How Do You Use Foursquare for Your Business
Written by: Local Apps that let you “Check-in” from your smart phones are becoming more and more common as a way for businesses to market to individual consumers and let those individual consumers market your business to others.
The biggest benefactors right now are brick-and-mortar business. By using applications such as Foursquare, business can provide incentives for their customers to frequent their business more often.
Foursquare Business Promotions
Give Your Mayor Special Perks
You want customers coming in more often? Give the Mayor of your location something special that no one else gets. This can be anything from a special discount, to a free drink, or a special parking spot.
If it’s worthwhile then your customers will be showing up more frequently trying to oust the current mayor so they can get the bonus. Everyone likes friendly competition. In the meantime while they earning their ‘mayor-ship’ they’ll be spending money at your place of business. Not only that, but each time they check-in to your location, all their friends will see that they’re there over Facebook and Twitter.
Only one person can be mayor at a time and if you aren’t sure what we’re talking about check out my other post; What is Foursquare and how do I use it?
Offer Discounts just for Checking-in
Special perks don’t have to be just for the mayor. Offer other discounts just for checking-in. If you’re a retail store maybe offer 10% for checking-in and 20% for being mayor. This way everyone wins.
These offers don’t even have to be valid every day. Maybe spice up Tuesday nights at a restaurant with a date night special promotion.
Earn Points towards Rewards
You can track how often someone visits your place of business and shouldn’t these people get something special? Think of it as a frequent customer award. Let your customers know on their 5th ( 10th or 20th, however many you choose) check-in, that they get a free drink, dessert, or maybe $5 off they recipe. It’s just a token to show you appreciate them and it will go a long way. Hey, who doesn’t like FREE things? I know I do!
Promote a Special for the First “X” Customers to Check-in
If your business relies on foot traffic such as a bakery or deli, why not off a free coffee, bagel, or cupcake for the first 5 or 10 customers that check-in each day? This gives your customers a reason to hurry up to your shop and promote you to all of their friends.
Reward First-Time Check-ins
Let new customers know, “Thanks for trying us out!” Maybe offer them a free soda or key chain. They’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside and think of you next time they are deciding where to go while they’re out. It doesn’t take much to earn new fan!
Plan an Event around Foursquare
Foursquare Swarm Badge
Ever hear of the Swarm Badge? You earn this badge when 50 or more people check-in to a single location at the same time. How would you like to have 50 people flood your restaurant at once?Get the word out over Twitter and other social media networks. Pretty soon you’ll see that flood of people rush in and many of them will probably be new faces.
Get More Personal with Your Customers
Sure it’s easy to know who the mayor is, but you’ll also be able to find out who your frequent visitors are. Form a relationship with these people and it’s likely they’ll promote you to others. You could also re-connect with people who haven’t visited in a while.Building this type of relationship with your clientele can bring you success beyond the numbers.
Remember, Foursquare Is a Game
It’s all about having fun with it. Foursquare is a game and should be treated that way. It shouldn’t be the only way you market your company, so don’t end your other marketing efforts, but it’s definitely a unique way to connect with your customer individually and build relationships with them.
