I just earned my Super Mayor badge. Don’t worry Mayor Morrissey, I don’t expect a key to the city. I’m talking about FourSquare. Location-based mobile services like FourSquare are breaking down barriers between the physical and the virtual by combining social networking with global positioning and a dash of game mechanics to give customers and businesses a new way to interact.
About FourSquare
I signed up a month ago to see what the buzz was about. Here’s how it works. After getting a free account at the FourSquare website, I installed the iPhone app. Apps are also available for other mobile devices like Blackberry, Android and Palm phones. FourSquare scans my contact list, Facebook friends and Twitter followers to see which of my friends are already using FourSquare. Then, whenever I go someplace, I “check in” on my iPhone. My location gets sent to my FourSquare friends, and if I want, to Facebook and Twitter. I earn points for each time I check in. With enough points, I collect badges for and can become the “mayor” of the places where I check in the most. What’s more, I get a message whenever one of my friends checks in, so if we’re close by we can get together in person … a novel concept these days.
Helping Businesses Engage Customers
The geo-positioning aspect of FourSquare also presents a unique opportunity for businesses to engage nearby customers. FourSquare lets businesses (or their managers) apply as the owner of a location. Once approved, owners can then create specials, discounts and prizes for loyal customers and “mayors” who check in at their venue. Owners can track the success of their special offer with FourSquare’s free analytics tool.
Starbucks has been quick to adopt FourSquare, by offering the “Barista Badge,” for users who check in to five separate Starbucks shops. The coffee company also offers a $1-off coupon to “Mayors,” of a Starbucks location. So find me on FourSquare if you want to meet at the Starbucks on Perryville, where I’m the mayor, and we’ll have a $1-off frappuccino.
Chris Kelley
