You may have heard of a flash mob ^[1]: a group of people meet at a certain time and place and begin “spontaneously” dancing a routine. But what in the heck is a “cash mob?” And why are businesses all over the United States (and other countries)  clamoring to get involved in them?

Cash mobs ^[2] were first seen in 2011. The idea is to get people into local businesses to shop and support them. Consider cash mobs the people’s stimulus package, to help small businesses. Participants are encouraged to visit a particular business on a given day or time period and spend at least $10 or $20. Many spend more, and that’s exactly what struggling small businesses need right now.

Do Cash Mobs Work?

The proof is in the pudding: in Mount Clemens, Michigan ^[3], one business that participated in a cash mob there saw a 600% increase in sales over the previous weekend. Another doubled its Saturday afternoon sales as a result. People are waiting in lines that wrap around the block just to make a purchase in honor of the cash mob.  There are dozens of other stories ^[4] of small businesses seeing an injection of cash as a result of these pop-up sale days.

Why Do Consumers Flock to Cash Mobs?

In the same way that liking Pinterest ^[5] is cool, being a part of a cash mob is, too. It’s being a part of a story, and people like that. Cash mob organizers are using social media to announce locations and get collective buy-in from consumers, who help spread the word to their friends on Facebook and Twitter. And supporting local businesses is always something that makes people feel good.

Get Involved in International Cash Mob Day

Thanks to the growing popularity of cash mobs (there are over 100 cities that have created them in the U.S.), March 24, 2012, has been designated International Cash Mob Day ^[6]. If you’d like to start cash mobs in your city, here are some steps for doing so ^[7], as well as some general rules you can apply ^[8] to your city’s cash mob program. Here are some other tips for getting started:

• Starting a cash mob just for your business can inspire other local business owners to get involved.
• On Twitter, @CashMobs ^[9] offers support to other cash mobs around the world. Get in touch to get their support.
• Work with your local government to generate wider support and get more small businesses involved.
• Put out a press release and send it to your local paper.
• Post the event on Facebook, the way San Diego’s Cash Mobs ^[10] group did.