Squish Blogs!

My Twitter friend Jason, a.k.a. @hazmatmedic, asked me what Foursquare was after seeing me check in at Squish Designs, and unlocking the Local and Bender badges. My response to him is one that I thought would make a great blog post for all those wondering what it is.

Jason,

Foursquare is an up and coming social media platform. In fact, it has been predicted to be the next Twitter. It’s along the lines of the other sites that you check in to let your friends know where you are at, but it adds a bit of a game/competition to the mix along with some added fun promotion for the places you check in at. For example, last night when I stopped for dinner at Whiskey River Bar & Grill, my friends in Indy may not have ever heard of the place, so now it’s a new spot for someone to try. Also, if when I check in somewhere, one of my friends is at that location as well, we can meet up. The competition comes in when you earn the badges or even become the mayor of the check in point. I will probably be the only one to become the mayor of Squish, but each time someone sees me check in at Squish Designs, it’s another time that they have heard our name.

Some see it as a waste of time, others see it as stupid because they don’t know why anyone would want to tell everyone where they are, but I think it’s fun, and it’s a great way to publicize your favorite spots.

If you have an iPhone it makes it a ton easier to check in. I’m sure that the Blackberry has an app too, but I don’t have one, so I’m not sure…

Have you been using Foursquare? What do you think of it so far?

This is Chess, it ain't checkers....a more socially correct form of Denzel Washington's quote to Ethan Hawk during the movie training day.  It is as important now as it has ever been to have an actual strategy that you that directs your business' interaction online.  From a strong business website, the decision to use eCommerce, the people in your business who represent your blogs, all these decisions need to be considered as any company plans its online future.  While there are many applications which may draw your eye, buzz words like adsense, adwords, blogs, social networking, etc., it becomes increasingly important that we strive to understand how these concepts can be used.  I find that the game of chess is relatable to the technology community constantly striving for new and innovative ways to emerging technology to benefit our society.  I hope we all remember that it is about the strategy we push forward not the blunt force of pushing ahead because we have to...