Does Foursquare Promote How Lame I've Become? Or is it the NEXT thing?

It's my job to be on the forefront of social media. What would I look like working on a project and not being current? That's like a hairstylist that doesn't know how to use a good flat iron.

Whenever I'm in a class, work, or just sitting on the couch watching the news, if a hear about a social media that I am not familiar with I sign up immediately. So after hearing all this hype about Foursquare, I had to check it out.

Contrary to popular myth, Foursquare does not track you. So if you do not want people to know where you are, guess what? They won't. Just like Facebook or Twitter people don't know what you do not share. But since the objective of Foursquare is to microblog your location, if you don't go anywhere cool, you look lame.

I feel like Foursquare mocks me. It forces me to think about all the places I've been in the last 48 hours. Unless it's been an extraordinary week, you will see the only places I've been include school, home (since I mostly work from home no work location) and an occasional happy hour. Looks like I won't be a mayor of anything anytime soon. Another downside is if your network is not on Foursquare, a lame-0 like me has no one to vicariously live through and interact with.

However, do not write off Foursquare just yet. Rumors have been circulating that Yahoo is very interested in purchasing Foursquare. Obviously the big wigs see a possible ROI for Foursquare. If your a little wary of big businesses or "the man" no need to fear. Foursquare fits into the social media rules of success, giving it even more potential.

1. It's free and effortless to sign up (In the age of easy accessibility, people don't like paying for things)
2. It's easy to find people thanks to it's automatic search of your e-mail contacts (Part of my frustration of MySpace was I couldn't find anyone)
3. You can control your privacy
4. You can share within your chosen network (Remember it's all about two way communication)
5. There is a direct benefit to joining (It caters to our curiosity about the neighborhood around us and will break some people out of their daily routine)

I see Foursquare being a major launch pad for word of mouth marketing for the organization's smart enough to expand themselves onto this medium. In the age of distrust for the government and corporations, word of mouth marketing is arguably the most valuable type of influence anyone could ask for. If I have a friend who is a "foodie" or another who goes to the hottest parties, I'm going to want to be their foursquare pal. As a person who values every penny I have, if I must part with it, I want to be ensured by a third party who is an expert in that arena that I will be getting the best bang for my buck.

Best,

Passion Redefined