Navigating my inner nerd

I’m new to FourSquare – and super skeptical. Just the whole idea of my exact location and previous whereabouts being published worldwide gives me the creeps. I don’t feel the need to compete for badges and mayorships — and not enough contacts in my personal network use it to make it a useful communication tool.  However, I am intrigued by its PR potential.

•        FourSquare can reinforce brand loyalty: Starbucks locations are rewarding their enthusiastic customers with coupons and discounts based on how many times they check in.
•        The audience is ready to play: This platform appeals to those who love a challenge or virtual game. FourSquare can be a great way to connect with your target audience or even attract a new one.
•        Social media and beyond: Each user serves as a spokesperson when they check in and comment. As a business, you can see if people are posting to Twitter and Facebook. This gives you insight into what kinds of opportunities, or obstacles, those social media sites are providing.
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    QR codes are a great tool for any PR pro, and so easy to create

•     Spruce up your press release: I’ve seen them used instead of images on press releases to link readers to an online destination for more info.
•       Easy evaluation: analytics can be embedded within QR codes, making it easy for PR pros to see who’s scanned them.
• Opportunities to connect: Louisiana State Museum posted a QR code on the front door to inform visitors of a new exhibit “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond.” The code was linked to the Facebook page, where people were encouraged to share stories. 

Hey PR pros: StumbleUpon this! 

•     Review and get reviewed: PR pros benefit from using StumbleUpon to get more attention paid to blogs or sites. After submitting your content and doing a few good reviews per day, more people will begin to view and comment on your content.
•       Start stumblin’: According to this Ragan article, StumbleUpon is driving more traffic than other social media outlets. It has a longevity that the others can’t offer.
•      It’s no secret: focus on quality, be active in your online community, gain the respect of fellow stumblers and the traffic will follow naturally

And so there I was, curiously discovering I lessons learned from using the platforms outlined in this week’s assignment:

·      Foursquare’s signature tagline “you’re checked in here” did a little more than tell my friends my location and earn myself a few points. In the larger context of life, this small reminder helped illuminate the importance of being present. Moreover, FourSquare was useful when travelling to different spots and helped organize the data I'd collected at various locations.

·      I love QR codes! You never know what you’re going to get! Maybe a coupon, a link, or even a free download. It’s a fun and engaging way for the public to uncover the mystery. It's also a great idea to put it on your business card or resume.

·      StumbleUpon is great because you don’t have to be looking for the content to find it. I find it hard to avoid unwanted spam and scams. StumbleUpon is trustworthy, reliable and convenient because it enables you to follow quality users and their trusted links.