Foursquare

2 min read

5 Tips for Getting Your Business Started on Foursquare

Written by: Doug Ridley

@dougridley

For background on Foursquare for Business, check out this post: https://foursquare.com/about

Getting your business started on Foursquare:

1. Claim your venue

• Go to foursquare.com and search for your business’ name.
• If you find your business, go to the “Claim Venue” link in the right sidebar and follow the instructions to claim your venue.
• If you do not find your business, there is an option under your search results to “Create This Venue.”
• The authentication process can be answering the phone that’s on record or getting a code on a postcard mailed to the address on record. (More info here: http://business.foursquare.com/).
• You now have the ability to see check-in analytics, learn more about your customers and see what people are saying about your business.

2. Get a “Check in Here” window cling

• Request your window cling here. It’s like a CTA (call-to-action), encouraging visitors to check-in and share your business with their friends.
• Make it visible! Best place for the decal is right on your front door.

3. Set up a special

• Foursquare specials are a way of saying thank you for coming to your business or returning to your business. Possible examples:
  • Free appetizer with 5^th checkin
  • Percentage off bill with 1^st checkin
• Make sure your staff knows that you’re running a special and what to do when someone wants to redeem a special!
• Specials that are NOT redeemed are grayed out with an locked symbol.
• Specials that ARE redeemed will be in color and unlocked.

4. Link your Twitter

• If you have your Twitter account linked, every time someone checks in and pushes it to Twitter, it will mention your Twitter username instead of just your Business name. A direct link to your Twitter account is much more valuable than hoping someone will search for you.
• If you have notifications set up, you will see the mention and be able to engage with your customer by:
  • Saying thanks
  • Asking what their favorite dish was
  • Asking for feedback, photos, etc.

5. Share updates

• Download the Foursquare for Business app.
  • Download: Foursquare for Business app for iPhone
  • Download: Foursquare for Business app for Android
• Share a photo or text update with people who have visited or viewed your business.
  • A new item
  • A sale
  • General announcements
  • An event
  • Special guests
  • Holiday hours

Comment below or find us at @Vital_Design if you have any questions!

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