Garage-In-A-Box
From Facebook Developer Wiki
Contents |
Garage-In-A-Box Documentation
The following PDFs describe various aspects of the Facebook Developer Garage program. If you'd prefer to read the information on the wiki, all this information can be found below.
About the Garage Program
Creating your Facebook Developer Garage
- Step-by-Step Garage Guide
- Logo Template <--Be sure to contact Facebook for the Illustrator File.
Media Guideline Information
Other Resources
-->Back to Facebook Developer Garage.
If you'd prefer to read the information on the wiki, all the above information can be found below.
Facebook Developer Garage Guiding Principles
Before planning your Facebook Developer Garage, take a moment to look through our Facebook Developer Garage Guiding Principles to understand our philosophy on the Program.
- Connect – The purpose of the Facebook Developer Garage program is to unify and expand local developer communities as well as provide a forum to connect and find support with other developers. Developer Garages should be for the developers, by the developers.
- Empower – Facebook Developer Garages should empower developers to create engaging and relevant experiences on Facebook by showcasing the best tools and offering the most dynamic forums for discussion. They should provide a medium to brainstorm, cultivate, and share new application or development ideas.
- Educate – Facebook Developer Garages are a place to learn about and discuss the latest and greatest information about Facebook Platform. This may include new products or features, awesome new app ideas, and changes to the existing offerings. Garages should act as an idea exchange from developer to developer and from developers to Facebook.
- Be Authentic – Facebook Developer Garages should be authentic to the Facebook experience. Facebook events strive to be unique, engaging and aspirational. Garages should make every effort to be as authentic and exciting as any Facebook event. They should also focus specifically on Facebook Platform and not on general social media topics.
- Hack – Facebook Developer Garages should act as a venue for innovation on existing ideas and an opportunity to take them to the next level with the help of other developers. Attending a Developer Garage is an opportunity to share technical expertise and build your own collaborative project by hacking onsite with other experienced developers.
- Collaborate – Facebook Developer Ambassadors should work closely with the Facebook Developer Garage staff to create and approve logos, branding, agendas, event logistics, speakers, and sponsors. Garage hosts should have ownership over their event but cooperate with each other and with Facebook to make the best possible event for everyone.
- Share – Facebook Garage Ambassadors should embody the Facebook mission, ‘Giving people the power to share, in order to make the world more open and connected’. Ambassadors should also follow our philosophy of Utilitarianism – ‘achieve the greatest good for the greatest number’. All event logistics and content should be based on the needs and desires of the community.
- Give – Facebook Developer Garages are not-for-profit. Facebook offers a grant to cover most expenses, and doesn’t expect Ambassadors to cover costs out of personal earnings. If additional funding is required, small sponsorships from outside parties are also encouraged. Garages should never be used for personal gain be it monetary or otherwise.
Overview
The Facebook Developer Garage event should act as a forum to share information with local developers, look for partners on a project, experience and participate in Facebook app demonstrations, seek technical support, or just network and socialize with other developers interested in Facebook Platform. The event should be technical in nature, but talks on best practices, monetization and marketing are encouraged as well. The Garage event is organized by a local Ambassador and should reflect the local flavor of the community where it is based.
Garage Best Practices
- Plan. Get organized early and decide the size and scope of the Garage you would like to host. Be sure to have sufficient space at the chosen venue, a/v equipment, internet connectivity, event volunteer staff, refreshments and other resources for your Developer Garage. In larger cities, Developer Garages can draw up to 300+ attendees. In smaller locations, they tend to trend between 50 and 100 attendees.
- Ask. When in doubt, always ask. We may not have all the answers but please use our Facebook Developer Garage staff as a resource. Be sure to check-in with us before communicating heavily with your developer group about the event. We’ll be happy to review your content, pass-on any materials we have in house, or answer questions.
