October 2011Heather Newton

The basics

◦ A GPS enabled device such a Smartphone or tablet (eg. iPad)

◦ Can post simply a location or add comments and pictures.

◦ Location options has been added to existing social media but specific location based networks have also been created.

Social media users have posted locations in the past but now GPS can help to do this for you.

•Connection•Sharing experience•Meeting up•Leaving advice/feedback

•Competition•Points or titles

•Gain•Discounts or free stuff

Another way to attract business•Increase sales

•Get people through the doors•Repeat custom•WOM

•Knowledge about their customers•Feedback with positive and negative comments•Customers routines and interests

•Launched in 2009•10 million users worldwide•Billion check ins•500,000 business using it•85 employees

Game Interface•Collect points, badges, Mayor-ships•Competing with friends but also those other checking in at the same places•Leave tips and photos

Brand Awareness•Business such as Pepsi, Zagat, Bravo TV channel without necessarily having physical presence

Foursquare promotes bricks and mortar business

Came out after foursquareOriginally based on geocaching – Users could pick up and drop off items at checked in locationGives ‘trips’ suggestionsHarder to cheat then foursquare

Facebook check in◦ Added to existing social network

Facebook deals◦ Choice of deals◦ More control over deals

Charitable deals

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150318377910484

Check-in sites: Foursquare, Gowalla, Blockchalk, BrightKite, Whrrl, MyTown

Review sites: Yelp, WHERE, Geodelic, Tellmewhere

Scheduling Sites: Loopt, Plancast

Will the increase in known brand use and incentives encourage you to use location based social media (more)?

Do you think the incentives given, such as discounts in store, are fair?

It’s been referred to as ‘creepy’ social media, do you agree? Or do you think that it could be used in a less ‘creepy’ way?