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The Next Big Marketing Thing -- FourSquare??

Being the mega-geek that I am, I'm more than willing to jump onto any technological geek-fest that seems like it might be fun to do or a cool way of connecting with other people. Some of them I like...some of them, not so much. But, one of the more recent ones that I am really enjoying lately is FourSquare.

FourSquare is an internet based location updater in a game-style format. Basically, it works like this...

You are going to the grocery store. As you pull up, you grab your smartphone, activate the FourSquare app, and "check-in" at your destination. This will then notify your friends on Twitter and Facebook where you are potentially allowing others that are following you to connect with you in real life at that location. As you check in at different locations, you build points (cause everyone likes to keep score) and can become a virtual "Mayor" of locations you visit more than anyone else. (I personally am the Mayor of the my home, my hair salon, a park, and about a dozen other locations.)

You can add tips on what to do at certain locations for future visitors to do and check off things other visitors have recommended you do when you visit a location. You can also win flare to put on your profile that says that you have checked in at multiple locations in one night or you have 50 check-ins at one location, etc. Kinda like collecting charms for a charm bracelet. (Anyone other than me remember those things??)

Anyways...Seems kinda silly, right??

Well...THINK BIGGER!

From a marketing standpoint, this "game" is a GOLDMINE!! Businesses all over the country are keenly aware of this little techno-geek game. In fact, there is an exponentially increasing group of tech-savvy companies all over the country that are using this to their advantage.

"How??", you may ask...

<----- THAT's how!! If I were to be going to this location and I was the Mayor of this bar, Id get a free beer! (Personally, I love free stuff!) Id be back again and again and again just because I would get a free beer. Not only that, but others would come here over and over just for a chance at becoming Mayor so they could get a free drink also.

Here is another example...this is a coffee joint that also offers live music in the evenings. And, they take this whole discount thing a step further.

In case you cant read that tiny print (and believe me, I had to blow it up to get it right) it says....

"Mayor of The Marsh Cafe? Show the barista your check-in and your drink is on the house.

Not the Mayor?? We still love you!

Check on at the The Marsh or The Marsh Cafe, show us, and we'll give you $2 off a ticket to anything we have playing that night."

So, not only do you get free stuff for being the mayor, but you get a discount merely for showing up there and checking in at that location.

There is one word for taking advantage of this "game" and using it to help market your business --- Genius!!

And, this "techno-geek" marketing is an incredible way to drive traffic directly to your business using technology that was originally designed as a social networking "game".

If you have not tried FourSquare yet...you should. It's fun. It's free. And, its a great way to connect with people all over the country and apply your voyeuristic tendencies (and if you're on Facebook or twitter, you know you sit and watch others....don't lie) in a new and fun way that might actually get you a free latte some morning.

And, who couldn't use that, right?

For other techno-geek assistance, you can connect with me on Twitter or on Facebook.

Posted by Clint Miller on 01/06/2010 07:58 AM

Comments (105)

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105 Comments on The Next Big Marketing Thing -- FourSquare??

JAN

2010

I just joined FourSquare! I am the Mayor of the C.J. Brown Real Estate office :) It's good to be the Mayor! LOL I am looking forward to making more friends and meeting tweeps F2F. Maybe I should take a road trip to Montana...hmmm?

Clint is my friend on FourSquare. If anyone else would like to "stalk" me, feel free!

Kristina -- I know! You and I are friends already. ;-) You are more than welcome to come up here!!! Heck, its warmer here than down there right now. ;-) Just sayin.....

Nice post - I had to reblog it I liked it so much :) I'm not the mayor of anything yet but it's fun to play with, it will get better as more local people get onto it as well, and of course local businesses.

Monica -- Thanks! And thanks for the re-blog! You should add your office to the destinations. You could be Mayor there in a day. :-) Now that it has launched nationwide, i think it will take off pretty quickly here thanks to people like me and you and Kevin and Evan. ;-)

Cool stuff Clint. I will check it out. I like the idea of getting out of cyberspace and into real space. If technology will help, then great!

John -- It really is a good time, too. It's fun trying to become mayor of places like grocery stores and such...;-)

Clint - I think there's a lot to foursquare and even had a bit of a back and forth with some people over on AgentGenius about it. I see it as a tool for real estate that with the right use can be very interesting marketing for an agent. Some disagree with me, but I see foursquare as much more than a game.

