Unofficial Foursquare Specials

This is day 13 of fourteen days of foursquare.  We’ve written about the ways real businesses are using foursquare to impact their marketing.  Many of the examples mentioned have been big, national companies.  It takes time to get an officially programed mayor special or badge through at foursquare.

The good news, is you don’t need one!  Create a special and add it to a “tip” on your foursquare profile.  Customers may already be doing this for you!

One of the first specials I ever saw was a user generated tip for Kobe Sushi by my house.  Wednesday nights are half off!

When I set up the mayor special for Fats Grill and Pool, we didn’t go through “official” channels.  I added the tip to the page and iPhone users can see it when they check in.  Another user added they have free pool during the day.  You don’t need official channels to be effective on foursquare.

Pounder’s Grill is a local business that does have an official mayor special and that can help.  They also engage in a number of social media platforms, so it’s not surprising they’re such a great example of local social media use.

Besides Starbucks, Iceberg drive in is the only other local business I’m aware of with an official offer.

Why be official?  Be unofficial.  Create a great offer that people will talk about.  Create great service that makes people come back over and over again.  Create a great product that people will buy no matter the price!

Sometimes a special isn’t even necessary.  If you’re aware of a badge that exists, make sure your venue is tagged appropriately.  People will check in and share just because of that.  Is your restaurant Zagat rated?  There’s a badge for that.  Is your venue a boat?  There’s a badge for that too! 

The more you know about foursquare and social media is the more you should know being “unofficial” is part of it.  Be yourself and your business will do well with social media.