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04/06/2012 - New Facebook Contest Offers SMEs Free Advertising Credit

The Facebook Small Business Boost Contest operates as an online promotion offering entrepreneurs and existing small businesses free advertising credit on the social networking site.

The programme forms part of Facebook’s wider Business Boost scheme, which aims to help small businesses reap the benefits of social media.

The scheme was set up following research published by Deloitte which revealed that Facebook is accountable for creating more than 18,400 jobs in UK small businesses and contributing an estimated £2.2 billion to the British economy.

Businesses with more than 50 Facebook ‘likes’ will be targeted through the scheme and those who increase their fan-base by more than 100 users as a result of the credit will be entitled to additional advertising credit.

The programme is expected to allocate advertising credit up to a total value of £4.2 million, awarded to an estimated 50,000 local business owners across its eligibility area. Eligible participants will be awarded up to £80 worth of advertising credits.

Participants who have fifty "likes" at entry will qualify to receive £20 credit redeemable for Facebook Ad products. Participants who obtain an additional one hundred likes during the promotion period beyond the number of likes they had at the time of entry (if 50 likes or greater) or beyond the hundred likes obtained during the promotion period, will receive an additional £60 credit.

Locally-based small businesses in the UK with more than 50 Facebook fans may apply. To participate, entrants must have a Facebook account and be an administrator of a page for a local business that was or is created through Facebook.

Speaking about the launch of the scheme, Simon Milner, Facebook’s UK and Ireland policy director, told startups.co.uk

"Many small businesses have thrived despite difficult economic conditions in recent years, thanks to savvy entrepreneurs spotting the opportunity to benefit from new technologies which bring people closer together.

"We want more businesses to prosper in this way, which is why we are rolling out this series of initiatives to give all businesses, whatever their digital experience to date, the confidence to use Facebook as an efficient and highly rewarding platform for growth."

The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 July 2012.

Click here to access the competition web-page on Facebook (link opens in new window).

Source: facebook.com and startups.co.uk, 29/05/2012

News provided by j4bgrants.co.uk.