Facebook Announces ‘Facebook Fit’ Bootcamps for Small Businesses

Facebook is looking to lend a helping hand to mom-and-pops interested in growing their small businesses. On Tuesday, the social network announced five upcoming “Facebook Fit” bootcamps for small businesses looking to learn tips on how to maximize Facebook marketing and better run their companies. Small business service providers Intuit, LegalZoom and Square will also be holding breakout sessions at the events to provide specialized tips. The first Facebook Fit event will be held in New York City on June 3. Miami will follow on June 19, then Chicago on July 10 and Austin on July 24. The final event will take place in Menlo Park on August 5. Facebook’s director of small business, Dan Levy, says the idea for the bootcamps evolved from the realization that small businesses had become an integral part of Facebook’s business. “There are 25 million small business pages, and 1 million are active advertisers spending money in the last month on advertising … It’s a meaningful part of our business,” says Levy. Levy says that in coming in contact with small business owners on the social network, he’s realized how hungry entrepreneurs are to learn about how to improve their businesses. “[S]o many are out in their community teaching other small businesses not just about Facebook, but also how to run their businesses. It’s a real opportunity for us to put a face on Facebook … this is something we can support more of,” says Levy. The announcement of the Facebook Fit events comes one week before the Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week. Levy says Facebook will be making further announcements related to small businesses next week as well. Small business owners can purchase their $25 Facebook Fit tickets online. However, business owners who attend the events will receive $50 in Facebook Ad credits which can be redeemed after the bootcamp.