7 Simple Strategies to Promote Your Local Event and Get Noticed

by | Dec 23, 2024 | Local Marketing Tips, How To

Hosting a local event can be a fantastic way to connect with your community, showcase your business, or support a cause. But getting the word out and attracting attendees isn’t always straightforward. That’s where smart promotion comes in.

In this post, we’ll explore 7 simple strategies to promote your local event and get noticed. These tips are easy to implement, and with a bit of planning, they’ll help you create buzz and fill those seats (or spaces).

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or offers that benefit Jan Kearney with no additional cost to you. Parts of this article are AI generated/AI assisted.

1. Plan Your Event Promotion Early

The sooner you start to promote your local event, the more time you’ll have to reach your audience and build excitement. Create a schedule with key event milestones, such as the announcement, regular updates, and reminders closer to the date. Early planning ensures you can experiment with different approaches and keep the event top of mind.

Imagine: You’ve announced your event months in advance and are steadily building excitement. Teaser posts highlight what’s coming, while regular updates keep your audience engaged. By the time the event arrives, it’s the talk of the town.

Action Steps:

  • Set a timeline for promotion, starting at least two months before the event.
  • Create a content calendar with key milestones, such as teaser posts, announcements, and reminders.
  • Draft and schedule initial posts in advance to save time.
  • Use tools like Google Calendar or a simple spreadsheet to track your tasks and stay organised.
  • Monitor engagement and adjust your strategy based on audience responses.
A digital illustration of a calendar on a desk with highlighted event dates and sticky notes for reminders. Text overlay "1. Plan your event promotion early"

2. Create Shareable Content

Social media thrives on shareable content. Use eye-catching visuals, engaging videos, or easy-to-read posts to capture attention and encourage your audience to share with others. Keep your message clear and include a call to action, like signing up, sharing the event, or tagging a friend.

Imagine: You’re creating a graphic that’s simple, bold, and branded. It includes all the event details and a clear prompt like “Share this with friends!” With just a few clicks, your followers are helping spread the word for you.

Action Steps:

  • Use free tools like Canva to design eye-catching graphics with event details (date, time, location).
  • Keep the design simple and branded.
  • Add a clear call to action, such as “Share this post!” or “Tag a friend.”
  • Test your graphic on different devices to ensure it looks great on mobile and desktop.
  • Share the graphic on your own social channels and encourage others to repost it.
Digital image of a woman sitting at a desk designing a bold social media graphic on their laptop. The screen shows a colourful template with event details, a 'Share This' button, and social media icons. Text overlay: "Create Shareable Content"

3. Use Local Online Communities to Promote Your Event

Local online communities can help you promote your local event, but it’s essential to respect their guidelines. Some groups don’t allow promotional posts, so always worth checking the rules before sharing.

Community Facebook groups, LinkedIn networks, and local forums can be excellent places to post updates and spark interest. #HaltonHour encourages local event promotion, including classes, workshops, markets, community groups and more. Use the #HaltonHour hashtag on Twitter/X or join the public Facebook group – its a great way to spread the word.

Imagine: You share your event post in a community Facebook group, carefully tailoring it to align with the group’s rules. On X (formerly Twitter), you join in the #HaltonHour chat on Thursdays at 8pm, and local businesses retweet it to their followers. Your event reaches both engaged community members and a wider audience.

Action Steps:

  • Research and join active local Facebook or LinkedIn groups or X (Twitter) chats that allow event promotion.
  • Write a short, engaging post with key event details, including your website or ticket page.
  • Tailor your message to match the tone of the group or chat.
  • Use relevant Twitter/X hashtags like #HaltonHour and others from the the Big UK X Hashtag List (Google Sheet) to maximise visibility.
  • Respond to comments and questions promptly to keep the conversation going.
A digital image of a woman sitting at a desk with their laptop open to a Facebook group post draft ready to promote her local event. The screen shows a community rules section alongside the post. A phone nearby displays a Twitter post using #HaltonHour and event hashtags. Text overlay " 3. Use local Online Communities"

4. Promote Your Local Event with Flyers

It may seem old school, but flyers can work surprisingly well to promote your local event. Create a simple, eye-catching design with all the key details:

  • date,
  • time,
  • location,
  • what attendees can expect.

Drop them off at cafés, gyms, community centres, libraries, or anywhere your audience is likely to visit. Partnering with local businesses to display your flyers can help expand your reach even further.

Imagine: You design a bold, colourful flyer and drop off copies at popular cafés and local shops. As people browse the counter, they pick up your flyer, intrigued by the clear details and vibrant design. Some even take one home, ensuring they won’t forget the date.

