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| Joel Cotter, brand program manager of the Asia Pacific region at Facebook, speaks during a press conference at Wooran Foundation in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Facebook Korea |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Facebook is trying to expand its advertiser base into small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here as it offers digital marketing courses to help SME owners leverage the social network service to promote more products and services, the company said Wednesday.
The social networking giant said it launched a digital marketing coaching event called "Boost with Facebook" in Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul for two days through Thursday. Inviting SME owners here, Facebook provides various courses such as how to conduct creative marketing via Facebook and Instagram, Facebook's photo-sharing app, and the success cases of utilizing the social network services.
Facebook explained the Boost with Facebook program is designed to not only help SME owners promote their businesses more effectively but also to help local economies.
"We believe in a huge opportunity to help local communities and grow not only local businesses but also local economy," said Joel Cotter, brand program manager of the firm's Asia Pacific region, told reporters at Wooran Foundation in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul.
"That is why we introduced the community boost program last year. The program is designed to help small and medium businesses advance their digital skills and compete in the local and foreign economies."
Cotter added the Boost with Facebook program was held in 72 countries in 2018 and will be held more than 200 times in 2019.
Kim Jin-ah, head of the small and medium business division at Facebook Korea, gave some successful examples of digital marketing through Facebook and its social networking services, saying the program could be an opportunity for SME owners who are seeking overseas expansion.
"Konny Baby, a startup company which sells its unique baby carrier, has grown into a popular baby carrier brand even though it only promoted its products through Instagram. Now it is selling its baby carriers to overseas markets," Kim said.
Facebook Korea said the event is obviously designed to expand its advertiser base, but added it would be great for SMEs to use Facebook and its other social network services to strengthen communication with their local communities.
"Of course, it would be great for us if we can attract more advertisers through the program, but we are also providing education sessions to SME owners about how to promote their businesses on Facebook and its affiliated services without spending extra money on advertising," a Facebook Korea official said.
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