How To: Set up a Foursquare Place or Event

Foursquare is one of the newest geo-location social networks. If you aren’t familiar you, a person can “check in” to places he or she visits and shops. Someone can also see where his or her friends are going and their comments about their experience. Here’s how to use Foursquare to your org’s advantage:

What Foursquare can do for you

1. Spread the word about your org.
   • Volunteers can check in when they are on the job.
   • Visitors or event attendees can check in, too
   
   This helps spread the word about your organization from individuals to their personal networks
2. Attract volunteers and event goers. Having guests and volunteers check in can attract more volunteers, make volunteers competitive to become the “mayor” (or user who checks in to that location most), and adds a social media aspect to an event.
3. Benefit through partnerships with businesses. You could approach a local or favorite coffee shop, salon, or restaurant who might not have a huge social media following and propose they make a donation for every user that visits and checks in on Foursqaure. (You can also up the $$ by incorporating Tweets!) Then, rally your network and followers- and send them that way, being sure to check in. Just be sure the business matches your audience so that they enjoy the experience and want to do it again.

How to create a “venue” (place or event)

1. Go to Foursquare.
2. Create an account or sign in.
3. Search for anything and then scroll to the bottom of the results and click “Add a new venue to foursquare.”
4. Add your workplace and any upcoming events you’re hosting.
5. To be safe, create your venue or event location ahead of time. A week is a good amount of time to ensure the location or event becomes registered (if your on a timeline for an event).

How your volunteers & the public can use Foursquare

1. Have them visit Foursquare.
2. Watch the video on the homepage.
3. Download the app to their mobile phone (for phones with no internet, users can text in!)
4. Have them create an account.
5. Advertise that they “check-in” to your event, location, or partnered business!

Keeping up with your location.

1. Incentivize.Consider adding a treat for whoever checks in the most. Maybe a small gift certificate for the volunteer that comes the most during a slow week when you need more hands.
2. Keep track.You can monitor who checks in, if you attracted new volunteers from Foursquare via an event, and what event goers say about the event. See if Foursquare is valuable to your org. If you think you could see better results, give Foursquare a few months to spread in your community!