Location Based Marketing Strategies

Location based marketing & digital strategies you can use. WhatDidEricSay.com

Category Archives: Internet Marketing

Clear: Best To Do List Ever

Here’s my vote for the best new To Do list app: Clear. And the neat thing is that all of the potential features haven’t been released yet, such as: Desktop synching, collaboration & tablet versions.

Clear messaging service

Clear messaging service (Photo credit: Ben Terrett)

Two great things about this app. First, it’s super simple. All you need to know how to do is:

  • Scroll up & down
  • Swipe left & right
  • Pinch in & out
  • Drag & drop
  • Type

Think you can handle that? To do lists are a pain to manage – the stuff we have to do is more important than needing to learn how to master managing a list application. The visual intro and the tips screen is well done. Once your list is created, pinch it, tap your Personal list and scroll down to view the control panel. Couldn’t be easier.

The second thing happening here is the new trend this design may create. Buh-bye buttons. Say hello to the wonderful world of gesture controls. I’m hoping this helps spark a new trend in app design and ushers out the need for tiny buttons with even tinier text. Make your apps easier and users will enjoy them even more. Brands who embrace this will see increased engagement, increased app shelf-life and higher in-app conversion rates.

Small items like unlocking an additional design theme for following @UseClear on twitter is a nice touch. More apps could learn from this as well. Not much needs to be said – it’s a to do app. A very simple one.

So what do you think? Have you tried it yet?

 

 

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How To Do QR Codes Right

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Everyone thinks they have the magic bullet when they deploy their QR code solution. The problem is, I have yet to hear someone else tell me about an amazing experience they had with a QR code. I haven’t heard about how the QR code truly helped them.

So how are these QR codes making things better? If we’re going to use an otherwise clunky tool such as a QR code, why not do something memorable enough that will make the user tell anyone who ever mentions that brand? Or just mentions the words “QR Codes?”

Here’s the story I’ve told when someone tells me about their new QR code solution. If the end result of your code experiment doesn’t come close to this, I’d try again. (If it’s not helpful, is it at least memorable?)

While taking the Zappos Corporate tour a couple of months ago, I saw a single QR code taped to the wall. Below the image it simply said “Scan me for a secret message.” Who isn’t going to scan this? Curiosity got the best of me and I scanned it.

By the time I scanned it, the six others in my group had already moved on. My secret message: “Ask the closest employee for the chicken head photo opp!” Upon asking, the helpful employee turned around, cupped her mouth and shouted “Chicken Heads!”

Four other employees quickly ducked under their desk and emerged wearing chicken head masks. Boom, photo shot, Zappos memory created and the experience shared online. Best word of mouth creation I’ve seen in a long time.

Well done Zappos.

What other QR codes have you seen that made you want to tell someone about it?

 

 

How Facebook & Google Are Bringing Word Of Mouth Marketing Back

 

One of the things I love to do is find the newest ways for people to connect with Auction Direct online. Here’s two ways that will become increasingly popular.

Everyone on the Internet is looking for Information. What’s the best information we can find? Information from trusted sources such as our family, friends and co-workers. When our friends tell us about a restaurant, a clothing store or even an accountant, we listen to those recommendations because we trust the review. Word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective methods for any business to increase sales; Facebook and Google have introduced two of the most revolutionary online word of mouth marketing tools. Combine these organic tools with new Facebook marketing optimization tools such as KeyBrokerSocial and you’ll start reaching more people at various stages of the buying cycle – for any product and service.

