Free talk for local small businesses on Foursquare – a new social network that can help increase sales at zero cost. Owners of venues are unaware they are on Foursquare and that users are ‘checking-in’

Jonathan Pollingerof social media consultancy Intranet Future will be giving a free 30 minute talk on a new social network/game called Foursquare at Pepper Crescent, Cheltenham on Friday 9 July from 5.30pm. The talk is aimed at owners and managers of local ‘high street’ businesses.

Foursquare (see foursquare.com for more info) has great potential for small businesses to increase their customers and sales. It is a rapidly growing mobile app (iPhone, Android and Blackberry) that allows people to ‘check-in’ to venues such as restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, pubs, bars, shops, gyms, cinemas – anywhere where people meet.

Most venues in Cheltenham and Gloucester have been added to the network by their customers yet most business owners are unaware that their customers are checking-in regularly and playing Foursquare.

By offering discounts/special offers to customers who check-in regularly, Foursquare players will compete and are likely to visit the venue more to earn their discount. It’s like a loyalty card but more powerful due to the social network and gaming aspects.

Players are encouraged to leave comments and tips about venues thus providing useful information to customers and feedback for venue owners.

As well as being announced to Foursquare users, each check-in is announced on Facebook and Twitter so venues can receive great free publicity in this way too.

All the above is free for the venue owner. Intranet Future can provide advice on using Foursquare. This consultancy is provided free to new and existing clients.

After the talk from 6.00pm a meeting of Cheltenham Social Media Café will take place.

ENDS July 2010

Contact: Jonathan Pollinger – 07966 45238 – info@intranetfuture.com
Intranet Future – Intranet Future with offices in Cheltenham and Gloucester provides advice on how to make the most of social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. For more information about our services and clients please visit www.intranetfuture.com. You can also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/intranetfuture and follow us jonnop on Twitter Cheltenham Social Media Café – Cheltenham Social Media Café is a regular, informal meet-up for everyone in the area with an interest in social media and online communications. For more information please visit cheltsocialmediacafe.org.uk. You can also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/cheltsocialmediacafe and follow @cheltsocmedcafe on Twitter. For further details: Call Jonathan Pollinger on 07966 452380 or email infointranetfuture.com