Meta to Support Small Businesses via Online, In-Person Programs

Facebook parent Meta is launching Small Business Studios, an initiative designed to support small businesses with virtual and in-person programs.

The initiative will include an online hub for training, workshops and “creative inspiration,” as well as a five-city United States tour for in-person training, networking and support, according to a company press release.

The program had its impetus in the company’s Good Ideas Exchange, in which executives from Meta and partners, including Adobe and Vimeo, joined small businesses to pinpoint the chief obstacles facing these companies, the release stated.

“That’s where we discovered that content creation and creative strategy are among the top pain points for entrepreneurs when growing their businesses,” Meta said in the release. “Knowing this, Meta Boost Small Business Studios was born to help small businesses build creative digital marketing skills.”

Meta’s Studios online hub includes resources such as a Build Your Brand workshop and lessons on how to use Facebook Reels to reach a wider audience, according to the release. There are also one-on-one, half-hour virtual support sessions where small businesses can get advice on technical issues or learn more about digital marketing.

In memo to employees earlier this week, Meta said it will shift how it employs engineering and product resources for its Facebook News tab and Bulletin newsletter, with the goal of moving its focus to the creator economy.

Read more: Facebook Pivots From News Coverage to Creator Economy

The decision was reportedly “made at the product level,” with a spokeswoman saying the company looks at products to focus on “the most meaningful experiences” and the future of the business.

Meta also recently announced the launch of new small business tools, with a focus on supporting diverse founders and an overall aim of helping all firms succeed.

See more: Meta Rolls Out New Small Business Tools With a Focus on Diversity

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