Are you looking to amplify the reach of your next event? Whether you’re an established organization or a budding artist, Now Playing Utah (NPU) is your one-stop solution to ensure your event reaches a broader audience. This tutorial walks you through some steps and best practices to help you make your event stand out.

1. Get to Know NPU

First off, if you’re new to NPU, welcome! We’re a platform that gets a whopping 1.2 million unique visitors every year. Plus, our calendar partnerships ensure your events are added to 10+ other websites statewide.

If you haven’t yet, spend some time exploring NPU and think about what you like or dislike about what others are posting on the events.

2. Preparing to Add Your Event

Before diving into the form on the NPU website, it’s helpful to draft your event details in a document (such as Google Docs or Word). This method:

• Facilitates accurate spelling and grammar.
• Helps organize thoughts without the distraction of online forms.
• Allows for easy copying and pasting into the NPU event submission form.

3. Crafting a Catchy Event Name

Your event’s name is its identity! Keep these in mind:

• It should be clear and concise.
• If your event is annual, including the year can help.
• Aim for 60-70 characters for optimal search engine visibility, although you can use up to 150 characters.

4. Writing an Engaging Event Summary

This is your event’s elevator pitch.

• Start with a hook. This is a short, engaging statement about the event to pique interest.
• Stick to essential, compelling details.
• Aim for the most crucial information to be within the first 160 characters for better search engine visibility.

5. Delve Deep with an Event Description

Here’s where you can add meat to the bones.

Share essential event details that didn’t make it to the summary.

• Provide any accessibility information or details that enhance the attendee experience.

6. Making Visual Content Stand Out

Images can make or break an event’s online appeal.

• Prioritize high-quality images that are vibrant and related to the event.
• Avoid using event posters that might look cluttered or unclear when resized.
• If using text within images, ensure it’s legible, brief, and doesn’t hide essential event details.
• Most importantly, any info in your image should also be in your description. This ensures accessibility for all users.

7. Craft Your Messaging

Remember, not everyone is a marketing expert, so here’s a cheat sheet:

• Hook: An initial statement that grabs attention.
• Target Audience: Consider who you want to attend your event and tailor your language accordingly.
• Concise Messaging: Be clear and direct.

8. Additional Tips

• Ensure the most relevant information is easy to find (dates, times, venue).
• Keep in mind that over 60% of NPU’s traffic comes from search engines. Quality content boosts your event’s discoverability.
• Keep an eye out for new features on NPU to enhance event visibility and user experience.

9. Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion

We prioritize diverse representation. We showcase events from various categories, regions, and backgrounds.

10. Using Analytics to Your Advantage

While not mandatory, monitoring how users interact with your event can provide insights. It informs what works and what might need a tweak.

11. Remember, Quality Over Quantity!

While it might be tempting to add every small detail, prioritize quality content. It ensures users get the best snapshot of your event without being overwhelmed.

By following this tutorial, you’re setting your event up for success on NPU. We’re excited to showcase what you have to offer to Utah’s vibrant arts and cultural community! Don’t forget, Now Playing Utah is here to support the broad spectrum of events, from arts and culture to other community-engaging activities. So, let’s make your event shine!