Today’s post starts off with an important new way for business owners and managers to connect with their most loyal customers. Foursquare, the location-based platform where users “check in” to venues, unlock specials, and compete for “mayorships” of venues, has rolled out a new feature called Local Updates. Businesses can publish updates to Foursquare – things like daily specials, new items in the store, etc. and their most loyal customers will see it. It’s kind of like the chalkboard on the wall or the sandwich board in front of your business, but on a mobile social platform.
How does Foursquare determine who should see your Local Updates? Well, first of all, about a month ago, Foursquare gave people the option to “Like” venues. Anyone who “likes” your venue will get your updates. Also, anyone who checks into your venue frequently will get the updates as well, although users will be given the ability to opt out of a particular venue’s updates.
Local Updates are supposed to be rolled out this week. If you run a restaurant or retail shop, you need to use this. It’s free advertising. If you have not claimed your business on Foursquare, you need to do so, in order to get access to cool features like Local Updates.
It’s Thursday outdoor party night! Here’s a look at what’s going on.
– Seventh Sundown will headline the Peabody rooftop party tonight from 6 to 11 PM. It’s also open casting call for the Memphis Flyer’s Fall Fashion issue, if you’ve ever dreamed of modeling. Be there from 6 to 7 if you want to participate in the casting call. Also, if you’re a fan of DJ Cody who does the weekend parties at the Silly Goose, he’s a guest DJ on the rooftop tonight. $10 cover includes first drink, ladies free before 7.
– Contemporary blues artist Preston Shannon plays the Madison Hotel rooftop tonight. 7-11 PM, $7 to get in, cash bar with sophisticated drinks, small plate menu available.
– Florida Georgia Line plays this week’s Rebel on Beale country concert series. Concert is in Handy Park at Third and Beale, is free to get in, and is an all-ages show.
– Tonight is the Mid-Main Third Thursday Block Party. In the past these block parties have included live music, health demonstrations, sidewalk sales, and specials on the Main Street Mall between Union and Peabody Place.
Blues on the Bluff, a fundraiser for independent, commercial-free radio station WEVL, is this Saturday, July 21. It’s held on the beautiful grounds of the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Lightnin’ Malcolm, Elmo and the Shades, and Junior Mathus will perform. The Central BBQ food truck will be there if you get hungry. More details here.
Good news for your email: One of the world’s largest spam botnets has been knocked offline, for good. So you’ll be seeing fewer opportunities to buy V1@GRA or a R_0_L_3_X watch at a discount price. It’s been said that this will eliminate 18% of the world’s spam.
That’ll do it for now – time to go grab some Chinese food. If more news comes in I’ll do a second post after work.