Matt -- I completely agree!! I think it can absolutely be used as a marketing tool for anyone...any business, especially an agent. You and I think alot along the same lines, my friend.

Very nice info. I thought it was a church of some sort? ;-) Might have to give it a whirl. Restaurants, coffee shops, bars, or anything consumption related- this is a no brainer. Also, community places like gyms, pools, or even parks.

You know.... Mayor Engen needs to check this out. Could he be out mayored by his own people? Might be a fun way to engage his own town be giving tips, advice and info about the city to people checking in. Maybe decree free parking to those who out mayor him? :D

Tim -- All fantastic ideas!! Especially the part about Mayor Engen. :-)

Delighted that FourSquare has now gone "global". Since I live in a very small town, I typically play only when I'm traveling (which, granted, is a lot). Now, though, there are no restrictions on where the game can be played, which is a long overdue.

As for the marketing aspects, I think it's a genius idea. The applications for restaurants, etc. are pretty obvious, but I think that with a little creativity, it could be applied to other businesses, as well. :)

Melissa -- Me too!! Very happy about the global launch. :-) And, with regards to the marketing aspects of it, I couldnt agree more!

Hello Clint - FourSquare sounds cool. I'm going to try it out. Thanks for the tip!

Andy -- It really is, actually. It's a fun way to just goof off on a cool phone and look like youre doing something important. ;-)

CLint - sounds pretty cool. I hadn't heard of this. Must have my head in the sand. Gonna check it out.

JEff

Jeff -- its really quite fun. You will like it.

I like the concept of FourSquare but haven't made the leap yet.

I use to love 4 square when I was in elementary school. My friends all wanted to play kick ball but 4 square is where it's at. This new 4 square sounds pretty sweet to. I'll have to check it out.

Great....another thing to get addicted to! LOL Thanks for passing on the info! I can see HUGE things for this and those who use it!! I just signed up myself...

what phone are you using in Montana? If Blackberry, is it a pain in the butt? Thanks Clint

Where have I been? This is the first I've hear of foursquare. Thanks for the post.

Thanks for the info. I'm already checking it out! New toys, new toys, lol. :)

I've joined but never done a thing with foursquare.

Before foursquare was in Columbus I would see people talking about it and be envious. We got it a few months back... now everyone has it?

I believe I saw on Twitter yesterday that Jeff Turner took foursquare, Gowalla (?) and something else off his phone yesterday.

Todd Carpenter the social media guru for NAR wrote about foursquare. I think Todd said what's important about the game is the geographical location. Location, Location, Location. I don't think he was recommending Realtors get heavily involved in the game...

Clint,

This took me a couple paragraphs to follow you, but excellent post explaining the benefits!

All the best, Michelle

Sam -- Get on it, dude!! :-)

John -- LOL!!!

Dawn -- Friend me! I think it could be HUGE if used in the right way!

Stella -- There is a BB app now!! So, its really easy. Also, the mobile foursquare site is a bit clunky, but it works.

Robin -- Welcome to 2010. ;-)

Jackie -- I know, right? ;-)

Maureen -- It's not about the game. Its about another way of connecting to the general public in a way that they themselves use. Believe me, in the right hands, this is seriously powerful marketing.

Michelle -- Glad you hung on for the conclusion! :-)

Wow. Thank God I don't have a smart-phone. As if Twitter wasn't lame enough...

Back to keeping in touch with 38,567 followers in such a meaningful way...

Bruce -- You dont have a smart phone??? How do you stay alive?? ;-)

Clint, I signed up for this after a webinar with Domus, but you have given a really complete explanation. I am finishing up some Twitter marketing and this is next up. Thanks a bunch.

He he he Clint, I get that question a lot - makes for a great conversation piece! :P

Joe -- Awesome! So glad you liked the post.

Bruce -- Id bet!! :-) Thanks for the fun thus far! ;-)

I'M OVERWHELMED.

First, Bob starts a contest about internet lead conversion and I have to find out about CRM, and get one that'll work ( and not cost so much), and now this...

It sounds like a fun and powerful way to connect with folks, but I feel like I'm being deluged with all of this new tech stuff...

Maybe when I have time to breathe I can digest this a little better..and see if it's something that I'll want to jump into...

William -- I reblogged Bob's post. CRM = contact resource manager. If you dont want to put out a ton of cash, use Microsoft Outlook and put everyone in your contacts. :-) Its cheap, effective, and something that you can use starting today.

