Since I’ve been using FourSquare, I’ve seen more luddite thinking that just about any new technology I’ve ever encountered.
If I go to a social media gathering, a tweet up, or Blogworld, I know there are lots of FourSquare users.. my phone is full of friends checking in.
However, at a business expo, a “Internet Marketers” convention or in most non-business settings, I’m alone.. the only person checking in. There a lot of FourSquare users near by, just not my friends.
I’m not bothered by “Why would I want to do that? comments from friends. I know that one sign that I got in early.. and will understand the technology and opportunities ahead of others. I know geo location based technology will continue to revolutionize marketing offline for the next decade.
The game of “checking in” is appealing. The badges an points are fun, but the real draw for me comes from the serendipity of finding a friend. That’s not happening much now, but just the idea that it could is a draw for me.
FourSquare For Business
Companies with loyalty programs can now integrate with FourSquare.
Think about this. More depth to customer relationships that already exist. Added to a system that already is appealing.
Right now, it’s a few large companies and the focus is still mostly coupons and discounts, but I like to think of how hotels and airlines use loyalty programs. Major decision for thousands of dollars can be influenced by giving an upgrade to a good customer.
Any business can have a listing on FourSquare. If you have a location where you like to see customers and clients, this is a must right now.
I do have a BestSellerAuthors.com Head Office. I’m the mayor, and only person checking in and not encouraging you to check in. Still looking for how this will work for virtual business. I have hope. Because no one actually lives on the net.. we’ve got to be somewhere
Here are a few key lessons that I share. Take a peek, and let me know what you are teaching to your community, business, or organization to ensure their success.
Active – Many folks give up on Twitter way too early! Actively participating, even when you don’t fully get it, is the only way Twitter will make sense.This means being active both as a listener and as “Tweeter”.
Be Honest – Share what you know, share what you don’t, ask for what you need, and give what you promise. The more transparent and authentic you are, the more respect you will get.
Click – Click before you tweet – there is nothing that frustrates more than a fantastic link to a post or resource that does not work. A simple”click and check” can save a lot of retweeting.
Don’t Worry! – Many new Tweeters worry about things like: Will I get followers? Will someone like/ not like what I say? What if no one responds? …. don’t worry. There is no one right way to Twitter. Discovering what works best is a lot trail and error. Be yourself. Have fun. Be open to learning from others, and you will do just fine!
Encourage – Some of my lowest days have been lifted up in seconds by my Twitter friends. In 140 characters we can turn someone’s day around, encouraging them to smile, get well, or make it through the day knowing someone is routing for their success.
Follow Wisely – With new Twitter tools coming out daily, there is no reason to fret over who to follow. Some of my favorite ways to find and connect with new followers are Mr. Tweet , Twellow.
The technologies we refer to as “social media” are more that a new channel to advertise and marketing through.
This revolution is bringing a new way of doing business.
Altimeter has released a survey of top retailer with data and perspective about where this is going and how social media (or might we say social business) is changing the game.
I’ve been experimenting with the viral power of tools like paper.li
The service’s goal is to present the best links and stories from people you follow on Twitter, or around a #hashtag or search or list.
Gaming the system would never work.. as you really don’t get much out of the few dynamic links… but it’s been fun to see what works, what get’s picked up and what people are looking for using paper.li and other services like it
Here’s on of dozens I was featured in today. GaryFPatton’s S-M-A-R-T Tips
At first, I discounted the importance of this. I get a tweet mention from the person who search included me and asked the founders of paper.li “Does anyone read these?”
I was thinking that some would create the daily paper and not even bother to read their own each day. I was wrong. The one pictured above had be retweeted 50 times when I got their shortly after it was released. I’ve seen others with a tweet number over 100.
I still haven’t cracked the code on what get these “papers” shared.. and frankly am not totally convinced those are live views. I know that far less than 50 will ever click through to my post.
When I asked other users whether anyone read, I got responses from some with local editions, targeted segmentation and loyal followings. My guess is that this is a growing trend. We don’t have time to read everything, so we go to the people who assemble things well.. even though the paper itself is http://bestsellerauthors.com/healthydone by software, someone had to pick who to follow or the keywords searched.
Which brings me to WHAT get included.
1. Photos
2. Links
3. Relevance
I’ve had dozens of links to posts picked up, likely more if you scroll down past the few that make the “first page” shown here. The FEW that get the most traction have had all 3 traits and never when I tried to get included.
How important will paper.li, et al become? We don’t know, but I since sharing relevant content, with photos and links works in every system or site, I will keep finding and sharing the best stuff I can.
Chris Brogan gets the revolution in marketing, business and life more than just about any human being I’ve met.
If you have heard me talk much about LISTEN and LOVE, you’ve heard a quote or two from Chris for sure, so I was delighted to find this piece of video that includes most of them.
Chris calls this his favorite keynote ever. Just 10 minutes of pure gold.
However, at a business expo, a “Internet Marketers” convention or in most non-business settings, I’m alone.. the only person checking in. There a lot of FourSquare users near by, just not my friends.
