With Twitter all over New York Fashion Week and Donna Karan using a virtual trunk show to promote her fall line, there is no denying social networking is hot this season. Top brands have embraced new social media tools to help spread the word about new trends and further brand loyalty. With the launch of Facebook Deals last fall, retailers are now able to drive customers through their doors while creating a word-of-mouth buzz and customer loyalty.

Facebook Deals is a new feature on Facebook that can transform the way fashion retailers (big and small) use social media. The tool allows businesses with a Facebook page to create customer incentive or deals when they “check-in” using Facebook Places. Here are some ways you can use Facebook Deals to increase your business:

Discounts drive customers - Paper coupons are SO last season. Using the Individual Deal or Friend Deal feature you can use the same concept to push customers into your store. GAP created a Facebook Deal campaign that gave the first 10,000 customers that checked in at their stores on a specific day a free pair of jeans. This feature can also be used to give a percentage or dollar amount off to customers. Everyone loves to save money and it’s an easy way to drive customer traffic.

Promote customer loyalty - Using the Loyalty Deal you can reward customers for returning to your store. Once a customer checks-in multiple time at one location they can earn a reward. This is an easy way to keep customers coming through your door and allows you to create an instant Customer Loyalty program without the extended costs or operational nightmares.

Brand your company as socially responsible - In this day and age a social responsibility is huge. Consumers want to feel good about the businesses in which they choose to spend their money. Using the Charity Deal company's can raise money for the charity of their choice by pledging to donate money for every customer that checks-in at their store. The North Face donated $1 to the National Park Foundation for every person who checked in at a North Face store or National Park.

Create a Buzz - The benefits of using social media to create a buzz about your company or store are abundant. Pushing deals to your fans and customers using Facebook Deals can give you that extra push to really create a viral buzz. Many people that receive a deal or discount from Facebook are likely to pass that information on to their friends using Facebook. Added exposure is always great for business.

This is just another way in which social media is transforming the way consumers shop and interact with the brands they love. Clearly, Facebook Deals is the latest mode in business. With this simple and free feature on Facebook you easily “check-in” with your customers and boost your business.