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How to claim your page and how to set up a special on Foursquare

Almost every business already has a page on Foursquare. When it was first launched, Foursquare users could add the name and address of the place they were at, and then a page would be created with that information. Later on, Foursquare turned the pages into “Business Pages” and gave business owners the opportunity of claiming it and using it to promote their places.

A Foursquare Business Page contains a business name, address and a map. Also, it shows how many people have been there (using the application), how many check-ins and tips, and pictures posted by users. All this information will be available whether you claim your page or not. However, if you claim your page, you will have access to the owner’s dashboard, and you will also be able to add a phone number, Twitter account, website, description and other useful information for your customers.

Even though Foursquare is a mobile device app, you will need to use a computer to sign up and claim your page. To start, go to www.foursquare.com and click on JOIN US. You can sign up using your Facebook login, or you can create an account using your email address. After you fill out the form and create your profile, Foursquare will ask if you want to find and add your friends to your account. You can import contacts from your Facebook, Twitter, Gmail or Yahoo account. Just remember that you are creating your personal account, and the friends you add will not make any difference in the creation or management of your Business Page.  In the next step, Foursquare will tell you to download the app on your phone, which you can do later. You can skip this step and go to the next page. You are now on the Foursquare homepage, and you will see many other features available for your personal use. You are done creating your personal profile. Now it is time to find and claim your Business Page.

To claim your page, go to the search engine in the top right hand side of the screen and type your business name. Then try to find it on the list that Foursquare provides you.  Since most of the pages were added by users, you might see that your business name is not completely right or the page is missing some information. You can fix it later. All you have to do is make sure that the address is right. If so, find the blue link CLAIM HERE on the right side of page (you might need to scroll down a little) and click on it.

On the next page, Foursquare will ask you to confirm your business information.  If the address is right, click on CONTINUE CLAIMING THIS VENUE. Now, you will see a message alerting you that you will be publicly linked to that business. Just click on CONTINUE WITH THE CLAIM. The next question is about business chains. Choose one of the three options and click on it:

1. One of a kind with one location: if you have only one store
2. Chain with 10 or less locations: if you have up to 9 locations
3. Chain with 10 or more locations: if you have 10 or more locations

The following question is going to verify the business ownership. If you are at your location, you can use the phone and verify immediately. If not, you can verify it by mail.

• Choose YES if you can answer the phone right away. Foursquare then asks you for a phone number (the main number of your business location) and will call you right away. Make sure you have paper and a pen in hand, and write down the 4-digit number the automated call will give you.  You will use this code on the next screen to confirm you own that venue. Click on VERIFY and wait for the call. After getting the code, enter the number on the screen, and you are done claiming your page!
• If for some reason you cannot answer the phone, just click on NO, and Foursquare will mail you a code. All you need to do is to make sure the address shown on the screen is right, and then click on MAIL ME A VERIFICATION CODE.  A letter from Foursquare will arrive within 5-7 days. The letter will contain a code and instructions to help you finish claiming your business.

After you finish claiming your business, you will have access to your page’s dashboard. The dashboard will show you all the data related to the people at your place and their check-ins. Also, because you verified your business, you will have the ability to create promotions.  Foursquare promotions are great to get new customers and boost loyalty.

To create a Foursquare special, log in to Foursquare (with your personal account). On the first screen, you are going to see all the info related to your personal account. Click on MANAGER TOOLS to go to your business page and find your business on the right side of the screen. Click on the name, and the next screen will be your dashboard. On the dashboard, look for a green button that says START A CAMPAIGN IN THIS VENUE, and click on it. Then click on ADD A SPECIAL.

In the next window, choose which special you would like to do and which conditions need to be satisfied in  to unlock the special (for more info on the types of specials, see the article “What is Foursquare and how can you use it for business”). In the third and fourth steps you will write your offer and any fine print you want to add. You can even add a line directed to your employees like “use code 4sq23 when adding this offer in our system.” When you finish, click on CREATE SPECIAL. You are almost done. On the next screen, choose the start and end dates of your campaign, and click on START CAMPAIGN NOW.

You are done! Now, every time someone is near your place, they will see a special orange band underneath your business name, and they will know that you are running a campaign. You can end your specials anytime by signing in on Foursquare and going to your dashboard. You will also be able to see all the data about your specials and check-ins. You can use the information to know more about whom your customers are, what time they come in most often and which specials are working best. Also, you can create different specials from time to time, to create curiosity and motivate your customers to come back. Have fun!

If you have any questions about Foursquare or any social media channels, feel free to email me at nmorais@movingtargets.com

- Natalia Morais.