If your chamber is looking for another exciting event to add to your shop local menu, a cash mob may be just the thing. Cash mobs bring a group of people to a merchant on a specific, planned day. Each member of the cash mob agrees to purchase an item of a specified amount thus giving the business a quick infusion of “cash.”

Cash mobs also give the merchant an opportunity to reach a new audience and earn loyalty through exposing them to the quality of its goods or services.

Tips for Your Chamber’s Cash Mob

If you want to make the most of your cash mob, here are a few tips on how you can do it.

Give Your Merchant Advanced Notice

Nothing will stop the momentum of a cash mob quicker than an already crowded store or one that isn’t even open. Check with the merchant first. Find out the best day to plan a visit and coordinate accordingly.

Advertise the Event

Your very first cash mob must be organized and advertised flawlessly. If you are introducing a new idea into your community, you’ll be doing a lot of explaining. You also want to make sure you get attendance commitments from people. A cash mob without attendees isn’t much of a mob.

After you’ve established what one is and hosted your first one, you can feel free to make a game of it. Keep the location secret until the very last moment, or give hints that week to leave your members guessing on social media.

Mystery is an enticing engagement trick.

Select a Vendor with a Variety of Prices

While your local car dealer may need some cash mob love, it’s not practical to host one at a merchant whose average product costs several thousand dollars. You’ll want to select a place with a variety of items at different price points. Yes, your attendees are making a commitment to spend a nominal dollar amount but you don’t want them to be forced to select something like a hub cap to stay within that range.

One final tip, cash mobs don’t have to be retailers. You can select the local farmer’s market, a coffee bar, a restaurant, or any number of local businesses. If you host a lunch mob at a local restaurant, select one that has a good variety of dishes for the largest draw.

Cash mobs are a lot of fun and the merchants who get “mobbed” appreciate what the chamber has done for them. Sometimes an event like this can open the door for greater opportunities with that merchant (or others who witnessed the event).

Photo credit: downtownelgin via Flickr