If you've been living under a rock, or simply too busy tweeting lately, you need to take a minute to consider foursquare, a newish social media tool that is hitting it's stride and trending like crazy. Akin to the old frequent shoppers program, this tool allows your customers to share with entire communities about visiting your store, what they bought, saw, and experienced and also giving them badges and accolades (mayor seats anyway) for having simply "checked in" or checked in the the most.
The following are 10 simple tips for getting started on foursquare.
1) Join up. To participate in foursquare is to understand foursquare. Pay attention to "special deals" for ideas, and in general get a feel for the community associated with specific locations.
2) Make sure your profile is 100% complete (for instance - adding a picture unlocks certain abilities, like being a "mayor".) That goes for your "Place" too. You can add more than just your address and phone number.
3) Add your business to the "Places" and check in everyday, every time you walk through the door. Ask your employees to as well and soon you'll be "trending".
4) Add tips regarding your location. This can be anything - since you're at Starbucks - why not try the X service/product/flavor?
5) Encourage competition. In our world of "my life is busier than your life" people are proud and loud about talking about all of the places and events they visit each day. A fight for mayorship at your place of business is customers in your door.
6) Listen to your customers on Foursquare. (If you check in, you can see who else is there...and read their comments. Reach out to them with gratitude no matter their review. (Old-fashioned 1:1 customer service.)
7) Reach out to complimentary business or partners. Mention where you'll be checking in later in your tips and help your community marry ideas, helping you to expand your reach and grow your partnerships.
8) Share your check ins in every social media outlet available.
9) Use the profile picture area to feature items- makes things more fun for everyone if they are seen. Do you have a particularly beautiful product or entree special? Snap a photo and add feature in your profile real estate.
10) Have a personality. This isn't corporate mumbo jumbo speak. Keep it casual. But even more imporant, make sure your tips and deals are tailored for the community they are reaching. READ: This may not actually be who "MARKETING" things it is. The proof is in the pudding. They are "THERE", see how they write and keep it in mind when serving up deals in their direction.
Have some fun foursquaring and let me know where you are!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Online Community with Marketplace Feel
So I am a huge fan of New York City and receive both New York Magazine and The New Yorker which I read cover to cover the day they arrive.
In a recent issue of one of those, there was an article about the economy and one woman's obsession with this website, www.polyvore.com. In the article she described an online experience I could get excited about - basically paper dolls for grown women, and without the limitations of kit. The entire world becomes your "mall" and the combinations and ideas are endless!
I began creating "sets" and found that many pieces which I loved alone, had come from stores I haven't set foot in since college (Wet Seal anyone?)
Over the past two weeks since I've been a member I have made three purchases based on outfits I put together online (people can comment and "Like" your sets too - adding a competitive and realistic edge to the site.)
Additionally, each time you "publish" a set, you can also Tweet or Facebook it too. Genius.
What Polyvore is achieving in terms of combining all online media together in one site is really something interesting. Usually, only one area of focus is successful - but in this case Polyvore has created a hit with the site itself - very user-friendly and fun to use; the community is huge; sharing options at every turn; endless e-commerce opportunities; and movie and retailer contest tie-ins (hope to win those tickets to the Eclipse Premiere!) all of this, without the users really feeling "marketing to." Instead, we feel like we're expressing our style and fashion sense.
For fun, here's a link to my personal profile at Polyvore.
Would love to know what kind of "commission" contracts they set up.
So when you're thinking about the online community - think BIG. It's smart to start small, but look at what this site has been able to do!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle Marquardt
In a recent issue of one of those, there was an article about the economy and one woman's obsession with this website, www.polyvore.com. In the article she described an online experience I could get excited about - basically paper dolls for grown women, and without the limitations of kit. The entire world becomes your "mall" and the combinations and ideas are endless!
I began creating "sets" and found that many pieces which I loved alone, had come from stores I haven't set foot in since college (Wet Seal anyone?)
Over the past two weeks since I've been a member I have made three purchases based on outfits I put together online (people can comment and "Like" your sets too - adding a competitive and realistic edge to the site.)
Additionally, each time you "publish" a set, you can also Tweet or Facebook it too. Genius.
What Polyvore is achieving in terms of combining all online media together in one site is really something interesting. Usually, only one area of focus is successful - but in this case Polyvore has created a hit with the site itself - very user-friendly and fun to use; the community is huge; sharing options at every turn; endless e-commerce opportunities; and movie and retailer contest tie-ins (hope to win those tickets to the Eclipse Premiere!) all of this, without the users really feeling "marketing to." Instead, we feel like we're expressing our style and fashion sense.
For fun, here's a link to my personal profile at Polyvore.
Would love to know what kind of "commission" contracts they set up.
So when you're thinking about the online community - think BIG. It's smart to start small, but look at what this site has been able to do!
Keep Clicking!
Michelle Marquardt
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