Community Events Calendar
Keep it Up to Date!
A Community Events Calendar on your site should be very dynamic. Like a newsletter, this is not something you "set and forget". You should plan on keeping this updated on a monthly basis by adding new events, removing past events, and updating any information that may have changed. This is what makes people want to keep coming back- because they see that there will be something new for them when they do.
You should also make an effort to verify that all the dates, times, locations, prices, etc you include are correct. There are few things that could make you look worse than having a community events calendar that is totally expired, has broken links, or that is just plain inaccurate.
Know the Demographics of Your Target Market
Think about who are you targeting and make sure you include events that will specifically appeal to them. If you don't have a very specific target (ie. first time buyers or retirement), keep it broad and try to appeal to a wide range of people. It is helpful to know the demographic of the people who live in and are moving to your area. Keep in mind things like average age, income, popular and the culture of the community. Is surfing popular? Include surf contests. Is your population largely bilingual? Keep your eyes out for bilingual events. Are there many children in your area? Put in a schedule for the high school's sports teams.
Where to Find Events
It may take a little bit of detective skills to put together a community event calendar. Unfortunately, search engines are probably not going to help you very much here. I would try these sources:
- Official City Websites
- Chamber of Commerce
- Newspapers and Affiliated Websites
- Bulleton Boards (schools, offices, college campuses, etc)
- Newsletters
- Local Venues (the actual places where these events take place)
- Local Organizations (the people who put on the events). YMCA, nonprofit groups, churches, event committees, etc
- Word of Mouth, TV, Radio, etc. Many events are widely advertised. If you hear about something, make a note to yourself to followup on it.
What Information to Include
- What the Event Is. Include a brief description. If it is for a specific cause, like a fundraiser, make sure to include that.
- Who is putting it on. Link to the website with more details/to purchase tickets
- When it is taking place. Date and Time
- Location. Address and directions (or link to directions).
- How much it costs
- If you can, include a picture to go with it. Don't forget about copyright restrictions!
