Social Networking prowess can be enough incentive to grow a business significantly. A restaurant in Milwaukee called AJ Bombers scored a major boost in traffic taking advantage of Foursquare’s badge system. The Swarm badge, a coveted trophy, can only be acquired by collaborating with at least fifty Foursquare members to convene on a single establishment. Using Facebook and Twitter as communication tools, the owner set a date and time to have members of Foursquare accumulate in his restaurant in order to gain the sought-after Swarm badge. The stunt was a major success for the members and AJ Bombers. The restaurant grew a massive fan-base seemingly overnight and the members got their Swarm badges.

The effectiveness of social networking is not the only lesson to be learned here. The potential for growth through Foursquare is essentially unfathomable. Using other social platforms as a catalyst, your business can promote more tangible rewards on your Foursquare page. A discounted meal for the mayor of your establishment or a free t-shirt for the first member to twelve visits this month are great ways to build a strong rapport with the consumer, and grow a powerful fan-base. Foursquare, as AJ Bombers has shown, is not a tool that should be taken lightly.