If you are out with friends and would like to find a nice place to hang out or to have a meal, where could you get some recommendations?
Or you may have a sudden urgent need for a vet or the clinic and you are not sure who to call, what would you do?
You washer decides to stop working and oozes out water and you need a mechanic or technician around quick … And what about when you computer gets infected and you need it fixed quickly, who do you call?
Check out Google Local Places and check out Google Hot Pot. If you go to google and type in the word for whatever you are searching (it works on your mobile too) and click Places, Google will return you with a list of near by locations for the help you are looking for.
And if you want a more customized listing – one based on your previous visits or preference, try hot pot. This video shows you how you can do this.
View Original Video Here
The next time you want to hang out with friends or look for some urgent help, just refer to your google hot pot. The more you leave your reviews, the better google will understand your ‘taste’ and return you results that are relevant.
More on Google Places with Hot Pot for mobile phones here.
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How Location Based Social Media Can Help Local Businesses
“Checking In” is a phrase that we will hear more often as Google Latitude joins Foursquare and Facebook Places in tapping into Location Based Social Media.
Let’s see. Facebook expanded its ‘Deals’ feature beyond the U.S. to Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK on 31st Jan 2011. These ‘deals’ allows mobile users to find discounts at nearby stores.
Google Latitude which was introduced back in February of 2009 added ‘Check-Ins’ to its function on 1st Feb 2011. Hmmm, seems like the big players are intent on making local deals part of this location based game.
Here’s a video that shows how Latitude works
I think Google Latitude has quite a bt to catch up with Foursqare and Facebook Places in this aspect but some uniques features which differential Latitude from Facebook or Foursquare include a notification feature that reminds you to check-in, or even automatically check-in for you at designated places and an automatic check out program for commonly visited places.
And instead of getting badges or becoming a mayor (as is the case in Foursquare) you become a VIP or a Guru in if you use Latitude. By the way, Latitude taps into Google Places, Maps and Hot Pots making this a complete Google suite for LBS. It will be interesting to see how mobile users choose between these major players.
Whichever player you choose when you are on the go with your mobile device, one thing is clear. As more people use smartphones and get into the habit of using social local searches (hot pots and what nots), a new way of marketing is emerging.
Many local businesses are now seeing the importance of being found and seen on local searches. They are getting themselves ready to tap into this new wave of location based social media. Claiming your local place and setting up specials or deals is gaining importance. If you are a local business, my guess is that you will want to get ready for this new wave of marketing.
If you like to set yourself up on local searches and location based social media, you can grab a free copy of Mastering Social Media In 1 Hour A Week or join us at the Synergy Marketing Pro Facebook Page where we have regular updates, tips and resources. Traditional marketing works and (not but) you’ll also want to get ready for local, social and mobile marketing to promote your products and services. Drop by for a no obligation chat – all you have to do is set aside time.
And if you like this post, feel free to share this with your friends – just click the “Like” button and/or leave me a comment below! I appreciate that very much.
