I was just working on our What’s Happening event listing for this week’s edition — you can find the listing in the B section and online — when the idea for this column sprang forth. I’ve written about this before (a few times, actually) but it bears repeating because A) there are probably new readers out there with questions and B) longtime readers have questions, too.
How do events end up in the print listing?
There are a few ways this can happen. The most common is people email with event information. These can be one-offs or reoccurring; if reoccurring, I put them on a master list that will run until I’m told to pull it. Also common is me going through our paper each week for qualifying events. And as time allows, I pull up the calendar on our website, which is curated by users.
What events qualify for What’s Happening?
The listing is primarily a roundup of events from nonprofits, educators or arts organizations. Those not technically in any of those categories could still end up listed if participation fees are nominal. If you are a for-profit business advertising an event, you’ll need to purchase an ad (print and digital are both available) or buy a listing package on our website (all info is below, incidentally).
I often hear from organizers charging big bucks for tickets that they do not have an advertising budget and are only interested in free listings. That’s fine. You can decline to run an ad. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable for us to charge — if you expect people to pay your ticket price, you should expect to pay to advertise it.
As for music events, those are generally listed in our Entertainment Update (also a B section staple) listing only.
Is there a certain style I should use when I send my event to you?
Yes, please, as so:
Date — Name of event, time, location. Brief description, including pricing and contact info.
Try to keep it under 50 words (because we try to fit in as many events as possible in print each week). You are welcome to write more than that, but it may be cut to fit, depending on available space.
Have I mentioned yet that all events on my What’s Happening master list go online each week and can be found on our Facebook pages Mondays at 4 p.m.? Yep, the entire list. So even if your listing must be cut in print, you’ll be online in full glory.
How do you know when to cancel a reoccurring listing?
I don’t unless you tell me. Please tell me!
What’s this I hear about your online listings?
I was hoping to avoid answering this one (which makes no sense since I’m the one making up the questions as I go) just because I don’t have a lot of experience with this part of the website. Here’s what I do know:
• I want to see event listings: When you go to our website, you will see a bar of options at the top; pick EVENTS. Up will pop a rather detailed listing of all events going on in our immediate area (and some not so immediate, depending on who created the listing).
• I want my event listed on this page: At the top of the Events page, you’ll also see a tab marked “Advertise with us.” Click it and follow the steps. There are many options, from free to paid listings. You don’t have to pay to be listed here — it’s just that if you do, you have more options. Anyone is able to pay for a listing; print criteria do not apply.
Periodically I’ll get calls from people hung up on a certain aspect of listing an event. I may not be able to help you troubleshoot, but I will try. It’s possible I’ll ask you to send me the listing so I can sort it out on the back end of the website. (That I know how to do.) If you want a paid listing and you’re having trouble … I guess call and leave a message, and we’ll try to help as best we can.
I see a similar event to my event listed in What’s Happening, but you said mine didn’t qualify! What’s up with that?
It probably has to do with the ticket price or who is putting it on. Again, nonprofits, educators and arts organizations get listings, as do events with minimal participation costs. So the answer is probably in there somewhere.
It could also be that the event was submitted after deadline: Fridays by noon for placement in the next week’s issue. I cannot guarantee placement if I get it after that. I can’t even guarantee placement if I do. Listings are sorted by date, then time. It’s the fairest way I can do it.
I have a question you didn’t answer.
Call or email and I’ll get you sorted.
P.S. I am sorry to everyone who has tried to contact me with an event issue and have not heard back. I try hard to be prompt, but I get a lot of messages every day and sometimes things fall through the cracks. It’s fine to remind me.
You mentioned listing information I’ll need below. Where is it?
Here!
Our website: columbiagorgenews.com.
To email: trishaw@gorgenews.com (me); chelseam@gorgenews.com (owner and publisher); rachelh@gorgenews.com (ad manager). Be sure to include contact information.
To call: 541-386-1234, ext. 109 (me), 100 (Chelsea) or 113 (Rachel). Did you remember to leave a detailed message that includes a call back number? You did? Thanks!
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