Facebook understands one simple fact: People love to share the stuff happening in their life. Now, they’re making it even easier to for people to share life events – social consciousness. Items such as getting engaged, getting a new pet or even a new home will be shared even easier within Facebook’s new profile features. The ability for customers to update their status with “Bought a Car” can help us tremendously. Knowing the average Facebook user has 125 friends, having our customers share their new car purchases online will help increase exposure – and build trust. Click image to enlarge
Facebook Lifestyle Events
Google also understands the principle behind the value of a trusted connection’s recommendation. Their new social search feature, called “Google Plus”, lets you show a form of visual word of mouth by clicking on the +1 buttons next to the search results. (You need to be logged into Google to use this feature) Click image to enlarge

auction direct - Google Search
When the people within your Gmail address book search for things online, they’ll see the items you have +’d and vice-versa. Notice the thumbnail images below the listings when I search for Auction Direct in Google; I can see who else +’d the result. Social validation, trust and influence will become more important to online shoppers as your connections begin to visually endorse their Facebook activities and the content they find within Google’s search results.

Are you using either of these yet?

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MINI Countryman Location Based Virtual Game Contest

Leave it to MINI to come up with the coolest contest I’ve seen yet in the location based marketing space.

Users download an app then locate a “virtual MINI Cooper.” Once found, they can “grab” the vehicle and add it to their app. Anyone else who happens to be within 50 meters can grab the MINI from the owner. Then, they simply need to get as far away from anyone else playing the game so as not to lose ownership of the vehicle.

Hold on to the MINI for one week and you’re the winner of a real MINI Cooper Countryman.

Unfortunately, fans of MINI in the US can’t play, it’s only happening in Stockholm. Step it up US based agencies; the Europeans are eating your lunch.

Very creative, very interactive and very cool.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a165dx


Brewski Me Review: Location Based Drinking App Gets 2 Mugs Up!

Brewksi Me iPhone AppBrewski Me is now available in iTunes and a much deserved congratulations is in order for it’s developers and founders: Adam Weeks & Brian Knowles from AppsVersusRobots LLC.

They used a simple formula that’s become popular around specific activities and interests. Their tag line says it all: Don’t drink alone. Drink with friends.

Simple works well here:

  • Share the beer you’re drinking with your friends
  • Discover new beers
  • Share your location where you’re drinking
  • Discover new places

The launch and sign-up screens are simple to use and make no mistake of letting you know this is about one thing: you and your beer. Very nice touch adding the Glossary page upon registering with the app. A simple, hierarchical  list of the Brewski Me lexicon so you can hit the ground running with the app’s functionality.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be familiar with the activity stream we’re all comfortable with seeing in other LBS & activity based apps. You’ll see your last drink and your friend’s activities. Additional on screen notifications show when users unlocked awards and who left a review. (Star ratings and/or written reviews)

Sharing a drink:
  • Hit the central bottle cap labeled “Drink”
  • Enter the beer’s name
  • Or choose from your favorites, the queue or the cellar
  • You can even add a beer if it’s not included in their database

Once the beer is selected, you can share where you’re enjoying that tall cool one and whether it’s a can, bottle or draft. Brewski Me uses Gowalla’s location API to ping your location, but doesn’t integrate with other location based applications such as Foursquare. Add more info to the “Drink Notes” tab and choose additional networks to share this activity. (Twitter & Facebook) Another nice touch is the quick click privacy selection. Smart within an app sharing this type of activity.

I’m not aware of any exclusive relationships or marketing initiatives with brands, breweries or bars – yet. Plenty of opportunities for each segment to extend their brand, generate buzz within their fan base and create some really unique promotional activity.

Overall, Brewski Me is well thought out, runs smoothly and has a beautifully designed interface with easy to use controls.

Cheers!

Download Brewski Me

Brewski Me was designed by: Rocksauce Studios

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Be Ferris Bueller In Foursquare Chicago Tourism Promo

Foursquare’s stroke of genius strikes again in their recent promotion with the city of Chicago’s tourism office, Explore Chicago.

The promotion, largely targeting out of town visitors, encourages people to visit five venues featured in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”:

1. The Skydeck at Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr.
2. The Art Institute of Chicago – 111 S. Michigan Ave.
3. Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St.
4. Chicago Board of Trade, 141 W. Jackson Blvd.
5. Calder’s Flamingo sculpture – 50 W. Adams St. at S. Dearborn St.

