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Foursquare app a new media way to attract business
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By Ariel Cheung,
Staff Writer
12:55 AM Thursday, September 9, 2010
DAYTON — Foursquare isn’t just for the playground anymore.
The Foursquare application for iPhones, Androids and Blackberrys allows users to “check in” to locations in their city, from Arby’s to Starbucks to the local mall. The user who checks in to a certain location the most times is crowned the mayor.
Foursquare 101
Foursquare users can also acquire badges. These badges are rewards for completing certain tasks, which have quite a range.
The Adventurer badge, for example, is attained after a user checks in to 10 different venues, while the Bonnaroo Rock Star badge was awarded to users who followed the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on Twitter and checked in to 10 different places at the festival.
The smart phone app has been christened as the new Twitter by some, but for others, it’s a way to attract some business.
In May, Starbucks launched a nationwide special for Foursquare users as part of its Frappucino promotion. The mayor of any Starbucks location was granted $1 off a Frappucino. Starbucks also offers a Barista badge for those who check in to five different Starbucks locations. Other stores like American Eagle Outfitters or Ben & Jerry’s also feature special offers and promotions exclusively for Foursquare users.
Dayton area tests the waters
And now, local businesses are getting in on the action.
Amy Strozier, 27, of Dayton, was an avid Foursquare user, checking in to locations as often as possible.
“I basically use it almost everywhere I go,” Strozier said. “After you start checking in at one place, it’s fun to just see who’s been there and who’s the mayor.”
One place Strozier frequently checked in to was The Dublin Pub in the Oregon District where she worked. And when Strozier noticed other companies using Foursquare to attract customers, she wondered if the pub could do the same.
After discussing it with owner Steve Tieber, Strozier set up the Dublin Pub’s venue profile on Foursquare and the check ins started flowing in.
The Dublin Pub, located at 300 Wayne Ave., now offers a free pot of gold (sea salt and vinegar french fries) for every fifth check in. There’s also something in store for the mayor of the location: permanent happy hour.
“It lets people know about our specials we have going on,” Strozier said.
The Dublin Pub has had more than 312 check ins from 80 people.
Down the street at Bonnett’s Book Store, located at 502 E. Fifth St., Foursquare users can receive 20 percent off their purchase just for checking in.
Partner and co-owner Kevin Bonnett says he’s hoping to do something special on the Sept. 10 downtown Urban Nights event.
“I’ve posted on Twitter about trying to get a swarm badge or possibly a super swarm badge,” said Bonnett, 46, of Englewood.
The badges in question are awarded when multiple users are checked in to the same location. To acquire the swarm badge, 50 users must be present.
Too small a crowd?
While Bonnett hopes that the Urban Nights event will boost the bookstore’s Foursquare check ins, he’s afraid the problem might be bigger than the store.
“Dayton’s been hit really hard in the last couple of years with job loss, and the economy’s been tough everywhere,” Bonnet said. “There’s actually a lot of people who aren’t using services like Foursquare because they can’t swing the bill for smart phones.
“It may be that there’s simply not enough people in the area using it to make it worthwhile.”
Bonnett hopes the trend will pick up in the Dayton area, but plans to continue working with the application at the bookstore.
“One of the big problems at Bonnett’s is we don’t really have an advertising budget,” Bonnett said. “And that’s what really turned me on to Foursquare.”
Bonnett personally uses Foursquare as a sort of travel diary.
“On the nonbusiness side, it’s really interesting to see personally the walking meter you carry around,” Bonnett said. “You look at your own life and see what you’re doing.
“It’s also really cool because it can remind you of things you would like to do. Like, ‘I haven’t been to restaurant X in awhile, I’d really like to go back.’ ”
As the economy slowly recovers and the application continues to attract users, Bonnett hopes to see more Foursquare action in the Dayton area.
“I think Foursquare has truckloads of potential. I just don’t know that Dayton’s the right place for it to take off,” Bonnett said. “But I’ll do my part and see what happens.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0597 or acheung@Dayton DailyNews.com.
Local Foursquare deals
American Eagle Outfitters: 15 percent off order. Visit www.ae.com for a list of locations.
Ben & Jerry’s, 1934 Brown St., Dayton: Buy one scoop, get one free; mayor receives free scoop
Bonnett’s Bookstore, 502 E. 5th St., Dayton: 20 percent off with every check in
The Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., Dayton: Free Pot of Gold on every fifth check in
Goffee Chiropractic Center, 387 Regency Ridge Road, Dayton: Free dry water massage on every fifth check in
Prime Time Party Rental, 2104 W. Dorothy Lane, Moraine: 10 percent off with first check in
Trolley Stop, 530 E. 5th St., Dayton: Free appetizer for mayor; chips and salsa on fifth check in
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