- Educate. Be sure to educate yourself about all new Facebook Platform information. Recommended Garage topics include: Intro to Platform, Facebook Connect, Best Practices on App Building, Monetization Strategies, and others. Please stay consistent with the messaging provided in the Facebook Platform messaging guidelines. Since your Facebook Developer Garage is supported by Facebook, it is important that we have consistent messaging across the board.
- Focus. Since this is a Facebook supported event, the Garage should focus on Facebook Platform and not on general social media topics. If an attendee has questions about other platforms or social utilities, please feel free to answer any questions thoughtfully and to the best of your ability. We ask that you shy away from dedicated speakers or topics focused on other platforms.
- Communicate. When writing to Facebook and your constituents, please be concise. The Facebook developer community and the Facebook staff are willing to lend a helping hand but may not have time to sift through extensive details and commentary. Making your message clear and to the point will ensure that your questions are answered in a timely manner. Please also remember that you are representing the Facebook Developer community. Only send messages that are relevant to the Facebook group and stay away from communication that promotes a personal or professional agenda.
- Fund. Facebook Developer Garages are for everyone. With that in mind, Facebook encourages hosts to use the funds we provide to host free events. In some cases it may be necessary to charge a nominal fee from attendees. This fee should never exceed $25 USD. Additionally, we ask that you only seek enough sponsorship money to cover the cost of the event. For more information please see our Policies and Enforcement documentation.
- Publicize. There are many ways Facebook can help you get the word out about your Garage including a targeted message to local developers and posting your event to our Garage Calendar. If you would like to release a media alert for your Garage, please review and follow the Media Guidelines we provide. Be sure to contact PlatformPR@facebook.com for specific media inquiries.
- Enjoy. Have fun! You have worked hard to plan what is going to be an awesome and exciting event. The attendees are going to look to you to set the tone for day / evening. Now that the hard work is over it is time to enjoy yourself, network, learn and share with the Garage attendees.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Facebook Developer Garage Program?
The Facebook Developer Garage program’s purpose is to unify and expand local Developer communities and provide a forum for developers to connect and find support. Garages are just like they sound -a place to explore, get gritty, tinker, experiment, and test out ideas for Facebook Platform. Being in the Garage is all about participating, getting your hands dirty, and exploring fresh ideas and solutions. Garages are based on the premise of community involvement and should encourage presentations and content provided by participants. - How many Garages have occurred since Platform launched in May 2007 and where were the located?
As of December 2008, we’ve supported more than 100 Garages in over 45 different cities on six continents. Facebook Developer Garages have taken place all over the world: from San Francisco to Nairobi to Tokyo and back to London. The Facebook Developer group is a global community. To see if there has been a Garage hosted in your area, check out the Past Garage Calendar. - Who can host a Facebook Developer Garage?
We’re always looking for new, excited Ambassadors to host a Garage within their community. Any Facebook developer can host or help out at a Facebook Developer Garage. Please contact Facebook to get started. If a Garage has already taken place in your area, we’ll be happy to put you in touch with the existing Ambassador. As a Facebook Developer Garage Ambassador, you can be a thought leader in your community and help build out and contribute to the Facebook developer identity. Developer Garages should be for the developers, by the developers. - What can Facebook offer Garage Ambassadors?
Facebook offers you everything you need to organize and execute an awesome Garage event:- Facebook may, at times, be able to provide a speaker live in person or via video-conference.
- Guidance on best practices, logistics and popular Garage topics
- Badges, lanyards, and other Facebook Developer Garage swag
- Ideas and support from the Garage Ambassador community
- Communication to local Developers about your event
- Grant money to cover Garage expenses
- Recent Facebook developments through videos from Facebook HQ
- Read more info on Ambassadorship.
- I want to host a Facebook Developer Garage, how do I get in touch with Facebook?
We’re excited to hear you would like to get involved with the Facebook Developer Garage program! Please get in touch with us through this contact form, and let us know where and when you’re planning to have a Garage. - How do I get started creating a Garage event in my area?
- Reach out to us via the contact form.
- Download the Garage-In-A-Box kit.
