Three reasons to keep an eye on foursquare

by Josiah Mackenzie on February 26, 2010 3 Comments

fs-signI don’t use foursquare. At least not yet.

But every time I go out to lunch with Michael, I see him checking in to the restaurant on foursquare with his mobile phone.

I’m at the place where I don’t feel like joining yet another social network. But as a marketing professional, I need to stay ahead of things. So I asked him why he takes part:

It’s a game which creates a different mentality than checking in on Yelp, or something else.  It keeps the users engaged.

A little of my paraphrasing on the potential he sees for the hospitality industry:

  1. Foursquare drives repeat business. People keep coming back to the same place to become “mayor.” People compete to stay mayor as well, and I have seen competitions get ridiculous.
  2. Foursquare partnered with Zagat. Not so much that foursquare will get a wider audience, but Zagat has direct, on the go, immediate advertising to potential clients that are branded as foodies.  Zagat gets to say “come here” if they are next door having a drink.  It’s amazing site-specific marketing.
  3. Foursquare is being used  like early adopters of Twitter…. and foursquare has a more direct capacity for commerce and B2P than Twitter.

This is a tool I’ll definitely be watching. In the meantime, be sure to read Michael’s blog for more social media goodness….



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Article by Josiah Mackenzie // February 26, 2010 Josiah helps hospitality organizations use technology and the social web to provide better service and generate more profits.

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Comments

 
  • Joanne Sardini // February 26, 2010 @ 9:03 am Reply

    I’ve been playing with Foursquare a little to see where the potential is for us as a small (34 room) Inn. There is an obvious potential for bars and restaurants, but I think the pure hotel part comes as more of a concierge service and as an opportunity to reinforce our brand. Leaving tips around the neighborhood makes us a go-to resource for existing Foursquare users visiting the area. Some will be existing guests and hopefully more will remember how helpful our tips were and choose us next time!

  • Charlie Laughtland // February 26, 2010 @ 1:31 pm Reply

    I’m holding out on Foursquare too for now. Not sure I’m ready to “hold office.”

    I enjoy your writing. You do a good job choosing interesting subjects and presenting your take.

  • Mihir Nayak // March 1, 2010 @ 5:19 am Reply

    Thanks Joanne for some wonderful ideas. As you rightly say, if your tips in and around your neighborhood or even city for that matter are unique enough to interest and delight foursquare users, then that will certainly have a positive impact on your Inn. If they don’t know you, they will be certainly interested and if they do, then as Josiah says, there is nothing better than taking care of existing guests and generating repeat business.

    However, I am not quite sure how well connected foursquare is in Goa, India which is where I have my 4 suite Heritage Hotel.

    I will definitely be keeping my eyes open…

    Cheers
    M

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