Monday, December 6, 2010

The Next Big Thing: Mobile Marketing With Foursquare

THIS IS THE HOTTEST SOCIAL MEDIA APP! 
Are you on it? Check me out

In its simplest form, Foursquare is a GPS-enabled technology that allows businesses to reward customers whenever they arrive or even drive by a certain pre-loaded location. 


Location-based social media is one of the latest trends in mobile marketing. Sites like Foursquare offer businesses a way to market directly to consumers based on where they are at any given moment-even on-site at a business location.



Foursquare is accessed via mobile devices such as Smartphones, which can run social media applications and give users the ability to perform a variety of social interactions on the go. Foursquare users can "check in" when they arrive at a location, essentially alerting others to their whereabouts in real time. The ability to sync Foursquare with both Facebook and Twitter gives these check ins a wide reach across multiple social networks.


Businesses who wish to take advantage of this can sign up for a Foursquare account. However, before starting a targeted marketing campaign, it's important to become familiar with how the platform works. Knowing what tools are available will make it easier to utilize Foursquare as a tool for business growth.

Check ins make it easy to reward loyal customers. By checking in, users are broadcasting a business name and location to other users, thereby giving the location more exposure. Businesses can encourage this action by offering a special coupon or item to users who check in a certain number of times. Giving first-time check ins a deal as well can encourage new customers to become repeat customers.

Mayors are Foursquare users who have checked into a certain location more than anyone else in the past 60 days. The quest to become Mayor of a location spurs friendly competition, and businesses can take advantage of this from a mobile marketing standpoint. Offering Mayor-only specials encourages repeat visits, bringing customers back as they attempt to earn a discount coupon or free item.

Badges (I HAVE 7) can be earned for checking in at a location a certain number of times, at a certain time of day, or for other specific criteria. It's possible for a business to offer a special or custom badge, thereby increasing visibility across the Foursquare network. Like becoming a Mayor, there is a competitive nature to earning badges that keeps people coming back to a location.

Foursquare is just one of many location-based social media services that are growing in popularity. By getting involved and learning the platform, businesses can expand their marketing reach within the growing world of social media.

Roo Sadegi is a marketing specialist based in London. He spends much of his time writing and advising on new marketing and mobile technology.

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