#Foursquare Backlash

Today the main topic on my Twitter feed was about the dangers of Foursquare. The discussion started from a great post by PR Breakfast Club – “Is this the first confirmed case of Foursquare stalking?” http://bit.ly/c0AQ9i

Although this issue is freightening, I still think the benefits of the social media platform outweigh the dangers. Am I crazy!? I don’t think so… let me explain why Foursquare doesn’t have to be dangerous.

-Check in when you leave! Dugh. Isn’t this common sense? Gather points and jump to the top of the leader board between your friends, but don’t jeopordize your safety. It’s still fun this way, and the creepiness factor goes down about X100.

-Be selective of your friends. When someone from another state friend requests you, ignore it. Unless this is a close friend or someone from your personal network, there is no need for them to know where you are. Plus, why do you even want to know where they are visiting? It make no sense.

-Don’t post to Twitter. It’s annoying, and defeates the whole purpose of being selective of your friends on the platform. Twitter is extremely public. I personally only post my new badges and mayorships to my page. In my opinion, it is almost spam when someone is constantly posting there whereabouts.

Foursquare can still be used for location based promotions and friendly competition without putting your life at risk. What do you think? Still a speptic, or do I have good advice?

Filed under: Social Media, Foursquare, PRBC, safety, Social Media

Privacy on the Internet? Perhaps a little bit.

(Written as a guest post for the Dixon Schwabl WOW! blog - http://bit.ly/aK6910)

We all know that the Internet and social media are not known for their privacy. Whatever you post to Facebook and Twitter can be seen by almost anyone. Let’s not forget Foursquare that tells everyone exactly where you are.

But for those of you who are a little bit more reserved, or for those who just want to be devious, there is now something that adds a small bit of privacy to the links you post.

The company Acar created a ULR shortener Trick.ly that allows you to be a tiny bit secretive. When you share a URL within a post or on a site you can now hide it behind a question.

Make your clues as simple or as complex as you wish. Only the people who can decode your clue will have access to the link.

This new tool can also be used creatively. Clever ideas for using Trick.ly include:
Job search
Contests
Promotions
Online scavenger hunts

Have fun with this cool new gadget. Use it for business and marketing, or simply use it for entertainment.

Filed under: Social Media, Acer, Facebook, Foursquare, Marketing, Privacy, Trick.ly, twitter

Tomorrow’s Social Media

I recently had the opportunity to chat with the CEO of PR 20/20, Paul Roetzer, about his views on the future of Inbound Marketing. As the founder of a leading inbound marketing agency and PR firm based in Cleveland, Paul had a lot to tell me about the industry.

My main takeaway from our conversation was his answer to my question,

“Where is the industry headed; do you have a response to all those who doubt the continued success of social media?”

My question originated from the recent article “R.I.P. Twitter as a Marketing Platform” written by Dan Schawbel. The article proves that Twitter’s influence is diminishing due to the increased number of people each user follows. The reach each tweet is able to capture shrinks due to the growing Twitter platform. Twitter is quickly turning into a mass communications system better used for things such as networking, customer support and researching.

Paul Roetzer answered my question by explaining the ever developing nature of inbound marketing. He explained that social media is here to stay. Perhaps it won’t be Twitter or Facebook that we use down the road; maybe Foursquare will take over, or even phase out as a marketing tool as well. But there will always be some form of social media for marketers to work with. A new platform will arise to take the place of those we use right now.

The younger generation grew up learning to communicate using these tools. An entire generation is not going to change their ways of sharing information over night. Paul stated, “Maybe someday it will just be called Media, maybe someday it will just be Social; either way it is here to stay.” He explained that it is the job of today’s PR professionals and those involved with inbound marketing to forever be evolving and stay relevant.

I agree with both Dan Schawbel and Paul Roetzer on the issue. Yes, Twitter is changing, but that is a good thing in the overall picture of where social media is headed. The industry is no longer new, people have figured out what works and what doesn’t with each particular platform. Professionals can now effectively use Twitter to engage, Foursquare to promote and can even measure their results. But more importantly, people cannot settle into these patterns. Eventually, perhaps soon, these platforms will change and we will need to be ready to evolve with them.

So I extend the question further, do you have any opinions on whether social media is here to stay or where it may be going?

Filed under: Social Media, Facebook, Foursquare, Future, Inbound Marketing, Paul Roetzer, PR, PR 20/20, Social Media, twitter