Follow-up to previous email about location-based social networking.

[Denver Coffee Blogger]

I accidentally pressed send before realizing I hadn't pasted in the
completed post. Apologies for the extra email. Please read the
complete post on the blog (http://www.milehighbuzz.com) or read below:

Are you using mobile, location based social media? Is your favorite
coffeehouse on Twitter, FourSquare, Facebook Places, Gowalla or
others? Estimates on how many people are using these services vary,
but no one disputes that the numbers are rising fast. Google has over
500 million users. FourSquare has over 1,000,000 users and that
number
is climbing fast! Google is obviously the giant, and as these
companies
introduce more of this functionality, this concept is likely to be
adopted
by the masses.

Facebook's recent addition of "Places" and "Deals" is likely to make
location
based social networking even more mainstream, especially now that it
is offered on almost all smartphones (they introduced Blackberry
functionality last week).

How does this affect you as a consumer or a business owner? Whichever
group you fall into, you should get in the game now! GAP recently gave
away 10,000 pairs of jeans to people checking in on Facebook Places,
and there are new specials popping up everywhere!

As a business, be sure you "claim" your business. There are numerous
places where you can do this, but I would suggest you start with
three:

1) Facebook Places. See instructions here: http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=18365
Once you claim your place, you can start to offer deals (see the
example on the latest MileHighBuzz.com post).
2) Google Local: Your business likely shows up on google local
searches, regardless of whether you have ever claimed it. If you
'claim' your business, it will allow you to add hours, photos and
other information. This is a very easy way to increase your search
engine optimization. http://www.google.com/local/add/analyticsSplashPage?pli=1
Google is also currently offering free promotional listings for
businesses, where you can add a coupon for free (Google just
introduced a new "yelp-like" service yesterday, so it appears they are
looking to get in this game in a big way).
3) FourSquare. See this link to claim your business on FourSquare and
find out how to post deals such as a free coffee for every 10th check-
in: http://foursquare.com/businesses/

You may not see immediate returns on this, but I believe that
localized social media is going to continue to grow very quickly, and
each of the above steps is FREE. Remember that it takes more than just
setting up a twitter account or a Facebook page. You need to ask the
most important question, that is "Why should someone "follow," "like,"
or
"check in?" Is it the deals you are offering? Is it simply to allow
them to
be a integral part of the community you are creating? You need to
ensure
you don't fall into the "if you build it they will come" trap. Make it
engaging.
Make it personal. Keep your content fresh.

Good luck, and please post to the blog if you or your favorite java
joint are offering specials using any of these applications:
http://denvercoffee.blogspot.com/2010/11/coffee-houses-using-location...

Take care!

DCB
http://www.milehighbuzz.com

PS: If you or anyone you know is looking to develop a good social
media strategy, I offer consulting services to help you get started
and/or enhance your web and social media presence, whether you are
starting from scratch, or just looking to take things to the next
level.