Next Wednesday our group will meet to discuss the book Location-Based Marketing For Dummies by Aaron Strout and Mike Schneider. Here is a short video from the authors on using location-based apps like Foursquare, Yelp or Facebook Places.

For those who like just the facts, these are the five main points:

1. Getting set up on all the major networks. With so many social networking sites available, it’s great to have a reference on how each one works.
2. Reaching out to your influencers. This would be your mayors for Foursquare, or anyone who frequents your business and sings its praises. They have the ability to increase your traffic flow and continue spreading the word.
3. Test, learn, optimize. Finding the best way to use an app for your business takes trial and error. This step helps you get the most out of location-based marketing.
4. Creating a great offer. Each app has great incentives for customers to continue shopping at one business. Learn how to drive customers to your business rather than to your competition.
5. Operationalization. This fancy word just means making sure everything works. When a customer tries to use an offer or deal, every employee should be trained in how the offer is redeemed. The worst that could happen is a customer who is excited to use the deal and is rejected because the employee or manager wasn’t informed on how to use it.

One lucky person will win a copy of this book at our next meeting. For your chance to win and to learn more on this topic, join us on Wednesday, September 28, 7am at Molly’s Deli.