With regards to fourSquare -- It is a lot of fun once you get into it...and it is a great way to hook up with other users locally and follow your friends habits. :-) Plus, its a great way to get exposed to other places in your community you havent been to before...thus expanding your sphere of influence. :-)

Clint - you crack me up. Okay, I'll try FourSquare tomorrow when I'm snowed in.

What is the name of the OutLook CRM?

Lori -- Hurry up! :-)

Its just Outlook. Its the contacts side of the standard email program that comes with Microsoft Office.

Featured @ Club Chaos

C -- Thank you Bay-Bay! :0)

This sounds more like fun than business - funny business? Can't wait to try it!

I cant say I am going to try it yet. I will keep a look out in my neighborhood for participating locations. I personal dont get into too many apps on the BB. I find them a little slow and cumbersome and dont really have the patience for them.

Hey Clint... Hadn't heard of it, but going to try it out! With the small town I live in, I'll probably be Mayor of the entire village within a couple of days! Hmmm... not sure I want that job, though. Joking aside, I can really see gobs of business applications to it, and am sure the more I use it, the more will come to mind. Thanks techie...

Joetta -- started as fun...powerful for business.....Kinda like blogging. ;-)

James -- You can use the mobile site on the foursquare.com site instead of the bb app. ;-)

Bill -- Nice! And, the more you use it, the more people will see it and start using it also. It will spread. I hope you mayor up the whole town! :-)

Sounds fun...I have always wanted to be a mayor of somewhere...so maybe this is my ticket. Here's the dealio...what if you don't have a fun that has the apps that you are talking about. I am still in the stone ages when it pertains to my phone. Does this mean I have to buy a different phone?? (please say yes...cuz I would really like a new phone)

Oh...and Tim Moncrief...wherever you are...if you are reading this...this could make you officially...technologically speaking of course...the mayor of River Place. Go for it.

Claire -- Ummm....based on your comments....yes, you will need a new phone. ;-) Or at least one that can access the internet. I recommend a blackberry. Love it!

VERY COOL!! I'm going to give it a shot. Just what I need, one more addiction that keeps me from losing my phone! Thanks for the post!!

Wow, alomost seems like my head is about to explode from all the social media sites as it is. Time join another one!

Clint thaks for the info.

Mark

http://denversinsurance.com

Clint - Agreed. I need to check it out once again because the in November our market hadn't been listed yet.

Karin -- It is really fun...And anything to keep you tied to electonic devices, Im a happy guy. ;-)

Mark -- No kidding! ;-)

When it comes to technology on AR, you are one of the first people to turn to. Thanks for the information.

I don't love the blackberry application, but I am trying to get "into" it. I wish they would drop the city business because the cities I have to use are hundreds of miles away. I was thinking that there was potential for retail and restaurant business to use this...glad to see they are and that it is working!

Hi Clint - This is a little off-topic but why is one of your tags "do not use real estate client referrals" - just curious (I am trying to figure out what people use for tags).

Sam -- It went global two days ago...you can sign up anywhere now!

Adrian -- Thank you very much! I appreciate that greatly!

Lesley -- yeah, its clunky, but its in Beta...thats what beta testing is for. It went global...so, it shows up as "ELSEWHERE" now... :-) Its far more intuitive now...and they are working on it more and more daily.

Great post Clint! What I think is great is that when you check-in to a place via Foursquare you have the option to push it out as a Facebook and/or Twitter status update to let your friends know that you're at the place in hopes that they stop by if they're in the area. Basically this boils down to wonderful word of mouth free advertising from a trusted source to your network of friends for the business. The average person who's decently into Social Networking has at least 300-500 friends on there combined Facebook/Twitter friend list, if not significantly more. Being able to get out to that many people, through a trusted source, for the price of a free cup of coffee, is an amazing deal to businesses. People are SICK of traditional advertising. They've built up a resistance to it. Friends telling them where the great place to go is, what there favorite product is, and what meaningful, relevant news they should pay attention to, is quickly replacing traditional advertising. If businesses can't excite their customer base to the point that they get excited enough to share it with their friends, then they've lost on a big opportunity. Social Media fans have long known this, but the new element that Foursquare is bringing to the table is they are tying status updates to a location. Tying the digital update to a real physical location is key for this to work.

