Foursquare is a geosocial networking application that allows users to connect with their friends, update their location, and earn reward points by using mobile devices. The application is a free download and works with the iPhone, android, palm and blackberry (a blackberry app is being introduced next week). Tech Crunch on Foursquare
Foursquare was built as a mobile device that allows the end-user to explore their city, discover new places and share recommendations with friends, much like a mobile Yelp with Facebook undertones and the gaming qualities of Zynga. When you check-in to a particular place you are able to leave feedback for others, leaving a stream of recommendations, reviews or comments at each location. People check-in at all kind of places – cafes, bars, restaurants, parks, homes, offices. Foursquare keeps tabs on who’s the most loyal of all the regulars through a point system. The competitive spirit kicks in and participants are driven to unlock a new badge and move up the ladder to achieve the ultimate reward – becoming the “mayor”. Since so many users have their smart phones connected to Twitter, you often see tweets like, “I just ousted KBurghart as the mayor of Arterra.” If you’ve been to a place more than anyone else, you’ll become “the mayor”… until someone else comes along and steals your title.
Businesses in major cities are utilizing this mobile, social technology to drive traffic to their locations and many are rewarding their customers for the most frequent number of visits by offering a free coffee, happy hour pricing all night and even free hotel stays.
6 Degrees Group has recently put Foursquare into play at several of our new home developments. We believe it is an ideal traffic generator and incentive tool to gain testimonials about a community. Next time you introduce a new floor plan, model, phase or plan a Broker Preview event, try a promotion connected to Foursquare, gowalla or Yelp and incentify participants to check in and give a testimonial or review.
What are the benefits?
- Drive REALTOR® Traffic
- Reward the REALTOR® with Most Frequent Visits/Showings (Check-ins)
- Word of Mouth Marketing/Buzz
- Geotagged Advertisements (sent via Twitter)
- Homeowner, Prospect & Broker Endorsement via social sites (Twitter/Facebook)
- Homeowner Reward Programs (Mayor of Building)
- Ability to Learn More About Target Market (Psychographic & Demographic)
- Unique Opportunity to Listen/Obtain Feedback
What do you think about integrating non-traditional mobile marketing methods into the mix? Do you have any success stories that you’d like to share?
6 Degrees Group New Media for New Home Real Estate Developments, Leasing Communities, Resort Properties & Hospitality
Tags: 6 Degrees, 6 Degrees Group, Condominium Developments, Facebook, Foursquare, geosocial, Leasing Communities, Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, Mobile Technology, new home communities, New Home Marketing, Real Estate Marketing, social media marketing, Target Market, Twitter, Yelp, Zynga
