The #SmallBusiness Shorty Award, in partnership with Cox BLUE (@coxbusiness), honors a small business effectively using the social web to grow their company. It's more important than ever for small businesses to understand how to pick the right social platforms to achieve goals. Small businesses are using Twitter to share advice,and information about their business; Facebook to generate interest for coupons, contests and events; YouTube to educate with how-to videos; LinkedIn to brand their business; Google+ to educational Hangouts with thought leaders; and are taking advantage of other social platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to visualize what matters most to their mission.

The #SmallBusiness Shorty Award winner will be selected based on the total number of nominations received, the impact and creativity of the nominee's tweets, and innovation in the use of social media as determined be the esteemed judges of the Real-Time Academy of Shorty Form Arts & Sciences. Eligible Twitter accounts are the brand account of the small business or the CEO Twitter account of the small business. The types of small businesses that are eligible include but are not limited to restaurants, mom & pop shops, startup technology companies, hospitality companies, educational companies, lawyers, real estate professionals, insurance brokers, blogs and magazines who employ 5-50 people.