Autographs? Now that’s how you get fans to share their location and other personal information with you!

Last Sunday, Qualcomm and the Dolphins lit up proximity beacons around Sun Life Stadium in Miami, and gave a group of fans a taste of location-aware discounts, inside information and other benefits delivered to their smartphones. Like notifications that the food line one section over is much shorter than the one you’re standing in now. Or coupons as you pass the team store.

And an alert that players are signing autographs at the loyalty tent. What loyal fan wouldn’t want their favorite player’s autograph? Right?

There’s a good lesson here for anyone planning contextually aware apps. That is, if you want their information, you have to follow these three steps:

  • Tell them what they’re sharing
  • Tell them what you’re going to use it for, and
  • Give them something in return.

Read my entire column on the subject HERE.