--- title: Posting and Promoting Your Events - Buy it Local.US author: webiedesign url: https://buyitlocal.us/support/business-owner-help/posting-and-promoting-your-events --- # Posting and Promoting Your Events ## Posting and Promoting Your Events If you host anything the public can attend, it belongs on the Buy it Local.US [Events](https://buyitlocal.us/events) calendar. Tastings, classes, open houses, live music, sidewalk sales, seasonal markets, charity drives, and workshops all qualify. Events bring people through your door who have never heard of you. ### Before You Start Hosted events are included with the Growth and Brand Plus packages. If the Events section is not showing in your control panel, check which plan your listing is on. ### Creating an Event 1. Sign in and choose **My Business** 2. Open your listing and go to the **Events** section 3. Add a new event and complete the fields below 4. Save. Events are reviewed before publishing, usually within a day Post events at least two weeks ahead. People plan their weekends earlier than most business owners expect. ### The Event Title Say what it is and, where it helps, when. Someone scanning a calendar decides in about two seconds. - **Good:** Lavender U-Cut Weekend and Wreath Making - **Good:** Free Brake Safety Check Day - **Weak:** Special Event - **Weak:** Come Visit Us ### Date, Time, and Location - Set the start and end times accurately, including the end time. People want to know if they can still make it after work - If the event runs across several days, set the full date range - Confirm the location. If it is at your business, your listing address is used. If it is somewhere else, enter that address so the map is right - Mention parking if it is not obvious, since parking is the single most common reason people give up on attending ### Writing the Description Answer the questions an attendee will actually have: - What happens at this event, in concrete terms - Who it is for, including whether children and pets are welcome - Whether it costs anything, and what is included - Whether they need to register or can just turn up - What to bring or wear - What happens if it rains - Whether food and drink are available Keep it warm and plain. You are inviting neighbors, not filing a permit application. ### Images Add a photo. Events with images get far more attention on the calendar. A photo from last year is ideal, since it shows people what to expect and that others turned up. If this is your first time, use a good photo of the space or the product involved. ### Registration and Subscriptions Visitors can subscribe to your event, which is useful in two ways. It tells you roughly how many people to prepare for, and it gives interested people a reminder. If you need firm numbers, say so clearly in the description and ask people to register. If your event requires a paid ticket, you can sell tickets through your listing. See the article on selling products and taking orders. ### Recurring Events For anything that happens regularly, such as a weekly market or a monthly class, set it up as a recurring event rather than creating each one by hand. It keeps your calendar accurate with far less work. ### Promoting the Event Posting it is the start, not the finish. - Share the direct link to your event page on your social media - Post a matching special offer, such as a discount for attendees - Mention it to customers in person during the week or two beforehand - Put a sign in your window with the date - Tell other local businesses. Cross promotion between neighboring businesses works remarkably well ### After the Event - Take photos while it is happening and use them for the next one - Add a short note thanking attendees, and post the date of the next event if you have one - Remove or update events that have passed so your page stays current - Ask attendees to leave a review while the experience is fresh ### Common Mistakes - **Posting too late.** Two days notice is not enough for anyone with a calendar - **Leaving out the price.** If it is free, say free. If it costs, say how much. Silence reads as expensive - **No end time,** which makes people assume they have to commit the whole day - **Leaving expired events on your page,** which makes the whole listing look abandoned ### Getting Help If your event has not appeared on the calendar, check that the date is in the future and that it has cleared review. If you are still stuck, contact the Buy it Local.US team. More guides are in the [Support](https://buyitlocal.us/support) section.