The Marsh Café in San Francisco! They found the most unique way to display their emergence into the social media world. This summer they put up a sign that read “Foursquare mayor drinks for free” in order to promote Foursquare. Foursquare is a location-based social network that helps people connect with anyone (you don’t even have to know them) using GPS via a mobile device. Since the promotion, business for The Marsh Café has been in demand, they have had to hire more staff as well as extend their hours of operation to meet the needs of their new consumers.

Cari Turley, the manager of The Marsh Café, an active social media user worked with Denis Crowley, co-founder of Foursquare, to develop a box application that would promote The Marsh Café on the social media site itself. With the excellent strategic plan to promote a new social media site, The Marsh Café in return got a lot of media coverage which brought attention to their business. Hi-five to the Marsh Cafe!

It is obvious that people around the world are spending more and more time online, making social media properties a valuable asset to any industry. With the holiday season rolling in, shoppers everywhere are resulting to social media as a shopping aid. Deloitte’s 24th Annual Holiday Survey of retail spending and trends confirms that social media and mobile phones are key influencers this holiday season.

How you may ask? Take a look at these stats!

-    17%  of all consumers are planning on using social media during their holiday shopping

-    60% of those consumers are planning on using social media to find discounts, coupons, and sale information

-    53% of all consumers are planning on using social media to research gift ideas for family and friends

Age is no factor when it comes to social media. From those consumers who are planning on using social media as a shopping assistant – more than half are in the age group of 18-29, 33% are in the age group of 30-44, and 12% are in the age group of 45-60. With the internet being a top shopping destination for all ages; 22% of consumers are planning on shopping primarily online this holiday season with 44% of the shoppers planning on using coupons obtained online at local stores.

With the current economic downfall, social media is a key factor to attract those consumers who are planning on using the internet as a shopping aid. How will you market your business this holiday season?