1. Presented by Cotton Rohrscheib, this presentation explains GeoSocial Networking and highlights two of the most popular location based applications on the market today; Gowalla and Foursquare, and how they are being used by many of today's leading consumer brands as an integral part of their interactive marketing campaigns.
8. GeoSocial uses established or crowdsourced coordinates for locations, buildings, and landmarks that users can check in at. In addition, users can also share location specific reviews and tipsfor future visitors or friends.
31. Users can create private to-do lists for a venue for themselves or they can create a public tip that is shared with everyone who checks in at that venue.
Partner / Co-Founder - Pleth, LLC (Design, Development, Managed Hosting)Offices in Batesville, Jonesboro, and ConwayPartner / Co-Founder - Plethware (Email / Groupware / Archival Solution)Founder - Powersite (Non-profit / Ministry Web Solutions)Founder - The Cotton Club Blog & Podcast Can Be Found at TheCottonClub.cc or on iTunesCommunity Co-Founder - Central Arkansas Refresh GroupCommunity Co-Founder - Conway Co-Working
GeoSocial allows users to interact relative to their location using wireless devices such as smartphones, ipads, etc.GeoSocial uses established or crowdsourced coordinates for locations, buildings, and landmarks that users can check in at. In addition, users can also share location specific reviews and tips for future visitors or friends.GeoSocial Networks like Gowalla & Foursquare have social networks within themselves but also interact with external networks like Twitter & Facebook.Next, we are going to look at Geosocial User Profile…
Gowalla recently updated their profiles so that users could customize their pages w/ backgrounds, etc. Currently Geosocial Networks are basic, exchange comments, post photos, etc. but I think they will mature fast as these services continue to grow in popularity.
In addition to user profiles, Geosocial Networks like Gowalla and Foursquare also have location pages. This particular business has had 224 check-ins by 92 different users. Also, if you will look closely, this café offers 10% off your purchase when you check in on Gowalla…
I have already mentioned Foursquare and Gowalla but there are several other players in this market that are worthy of mention. Brightkite and Loopt were early pioneers to the market, as was Google w/ their Latitude product that never has really taken off.Waze is considered a Geo-Social application but I view it differently (explain what waze does)
Foursquare is the most widely used GeoSocial Application at this time, but my prediction is that Gowalla will one day close in on them.Located in New YorkFounded by: Dennis Crowley and Naveen SelvaduraiUsers connect with friends and check in at locationsUsers awarded points, badgesLoyal visitors to an establishment might be crowned as mayorUsers can create private to-do lists for a venue for themselves or they can create a public tip that is shared with everyone who checks in at that venue.Presently have over 500k users. (march 2010)Has apps for iPhone, Android, webOS, Windows Phone 7 and BlackBerryRecently partnered with Zagat, New York Times, and Conde NastCurrently has three levels of superuser status, each with varying levels of control to edit locations.
Located in Austin, TexasFounded by: Josh WilliamsUsers connect with friends and check in at locationsAs a reward users will sometimes receive items for checking inFeatured spots have custom icons or stampsUsers can drop items at a location and become a founderTrips can be added by users by grouping locations togetherPresently has over 150k users. (march 2010)Has apps for iPhone, Android, webOS, Windows Phone 7 and BlackBerryRecently partnered with CNN, National Geographic, Tom’s Shoes, Eye-Fi, etc.Gowalla has an elevated user level called Street Team Elite that can modify location data and add additional content about a venue.In December 2009, Gowalla had raised $8.4m in venture capital…
Take a few minutes to share my viewpoints on Foursquare. When they first started we had to check-in like we were in DallasFoursquare is not locked down whatsoever (I can check in Little Rock from where I stand)
A little more information regarding market share lead held by Foursquare…
This is check-in data for a list of heavily populated cities in US and the number of check-ins each had inside the Foursquare & Gowalla networks.
Why have these applications risen in popularity so fast?
This is an example of a winning check-in on Gowalla where the user simply takes his phone to the Element Store to claim his Eco Water Bottle. I also recently won an eye-fi SD wireless card from Eye-Fi.
Foursquare and Gowalla both rollout a lot of campaigns for businesses across the country. In a lot of cases all the end user has to do to enter these contests is just check in at a participating location or maybe tweet something in their check-in.
One of the most popular aspects of the Foursquare product is frequent visitors to a particular location on Foursquare can become the “mayor” of that particular location. In a lot of cases a friendly war between an establishments two top customers will ensue for glory. It’s all about being the mayor…
Gowalla recently revamped the way they do their pins. Users receive a pin for each state they visit as well as for participating in various other activities.Businesses may also have their own “custom icon” created for use in Gowalla’s network.We recently had a custom event stamp created for Toad Suck Daze in Conway!
Take a few minutes to discuss the social aspects related to Foursquare and Gowalla.
Many of the top consumer brands on the market today are using geosocial applications to help promote their products and to increase traffic to their businesses. In the case of Starbucks, the mayor of a particular starbucks will instantly receive a notification upon check-in letting them know that they get a discount on their drinks.
This is how the deal was setup w/ Starbucks & Foursquare:The Loyalty / Rewards deal offers customers a $1 discount on a Frappucino. The special greets mayors with this message: “As mayor of this store, enjoy $1 off a NEW however-you-want-it Frappuccino blended beverage. Any size, any flavor. Offer valid until 6/28.”
Share a few thoughts as to where I think the industry is headed w/ Geosocial and also mention that Facebook announced they were getting into the GeoSocial markets as well.
This is the part of the presentation where we open up the room for questions.
Be sure to hit the next slide to promote the podcast being on iTunes.
![Presenter: Cotton Rohrscheib ,[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)