Action Steps:

  • Design a professional flyer using a tool like Canva. Ensure your flyer includes all essential event details! (Pro tip: Use both sides of the paper!)
  • Identify popular local venues like cafés, gyms, or libraries where your audience might visit.
  • Ask business owners if you can leave flyers on their counters or noticeboards.
  • Print high-quality copies to make a good impression.
  • Regularly check back to see if you need to replenish the flyers.
A digital image of a woman placing a colourful flyer for a local event on a café counter. Text overlay@ "4. Promote your local event with flyers"

5. Create a Local Press Release

Local newspapers and magazines can be a great way to promote your local event to a wider audience. Send a short, engaging press release with the key details of your event, focusing on what makes it unique or relevant to the community. Many publications have dedicated “What’s On” sections and are keen to feature local happenings.

Imagine: You email a press release to your local paper, highlighting the event’s community focus. A few days later, your event appears in their online edition, catching the eye of readers looking for something to do that weekend.

Action Steps:

  • Write a concise press release with an attention-grabbing headline and the key details of your event.
  • Focus on what makes your event unique or valuable to the community.
  • Research local newspapers, magazines and blogs.
  • Find the right contact person for event submissions.
  • Email your press release with a short message introducing your event.
A digital image of a man reviewing an online community newspaper at a café table, with a 'What’s On' section featuring a highlighted local event. Next to him is a printed newspaper "What's On" section. Text overlay:" 5. Create a local press release"

6. List Your Event on Local Directories

Online event listing sites and community directories are another effective way to promote your local event. These platforms are often the first stop for people searching for things to do in their area. Submit your event details to local websites, community boards, and niche directories.

Don’t forget about the #HaltonHour What’s On Calendar, where you can submit your events for free and gain visibility within the local community.

Imagine: You submit your event details to popular events directories. A few days later, the listings go live, and you notice an increase in enquiries and attendance as people discover your event.

Action Steps:

  • Gather all your event details: name, date, time, location, description, and contact information.
  • Submit your local event to the #HaltonHour What’s On Calendar for free.
  • Research other local event directories and follow their submission guidelines.
  • Include keywords in your title and description to improve search visibility.
  • Check your listings regularly to ensure all details are accurate and up to date.
A digital image of a man filling out an local event submission form on a laptop for a local online directory. Text overlay: 6. List your event on Local Directories

7. Empower Others to Share Your Event

Give your attendees and partners the tools they need to help promote your local event. Provide shareable resources like digital flyers, social media graphics, or pre-written posts they can use. When you make it easy for others to spread the word, you’ll reach new audiences through their networks.

Imagine: You send digital flyers and social media graphics to your event speakers and ask them to share with their followers. They post the visuals on their social media, tagging your event. Soon, their audience is engaging with the event and sharing it even further.

Action Steps:

  • Create digital flyers, graphics, or reels with event details using tools like Canva.
  • Share these materials with attendees, speakers, and partners. Make them easy to download.
  • Provide pre-written posts or captions to make sharing your event even simpler.
  • Monitor social feeds and like/comment/share when you see posts about your local event.
  • Thank your partners and attendees for their support after the event.
A digital image of a woman watching someone designing digital flyers and social media graphics on their laptop. The screen shows a colourful event flyer, and nearby, a phone displays a social media post sharing the same flyer. Text overlay: 7. Empower Others to Promote Your Local Event

To Sum Up

Getting the word out about your local event doesn’t have to be complicated. By using these 7 simple strategies to promote your local event, you’ll reach more people, create excitement, and make your event a success. Whether it’s listing your event on directories, using flyers, or getting others to help share, every step adds up.

Why not start now?

  • Submit your event to the #HaltonHour What’s On Calendar – it’s free and easy to do.
  • Join us on Twitter/X during #HaltonHour every Thursday from 8-9 pm to promote your local event and connect with others in the community.
  • Don’t lose these tips — pin this post now so you’re ready to promote your local event when the time comes!
7 simple strategies to promote your local event and get noticed

Author

  • Jan waving

    I'm Jan Kearney, and I’m all about helping women in business get found online without the faff. I focus on local marketing strategies that work – from sorting your Google profile to boosting your online presence and making social media actually help your business.

    You'll know me as the host of #HaltonHour on X/Twitter - I hope you can join us on Thursdays at 8pm.

    I offer one-to-one coaching, local marketing advice, and practical resources to help your business stand out where it matters most.

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