Using Foursquare, Yelp and Lunch.com to Score Freebies and Deals

Social media now comes with some extra perks. If you like a good deal or if scoring freebies is one of your passions in life, you’ll want to learn the ins and outs of social media outlets like Foursquare, Yelp and Lunch.com. We’ve got some tips for using these websites in a new way.

Foursquare - Foursquare isn’t just a game you played on the playground at elementary school. It’s a social media site that’s letting ordinary people become “the mayor” without getting involved in politics. Users check in at various businesses by updating their location on Foursquare. It’s a way to share your favorite hot spots or new discoveries. Every time you check in at a place you earn points. The person who visits a certain location most becomes “the mayor,” a title that doesn’t come with any power, but can include perks like discounts and freebies. Examples of Foursquare deals include 15% discounts at Ann Taylor’s New York City stores when shoppers check in. Mayors will get a 25% discount. Discounts and freebies are also available at stores like American Eagle and Sports Authority. Check out Foursquare.com/businesses/ to see what kind of freebies businesses in your areas are offering.

Yelp - Yelp is a great site if you’re looking for recommendations and reviews on restaurants, salons or stores. But Yelp also offers discounts. Sign up to receive a weekly email update from Yelp, because discounts and deals for your area may be included. Once you tell Yelp where you’re located, freebies and sales for your area should be listed on the Special Offers page.

Lunch.com - If a business in your community is offering a great discount, deal or freebie, you can bet someone is talking about it on Lunch.com. It’s a site that helps spread information and ideas on just about any topic. Find out what your friends, neighbors and Facebook buddies are saying—including what fabulous deals they’ve discovered.

By Alison Storm

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