promoting an event is hard work, especially when you’re trying to reach a specific local audience. there are many ways to go about it, but one often overlooked method is using local press.
i recently came across portal What’s Up Magazine, which has listings for all sorts of happenings in the Krakow area. it occurred to me that local event organisers can greatly benefit from getting their events featured in such publications.
getting your event noticed
with so many events competing for attention, it’s tough to stand out. local press can be a big help here. by getting your event listed in a well-read local publication, you can reach people who are already interested in what’s going on in their area.
this isn’t just about slapping up a basic listing. a good local press outlet will give you the chance to provide some context and background on your event, helping to generate buzz and excitement.
who reads local press
the audience for local press is often very targeted. people who read these publications are usually looking for things to do in their local area, so they’re already primed to be interested in events like yours.
- they’re likely to be local residents, so you can target your promotion very specifically
- they’re probably already looking for events to attend, so they’re a receptive audience
building relationships with local journalists
to get your event featured in local press, you need to build a relationship with the journalists who work on these publications. this means being proactive and getting in touch with them well in advance of your event.
by doing so, you can establish a rapport and make it more likely that they’ll be interested in covering your event.
a real-life example
i spoke to someone who organised a concert in Krakow last year. they got in touch with What’s Up Magazine and were able to get a feature on the event, which helped to draw in a big crowd.
„we couldn’t have done it without the local press – they really helped to get the word out“
other ways to use local press
local press isn’t just about getting your event listed. you can also use it to promote your organisation or business more generally.
by building a relationship with local journalists, you can get them to cover other aspects of your work, helping to raise your profile in the local area.
making the most of your coverage
once you’ve got your event featured in local press, don’t just leave it there. you can use the coverage to promote your event further by sharing it on social media.
- share the article on your event’s social media channels to generate more buzz
- use the fact that you’ve been featured in local press as a selling point when promoting your event to potential attendees
follow-up and evaluation
after your event has taken place, be sure to follow up with the local press outlet and thank them for their coverage. this can help to cement your relationship and make it more likely that they’ll cover your future events.
also, take the time to evaluate the effectiveness of using local press to promote your event. this will help you refine your approach for next time.
