Is Foursquare a silly game? Is Foursquare just another cool iPhone app? Or is it just another social network? From a personal branding perspective I would like to add a different angle.
Foursquare has the potential to be a great personal branding lifestyle social network (with the integration of Twitter at this point). Personal branding is a lifestyle not just a career choice. It is something that is lived 24/7 not just from 9-to-5. Foursquare naturally integrates your DNA, your brand associations, and your habits into its social networking game with each check-in.
4-Ways Your Personal Brand is Impacted
1. Lifestyle: Your habits and choices are stamped with each check-in. For example I workout at Lifetime Fitness and after becoming the Mayor it encouraged me to continue working out more frequently. Whether I get unseated as Mayor is not the issue, it communicates commitment and that being physically fit is critical to my personal brand. Can I tweet that I am going to the gym? Absolutely. A stronger message is sent however when you physically check-in at the gym?
2. Brand Associations: It connects you with establishments or brands you want to be associated with, whether it is a food establishment that provides healthy food or a eco friendly store that you purchased furniture from.
3. Money Trail: To truly identify what is important to a person follow how they spend their money, there isn’t a clearer indicator of values.
4. Local Market Branding: Adding tips can be a great personal branding tool it connects you with desired establishments/brands in local markets. It can also create opportunities especially as you frequent specific locations more often. In local markets it can add name recognition and adds a virtual presence even when you are not physically at the location.
Optional #5: Work Time Stamp: Work habits are reinforced since check-ins can only be done with mobile devices when you are in the physical area.
Two Basic Tips for Using Foursquare
• Tips: Create unique tips that people will find value when they visit or are near the establishment.
• Shouts: Brand your choices, each check-in provides you an opportunity to reinforce why you have selected the establishment or brand you are visiting.
There is a noise factor that has to be managed with Foursquare I will admit. Broadcasting every move you make might not be the digital footprint that you are trying to create. Below is an example @Nolascratch tweets about going to the bathroom. I am not taking a shoot at this person but I just wanted to show an example. This tweet is about going to the bathroom which we all at some point have to go. You must determine for yourself what reinforces your personal brand message with this tool like you do with the other social networks.
Foursquare is a social network that will continue to evolve much like Twitter and Facebook as time progresses. see a great opportunity to reinforce your personal branding lifestyle through Foursquare.
Other Articles on Foursquare
5 Ways Foursquare is Changing the World
Foursquare vs. Gowalla: Location-Based Throwdown
