I read the recent TechCrunch post about the new CauseWorld app and was instantly intrigued. I love my iPhone and already make use of apps like The Extraordinaries, that lets me do a little “volunteer work” while I’m waiting in line or otherwise killing time. And I’m a fan of MassiveGood on Facebook. Fingers crossed that it’s another truly simple, effective way to microgive. The idea of being able to do something “good” without altering my daily routine too dramatically is very appealing to me, and I suspect to a lot of people.
So, I did what any self-respecting editor would do, I called my boss, Mr. Chris Noble, also known as the king o’ gadgety app thingies. He’s an early adaptor poster boy, with a TweetDeck that looks like a NASA mission control panel and enough foursquare badges to make him some kind of BlackBerry Eagle Scout.
He, naturally, had many opinions – for and against – the CauseWorld app, but he seemed mainly against. He sides with the folks who think this independent app won’t win out over a potential “one stop shopping” app like foursquare (assuming foursquare wises up and adds a cause option to its app).
I’m not so sure. Foursquare st
arted with the “where am I” idea and earning badges. They’ve now added “prizes” like free pizzas and t-shirts for Mayors. That method of creating a community attracts a certain kind of user. Even as foursquare adds more geo-related options, including a cause angle, will the user who likes games and challenges stick around or go looking for the next new game?
Similarly, CauseWorld is just the first of what promises to be many aspects of Shopkick. But it’s an activity specifically designed to do good. This beginning point attracts a different kind of user; a user who doesn’t just want a freebie, but who wants to effect change. That’s a motivated, involved user – one that is potentially more likely to be converted into a regular shopper at a store that backs her cause. CauseWorld/Shopkick are planning to expand as well. So it might be who expands more quickly and more intriguingly that determines the “winner” of this portable shopping connectivity experience.
Of course, it all gets a little crazy if our weighty pals at Facebook and Twitter decide to provide a simple, fun geo aspect to their huge communities. As usual, it all comes down to where companies feel their dollars – whether donated to a cause or used to provide promotional products – are best used. Let the games begin…
[Publisher's note: When Mj called me about this topic, I pointed her to the blogs of Beth Kanter and Joe Waters - both cause / social media experts in their own right - who have great insights into the cause geo-location biz. Check them out here and here. They're smart folks and worth a look. CFN]
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Tags: CauseWorld, Extraordinaries, Facebook, foursquare, geo-location, Massive Good, Shopkick, TechCrunch, Twitter
I like the Causeworld APP – I’ve already donated 1500 Karmas and at the benefactor level. But, it is dependent on money from advertisers to continue – and I found some design issues in the game design that might not necessarily keep engagement/attention going for a long time.
I’m also curious regarding why just an iPhone app to start. Are iPhone folks really more “generous” or was Shopkick just picking the “sexier” phone? More business folks have BlackBerries. Wouldn’t you want to be able to show the business world how cool your app is on the device they use every day? But you’re right, Beth, the key is to keep people involved and “brand loyal” so to speak to your app. Which is, of course, the key to all business success…
I’m for the CauseWorld app. I’d rather give back than become a mayor of WhooVille!
Thanks for writing about us!
I have to agree with MjM. It is disappointing to have the Causeworld APP unavailable for BlackBerry. A site that allows web log in via mobile device would solve the issue across the board.
CauseWorld actually keeps me going. I have used both Four Square and CauseWorld at the same time. Literally I installed both at the same time. I find myself using CauseWorld more then FourSquare. The idea of free stuff doesn’t suite me as well. Doesn’t even motivate me to go to places at all.
But with CauseWorld, I find lots of motivation to go to places. Check-In. Save/Use Karma Points and help out organizations. Yes, its more restricted then Four Square where as you can go to multiple places, and get counts for 3 at a time. I’m sadden that you can only do 10 check-ins for 50 Karma Points (I read that there was at a time each checkin was at least 20points but now its down to 5)
But it just shows how much people are dedicated to check in. Even when they shrunk the number down to 5 points.
Also CauseWorld does respond to certain requests. Which organization would you like to help out and stuff. I even asked if they can change back the karma points to even 10. They said its up for discussion the next day. They are also pretty funny too.
I have nothing against FourSquare or anything but it lost my interest pretty quickly.