If you’ve ever been on Facebook (seven-in-ten US adults are, according to Pew Research, so that’s pretty likely), then you’re almost certainly familiar with Facebook check-ins. Introduced in 2010, the feature allows customers to show off where they’re currently visiting.

Why should you care? Because check-ins are highly effective word-of-mouth advertising. When people see their friends posting a check-in, they take notice. They’re a direct link to your business. The customer is essentially saying “Hey, I like this place. You should too.”

And at the end of the day, check-ins are great for brand awareness. They help keep your business on people’s minds. It can make all the difference when a customer is deciding between your business and a competitor.

Here are four easy ways to get more check-ins on Facebook.

Check-in discount. If you’re looking for easy, it doesn’t get any easier than this method. It’s as simple as this: “Show us that you’ve checked in on Facebook and get a 10% discount.” Quick and to-the-point. All you need to do is place a little sign at the point-of-purchase and maybe an additional one at the entrance.

In-store social media markers. Sometimes, all it takes is a subtle reminder that your business is on social media in the first place. Seeing the Facebook logo on the door, in a pamphlet, or on a bag gets customers to take notice. It’s a good idea to have these markers around your business anyway (and online), so that people associate your brand with social media to begin with.

Holidays/National Days. Whether it’s a holiday like Saint Patrick’s Day, or something a little more out there like International Talk Like a Pirate Day (yes, it’s a thing), people love sharing social media posts of the various ways they’ve chosen to celebrate these occasions. In these cases, a little bit of decorating, or even a full-blown event, can go a long way. It can be just the push your customers need to decide they want to check-in and share a picture. This is a particularly good idea if you can find a holiday that has something in common with your brand.

Turn check-ins on in the first place. And finally, before you go and do anything else, you should probably make sure your Facebook page lets people check-in at all. It turns out, there’s just a few things you’ll need to do before your customers start checking in. Straight from Facebook itself, click here to find out how to turn it on.

Master Social Media With CoGoBuzz

Want to get more check-ins on Facebook – automatically? With CoGoBuzz, our state-of-the-art digital marketing service, we’ll do just that, and more!

Leveraging WiFi, SMS, and Email solutions, we promote your brand directly to customers using the devices that they use the most: their mobile phones. Here’s how it works. After a one-time login through Facebook, Email, or phone number, customers receive Internet-access and are taken to your business’s custom landing page, where they can check out your latest deals, sign up for your text-based Loyalty Program, and more. From every single customer that logs in, we’ll automatically create a customer profile to aid in your marketing efforts, aiding you with valuable data to fuel your social media efforts.

Click here to learn more about CoGoBuzz!

Has your business tried anything unique to get more check-ins? Sound off in the comments!