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What is Foursquare? It's one of the new social networking sites that's all about location and mobile social networking. Foursquare founder, Dennis Crowley, describes Foursquare as "friend finder meets city guide" where friends can share tips, recommendations and comments.
Do you know where your friends are right now? If you are involved in mobile social networking, you probably know where they've BEEN. Now you can ‘check in' with your friends in real time with location-based social networking on Foursquare.
Location–based social networking allows network members to share their location through GPS, mobile email or text. Foursquare encourages users to connect with friends via "check ins" and status updates to Facebook & Twitter. Launched in March 2009, this service recently topped one million check-ins per week.
Get in the Game
Membership is free. Simply, sign up on the website. Find your friends on Foursquare, and you're ready to go! Download the mobile application to a smart phone for easy check-in at local venues. Members earn points and "badges" for every check in.
During any given week, the person who checks in the most at a location is deemed the "Mayor" of that venue. Participants unlock badges based on location and frequency of check-ins. This gaming element sets Foursquare apart from other mobile social networks.
Opportunities Abound
Brands and businesses seeking ways to promote their products and services while increasing traffic and awareness are flocking to Foursquare in large numbers. There is huge potential for brands to connect people to promotional experiences.
Recently, Bravo TV launched a co-branded initiative that included branded "badges" and prizes for Foursquare members who check-in at various Bravo-themed locations. Other Foursquare deals were launched by such companies as Pepsi, Warner Brothers Film Studio, HBO, Zagat and the History Channel.
Local businesses are getting in the game as well. There are many ways for businesses to use mobile social networks to reach a local audience (including visitors and tourists) and to reward loyal customers. Foursquare is a natural fit for loyalty programs. Businesses are participating by offering specials and discounts for check-ins and "Mayors".
How will you engage your friends or customers?
Mobile gaming is not the future – it's now! With more than 23 million smart phone users in the United States, location-based social networking is one of the hottest social networking technologies trends and provides many opportunities to engage with customers in their own time and space. Checking-in, sharing tips and providing recommendations are quickly becoming a way of life. Although Foursquare is maturing rapidly, it will be interesting to see how it progresses. Grab your smart phone; check-in and be a part of what may be the next big thing.
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