Thursday, 4 August 2011

Social networking via 'check-ins'

The functionality of 'Check-ins' as a means of social networking I believe deserves some in-depth discussion. My first impression of it was not a positive one. Seeing the average Joe check-in on a daily basis to his local gym and then proceed to boast about how many PB's he achieved in his workout and how big his biceps are getting just downright annoyed me!
However, as I delve further into our Social Media Strategy as a business, I can see how we can really leverage our brand via this application. It can be used to promote offers/promotions only to those who check-in. The beauty of this is that their check-in is really free advertising for us. All their friends become aware of were they are and it is them promoting our brand for us. As you all know 86% trust peer recommendation over Advertisement so this is a WIN-WIN for businesses!
Foursquare is something I am yet to look into but has been proposed to us for use within our company. Its an application whereby users can check-in to their current location, surface relevant suggestions about nearby venues/places and generally increase brand awareness all to their peers. Check out these amazing stats on Foursquared which is just one of the many social networking sites of this kind:

  • Users: Over 10 million worldwide




  • Check-ins per day: Over 3 million, with over 750 million check-ins total




  • Businesses: Over 500,000 using the Merchant Platform 



    • What do you all think about this mediums and do you think it is something businesses will be able to use more and more to leverage their brand? If so, would love to hear some suggestions as to how!!
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    4 comments:

    1. Wags4 August 2011 at 3:24 am

      Mashable had a few things to say about LBSNs (Location-Based Social Networks), and their limitations: Link

      But, yes, they do have some potential!

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    2. Craig Thomas4 August 2011 at 6:50 am

      Yeah i agree too, great potential but perhaps not properly harnessed by facebook/marketers yet... Although when i see an unusual check in I am guilty of sussing out where it is etc... Definitely think this will develop strongly in the future

      ReplyDelete
    3. rossouwe5 August 2011 at 3:53 am

      Another great post Kate.
      I love the idea of discounts for check-ins at certain times, dive business perhaps during quieter times (non lunch hours in the case of a cafe). I have never heard of it before, but seems it has't really taken off yet (Wags and Craig) but I will agree that the potential would have to be great!
      Ross

      ReplyDelete
    4. Hubba8 August 2011 at 5:06 pm

      Interesting Kate. Maybe stores will double up by giving 10% on 'check ins' and a further 10% on 'likes'. Once they've got likes, they have communication. The best example of this I've seen was 'The Footy Show' getting a million likes to have Gary Lyon do the Yo Gabba Gabba dance!

      ReplyDelete

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