Geolocation has been a buzz word in communication circles for some time now. GPS-enabled devices are commonplace today among even the least tech-savvy consumers. But it is the potential of geolocation apps that has those of us in the communications world drooling. The ability to reach those that sit closest to our exact location presents exciting new possibilities that until this wave of technology were limited to direct mail. And if you’ve been to your mailbox lately, you realize how saturated that medium has become. Right now there is still time to get out front of geo-location as it primarily remains in the “early adopters” phase. For those in church communications, now is the time to punch your ticket to the geolocation train before it leaves you behind as a runaway locomotive.
First up, a look at the major players in the app field. Some of the first on the scene were Loopt, Brightkite & Google Latitude. But the two biggest names launched a year ago at SXSW in Austin and have attracted the greatest following thus far: Foursquare & Gowalla. Both are social media apps that reward users for checking in at places. I’ve used both and despite their core differences they essentially operate the same way. I’ve been checking in using both for some time now.
If I had to pick an early frontrunner in this race it would be Foursquare. Mashable’s Pete Cashmore closed out 2009 by dubbing Foursquare as “Next Year’s Twitter”:
“Among the Web’s early adopter set, the answer is nearly unanimous: Foursquare. While the technology landscape is ever-changing, I’d argue that Foursquare already has aligned itself to become next year’s mainstream hit.”
Tech guru Robert Scoble is also on the Foursquare bandwagon following the path of Twitter. “Go back three years ago. Twitter was being used by the same crowd that is playing with Foursquare today.” And he adds this nugget that sums up where many of us are right now on geolocation. “It sounds really lame, doesn’t it? But didn’t Twitter sound really lame to you when someone first told you about it? It’s not lame.”
Unfortunately since I carry a Motorola Droid, I have been limited to Gowalla’s mobile site until this past week when the guys in Austin released an Android beta app. The latter is still a tad buggy but a completed version is promised soon. The Foursquare app is smooth but makes you dig a bit to check leaderboards.
Yelp has recently stepped into the game by adding the capability to check into locations on their geolocation-based review app. I’ve used Yelp when I am on the road and it offers some cool features like the ability to upload pics. Frankly I am surprised pics aren’t available on the other guys’ apps yet. It seems inevitable. Yelp has primarily become the next generation TripAdvisor (a site that is paying the price for being slow to the geolocation game). If your church or business is not fully updated on Yelp yet, do it now. Yelp offers the ability to place your own info and match up to your overall branding. And for the record, Yelp remains a much better option than ChurchRater.com.
Another app developer that was quick to to take advantage of geolocation was lifechurch.tv’s YouVersion. The YouVersion Live feature of their Bible app allows users to locate churches and find out what is happening and being studied without ever stepping foot on a campus.
It should also be noted that the much-maligned and yet still wildly successful Google Buzz has become the first (but certainly not last) of the more traditional social media such as Facebook/MySpace/Twitter to fully utilize geolocation. Frankly it is the primary reason why it is still picking up users after the disastrous privacy issues at its launch.
Many churches have begun looking at how to best utilize geolocation as they develop their own iPhone/BlackBerry/Android apps. As technology improves, the more exciting the possibilities arise for helping folks find their way around your campus and to be alerted to events as they occur. Locally, I love what the Houston Zoo has done with their iPhone app (although I’m still waiting for them to step up with Android for my phone). They have created an entirely new experience for me taking my kids to see the animals by helping me locate other family members in the park and alerting me to feedings and special events. This is where churches need to be heading as we push further into 2010. Particularly megachurches like the one I attend that have sprawling campuses and an overwhelming schedule of programs & events.
Consider this the “All aboard!” for geolocation. Don’t get left at the station.
Best Reads of 2009
We may already been well into our 2010 experience, but before we pass 2009 into the ancient history category I would like to list a quick rundown of my 5 favorite books of this past year:
1. Brain Rules by John Medina (Pear Press) – A colleague at the corporate communications firm where I work suggested I give this book a read to help better understand what communication sticks in our brains. It is written by a molecular biologist and it offers up 12 principles that have significant applications for those of us who communicate for a living. After referring it to the Executive Pastor of my church, he in turn placed it as suggested reading for his teaching staff. Often times we spend so much time focusing on our messaging that we don’t concern ourselves enough with how it is delivered and to whom is receiving it. I highly recommend this to my church friends and anyone who wants to be a more effective communicator.
2. The Last TV Evangelist by Phil Cooke (Conversant Media Group) – Cooke has carved out a niche as a guru in Christian television. His prior book Branding Faith is a must read for all of those who find themselves marketing their church or Christian organization. In this 2009 release, Phil focuses specifically on TV ministries. While little in the book is groundbreaking, it brings together all of the hard facts that many who have been involved in the industry have often been ignoring. At first glance, Cooke appears to be writing an obituary. But he actually is looking to reinvigorate the genre to be more effective.
3. Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson (Thomas Nelson) – I have to be honest, I had more enjoyment reading this 201-page paperback than anything else all year. Wilson can flat out write in a creative fashion that challenges you to look at everyday life around us from a new perspective. I literally devoured this little book and then restarted it again to relish the prose a second time around with a different perspective. I am anxious to see what Wilson produces next because he has significantly raised the bar.
4. Christianity in Crisis 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff (Thomas Nelson) – The reason why this book struck such a chord in me this past year is because the truths it reveals in regard to the dangers of prosperity theology and more need to be spoken. As Christians we often turn our head in disgust at the latest hot shot minister to use the greedy motives of men to distort the Gospel. Hanegraaff demands that we not only be persuaded about the truth but that we be motivated to speak out. This update on his original classic needs to be read with new vigor these days based on the challenges of today.
5. Jewels from James by Robert L. Sumner (Biblical Evangelism Press) – OK, I have to come clean up front and admit that the author is also my grandfather. So clearly you should factor that into your analysis of my review. But if you are looking for a commentary on the New Testament epistle then you will be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic perspective on the text than this follow-up to his 2003 commentary on Hebrews.