http://www.pcworld.com/article/198698/why_youll_use_foursquare.html

I actually read quite a bit about Foursquare, probably because I find its allure so puzzling. This article makes the most persuasive case I’ve yet read, but it’s interesting how it portrays the service as something that will inevitably engulf even its biggest detractors.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/198698/why_youll_use_foursquare.html

I actually read quite a bit about Foursquare, probably because I find its allure so puzzling. This article makes the most persuasive case I’ve yet read, but it’s interesting how it portrays the service as something that will inevitably engulf even its biggest detractors.

For the user, many do find Foursquare beneficial to know where friends are hanging out and to learn about new places in their area that they have yet to visit. Of course, this varies from person to person, as you clearly stated this isn’t alluring to you.

I don’t fall in this camp, but some love the game aspect of Foursquare, so they strive to collect as many badges as possible and gain mayorships. I think this is a fun feature that Foursquare offers, but I don’t use it simply for this reason.

Another way people gain value from Foursquare is when companies offer discounts/promotions to their customers for becoming a mayor or for checking in X number of times. People love discounts, freebies and rewards for loyalty. Companies can also arrange for a message to appear when someone checks in at a nearby establishment saying something like “You just checked in at Starbucks, and The Sandwich Shop is one block away. Stop by and show this message for 1/2 off your order.”

Hope those examples help show you why users find Foursquare valuable!

For the user, many do find Foursquare beneficial to know where friends are hanging out and to learn about new places in their area that they have yet to visit. Of course, this varies from person to person, as you clearly stated this isn’t alluring to you.

I don’t fall in this camp, but some love the game aspect of Foursquare, so they strive to collect as many badges as possible and gain mayorships. I think this is a fun feature that Foursquare offers, but I don’t use it simply for this reason.

Another way people gain value from Foursquare is when companies offer discounts/promotions to their customers for becoming a mayor or for checking in X number of times. People love discounts, freebies and rewards for loyalty. Companies can also arrange for a message to appear when someone checks in at a nearby establishment saying something like “You just checked in at Starbucks, and The Sandwich Shop is one block away. Stop by and show this message for 1/2 off your order.”

Hope those examples help show you why users find Foursquare valuable!

After reading posts like this one, I fully understand and can appreciate the marketing value of geolocation SM for businesses.

But what’s the value for the individual, non-business user? Are they simply agreeing to be pawns in a giant marketing scheme?

Simply checking in to see which of my friends and followers have visited the neighborhood Jiffy Lube, Starbucks or my favorite camping site Up North holds no allure to this skeptic.

After reading posts like this one, I fully understand and can appreciate the marketing value of geolocation SM for businesses.

But what’s the value for the individual, non-business user? Are they simply agreeing to be pawns in a giant marketing scheme?

Simply checking in to see which of my friends and followers have visited the neighborhood Jiffy Lube, Starbucks or my favorite camping site Up North holds no allure to this skeptic.

Companies using these tools for marketing purposes definitely need to be mindful of making sure they aren’t coming off as spammy. Targeting and spamming are two very different things.

Appreciate your thoughts!

Companies using these tools for marketing purposes definitely need to be mindful of making sure they aren’t coming off as spammy. Targeting and spamming are two very different things.

Appreciate your thoughts!