How to register for NYC's Digital Toolkit For Small Businesses

Image source: Mashable

Last week, Mashable reported on Mayor Bloomberg’s announcement about NYC’s first Digital Toolkit for small businesses, “a new education program aimed at helping the small businesses of New York City develop their online presence and social media strategies.” This program, co-developed with the people behind the popular websites Mashable, Tumblr, and Weebly, will take the form of a series of courses, administered by the city’s Small Business Services department. Queens will host the inaugural class, which you can register for here.

Classes in the Digital Toolkit program will take place at Small Business Services education centers located throughout each of the five boroughs, and in Queens, the local SBS center is in Jamaica at NYC Business Solutions at 168-25 Jamaica Avenue (GMAP). This first class – on social media fundamentals – will be taught there on Thursday, September 20 from 2-5pm. Rachel Haot, Chief Digital Officer for New York City, will be the instructor.

Topics that will be discussed include the fundamentals of creating an online presence with a website; e-commerce, digital, and mobile payment systems; SEO (search engine optimization); and how to market one’s business via social media and online advertising.

All those involved with creating this program are very happy they can provide and avenue for entrepreneurs to learn more about growing their businesses digitally, and Mashable in particular is pleased to be able to give back to the city that has been home to them since the inception of the company. Local Queens City Councilman Leroy Comrie recognizes how important this program is to the growing tech presence in Queens, “The launch of the Digital Bootcamp will provide a boost to Queens to coincide with the emerging tech and digital sectors in the borough.” Queens Borough President Helen Marshall added her thoughts, “Using social media and technology to widen [small business’s] reach will benefit their own businesses and increase jobs and opportunities that benefit the entire city.”

Are you a small business person in Queens that might like to take advantage of this program? Let us know if you decide to attend.

New York City Launches Digital Toolkit for Small Businesses [Mashable]
Mayor Bloomberg, Department Of Small Business Services and NYC Digital Along With Google, Mashable And Tumblr Introduce New Technology Toolkit To Help Small Local Businesses Launch And Grow Online [NYC.gov]