LivingSocial like the rest of us

Groupon has some competition from LivingSocial.

I wouldn't really say competition because people can sign up for both of them, but Groupon's business model is spreading.

LivingSocial works just like Groupon in that you receive daily e-mails about steep group discount deals in your area and have a limited amount of time to snatch them up. It even has a similar layout.

However, there are some advantages to being second in existence for improving that business model.

Livingsocial includes deals of the day for areas around you in your e-mail and supplies a Googlemap for the deal of the day's location(s).

It also has LivingSocial Family Edition so parents can do fun things for cheap with the whole gang.

Possibly the best perk though, is the possibility of a completely free deal.

I think this is brilliant because then OF COURSE people are going to share their deals with other people doing some advertising for the business AND LivingSocial.

There is also an Escapes LivingSocial that packages a discount weekend getaway in some pretty cool locations.

LivingSocial takes "finding the best places in your city" to the next level. They have a "356 things to do in ___" list for major cities.  Users can comment on that choice supporting or refuting that claim while recommending somewhere else that is better. It's a cool forum for people to share and discover the cool things in their city.  

Now if only LivingSocial and FourSquare could combine, think of that social media network...

Let me know if you sign up and get any great deals!

Foursquare ain't no hopscotch

Would you like to check in on Foursquare?

No, it's not a game, it's a geographical locater social media application.

This way you can see if your friends are out on the town, at home or in the little cafe you happen to be passing. Businesses communities can utilize it too seeing where people are at conventions or events.

Say you check in at a restaurant and really like the calamari appetizer, you can "leave a tip" about that restaurant for your friends, recommending that dish. Same goes for stores if you've had a good or bad service experience and what's a "must see" at that convention.

Or maybe you're checked in at the grocery store and your mom, who happens to be on Foursquare, needs you to get something, boom, she knows you're there and can make sure you get those eggs she needs.

You search for your current location, and "check in." If you don't find it, you can always add a venue. 




 It's really meant to be used with smart phones, but can be used with regular computers too, it's just more difficult to plan ahead to where you're going. 

Video tutorials- CNN Tech Team and Howcast 

 To find friends (because this really only works well with lots of people participating) you can link to your Google account, Facebook or Twitter.

If you check in at a venue the most, you become "mayor" of that venue. You can also get "badges" dreamt up by the creators of foursquare for things like regular workouts at your gym or being a local at your neighborhood coffee shop.

Many businesses will also leave "tips" which are discounts or deals for Foursquare users who check in at their location. (Good marketing!)

Some people think that posting where you are all the time is crossing the personal-information-on-the-internet line. I don't think so.  I think that if it becomes as popular as Twitter (which also has a locater option), then it could really be a valuable resource of recommendations and a way to keep up with friends in a more convenient way.