Event Listings: How to Make the Most of Them

Submitting your market events to digital calendars is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase your visibility, especially during the winter season. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just getting started, here’s how to make your listings stand out and save time in the process.

Facebook Event Listings

Why Event Listings Matter

✅ Reach people searching for “events near me”
✅ Show up in Google’s event carousel
✅ Build awareness of your market in your region
✅ Attract new shoppers who may not follow you on social media

Where to List Your Events

Start with the essentials and build from there:

Facebook Events (your foundation)
Google Business Profile – Add events to your listing
Local News & Lifestyle Sites (many have free calendars)
Eventbrite
Chambers of Commerce
Town or city websites
Local libraries
Free weekly newspapers (digital and print editions)
Tourism boards or state agriculture sites
EVVNT – Paid option that syndicates your event to dozens of platforms

💡 Try Googling “events near me” or “free events [your town]” to discover local sites that accept submissions.

Key Elements to Include in Your Event Listing

Every effective event listing includes a few core elements to help customers know what, when, and why to attend. Make sure to include:

Event Title: Clear and specific (e.g., “Derry Winter Market | Sunday, Dec 1”)
Date & Time: Include the day of the week to help people plan
Address: Exact location, preferably with town and ZIP code
Key Features:
- Number of vendors or general size of the market
- Categories of products (produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, crafts, etc.)
- Any special activities (kids crafts, demos, workshops)
- Live music or entertainment
- Special services (knife sharpening, SNAP acceptance, voucher programs, etc.)

Choosing the Right Image: Photo or Graphic?

Every event listing needs a visual, and the right one can make someone stop scrolling. You have two great options:

1. Use a Strong Market Photo

Colorful produce, happy shoppers, or a wide shot of your setup work great
Ideal format: 2:1 ratio, at least 2000 x 1000 pixels for best quality
Even if it’s cropped on some sites, it will still look good

2. Create a Simple Event Graphic

Use Canva to design something clean and readable
Keep all important details centered to avoid mobile cropping
Include: Market name, date, time, location, and logo (if applicable)

No Photos Yet?

Use Canva’s stock image library for farmers’ market photos
Ask a vendor if you can use their booth or product photos
Start building a photo folder during the season

Regular vs. Special Event Listings

Choosing between recurring (multi-date) listings and one-time event listings depends on the nature of your event and the platform you’re using.

Regular Markets

If a platform allows you to select multiple dates (e.g., Eventbrite), use it to save time and manage seasonal listings more easily.

Keep your description general:

“Featuring core vendors each week, plus rotating part-time vendors, there’s always something new to discover!”

Special Events

Create separate, individual listings when:

The event is tied to a holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Holiday Markets)
The market features unique activities or seasonal programming (e.g., Kids Day, themed celebrations)
You’re hosting community workshops, cooking demos, or special activities beyond the weekly routine

Use individual listings to highlight time-sensitive details and promote your most exciting offerings.

How to Write an Engaging Event Description

Whether it’s a recurring listing or a one-time event, your description should be warm, clear, and engaging.

For Recurring Listings

Keep it general but inviting:

Include:

Core offerings (produce, eggs, meat, baked goods, crafts, etc.)
Number or variety of vendors
Mention rotating vendors or new offerings
Friendly, consistent tone

Example:

The Derry Winter Farmers Market runs every Sunday from December through March, offering a vibrant mix of local produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, artisan crafts, and prepared foods. With a combination of full-time and rotating vendors, there’s something new to discover every week. Shop fresh, support local, and connect with your community this winter.

For Special Events

Add details that make it feel unique and seasonal:

Include:

Seasonal theme or context
Specific attractions (music, crafts, demos, special guests)
Holiday tie-ins
Family or kid-friendly features
Limited-time vendors or offers

Example:

Celebrate the season with the Derry Winter Holiday Market! On Sunday, December 15, over 30 local vendors will gather with festive baked goods, handcrafted gifts, fresh winter produce, and more. Enjoy live music by Larry Underwood, holiday crafts for kids, and cozy warm drinks while you browse. It’s a perfect way to support local and get into the holiday spirit.

General Writing Tips

Keep paragraphs short and scannable
Use bullet points and emojis when possible
Lead with the most exciting info
Use a warm, community-driven tone
Proofread before you submit

Formatting for Mobile

📱 80%+ of views happen on phones. Format for small screens:
- Short lines, bullets, and emojis
- Avoid big blocks of text
- Prioritize clarity over cleverness

Formatting Hack

Start with your market name, date, time, and location in bullet format. Use emojipedia.org to copy/paste emojis.

Time-Saving Tips

Start with Facebook and repurpose across other sites
Use Canva for consistent, branded graphics
Save reusable templates and a photo library
Set calendar reminders to update event listings each season

Copy & Paste Listing Template

📍 Derry Winter Farmers Market

🗓 Sunday, December 1
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📌 13 Castle Rock Rd, Derry, ME

What to Expect: 🧺 Fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and artisan crafts
🎶 Live music by Larry Underwood (12–2 PM)
🎨 Kids craft: Decorate your own tote bag
🧂 Knife and tool sharpening
💳 SNAP/EBT accepted with matching

Why Shop Local: 🌱 Support local farms and food producers
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Connect with your community
🌍 Lower your carbon footprint
🧡 Enjoy a warm, family-friendly outing

Use AI to Help

AI tools like ChatGPT can write, format, and brainstorm content for your event listings. Just plug in your details and ask for help.

Try These Prompts:

“Write a farmers market listing with 25 vendors and live music.”
“Format this for Facebook with bullet points and emojis.”
“Make this sound fun, warm, and community-focused.”
“Turn this into a press release.”
“Shorten this for Google or Instagram.”

💡 The more detail you give, the better your result.

3 Description Snippets You Can Use

🧡 Warm & Welcoming

Come enjoy a cozy winter outing at the Derry Winter Farmers Market. Each week, you’ll find local produce, fresh baked goods, handmade crafts, and friendly faces. Whether you’re shopping for dinner or just stopping by to say hello, the market is a relaxing way to connect with your neighbors and support the local food system.

🏘️ Community-Focused

The Derry Winter Farmers Market is more than a market—it’s a gathering place. With a diverse selection of local vendors offering everything from fresh produce to artisan goods, it’s a great way to support Maine farms, meet up with friends, and invest in your community. Come be part of something local, sustainable, and meaningful.

🎉 Lively & Enthusiastic

Looking for something fresh, local, and fun? The Derry Winter Farmers Market brings together the best of the season—farm-grown food, handmade goods, live music, and community vibes every Sunday. With new vendors and special features each week, it’s the perfect weekend stop for families, foodies, and everyone in between.

Final Thoughts

Start with Facebook, use your template, and expand from there. Each listing is a chance to connect your community with fresh food and local goodness. You don’t have to do it all at once, just take the next step.

You’ve got this!