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?