I’ll admit it; I’m uneasy with sharing too much.

I have my own personal issues with social media, always have. I try to be as funny, outgoing, and transparent as I possibly can, on all channels; Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr. But it’s hard coming from an inherently private person like me.

The recent news has not helped me or millions of other Americans move towards sharing more. Everyone’s favorite social-punching-bag-du-jour, Facebook, has taken a lot of hits lately; Russian fake news, pyschographic ad targeting with stolen data, Mark Zuckerburg dragged before Congress and the EU – it all seems bleak for the world’s largest social media platform, and sharing as a whole.

So it may come as a surprise that there are actually positive things coming out of Menlo Park lately.

In the last few months, Facebook has created and produced events for a new initiative focusing on small businesses called Facebook Community Boost. Set to visit 30 cities in 2018, Facebook Community Boost is on a mission with a few goals in mind; 1. work with local organizations to provide digital skills and training for people in need of work; 2. advise entrepreneurs how to get started; 3. help existing local businesses and nonprofits get the most out of the internet.Since 2011, Facebook has invested more than $1 billion to support small businesses. Research results by Morning Consult, showed 56% of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses on Facebook said they have increased sales because of the platform. Additionally, 42 percent said they have hired more people due to the growth they’ve experienced since joining Facebook.

So what’s Community Boost all about?

• If you’re looking for a job, Facebook will provide training to help improve your digital and social media skills.
• If you’re an entrepreneur, Facebook will have training programs on how to use technology to turn an idea into a business, they will also show you ways to create a free online presence using Facebook.
• If you’re a business owner, Facebook is going to offer ways your business can expand its digital footprint and find new customers around the corner and around the globe.
• If you’re getting online for the first time or you want to support your community, they will provide training on digital literacy and online safety. They will also be helping community members use technology to bring people together, with features like Events and Groups

In addition to small businesses, Facebook Community Boost is also hoping to continue to help minority-owned businesses.

So … why am I writing about this? What better way to target small businesses and community members across the U.S. than with an outdoor advertising platform that consists of more than 50,000 small businesses?

PMD has partnered with Facebook in cities across the U.S. to raise awareness of this new initiative. Targeting areas near the event locations, in cities such as Houston, Des Moines and Denver, PMD has helped get Facebook SEEN outside of the computer or phone screen in a way that is beneficial to both company and community.