I’ve been participating on foursquare for almost a month now, competing zealously against 3 friends for badges and Mayoral rights to favorite places. While I have received a few badges (foursquare’s rewards), I’ve come to realize I don’t go to my favorite places nearly enough to receive the exalted Mayor status. Being Mayor of one of my favorite eateries would be cool, almost as cool as having an ice cream sundae or deli sandwich named after you (I do have a cocktail named after me, but we’ll save that for another time). I’m an espresso snob with a fancy Pasquini machine at home so I go to Intelligentsia once a week to pick up my Black Cat beans. I spend the rest of the week acting as my own barista (and for anyone else who happens to stop by — believe me — a lot of friends “just happen to be in the neighborhood”). Every week I check in at Intelligentsia and every week I get the same notice — my friend Rob is the Mayor. Rob lives in the ‘hood and has an office across the street. When I try to raise the competitive ante and shout out to Rob that I’m coming after him, he taunts me, replying “I laugh at you from my Mayoral Throne.” Fun stuff.
Every week I also go to the Apple Pan (I’ve been going to this burger joint since I was 5 — the same people work behind the counter) and, now that I’m on Foursquare, I regularly check in. Sad to report, I am not the Mayor. Once a week is nice for a “Bender” or “Local” badge, but not enough to be the highest ranking municipal officer of a burger joint. As much as I love going to the Apple Pan and like to think the guys behind the counter depend on my weekly visits, I can’t dine there more than once a week. At least not without a defibrillator (hmmm… I wonder if they have one behind the counter?). To be honest, I’m not sure I should even be eating at the Apple Pan once a week, but as I mentioned before, they need me. Oh sure, I could order a tuna sandwich instead of a hickory burger and hold the fries, but then I wouldn’t deserve to be mayor.
New York Times: Foursquare Signs a Deal With Zagat
Jenna Wortham reports about a new deal between Foursquare and Zagat in today’s “Bits” column, with a new “Foodie” badge as the prize for visiting selected Zagat rated restaurants in major cities. Additionally, Foursquare seems to be going after Yelp, the social networking application of choice for us foodies, as “Zagat will begin piping tips and recommendations into the Foursquare system, which already doubles as a user-generated city guide. Foursquare users can submit their own suggestions for activities and dishes to order at a particular restaurant, which will pop up when their friends ‘check in’ on Foursquare from that venue.” Adding further salt to my wounds, Zagat is launching a “Meet the Mayor” interview section on its own website (the last thing Rob needs is a soapbox to stand on).
I’m a private guy who constantly struggles with the public application of social media’s tools. I don’t mind sharing where I eat or drink, especially if I think the establishment is good enough to deserve a “shout out.” I’m also somewhat competitive — I love rubbing my friends’ noses in my own personal (but never trivial) victories. Still, a game without real rewards beyond collecting all of the badges isn’t a game I will play for very long. Sometimes I’m not even sufficiently motivated to check-in because it’s an opt-in (Rob’s still going to be Mayor and if I don’t check-in, he’ll never know I was there). What would motivate me and get others to join Foursquare would be real rewards, discounts for regular check-ins and alerts when you’re near a potential check-in venue with a reward. Why shouldn’t regular customers be rewarded for their frequent business? They are the influencers which build a brand’s equity (both the check-in destination and Foursquare). I’m sure there are issues that will have to be dealt with — after all, one would need to do more than simply “check-in” and actually buy something. In Japan, a mobile-centric culture, consumers can purchase virtually anything with their cell phones so I’m sure there will ultimately be a solution to this challenge.
In the meantime, I’ll have to content myself with being the Mayor of my own abode. Time to check-in to Rancho Relaxo…
Maybe they will do a “meet the mayor” interview for Rancho Relaxo if you start selling your espressos!
I too have been sucked into the Foursquare abyss… and the only thing I’m the Mayor of is my workplace. Sigh.
Remind me to share a cool deck I received from them on opportunities for brand integration. One smart idea is that new first time visitors to places will get coupons.
Don’t forget to share that tale about the Lloyd-inspired cocktail…
That’s why you need to check-in at home (but give it a clever name).
Would love to see the deck.
Was featured in a soon-to-be-extinct LA Times piece in the Home section. My friends call the cocktail a “Good Time Lloyd” ‘cuz a good time is guaranteed for all! After years of serving these (and swiggin’ them myself… after all, I’ve gotta make sure they aren’t poison!), I’ve since learned the “Good Time Lloyd” can also be called a “Dark And Stormy” (which really says a lot about my personality). The only difference is the GTL uses very specific brands of ingredients — more gingery!
I’m fascinated by your foursquare experiences. The thing that I find intimidating is always remembering to check in to every place I go…and I just don’t have the desire to let everyone know where I am. However, I understand how bragging rights can be a powerful impetus. And Apple Pan every week…that’s a record! I love that place and need to go again soon.
@ Julie: The 4 (I can’t find anyone else to join in) of us who compete against each other have all become a wee bit competitive lately — checking in at Ralph’s, dog parks, recreation centers for weekend basketball — a level which I’m not sure can be sustained. For what it’s worth, I often don’t remember to “check-in” when I go to places (advantageous places to check-in too), but I guess that means I’m still human, existing outside of the game. I do find myself going to the same places over and over in a desperate attempt to become “Mayor.” I mean… really… I love Apple Pan, but this once a week thing is shortening my life expectancy.
Go there before you head east, otherwise you’ll seldom go there ever again. Why? ‘Cuz you’ve got Pie ‘N Burger on the east side. Don’t know ’bout Pie ‘N Burger? It’s got pies and burgers. And, maybe… just maybe… you can be Mayor!