CASH MOBS - HAVE YOU HEARD OF THEM?
You've heard of flash mobs? Now there's even a T.V. show on Wednesday evenings dedicated to harnessing the power of a mob to do good and make changes in this world for the better.
Along these same lines, enter cash mobs, a concept which debuted around the fall of 2011. The article linked below reports that The Wall St. Journal credits a 37 year old engineer from Buffalo, NY for the original idea. The premise involves using Social Media to get the word out that customers are needed to help out a local business that is suffering. Facebook and Twitter advertise a predetermined meet-up location and a certain day and time.
There are a few rules to know but nothing overly difficult to abide by and unique situations can be individually tailored. The event has to be announced at least 1 week in advance. You must come prepared to spend at least 20.00 in cash although you can spend as much as you like and you should be willing to meet up after the night is over at a local watering hole to celebrate a successful shopping venture. The chosen recipient of this goodwill must be involved in giving back to the community.
So far, there are 20 cities who have participated from California to Michigan. The latest one, was right here in Bellport, NY, where, reportedly, $2,800 was spent in one store in just a few hours; that is a dollar amount that is many times over what might normally have been earned in one day.
"Inside Edition" heard about the event and sent a crew over to tape it. An air date has not yet been determined. The idea was so successful that Riverhead, another Suffolk County community, which has also suffered in this economy, heard about Bellport's success and is rallying to have one of their own in February.
CASH MOBS - CAN SOCIAL MEDIA SAVE SMALL BUSINESS?
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