OK, here’s my official review of FourSquare, now that we’ve been chatting it up on Twitter the last few days.

Even though it’s one of the many “location-based” social media services (Gowalla being the other primary one) my perception of the service is that it’s a business-based service, not a location-based one. I think businesses are really missing the boat by not embracing these services, because it encourages people to come back! Why is this a bad thing!?! Business owners, go register your business, offer incentives, and get people to come back more and more!

Anyone remember those punch cards you used to get at Subway, 6 subs and one free? It should be the same thing with these check-ins. Every five check-ins, free cup of coffee at Starbucks. Three at Chili’s, free chips and salsa. How is this a bad thing for businesses?

I’m also using it because as great as Twitter is, it doesn’t easily help you meet local people, while FourSquare does. I see who else frequents the same places I do, can follow them on Twitter and start following and entering into convos with them. As someone who’s new to a community, it’s a great way to find people who I know have similar social media/nerdy interests. If someone has a better idea, I’m all ears.

With just a few week’s usage, here’s a few of my tips. Feel free to add some of your own.

  • If you’re going to tweet your location, give the same context as if you’re tweeting with no check-in. Who cares where you are- WHY are you there?
  • If there’s no interesting reason for being someplace (you’re getting gas) don’t tweet it out. You can check in without letting everyone else know but still keep up with check-ins and points.
  • Add tips and to-dos for locations. As with all social media, adding value is a key.
  • Go to the website and change your settings to not let everyone else know if you become a mayor or a badge. I changed the badge setting a while ago, but just made the decision on the mayor thing as well.
  • If you’re a church planter this is another key service to register your church with. Anyone who checks in at the YMCA we meet in (or anywhere else within 1000 meters) will see the church there, be able to see the info I’ve posted about it and see our Twitter stream. If you’re rental facility won’t let you keep permanent signage up (most don’t) they can’t tell you to take this down. Plus, tech-savvy folks will know you’re a church which attempts to reach into their demographic.
  • If you own/work at a business where customers frequent (Starbucks, yes..tire sales, not as much) GET ON THIS! Why would you not find inexpensive ways to bring back customers who are more likely to be brand evangelists?!

That’s what I’ve got from a few weeks of check-ins. Yours?