Small and local businesses are using social media to their benefit, and rightfully so. If you have the resources it is best to use them. Since the beginning of the social media boom, marketing efforts have increased within the use of this online tool. I refer to this as an ‘’online tool” because if used properly, this avenue can lead your business into endless amounts of success. Here at Truth Marketing we cannot stress the importance of increasing awareness so with that being said, this post serves as a purpose to inform those small and local businesses that haven’t seen the fruits of their labor quiet yet (from a social media angle, that is).

Facebook and Twitter are networks we should all be very familiar with at this point, and if not let’s acquaint ourselves shall we? If your company has an upcoming event, new product, or service coming up Facebook events are perfect for making your followers aware of what is coming up for your business. Let’s not forget to support back up with the use of Twitter. Together these two outlets can be a great pair of informants, especially to those of you who are trying to introduce your brand to potential customers.

For instance, have you ever heard of a cash mob? Neither did we until we were informed of this new local fusion of social media and small business events. We all know how flash mobs are started via online communication. All you need is a social network, a few protesters, and there you have it: a sudden gathering full of people expressing the same interests. Cash mobs work in a similar fashion. This system uses online social mediums to persuade consumers into purchasing items from local businesses that they might not be aware of. It also offers deals, and instills loyalty between the customer and the company. The recession played a huge role in the decline of sales and consumer spending on a large scale. Big businesses are able to use their sophisticated techniques to regain their awareness, and so can you!

The cash mob idea was inspired by the online discount phenomenon with sites such as Living Social and Groupon. Local stores within the towns of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are catching onto this idea quickly, and receiving rapid positive results from it. Their goal here is to increase the support of the community by using these events through social media which in return boosts their sales. After doing some research I stumbled upon, CashMob.com, a website which covers all you need to know about the cash mob experience and development. The site even has a cash mob locator! How wonderful is it to know that your small business can now escalate sales in its very own community by simply using social media to organize an event?

As you can see, this idea is transforming many local businesses from the traditional “Mom and Pop Shop” to the “Community One Stop Shop”. Has your business developed a cash mob event? If so, try it out and let us know what your thoughts are on this social media initiative.