Because You Should be on foursquare...

In social media, it seems that things are happening faster and faster, and we are bombarded with changes and new technology constantly. Even Google has jumped into the game with the recent launch of Google Buzz. As a business owner or manager (especially in our industry, where people tend to work long and hard), how do you find the time to use all the social media that everyone is telling you to be using? Well, that may be a different conversation, and a long and hard one at that.

Today, I want to tell you about foursquare, and why your business wants to be there, now. In fact, you probably already are, whether you know it or not; another reason you want to claim your business's online identity. You'll be happy to know that there's no huge time commitment, and its fast and easy to learn. Nope, you won't even have to hire a social media consultant to do it for you.

Foursquare is applicable to many businesses, however it was really created for restaurants, bars and similar businesses, its a no-brainer for any winery with a tasting room or even specialty retailers. The claim right on the foursquare home page is "If you own a bar or restaurant, foursquare can help you find new ways to connect with your customers." What is it? foursquare is a location based social mobile network, that also adds some gaming elements.

How foursquare works (and why you should care):

With foursquare, as with other social media, you have the ability to find and connect with friends, which you can find easily through your contacts on Gmail, Facebook or Twitter. Then, after adding the foursquare app to your phone, you have the ability to "check-in" to any business or location that you visit. Once foursquare locates you geographically, you see a list of nearby businesses, choose the one you are visiting and hit the check-in button. Instantly all your friends know where you are eating, drinking or shopping. Once you've checked in somewhere you can also leave tips for subsequent people checking in - it's word of mouth advertising at its best.

The competitive gaming aspect of it is one thing that sets it apart from other social networks. The goal of foursquare is to encourage people to explore their neighborhoods and to reward them for doing so. By combining the friend-finder with social city guide elements and game mechanics, their users earn points and unlock badges for trying new places, and for visiting old favorites. Whoever has checked into a specific location the most is crowned "Mayor" and part of the social network’s appeal is this sense of competition for the title of Mayor in key locations.

Why should you care? Why is location as a platform so exciting? Because there are so many possibilities! Restaurants, hotels and wineries are adding foursquare specials and mayor specials - and gaining more frequent customers because of it. Basically, it's taking the 'rewarding your repeat customers' idea to new heights; a 'frequent diners card' - without the card. Check-in at Michel Schumberger Winery, and you'll get a message from the winery offering you a "free tasting." Check-in at The Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market and get 10% off your tab. Beanheads Coffee in Sacramento offers a free coffee for every 10th one you buy, and a free coffee a day for the mayor! Bet the competition to be mayor at their location is pretty stiff...

The great thing for businesses is that it doesn't take a lot of time to manage. Add your special at foursquare.com, then get back to work! Of course you will want to check comments and tips, but again, this is not a huge time drain. You'll want to get creative though, change up the offer on a regular basis to keep it interesting.

"Where are you?" could become the new "what's on your mind."