This post has been a bit delayed, but I wanted to tell you about a project I’m involved in that launched just last week. It all started when I saw a tweet about six months ago from one of my favorite Gen-Y bloggers, Matt Cheuvront (@mattchevy) asking for a few volunteers. A week later I was recording a video of myself describing my own “epiphany moment.”
For those who don’t know Matt, he is a highly motivated, Chicago-based, Gen-Y blogger and Web designer among other things. I encourage you to check him out at his blog, lifewithoutpants.com or his personal Web site, mattchevy.com.
With a little help from his friends, Matt has put together well over 20 videos of people describing their epiphany moments. The videos are meant to inspire and encourage you to upload your own epiphany moment.
A teaser trailer of the project is posted below. I hope you’ll check it out. What is my epiphany moment? Well, I guess there is only one way to find out…
While you won’t find any official rules at Foursquare.com, I feel there are some unspoken rules the Foursquare community has embraced. While I haven’t followed all of these rules to the letter, this is my interpretation of how the game should be played.
- No checking in at a drive-thru
If you’re going through a drive-thru you aren’t at a venue. You’re in your car. How long are you going to be there? Five minutes? - No checking in after you leave a venue
This rule is pretty self-explanatory. The one exception? Celebrities with stalkers and crowds to worry about. - No checking in at home or work
Checking in at places you go to everyday is cheating. Also, no one cares if you’re at work. We do care if you’re at a hip new bar. - Do leave tips and to-dos
Tips and to-dos are great, and very helpful when checking out a new restaurant. - Do encourage all your friends to join
The more friends you play with the more fun the game is! - Do fight for your mayorship
Mayorship is a source of Foursquare pride. It is perfectly acceptable to visit your local pub to reclaim your throne on a Tuesday night. Not to mention the deals you can get when you do! - No checking in when you’re sitting on the couch watching Lost
Again. Cheating. - Do not friend request people multiple times
I understand that everyone uses social media tools in different ways. Maybe you’re using Foursquare to increase your social network. However, I’m not, and requesting my friendship over and over is not going to change the fact that I don’t want unknown people stalking me. - Do go on weekend badge crusades
Laugh at me if you will, but weekend badge crusades are a fun, cheap way to spend the weekend. - Do not share your check-ins on Facebook and Twitter
Remember, we all use social media tools differently, and not everyone on Twitter and Facebook are into the whole Foursquare thing. Unless it’s a special occasion (Ex. You’re at an event, conference, traveling to a new place) my Twitter and Facebook feeds do not need to be clogged by your check-ins. Please keep that to your Foursquare friends.
So there you have it, the rules of Foursquare according to me. What are your Foursquare rules, policies, dos and don’ts?
Is it okay to pitch media without talking to your client first?
I'm curious to hear from PR professionals and journalists. Is it okay to put the cart before the horse?
Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros
Cons
Many people will tell you this year’s Super Bowl (or as Twitter has deemed it #BrandBowl) was a disappointment. The Who sucked and so did a lot of the ads. In fact, many of the ads have been labeled sexist, misogynistic and emasculating.
While I tend to agree, I would also argue that some people need to lighten up. Here are a few of the ads I enjoyed. What were your favorites? Which ones rubbed you the wrong way?
Google: Search On
Intel: Lunchroom Boast
Snickers: You're Not You When You're Hungry
Chrysler: Dodge Charger
Kia: Big Game
Mullen and Radian6 teamed monitored the Twittersphere to uncover the public's vote for best ads. Doritos, Google and Focus on the Family have the top three spots. If you'd like to see where the other ads rank visit http://brandbowl2010.com/.
I'm a little behind on my Google Reader, so I just caught this post from AgencySpy.
If we're being honest, the majority of PSAs aren't that good. They're low budget and often times that leads to low creativity. The following PSA is the exception to this rule. I challenge you to watch it without a shred of feeling.
This one's for you, Dad. Please. Buckle up.
An article in today’s New York Times announced a new partnership between Foursquare (the growing, location-based online game) and Bravo TV. According to the article, the partnership, which begins tomorrow, will allow Foursquare players to receive Bravo badges after checking in at any of the 500 plus Bravo locations.
Potential pros and cons:
Pros
- How cool would it be to get a Top Chef badge?
- The partnership will raise awareness for Foursquare and increase users.
- It could create more brand evangelists for Bravo as long as the badges are closely tied to specific shows.
Cons
- What kind of badge could The Real Housewives offer?
- For some reason the idea of a TV network partnering with Foursquare rubs me the wrong way. I'd rather see a company like TGI Friday's, Target, Chase or Southwest Airlines partner. I can visit a restaurant, retail outlet, bank or airline. A TV network? Not so much.
What do you think? Is this a good move for Bravo and Foursquare? Do you want a Bravo TV badge?
UPDATE: Mashable has posted an article on the partnership that outlines a few more specifics.
As some of you may know, the company I work for hosted Chris Brogan at a tweet-up yesterday, and I was fortunate enough to spend some time with him.
Naturally he spoke about building relationships, but he also demonstrated the importance of making people feel comfortable and important. (Note: I do not mean important in an ego-boosting way. I mean important as in feeling like you matter, like you are someone worth getting to know.)
How many business opportunities are blown each day by people acting rude, dismissive and cold? How many times would a simple smile and “How are you?” be enough to have a lasting positive impact?
I was reminded of this while touring Bally Total Fitness on Milwaukee’s lower east side tonight. I walked in with my boyfriend for our 6 p.m. appointment and asked for Derrick (who I had spoken to Monday). Derrick did not seem to remember our conversation, but he was happy to show us around.
The tour ended and we went upstairs to talk about rates. Here’s where the relationship started to deteriorate. Derrick brings out his fancy, lamented pricing sheet and shows us the options. It’s going to cost over $70/person upfront and $23/month after that.
Now $23/month isn’t bad considering the place has a pool, sauna, racquet ball court and classes that are included with your membership. However, it’s a tad more than I wanted to spend, so I mention other gyms are offering lower rates and I have a few friends with better rates at Bally. Any chance he would be willing to work with us? Here’s where it turned ugly.
“We don’t negotiate rates. We’re a national chain. Anyone who told you they got a deal is lying.”
Whoa. Calm down Voldermort. I’m suddenly rethinking our friendship.
Instead of getting defensive Derrick should have said, “I’m sorry. We are a national chain, so I am not able to negotiate rates. However, we do run promotions from time to time. In fact, next month we are introducing “X” promotion."
If the conversation had gone that way I would not have walked away feeling cheap and unimportant. I would have felt valued, and there’s a real possibility I would have signed up for the full rate.
Long story short, I might join Bally, but I will look at other fitness centers too. Maybe I will have a more positive experience. I’ll see you Saturday, Snap Fitness.
What kinds of relationship building experiences have influenced your buying decisions? Have you chosen a product or service based on how the company made you feel?
