We make it easy for local businesses, venues, individuals and organisers to share their events with thousands of people across Hull & East Yorkshire. But if you want your event to stand out, get clicks, and maybe even get picked for our social media or newsletter, there are a few simple things you can do to give it the best chance.
Here’s how to advertise your event the right way on Hull What’s On:
Write a clear, simple event title
Your title is the first thing people see, so make it count. Keep it short and clear. Include what the event is and where, if it’s not obvious from the context. Avoid long, fluffy phrases or shouting in all caps.
Good example:
✅ Outdoor cinema: The Greatest Showman at East Park
Not so good:
❌ Come Join Us For a Magical Night Under the Stars Featuring Everyone’s Favourite Musical Film!
Write a helpful event description
Your description should quickly answer the key questions:
- What is the event?
- When is it happening? (date and time)
- Where is it?
- Who is it for? (families, adults only, pet-friendly?)
- How do people book or get more info?
Avoid copying and pasting poster text. Keep it informative, friendly, and easy to scan.
Use the right image
We prioritise events with strong, high-quality images. The best photos are:
- Clear and bright
- 4:3 ratio (ideal for web and app display)
- Text-free – no posters or flyers
- Relevant to the event: people enjoying a similar night, venue atmosphere, or an eye-catching visual
If your image is clean and compelling, you’re much more likely to be featured on our social media and newsletter.
Submit early to get seen
Our weekly newsletter goes out every Tuesday to over 11,000 subscribers, and the content is chosen on Monday. We prioritise events happening that week or the following week.
But that’s not the only opportunity – our team also selects events daily for our afternoon social media features, so even if you miss the newsletter, your event could still be picked if it looks good and is coming up soon.
The earlier you submit, the more chance you have to be featured.
Want more guaranteed visibility?
Free listings are great, but if you want to guarantee reach, you can upgrade to a Featured Listing or a guaranteed Social Post. This gives you:
- Priority placement on the website and app
- Up to 15,000+ views
- The option to include a social post or newsletter feature
- No ads, and a more engaging visual layout
Final thought
Want your event to stand out and reach the people who are actually looking for things to do in Hull? Follow these tips, and when you’re ready, head to your Advertiser Dashboard to upload your next listing.
Need help or want to upgrade your listing? Email us at kate@hullwhatson.com and we’ll guide you through the best option.
