquare where you are at. FourSquare will then give you a list of possible locations in the area. (It's very thorough, it even told me what gate I was standing in at the airport.)

Each check in gets you points and leads to badges. You can turn in badges to help charities (FourSquare says more rewards are in development.) At each location you can see if any of your friends have been there. There's also a place for reviews and suggestions. You can also add places if they don't show up on the map. If you check in at a place more than anyone else you will be named "Mayor".

FourSquare suggests that businesses can offer special deals and services to their Mayor. They can use the number of check ins to learn who comes into your place that is social media savvy. But as a marketing tactic, it looks like it will only be really useful for restaurants. However, as FourSquare evolves there may be other marketing opportunities.

What is your experience with FourSquare?