Some of you may have had a chance to check out my first blog entry "Reaching Out To Customers Thru Social Media - Part I", this is obviously a continuation of that posting. In each entry I plan on continuing an analysis of free online avenues to promote your dealership or auto-related business.

foursquare 

Maybe you've heard of it or one of the other similar apps such as  GoWalla. For those of you who haven't or aren't on it (yet!), foursquare is a location based social app for smart phones. This means user's phones use the app and the internal GPS to locate where they are and share it with their friends or family that they have chosen to connect with. Since smartphones are the way of the future, you might as well get on board.

For a lot of you, YOUR customers are using it, especially metropolitan areas. Yes, it's another app, some might consider useless, but as a thrifty shopper myself, this app proves quite useful for scoring deals. While this isn't necessarily a

review-type app per se, similar to yelp, users can check in to your business.

When they do they have the option to post pictures to their friends, add tips about where they are at or for some areas, they will be notified of specials nearby.If users check in to the places with the specials, they can unlock the deal, however some specials are for mayors only.

 

Mayorships...this is the silly part of the app. Users gain mayorships by having the most check-ins to a venue. Often times businesses will list the offers only for mayors, however places I have frequented such as big brands  American Eagle, gives the same discount no matter who checks in.

 

 

 

 

Getting Started

Foursquare for Business has been adopted by many little companies and a lot of big brand names, why not make yours one of them? Everyone from the Wall Street Journal to Michelin Tires have jumped on foursquare, promoting their business, FOR FREE! They also make it quite easy to claim your business, setup specials and see analytics of your business with just a few clicks.

Offering Specials

If you decide you want to create specials for customers, it can't be stressed enough to make sure it's unique. It shouldn't be something that every customer can get without using the application. If someone is the mayor, perhaps offer a free oil change on their fourth check-in or for every day check-ins, offer 10% off service.

In addition, websites such as 4SquareOffers will search by address on a google map and show consumers all local offers, again promoting your business for you.

 

Viewing Stats for your Business

 

Wrapping Up

This is another example of a way to increase your foot traffic, online presence as well as offer rewards for customer loyalty. While not everyone is looking for a deal, as a consumer I am more apt to go somewhere where not only do I know they offer great service, they appreciate my business by offering me specials just for using this 'silly app'.