- Determine your color choice and iconography and design your own custom logo (if one doesn’t already exist for your region.) Download the Image:FDG-logoUsage-FullLogo-worksheet.pdf and contact your Facebook representative for the full Illustrator file.
- Pick a date range and make sure it doesn’t conflict with anything on the Facebook Garage Calendar.
- Where can I see a list of recent and upcoming Garages?
Check out our Garage Calendar for all upcoming events and our archive of past Garages. - How will the local community know about my Garage?
- Facebook Distribution: The Facebook Developer Garage team will send a targeted message to the Developers in your community letting them know about your event.
- Garage Calendar/Wiki Page: Your Garage event will be posted to the public Facebook Developer Garage Calendar and the Facebook Platform Page and may be featured on the front page of the Developer site.
- Viral Distribution: As people RSVP to your event, it will appear on their profiles and be distributed through News Feed. Attendees can also invite their developer friends and colleagues to the event. You may also do your own outreach.
- Where can I see example of existing Facebook Developer Garage logos?
There are a wide range of Facebook Developer Garage logos specialized for each community. Please choose iconography that truly represents your community and create your own logo using our Facebook Developer Garage logo template at Garage-In-A-Box.
We recommend the iconography be a landmark, an item of cultural significance or a natural object or animal that represents your region. You can see example logos on our Garage Calendar or by logging into your Facebook account and going to the Platform Page. - How can I use the Garage logo created for my community?
Please be advised that you may not use Facebook’s corporate logo in any way, but you may use the Facebook Developer Garage logo to promote your event in various ways on and off Facebook. Please see our Branding Guidelines. - What are some popular Garage Agenda topics?
- Facebook Connect
- Best Practices for App Building
- Monetization
- Application Verification Program
- Growing your Business / Funding for your App
- Will you send a Facebook Speaker to our Developer Garage?
Although we’d like to attend every Garage in person, due to distance and busy schedules, it’s difficult for us to be physically present at many Garages across the world. In the cases where speakers cannot physically attend a Garage event, we will do our best to set up a video-conference to connect with you and your community. If your dates are flexible, please let us know ahead of time and we’ll try to alert you if a speaker is scheduled to be near your area. - Can you recommend any local speakers that would be willing to be present at my Garage?
The best strategy for finding speakers for your event is to put out an open call out to the community through your event description or invitations. As people RSVP for the event, they will see that you are searching for speakers and suggestions on great topics for the Garage. Facebook also has a variety of partners that we can suggest depending on your location. The best events let the community drive the content and almost every region has a variety of experienced developers that are willing to present on various topics. - How do I get reimbursed for my Garage event expenses?
Please see our Reimbursement Policy and submit all receipts within 30 days of your Garage. In order to be reimbursed, we’ll need your complete invoice with an itemized list of each expense along with all the event receipts. Please also complete a W8/W9 form according to your region. For International hosts, we will also require banking information for wire transfers. Please send all the information below together to Facebook_Garage_Finance@facebook.com. Your invoice will be processed as soon as possible and you will be reimbursed in US dollars. Please note that it is required that all reimbursements get approved internally by your Facebook Developer Garage representative prior to your event. - How long will it take to receive my reimbursement?
Please allow 30 days after you submit your receipts to be reimbursed. If you have questions about the status of your reimbursement, please contact Facebook_Garage_Finance@facebook.com with your name and the location of your Garage in the subject line. - What other events do you participate in besides Facebook Developer Garages?
Facebook supports a number of other events including our annual Developer Conference, f8, a variety of industry events and speaking engagements, Facebook Developer Garages, and Facebook Developer Roundtables. Please check out our Platform Events page to see what’s going on in the coming months. - Do you support or sponsor other developer events?
At this time we do not support many other developer events beside our Developer Garage Program. You can send any requests for sponsorship to: sponsorship@facebook.com for consideration. - How do I request a Facebook speaker at my conference / developer event?
If you would like to request a Facebook speaker at your conference or event, please use our speaking request contact form.
