U.S. Bank Encourages Social Networking Among Small Businesses Via Facebook

U.S. Bank is encouraging small business owners to network via Facebook and possibly win money through its new "Look Up With US" challenge.

To enter the challenge, owners of businesses with annual revenues of less than $10 million must visit U.S. Bank's Facebook page and launch the "Look Up With US" app. There, they can share how their businesses are looking up despite difficult economic times.

The stories of each business will become part of a mosaic-like display on U.S. Bank's Facebook page, where viewers can vote on and comment on entries. The more votes a business gets the bigger its tile becomes on the mosaic.

Participating businesses have three chances to win $5,000 through the challenge, which ends on Nov. 15. "We hope the challenge will draw inspiring stories from business owners who are finding ways to succeed despite the tough economic climate," said Kent Stone, executive vice president of consumer banking at U.S. Bank, in a release announcing the challenge. "One winner will be chosen by other small business owners who serve on a U.S. Bank panel. Another winner will be chosen through random drawing, and a third by popular vote within the app."