How Hospitality Businesses Can Use Foursquare for More Visibility

            Foursquare is a social networking website that is location-based. Account holders can “check-in” when they are at a certain restaurant, club, movie theater, hotel and other locations.

            Foursquare owner, Dennis Crowley, recently reported that his social media website is experiencing tremendous growth. Crowley was named as one of the “40 under 40”: Business's hottest rising stars in 2010 by Fortune Magazine. As a business owner within the hospitality industry, it is important to monopolized off of Foursquare and this is how you can do it.

            Foursquare's users download a map application to their phones so the user's can announce (check-in) their current location. Their friends can track where they are at the time. This will either encourage their friends to come meet up with them at these locations or visit the businesses at another time. This will help your hospitality-focused business discover the demographics of your customers.

            Users of Foursquare can also leave comments about their experiences at a business. Since Foursquare is tied to Facebook and Twitter, these comments can echo across those social networking websites as well. When a Foursquare user frequents a place, they can reach “Mayor” status. Businesses can monopolized off of this by providing the Mayors with recognition within their business and give them special discounts. Hopefully your current and potential customers will follow the leader and compete to become the next “Mayor”.

            Encourage your staff to “check-in” when they begin their work shift. This way they can post the day's specials and encourage their friends (who will hopefully encourage their friends) to come and enjoy your products/services.

            The prediction is that the more offers that businesses make available to Foursquare users, the more popular this social networking website will be. The creators of Foursquare are growing a rewards system so users will qualify for special offers from the businesses they frequent. Tap into this exciting social media platform and don't fall behind. Foursquare is still young, so be one of the first “Mayors” within your industry to experience a tremendous increase in revenue from using this free social media tool.

by Bianca M. Bailey at  B Culture Media