Foursquare: How to Join (& Why You Should)

I joined Foursquare on August 1, 2010.  And I forgot about it.  Occasionally I would remember – spurred on by two friends that use it to embrace local businesses in their area (@DaisyPatchFarm and @CleanLinesNH).  I proudly became “Mayor” of a local-to-me restaurant … which closed three weeks later.  You become “Mayor” of a venue when you go more than anyone else in a 60-day window.  I became Mayor of This Local Restaurant after 2 check ins.  Not a good omen.

And yet – I persevere with Foursquare.  When I remember to check in.  Then I learned about the orange “Special Nearby” and its cousin, “Special.”  NOW – the Super Consumer in me is IN!  I use Foursquare to promote and support local businesses – and get great shopping deals!

What You Need to Use Foursquare
A smartphone – then add the Foursquare app:

How to Join Foursquare
You can conveniently create an account at the Foursquare website.  Click the large “Join Now” button and follow the “Join” directions.

My advice:  Do NOT choose the Login with Facebook option.  It is lovely and convenient – but I have to resist the urge not to “hide” frequent Foursquare users that link their Foursquare updates to Facebook.  You know people that rant about how they don’t want to know every detail about the minutia of your life?  Yes, they are ranting about frequent Foursquare users that share every step of their Saturday chores with Foursquare via Facebook.  Proceed with the form instead.

I do have my Foursquare “linked up” to my Twitter account.  It is optional (see below) if I share with my Twitterverse.  It is most likely optional for Facebook, too – but I have not experimented with it for fear of the wrath of my Facebook friends.

How to Check In on Foursquare
After you have downloaded the appropriate app to your smartphone – open the app and login in with your Foursquare username and password.  Below are screenshots from the iPhone app.  Once you are logged in – tap the Check In button in the upper right hand corner:

Review the options of places that are near you and tap on your location.  Your next screen offers you a few opportunities of what to share or not share with your public:

1.  You can type a message.
2. You can determine if you want to share.  If you choose not to – people that follow you on Foursquare will see (off the grid) next to your name.
3. You can determine how you share.  If I tap on the Twitter T … it goes dark and I am (off the grid).
4. Check in!

There is more to Foursquare – subscribe to Diary of a Marketer as I learn and share more about the world of location-based social media.