Facebook Places Is The New Yellow Pages

This was quoted four years ago, and we are already seeing this becoming a reality. By why?

Well, it all has to do with connectivity. As Bill noted above: “…We know your location, and so we can cluster around that.” No more do you have to fumble around in that 5lb phone book trying to find one single number. Instead, you can use your computer, or mobile phone, and get specific locale information of what you are searching for AND compare the different possibilities much easier.

Microsoft, Google and all of the other big Internet companies have tapped into the power of local search. But now, that search has become a social collaborative effort among you and your friends… All thanks to Facebook Places.

Facebook Places isn’t that new to the social arena. It has been around for about a year, but there are still a TON of businesses which have not taken advantage of this powerful tool. (Chances are you’re one of those businesses.)

But what is Facebook Places and how can it help your business?

Facebook Places allows your customers to check-in when they are at your business’ location. Why is this important? Well, the check-in is shown on your Facebook Places page, your customer’s wall, and your customer’s friends’ news feeds.

It connects those that love to do business with you AND your local community together. It’s as good as it gets word-of-mouth advertising WITHOUT directly saying — “Hey, this place is great.” Nope, instead you are saying: “Hey, this place is great. Why? Because I am here…”

That’s just one advantage of Facebook Places. The other? Well, let’s say you want to offer some sort of special discount to your customers… But, you don’t know exactly how to make it different and cool. Well, you could offer your customers unique coupons and discounts for checking-in at your locale. This encourages the word-of-mouth Facebook viral marketing by getting as many customers you can to check-in… All for a special discount.

Essentially, Facebook Places allows you to reward customer loyalty.

If you’re not using Facebook Places in your marketing you need to rethink your strategy. It’s free. It’s social. And it’s powerful. Head on over to www.facebook.com/places to check it out. The possibilities are endless!