Check-in at each location unlocks “The On Location” badge.

Another excellent use of today’s tools to create a deeper experience for visitors at these locations. There’s an endless supply of opportunities like this that could attract even more users – from travelers to locals to movie buffs.

(They should have thrown in bonus points for spotting Cameron’s Dad’s 250GT Spyder California!)

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a14sjn


12 Location Based Apps For Coupons & Discounts

Geeksugar.com shared a nice article with several location based apps which offer a variety online coupons, discounts and unpublished offers.

I’ve added four more to the list – more specific, interest-based and activity-based apps. These apps continue to grow in numbers as they’re attracting users looking for ways to participate within a community of other like-minded people with similar interests. They all provide users with unique ways to interact with brands and activities while also earning potential rewards.

GetGlue.com: Check-in and share your activity whether you’re watching a TV show, a movie, a sporting event, listening to music, reading a book, playing a game, thinking about a celebrity or even just a random topic. Most unique discount I’ve received is 20% of items in the “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” store. (Free app)

Untappd.com: Very simple – share the beer your drinking with the community and your location to unlock discounts. Get discounts on merchandise for your sharing tastings or your binges. (Free mobile site)

Foodspotting.com: Another simple activity – share photos of the food (and your location) you’re enjoying. Search for local restaurants, leave comments, star food you want, leave “noms” and follow brands & guides to unlock badges. Still waiting for specific rewards, keep you eyes open for new stuff – they continue to improve this platform. One of my favorite of the bunch and I’m not really an active “foodie.” (Free app)

IntoNow.com: Think Shazam for your TV viewing activities. The app “listens” to the show or movie playing and magically identifies the title, episode, cast, who else is watching and other related information. Additional features include comments, discussions and the ability to recommend the show to friends. IntoNow has the most unique promotion functionality yet, it actually rewards you for watching the commercials. They were the first to test it, giving away free 20oz. bottles of Pepsi. (Free app)

Rounding out Geeksugar’s list of apps: Foursquare, Loopt, TopGuest, WeReward, Shopkick, Google Latitude, ShopAlerts and Gigwalk. Read more about their details from the link below. (Noticeably absent from their list: Facebook Deals)

The growth and expansion appears to have slowed, other larger location based services applications have already changed their business model (Gowalla) or have merged with larger organizations (Groupon buying Whrrl) The consolidation will continue

Have you tried any of these services, other than Foursquare? What’s your take?

Amplify’d from www.geeksugar.com

Earn Discounts and Deals With These Location-Based Apps

See more at www.geeksugar.com
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a13vwt

Brewski Me Beer Drinking App

Another social-niche app gets ready to hit the iPhone: Brewski Me.

See where your friends are drinking, what they’re drinking and rate & review different beers. Other drinking apps have tried the same thing, one of my favorite has been Untappd. (Not an app, but a mobile app that functions like one)

The leader within this segment will be the app which gets the brands to hop (couldn’t resist) on board with the marketing and promotion efforts.

Do niche apps like these interest you?

Amplify’d from brewski.me

See more at brewski.me
 
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a13swf


10 Reasons People are Interested in iPads

Below are responses from people interested in buying an iPad.

Half of the responses are directly related to consuming content; work related & productivity ranked last. (Right above “other” – those are probably the people who will wind up using it as a paper weight)

Internet browsing ranked #1 with 64% of the responses. This is already driving a massive change in the way websites and tablet-based apps are being designed. A new era of usability is being introduced; new scrolling features, interactive article elements and other items that simply don’t work within a PC or laptop screen using a mouse.

New applications and uses continue to appear within various segments such as healthcare, retail, and hospitality. The ultimate benefit is an improved consumer experience, improved quality and a new competitive level.

If you don’t have an iPad (or any tablet) how would you use it?

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a12fu9