9 Tips for Using Foursquare

Posted by Raza Rahil Hussain in FourSquare, Social Networking | 4 comments

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Foursquare is a social networking tool which encourages you to check in at places around the city and around the world. Users can check in at locations, offer tips, and even become the mayor of certain venues. The program has been described as the next great thing because it allows people to connect with one another and share information. Here are nine tips which will spice up your Foursquare experience.

1. Complete your profile

To become mayor, you need to have a completed profile. The public can see your profile picture, last known city, badges and friends. In your profile, you can add your interests and city, as well as other pieces of information. If you have linked them, the public can also see your Twitter and Facebook profiles.

2. Add only close friends to your network

Do not add other people indiscriminately. You want to know the people in your network. You are telling other people about your location, providing them with tracking information and various tips. You do not want to run the risk of having an ex show up at an inopportune time.

3. Put shouts with your check-ins

Add some flavor to your check ins. There has got to be a reason that you go to a specific coffee shop or to a particular veterinarian. Let your friends know about the awesome flaming cheese plate that your favorite restaurant offers. The tips that you add will increase the flavor of the area as well as making the application more enjoyable.

4. Develop your top 12

Show off your favorite venues with your top 12 list. This is shown to friends who might be wondering why you go to a particular coffee shop for your latte. Endorsements from friends are quite a lot more influential than recommendations from advertising companies.

5. Don’t be overzealous with notifications

You might be able to announce your location several times a day, but it is not necessary. You can pare down your notifications to once or twice a day so you do not become annoying.

6. Become the Mayor

The mayor of a venue has checked in more times than their friends. Occasionally, there are perks and specials offered by businesses to Foursquare users. When you are the mayor, your friends see your picture when they go to that venue.

7. Don’t check in from your home

It is assumed that you’re going to be home a majority of the time. Foursquare was designed for people who travel outside of the house rather than homebodies who travel from the kitchen to the bedroom and back again. Checking in from home is considered cheating.

8. Respect privacy

You want to play the game, but there are privacy issues involved. Your grandmother’s house doesn’t need to be on the list of venues in your network. You do not need to check in at private places like your child’s school.

9. Be careful with your check ins

If you’ve told your boss that you’re at home with the flu, don’t use Foursquare to check in at your favorite bar. You don’t know who is paying attention to Foursquare and you don’t know if your friends will let it slip.

Foursquare integrates social networking with location based enjoyment. You are able to offer tips, become the mayor and generally have a great time with this ingenious little application. Experiment and earn some badges with Foursquare today.

Use FourSquare Like a Pro: 10 Tips

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