Screen shot of a flash mob message sent via Facebook. Click to enlarge.Organization
At first, you may have only some ideas for flash mobs and possibly a handful of friends who would like to be involved. Obviously, successful mobs have many people involved. Building flash mob group requires word of mouth advertising or some form of an e-mail list. With these, interested members can forward the information to their friends.
Ideas for mobs can come from many different sources. Taking suggestions from mobbers is a good way to create a list of potential mobs. Look at scenes from television shows, movies, or even commercials to further populate the list.
Times and locations should be based on how easy it will be for mobbers to arrive and bystanders to be present. Also, mobs can be context-specific. For example, a flash mob where mobbers simultaneously eat bananas would work well in a mall food court, but not in a department store in the same mall. Conversely, the sheer randomness of banana eating could work better in the department store. It’s up to the organizers.
Organizing specific mobs can take different forms. The New York flash mobs had a problem with members tipping people off to the time and location of the mob, so “Bill” had mobbers find the final information at predetermined locations before the actual mob took place.
Others have had success with direct messaging of members. These messages should have the date, time and location of the mob clearly stated. The directions should also be very clear to ensure mobbers are able to perform the action correctly. The messages should describe how mobs should begin and end as wel. It is also a good idea to send out more than one message before each flash mob.