Peggy -- Well...thats a bit of a long story. :-) I have been on a long-term effort to dominate that long tail to help drive down some internet traffic from 2006 that bashes my company pretty badly. Having made sweeping changes to the company in order to prevent this from being an issue, that post still haunts me to this day. :-) So...I am going to push it out of the way. :-)

Evan -- What up, big dawg??? Thanks for the comments on the post!! And I couldnt agree more!! Nice follow up!

Thanks for letting everyone know. I am working on my online presence and this seems like a fun one to use.

Pat -- It is...and, its useful.

How cool!!! I am now the mayor of Prudential Homesale Services Group, in Lancaster, PA. I think I am going to enjoy this ap!!! Thanks Clint couldn't do it without you ;)

Jayme -- Awesome!! :-) My pleasure.

I've wondered what Foursquare is all about and will now have to stalk to see what I think. Thanks for the tip-I appreciate it!

Paul -- You are quite welcome!

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I read a few weeks ago about being careful not to tell people where you are in real time on Twitter and Facebook. It let's everyone know where you are and that means you're not at home. While you're out eating and telling everyone to come on by, some sicko is taking the opportunity to stop by your home and rob you. With some people having thousands of followers, you know there are probably a few bad apples in there.

tim -- Agreed...thats why you should NEVER tell peeps where you live or super personal info that falls into that category. But, telling them where you went to dinner or that youre shopping at the mall is far different provided that you are smart enough to follow rule #1. ;-)

No Foursquare for me thanks, I'm full!

Dawn -- Awwww...you dont wanna come join us on the fun side of the island?

Not sure how a self proclaimed techno-geek is just now in love with foursquare...? Isnt it like 5 or 6 years old already? I never got into it though I've got profiles on all of those sites...

Thanks for the great tip. I'll be checking it out

I've been trying to figure Four Square out as I see all those foursquare tweets. LOL not sure if I really get it yet but maybe I'll give it a try.

Clint broadcast marketing definitely amplifies your message. Happy New Year.

Thanks Claire! The Mayor of River Place listens.....

Hi Clint, it is good to hear from you again. It has been awhile and I missed your blogs.

(This is second time that I'm trying to reply to your blog, FYI, if you get another reply from me.)

I've never heard of Four Square before and it sounds very interesting. I'm going to check them out. I would've rebloged this blog as well, but someone else has already done it. There is so much to learn and I'm glad that there're "geeky" guys like you out there, who are keeping us informed. Ben Kinney was right, being "geek" is the new cool!

Clint - I've been watching a lot of my friends use Foursquare and I'm sure that I will join in sometime soon. I have a profile and plenty of "friends" on the site, but I haven't started checking in or becoming the mayor of anything yet.

Do I have to add an application to my phone for this to work? I don't like adding things to my phone because they always crash it somehow...

I will join foursquare only if I can be Mayor of people I went to 4th grade with and haven't spoken to since. Just kidding!

Just signed up the other week. Still trying to figure it all out. Not sure if I have enough time with everything else. UGH

Tony

I see all of the Four Square notifications on Twitter and was wondering about it... hmm..

EXCELLENT!

I ddidn't realize that FourSquare had expanded their coverage.

Hi Clint, I've been following you on twitter forever and this is the first time I've seen you on AR! Nice to see you. I am soon to become the mayor of the Evergreen hockey rink and maybe Arapahoe Basin...

@BobTheBroker

Too confusing for me.

Clint - I LOVE the idea of foresquare, but my husband doesn't want me broadcasting to the world where I am for safety reasons ... anyone else have concerns about that? I do enjoy watching you all 'mayor it up' on twitter though - looks like fun!

I'm on Foursquare, but I have a gripe about it. As a SWF, I try to do everything safely. Stating your whereabouts all the time and letting the world know that your house is vacant is NOT SAFE. This "game" is clearly biased against females. I know that you can check in "off the grid" but that's no fun!!! I only give 4square ONE UNENTHUSIASTIC THUMB UP.

Clint, I hadn't heard about 4-square & will check it out! Never had the aspiration to being the mayor of anyplace, but now I am inspired.

Happy new year!

JAN

2010

I have been seeing this on twitter the past few days... very interesting.. didn't realise what four squares was.. Will have to check it out.. Thanks

Oh course I have to check it out! Thanks

Jean -- My love is only recent because of it's global launch. No longer am I, in Missoula Montana, required to post from Seatlle Washington or Calgary Alberta. Ergo, it is SIGNIFICANTLY more applicable to locals than it has ever been in the past. THATS how...

