Here are some questions you might be having and hopefully my answers or links will help!
Q. Who is "7point1squared"?
A. I'm Rachel Dunlop, resident of Selwyn District and mother of 2 under 2's. I love creative uses of social media and with my dad have a service called ChirpFactory which helps setup social media solutions for small businesses (currently on hiatus at my end.) I came up with this idea out of concern for quake-affected businesses in Canterbury, New Zealand after the Boxing Day aftershocks and felt called to try and make it work. So far, that's it but I hope other supporters will help me out by offering their services! Check the "What can I do?" page!
Q. What on earth is Foursquare?
A. It's a location based social networking site where users "check in" to where they are (like cafes, bars, parks etc) on their mobile devices (cellphones, smart phones, laptop etc) so they can have fun, meet up with their friends on the fly and score discounts and deals!
Q. How do I check-in?
A. If you have a WAP-enabled cellphone launch the browser and go to http://m.foursquare.com and log in, then search for the name of where you are and check-in! If its not there you can add it yourself.
If you have a smart-phone, download the Foursquare app (links are on the home page for the different supported devices) and use that to check in.
If you have a laptop and WIFI access, go to http://www.foursquare.com and check in from there!
Q. What does check-in mean though?
A. It just means finding the place you are at and clicking the "Check In" button! You can announce your check-in to friends automatically on Twitter and Facebook. We'd love it if you did so word spreads!
Q. How does this help local businesses?
A. Well we hope that the motivation of tasty specials and discounts plus the badge (a highly coveted Foursquare goal!) will encourage Cantabrians and visitors alike to get out there and give their local businesses their patronage i.e. moolah!
Q. Ok, so what's the catch?
A. I know, sounds like a scam right, its all free and everyone wins? But its just utilising social media for good! Don't take my word for it, feel free to read up about Foursquare and convince yourself!
Q. I'm very privacy-aware and I don't like the idea of sharing personal details like where I am but I'd like to take part. How can I do this?
A. Good for you, I am too! I usually keep my check-ins to just Foursquare friends but in order to raise awareness and encourage others I selectively share my check-ins on Facebook & Twitter. Please read this post: "On Privacy & Oversharing" to learn more about how you can take part without advertising your location to the world all the time!
For more Foursquare help, try their searchable FAQ.
Using social media to help quake-affected businesses in Canterbury!
