Foursquare is a location based social networking website, software for mobile devices and game. Users “check-in” at different venues using smart phone applications. If users use the service enough they can earn different badges and hold mayorships to the venues that they check-in at often. Ooooh the excitement!! Don’t be surprised, Foursquare is the real deal in location based “check-in” services and can become very addicting.
In addition to Foursquare being somewhat fun and addicting it can also offer users some pretty sweet benefits from small and large business’s alike. Small business owners can now claim their venues on Foursquare and offer various specials to users that “check-in” via the social networking site. One of the key things about Foursquare specials is that most users don’t know they exist (unless of course they are told) because users don’t see any special offers until they complete X amount of check-ins, etc.
We offer specials at all six of our Extreme Tan and Smoothies locations. If you are looking for Tampa tanning salons and you use Foursquare, check-in at Extreme Tan and Smoothies for special offers, freebies and discounts.
Anyway, enough of all the fun and exciting things about Foursquare. There are some pretty annoying things about Foursquare and some of the users on Foursquare and I thought it would be important to try and help new Foursquare users see how they can avoid sucking at Foursquare. Those of you that subscribe to my rss feed, connect with me via my Facebook fan page or on Twitter @extremejohn might remember me writing “10 Reasons You Suck at Twitter” and “10 Reasons You Suck as an Employee“. I guess I like writing about the things that we all suck at one time or another.
6 Reasons You Suck at Foursquare
1. Ghost Check-in
You check-in to places your not really at.
Sure, everyone might do this in the beginning and that’s not really the point that you really begin to suck at Foursquare. The point that you begin to start sucking at Foursquare is when you don’t realize how annoying that can become to your serious Foursquare connections and friends. Keep in mind the premise of Foursquare is to share your location with your folowers, who I would imagine are made up of your family and friends. Maybe a stalker or two. Anyway, imagine the annoyance to those people then they find out your not really at the venue they just bolted to meet up with you at.
2. Lazy Mayor
You actually own mayorships to places that you have never been to.
Again, everyone wants that first badge and that first mayorship but sooner or later you have to realize that no one likes lazy Mayor. Don’t claim venues that you have never been to, it’s pathetic.
Quick side note here to “George S.” who has never been to the Extreme Tan and Smoothies Home Office and is the current mayor and to Jerry who is the current mayor of “Mars” which is located on my Lania… a place that Jerry has never been to btw…. Your both losers.
3. Nowhere Land
3) You constantly check-in but nobody knows where because your always “Off the Grid”.
Think about the concept behind Foursquare and reconsider your gameplan here. Sure checking in to private venues as “Off the Grid” makes sense, checking in to everywhere “Off the Grid” makes you an idiot suck at Foursquare.
4. Premature Foursquare
When you add a new venue you add it with incorrect information.
Calm down, even if it is the first venue that your adding to Foursquare. Look around, get the proper info and enter it the right way. Adding places with wrong phone numbers and address’s doesn’t do anyone any good.
5. Foursquare Stalker
5) You only use Foursquare to stalk your ex-girlfriend, play toy, ex-boyfriend, current girlfriend or current boyfriend.
That’s pretty weird and you know it. Why not do everyone a favor and stop doing it.
6. Foursquare Theif
You truly suck if you steal my Foursquare mayorships. ; )
Small Business Owner Tip
Small business owners don’t forget to get your small business added into the Foursquare network that way you can avoid having
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: TechPatio
Is there a way to “check-in” so that ONLY your followers/friends (whatever they’re called) can see it and not the entire world? I mean, why would you tell the whole world that your home is now availble for a break-in?
Klaus @ TechPatio´s last [type] ..Free giveaway- Daniusoft “Video Converter for Mac” – 3 Licenses 35 each
Twitter: extremejohn
Hey Klaus. I would say one of the important factors to Foursquare is choosing who you connect with or friend as carefully as possible. Sounds pretty ridiculous for a public check-in based social network.
You can do “Off the Grid” check-ins for when you want to keep your location private or of course just not check-in at all. However all of your connections see that you are off the grid as you cannot select which of your followers you want to see where your at and which ones you can’t.
Yes, this social network stuff has been taken too far.
Twitter: extremejohn
I don’t think it’s been taken far enough. :laughat:
Twitter: _KimRandall
I love this, John! There are so many reasons people suck at Foursquare. one of the biggest reasons is if they are a business and have not claimed their venue, but know about Foursquare #YouSuck!! It amazes me how many people are jerks though when it comes to checkins etc… I hate it when I get my Mayorships yanked away too!
Kim Randall´s last [type] ..3 Reasons Why You Need A DailyBooth Account
Twitter: extremejohn
Haha I love the passion in your comment. Small business owners not claiming their business on Foursquare are blowing it hands down. You might as well be on the map if someone prints it and you have a spot.
I like it. I’d add if you have to sit down to check in or stand around, as soon as you walk in, to be able to check in you’re doin’ it wrong. Just like Jason Alexander said on “Shallow Hal” about quips you’ve got 4 maybe 5 seconds.
Oh, and all UR Mayorships R Belongz to Me. Next time I’m in Largo, FL
Tip 6.5 “Small Biz owner not being on Foursquare has got to be the biggest.
Jeremiah M. Wean´s last [type] ..What Do You Mean
Twitter: extremejohn
Ahh we have another vote for the 6.5.
I can’t believe I forgot the sitting and long pause standing people. What’s a good name for that Foursquare reason of sucking? Hmmm.
Thank you for commenting with a great comment!
Twitter: zxxxt
Just started using 4Square less than a month and its really fun. Sometimes I look for free wifi just to “check in” in that place.
BTW, I already hold 5 mayorships…no ghost mayor tho
ZXT´s last [type] ..Remembering 9-11
Twitter: extremejohn
Hey Z hope everything is going well I haven’t seen you around in forever. Now Im heading over to your spot to see what you have going on over there
Glad to see you become part of the Foursquare madness and very happy to hear that you don’t have any ghost mayorships that’s lame
well john
its fun and nice to be funny
thanx :high:
Twitter: extremejohn
Yeah
John you have explored it and I think it will be good for me.
michal@mincir´s last [type] ..Maigrir en Santé !
Can I set it to where I don’t have to allow people to check me in? I don’t like this feature at all!! I don’t want my ex girlfriend finding me.
Twitter: extremejohn
Checking in is completely optional.
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