Monika -- Really, it is nothing more than just telling the world where you are at...like a GPS locating beacon in a text format. ;-)

Gary -- EXACTLY!! THANK YOU!!

Tim -- Hahaha!

Shirin -- I have been recovering from a second surgery on my hands. Pretty hard to type with that going on...finally able to pull the trigger on a lot of things that have been swimming around in my head. ;-) Geek is Cool spelled wrong. ;-)

Jason -- Im a mayor of 3 locations already...and having a great time with it. :-) I think it's a great tool and could be really powerful if used right.

Donna -- So far, they only have apps for iphones, blackberries, and Droids. But, you can simply go to the mobile website and check in there also eliminating that problem completely.

Michael -- Im sure that is possible. :-)

Tony -- It doesnt require any time. Its actually faster than sending a text message. How many of those do you do a day? ;-)

Lane -- Wonder no more. ;-)

Jean-Paul -- The expansion just happened two days ago...Pretty awesome!

Bob -- This is the first time youve seen me on AR??? Im ranked #3 in Montana and #2 in Missoula county....Ive had 26 featured posts....Dang!! Whats a guy gotta do to get some exposure around here??? LMAO!

Dawn -- Not really. It really is simple.

Tiffany -- I can understand that concern. However, I would have to say that i think it is actually SAFER than people NOT knowing where you were. At least this way, there is a digital paper trail of your exploits. If something were to happen to you, there is evidence of where you were last save digitally on multiple locations online. Just dont get stupid about it and broadcast your house address. I dont think telling people you are getting coffee at Starbucks is going ot insight someone to do harm to you. That is a VERY public location to try something. And, if it helps you feel safer, only post updates from those public sites like coffee shops, shopping centers, etc...

Emily -- See previous statement to Tiffany. Of course they know your house is vacant...but, it is only a problem if the know where you house is....so, dont ever let that information get out online. Ever.

Monique -- Glad to have inspired you!!

Roland -- You're welcome!

Trisha -- Please do!

I am going to check it out since it sounds like a cool new thing. I love hearing about these from others on AR. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I love Montana and use to be a tour guide in Yellowstone National Park!

Barbie -- Sweet!! I hope you like the app....and I havent been to Yellowstone in too long..hoping to change that this year. :-)

OMG Clint....I must live under a huge rock in the middle of the desert. lol I just don't take the time, I guess to figure out all these new things. COngratulations on becoming the Mayor??? lol

Jean -- LOL!!! Thanks! ;-)

Hi Clint - At first glance this reminds me a little of BrightKite, which never really seemed to catch on. I like the game aspect. Will take a look at FourSquare over the weekend.

John -- Brightkite was mentioned as a competitor...as was GoWalla... Youre right, Brightkite never really caught on and GoWalla is strictly an iphone app. Foursquare really has surpassed them all.

I agree, foursquare is a great app. Clint you should do a blog post on your favorite mobile apps.

Brian -- interesting thought.......Might have to do that. Thanks!

I love tech stuff so I better subscribe to your stuff! I have read about foour square and not gotten to it yet. Sounds like fun. I will be mayor of Panera and Starbucks in no time flat.

JAN

2010

Cheryl -- Thats what everyone says about Panera and Starbucks. ;-) Best of luck to you!

Hmm? Very cool. I am going to check it out.

Karen -- Awesome!

what I like about forusquare is that there are others in my city who play it. Those are the folks that I want to network with. Non of them have real estate licenses. They get to know me . . as do some of the business owners and the next thing I know i have a new listing or a new buyer. It doesn't get any better than that for me.

Teresa -- EXACTLY!!! Thank you!!! :-)

MAR

2010

Has anyone found any real estate business uses for FourSquare?

MAR

2010

Sam Miller -- You should ask @PhxREguy that question...

APR

2010

Clint, great post! I'm a foursquare junkie and have no intentions to give it up.

APR

2010

Ryan -- Same here! ;-)

MAY

2010

The app is great fun. But I have a Blackberry...one they say they support...and I cant check in from it! I can load the app, I can get friends, I can find places, but there's not check in link anywhere. This is the first thing Ive found that iPhone is better.

MAY

2010

Ann -- I have a Blackberry...and I check in every day. ;-) You maybe have an old app...But, when I pull up my app, the first thing I see on the top left is a big blue button that says CHECK IN next to a big blue button that says SHOUT...It is located just below my name.

DEC

I love four square. Hoping to be the mayor of every community in my small town :)

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Missoula, MT

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