1.1. The Importance Of Optimizing Your Event Listing

 

It's important to note that not all visitors to an event calendar arrive there directly. Many people discover the calendar after searching in a search engine like Google. Often, the search is general, such as "parades in Poughkeepsie," "craft fairs in Columbia County," or  "pizza festivals in NYS." Just consider how many more visitors your event listing could attract if it appeared on the first page of the search results returns instead of being buried on page twenty or beyond. It could result in hundreds or even thousands of additional visits.

Why is it crucial to optimize your event listing? The answer is straightforward—search engine optimization (SEO) is pivotal in enhancing your event listing's visibility online. By ranking higher in search results, you can attract more viewers to your entire listing, increasing event attendance. Even if users don't click immediately, a higher search engine ranking can make your event more visible and, therefore, more familiar to them. Remember, the higher your ranking in search results, the better, and the long-term benefits of a well-optimized listing are strategic and forward-thinking.

It's essential to submit your event listing early. Search engines need time to find and rank the entry, so the sooner it's up before the event date, the more people will see it. Submitting the listing weeks rather than days in advance or even months ahead is better.

2.1. Title Optimization

Titles are an essential element of your event listing. It's the first thing someone sees on the listing page and in search engine results. Here are some rules for optimizing your title:

Keep the title length to 60 characters or less. Often, more extraordinary lengths will be truncated by the search engine. Here's an example of truncation:
Hudson Valley Sojourner - The Changing Times In The Village ...

Start the title with your most essential information, usually the event name. Round it off with some high-impact language.
Wrong: The Pizza Conservancy Of Poughquag Presents Pizza Fest
Right: Pizza Fest Offers A Fun Day Of Tasting And Fun Activities

Refrain from overstuffing the title with bits of unrelated information.
Wrong: Pizza Fest, March 10, Free, Main Street, Be There!
The title is meant to get people's attention. The event details can be in the general description or in specific fields that most event calendars have, such as date, venue, cost, organizer, etc. 

Important Rules

1. Keep it brief, no more than 60 characters

2. Put the important keywords at the beginning of the title.  

3. Keep it easy to read.  

4. Make it unique.

5. Don't use any keyword more than once in your title.  

2.2. Description Optimization

Optimizing your event description is easy; it just takes a bit of thought and organization. Please remember, this is where the meat of the event goes, and it is your only way to convince a reader to attend. So make it count! Let's build the Pizza Festival description together:

1. Try to keep things short and direct—no rambling on, no dissertations, no rationalizing. The longer the read is the more visitors that will abandon the page.

2. Start with your event name right up front:
Pizza Festival

3. Then add your most captivating/exciting/engaging element next:
Is where you can indulge in some of the best pizza you have ever had.

4. Some event information without over-hype or use of lots of superfluous language:
Hundreds of award-winning pizzaiolos will be on hand, displaying their pizza-making skills.

5. Next, add secondary event elements or activities:
After you have filled up on that great pizza, there's lots more to do. Compete in the Pizza Rolling contest, catch the rides and games on the Pasta Path Midway, get sauced at the Marinara Pub, or take in some live music by Gabija Ciužinys and The Sleepers.

6. This is the place to dole out credit to event organizers, supporters, participants, or artists. However, keep it short, or you will lose viewers. Let's do a few:
Gabija Ciužinys and The Sleepers are a renowned Lithuanian hard punk band that has performed for The President (of Homer's Home Repair) and internationally.
Shmulik Mitzvah's Pork Shop has been invaluable in helping to facilitate the provision of meat products and pizza toppings.

8. A short catchy invitation:
Bring the family out to Stone Mountain Park and enjoy a great festival.

7. If you have an image, be sure it is relevant and relates to the event. Images that are overlayed with large amounts of text need to be fixed. They can be visually challenging to read and confusing.

8. You made it! Now, let's put all of our event description elements together:
Pizza Festival Is where you can indulge in some of the best pizza you have ever had. Hundreds of award-winning pizzaiolos will be on hand, displaying their pizza-making skills. After you have filled up on that great pizza, there's lots more to do. Compete in the Pizza Rolling contest, catch the rides and games on the Pasta Path Midway, get sauced at the Marinara Pub, or take in some live music by Gabija Ciužinys and The Sleepers. Bring the family out to Stone Mountain Park and enjoy a great festival.
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Gabija Ciužinys and The Sleepers are a renowned Lithuanian hard punk band that has performed for The President (of Homer's Home Repair) and internationally.
Shmulik Mitzvah's Pork Shop has been invaluable in helping to facilitate the provision of meat products and pizza toppings.