A while ago I started getting interested in new, geolocation marketing services and apps designed to foster engagement between mobile consumers and local businesses. Incentives for participating as offered by services such as foursquare include earning badges, points and mayorships to frequently checked-in establishments.

Mobile users can also offer tips on the businesses they patronize. This afternoon I checked out a new burger place in downtown Benicia called, “Frank en Burger.” I checked in on foursquare via my Blackberry and, after enjoying a great burger with onion rings left a tip. Now, other Foursquare users who check-in while in the vicinity may see my tip and choose to eat there too.

Not only that, but foursquare has notified me I have now checked in to 10 venues and have unlocked the Adventurer Badge. Yeah baby!

Whether you’re a consumer or local business owner, now’s a great time to get familiar with free geolocation marketing services such as foursquare. Click this foursquare link and then click the “What is Foursquare?” video link on the right side of the page to learn more. Once you sign up for your free foursquare account you can link it to your Twitter and/or Facebook profile.

A Foursquare Business Listing

While services such as foursquare, otherwise becoming known as “geolocation marketing” may seem a bit confusing to a SMB business owner, like Twitter and Facebook it behooves you to check into it. And, you should know that having an active listing will not only help you get found, but it will increase your search visibility with the kind of indexing Google Local is now practicing. Savvy local businesses understand there’s a movement and convergence of GPS or location-aware services with social networking beginning to happen, and it’s going to be very, very hot!

So, create your profile or personal account and make sure your business is listed correctly or add your venue. You should then start monitoring your listing and see who is checking in. See who your advocates and best tipsters are. Are there negative tips or ones you may use to improve your service/products? Is there a mayor of your business? Why not start interacting with these folks on Twitter or Facebook?

Next, check out the foursquare for businesses services ideas. You can begin to imagine how you can engage and interact with your patrons. Create some special offers and incentives, or maybe a loyalty program. As you will see in the video below,  a “little” competition can spice things up!

Additional Resources:

• 4 Practical SMB Uses for Foursquare
• Foursquare Adds Analytics, Real Business Value
• Gowalla
• Be my friend on Foursquare: http://foursquare.com/user/gregelwell