Like any social networks, Ryze has competition - such as Facebook, Ning, LinkedIn, MerchantCircle and Xing. But, I doubt most folks would consider Twitter as competition. Why? Because Twitter really is not a social network in the same sense as the others. Twitter is a micro-blogging service that has social networking incorporated into it through a wide range of third-party tools that are in some fashion associated with it.

Foursquare is a social location gaming service that, like Twitter, has become known for its ability to attract followers. And, like Twitter, Foursquare makes clever use of the cell phone. In fact, telecommunciation is crucial to what Foursquare does. Foursquare uses crowd psychology to drive traffic to business locations. That pyschology is based on providing incentives in the form of rewards for people simply "showing up" at specific locations.

To truly understand and appreciate what is possible with social location gaming, you need to watch a video. Take a look at what BART and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra are doing to attract more business - watch Foursquare Meets BART.

Could a free service like Foursquare be of benefit to your business? I think it could. But, you first need to have an account. So, go sign up at Foursquare. But, don't stop there. Connect up with fellow Ryzers who are also members. Look up ths network's moderator, John Stephen Veitch, and become his friend. Keep in mind that Foursquare allows you to link up not just with its members here on Foursquare but with Twitter and Facebook as well. Other Ryzers you may want to link up with include Paul Finkelstein, Angie Baker, Chuck Bartok and me, Lamar Morgan.

While you may only have one account on Foursquare, you can have a great many venues. And, every venue can have its own display ad...absolutely free. You need to learn how to make that happen. Want to learn? Go to Foursquare Businesses.

If you should have questions, ask - both on this thread or on the Foursquare site in the "Help" area.

Lamar Morgan

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