COMMENTS
Kipp, thank you so much for sharing our story with your readers. As you and I discussed yesterday, we're often having so much fun with all of this, that we forget about the real sustainable business model that exists by virtue of employing social media tools as your primary marketing focus.
A huge thank you to our very loyal customers and staff as well as the guys at Foursquare for making the event possible.
Thank you for sharing this real and creative example of how to utilize social media. One of the largest hurtles for many business owners is the "how" factor when it comes to social media. Continuing to "show the how" truly helps.
This is excellent! I'm actually doing a case study about business and foursquare for my senior thesis (undergrad) and this gives me proof that it really works :). Hey Joe, not to sound forward, but can I use you in my case study in the future?
Great post! I always wondered if you can take 4square to every business out there. Wonder if there is any help for business that are online only? Somebody should create 4square for online business :)
Thanks for sharing, this is great stuff. We're working with a restaurant client of ours on a foursquare strategy and promotions ideas. Already had talked about the swarm badge idea, but this is a good reminder to find ways to think beyond what you think your limitations are. "I'm on a boat" badge idea is truly inspired. Also, thanks for the insight on the difference between a promotoin event and a social media event - good info to remember!
This is such a great example of a restaurant maximizing the potential of Foursquare - 231 check-ins is awesome! I've heard a lot of similar success stories from 4SqDay, which reinforces why it's such a good channel for small businesses to reach new customers. We recently added support for Foursquare to our TurnSocial toolbar, and have had great feedback from customers who want an easy way to show off their customers Foursquare check-ins, along with Yelp reviews and more, directly on their website.
At the end of the day, we're still in the infant stages of the LBS market...I'm excited to see how Foursquare continues to evolve their platform!
I am so proud of what Joe has done in Milwaukee. As a fellow Milwaukee native heavily involved with social media here, case studies like AJ Bombers getting the national spotlight lifts the game up for all of us. Keep at it Joe, and I am proud to say that, I too was "on a boat!" at AJ Bombers on Foursquare day.
Being a Milwaukee native makes this story ever so sweet for me. This is like living a modern "Happy Days" since the vibe at AJBombers is like no other. You feel part of a movement in a way and it is all tied to the creative use of new media tools. I wouldn't have patronized the establishment that night had it not been for the lure of the badge. Indeed creative and pioneering. Thanks for posting Hubspot and we'll see you at #unGeeked next month!
Wow! thanks for the comments. We're honored to be highlighted by Hubspot for this event, but it must be said again, it's the unbelievably supportive nature of the community in Milwaukee and the social media community as a whole that makes this ship sail! Pun Intended, ha.
Great write-up of a great well run event. Joe's organizational skills continue to amaze me.
Thanks for linking to the video I pulled together. I love how even in the middle of the event Joe finds time to rock the boat and laugh as he says "and I'm in a boat" kinda says it all.
These types of stories make me proud to live in Milwaukee and be a part of what's happening in the social media scene. Walking in to AJ Bombers, there's just a different feel from other restaurants. You know you're going to run into someone you recognize from Twitter and you know the food is going to be fantastic. The whole experience is very exciting. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!
Great simple idea, which demonstrates with a bit of imagination can be achieved. Well done
While tradeshows are becoming less and less effective I think Foursquare provides an interesting opportunity to engage with attendees while they are at the show. If you can organize a promotion around people "checking in" at your booth it may create a unique type of buzz around your company.