Checking-In: Location-Based Social Networking

With 200 million users accessing Facebook through their mobile phones, the number of Facebook Check-Ins is also on the rise. These "check-ins" allow people to post where they are and what they are doing. This is known as Location-Based Social Networking. This can be free advertising for your company through your customers. All they do is "check-in" and everyone then can see your company on their post. The most popular places to check in are retail, restaurant and leisure locations. So if your company is one of these industries you have a lot to gain from location-based social networking. If your company is not one of these no worries, you still can gain as much if not more. 

Location-based social networking works well, because it is interactive for your customer. It allows them to be engaged in your company. One great location-based social network is Foursquare. Foursquare allows users who check-in at venues to earn points towards badges and allows the company that is on Foursquare to interact with these check-ins by providing special rewards for those who check-in. If someone holds the most check-ins at one venue they can be the "mayor" of the venue. These location-based social networks allow your company to be seen by hundreds if not thousands of users just by saying they are there. 

Here is our disclaimer and just like any use of online activities you should take precautions and be proactive and responsible when using social media. We want you to succeed, have fun, and be safe.