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Debra's Blog
As many of you know, I work with retailers all over the country - a lot in regional areas - who are predominantly small businesses. Yes, I do other 'stuff' as well- but that's another story.
Initially I wondered what the fuss was about FourSquare. Just another game. And then I WOKE UP.
And I woke up when my Blackberry died and I switched across to an iphone. [ Sidenote: Now I see why iphoners are such advocates and a tad sniffy with lesser mortals who haven't yet woken up to the joys of an iphone].
Word to the wise: GET AN IPHONE. Particularly if you are in business.
I downloaded the FourSquare app and started my love affair. Here's how I use it:
When I go into a shopping strip, shopping centre, regional town I open FourSquare to see what people have been saying about the businesses - predominantly the retailers, accommodation and eateries/cafes/restaurants etc. It shows me who has said what, if anything.
True story:
I was in one town recently, hit the Tips and here is what it said: [no, I won't name the town or the business]: "Great food. Shame about the nasty gay waiter. Who would employ such a person? Wrecked the experience".
Aside from my initial shock - and I was shocked - I wondered whether the owner of the business was aware of this Tip that EVERYONE would see once they hit Tips in their FourSquare app when they were in town. Short answer: No.
Now, I'm aware of this owner and they are known to fall into deeeeep funks so I decided not to alert them and spiral them into such a funk... {not nice for the customers}. Instead, I asked around, found out that said 'nasty' person had left and put this Tip in: "Believe said nasty person from previous Tip has since left. Service back up to usual high standard". The owner is still unaware...
I have a policy NOT to say nasty things about potential customers but to ALWAYS compliment the businesses that do things well. In many cases, I'm the one that feeds their business into FourSquare and starts the ball rolling with a Tip. Surely this is something that other service providers could do for their clients/industry sectors?
When I meet with my clients and we talk marketing - FourSquare and mobilecommerce are always on the list - I spend time explaining and showing them how to use it for their business. How to register, feed in specials & offers and all the other stuff they need to know.
So, if you're a business coach, a supplier, a consultant, how are you using FourSquare for the benefit of your customers?
Debra Templar
Retail Marketing
Postscript: Obviously I use FourSquare in my non-working life when deciding where to eat, grab a great coffee, find a special etc etc. It has saved me from many an over-priced, shoddy serviced, bland food experience. Hooray!
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