This is an excerpt from a guest post I wrote for Laura Click’s blog as part of  #BeMyGuest, a month of guest blogging.

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Location-based social networks: some people love them, some people hate them. While networks like Foursquare and Gowalla have been becoming very popular over the course of the past year, many people are still unsure of whether or not they should jump on board.

I’ve written before on what Foursquare could mean for small businesses, and I truly believe that the service (and others like it) could mean big things. Not only does it give a business insight into how many times a customer frequents their spot, it also creates friendly competition among patrons aiming to take the mayorship, thus promising more sales and free online publicity. Foursquare can easily become an extra element of a spot’s marketing campaign through its intrinsic, viral word-of-mouth components. And what business doesn’t want that?

Users love it because they’re often given special deals at their favorite venues just for checking in. And if you’re able to secure the mayor badge at your favorite location, you get bragging rights to match. And what about if you’re in a new city and curious what to eat? Checking a spot’s “tips” on Foursquare can provide some local insight.

But what about privacy?

Earlier this year, a site called PleaseRobMe popped up with the intent of showing the world the dangerous side of location-based social networks. While its purpose was actually to open eyes instead of inspiring robberies, it brought up valid questions: Is “checking in” to a location safe? Or does it just broadcast that your home is ripe for the robbing?

To read the rest, head over to Laura Click’s place : )

This post originally appeared on the ReadPyxl blog. However, in an attempt to get more Knoxville businesses involved with Foursquare, I’m re-posting it here.

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As of last week, Foursquare opened its doors to all cities and towns globally.

In the past few months, Foursquare had been growing rapidly in larger metros around the world…and now we’ll be able to experience the phenomenon in Knoxville.

But what is Foursquare?

Essentially, Foursquare is a location-based, game-like social network. Users visit locations (restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, gyms, offices, etc.) and “check-in” via a phone app (which is then often broadcast to their Twitter followers & Facebook friends). The user earns points for checking in, unlocking new spots, visiting new venues, hitting multiple locations in one night, and leaving “tips” for other users. These tips can include things like:

• “Half-price sushi at Nama on Monday and Thursday”
• “Make sure you try the lobster mac & cheese at Cafe 4″
• “Wine is half-price at Sunspot on Wednesday night”

Users can also become the “mayor” of a certain spot by checking in at the same location a few times. From what I’ve seen in other cities, businesses often offer special incentives to the mayor. For instance, some restaurants have hung signs declaring, “Free drinks for the mayor!” Sometimes, even basic check-ins are given discounts that non-Foursquare users would not receive.

So what does this mean for Knoxville businesses?

Foursquare can tell a business how many times a customer frequents their spot, which is allowing venues to use this data to reward their most loyal customers.

Offering mayor-only deals can potentially create friendly competition among patrons of a spot, thus promising more check-ins and free online publicity.

Additionally, as users add tips about a venue, they’re shared with that person’s friends and possibly the general public, thus creating buzz about a spot’s specials, must-try’s and more. This will also often encourage more people to visit a certain location.

It’s almost like a frequent buyer card only very public. Thus, Foursquare can easily become an extra element of a spot’s marketing campaign through its intrinsic, viral word-of-mouth components.

Let’s think about it – a Foursquare user is down the street from your venue when they get an alert to their phone that your spot gives special treatment to Foursquare users. It’s then more likely that they’ll stop in and see you…don’t you think?

So where are we at now?

Of course, Foursquare has only been open to Knoxville for about a week, so I haven’t seen many venues pick up on it yet (the Healthy Living Expo was the first and only I’ve seen so far). However, I’m hoping it catches on just as it has in other cities. After all, numerous spots nationwide have found success with Foursquare. Hopefully some Knoxville spots will as well.

I really think this is a business opportunity not to be missed. What do you think?

Any Knoxville businesses thinking of jumping on board?

I’ve been begging and pleading for Foursquare, the location-based, game-like social network to come to Knoxville for some time now…and yesterday, my wish came true! In fact, Foursquare has opened its doors to all towns and cities globally!

But being that I’m in Knoxville, that’s how I’m going to focus this post…

Like a little kid on Christmas, I signed up to Foursquare the moment I found out. Now, you can just type in your city (no more drop-down with large metros only).

But because I’m one of maybe 10 people in Knoxville on it as of yet, I pretty much have to add any venue I end up at (no Knoxville venues are really on there right now). Still, I’ve had two check-ins so far and have unlocked one badge! Woohoo!

So far it seems fun, and I hope some Knoxville venues pick up on it soon and start offering discounts and rewards like those in other cities.

I also hope to see some more Knoxvillians sign up! So feel free to become my Foursquare friend : )

**Want to learn more? Check out my post on the ReadPyxl blog on what Foursquare could mean for Knoxville business.

Today’s post is going to be short and sweet.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s seen that Foursquare is the next Twitter. While I’m excited for the next big thing, I’m sad because I’ve been begging and pleading for Foursquare to come to Knoxville since it launched back in March…and still to no avail : ( I just have to watch as friends in bigger cities talk about how awesome it is.

So please, Foursquare, come to Knoxville. We have cool things to see and do here too…even if we are a small city. And I want to play!

Knoxvillians, if you agree — please go “like” this feedback post and maybe they will listen soon!

Until then…we will all just have to wait to “unlock” our awesome little city or maybe go visit Nashville, where Foursquare has recently launched, to test it out…hmmm…