Create an Event Listing
It can feel counterintuitive to narrow your audience, but in practice, it often does the opposite. It removes barriers.
Create a Gathering that Stands Out
Adding your gathering to Gather is simple, but ensuring the right people find it takes a little more thought. This guide will help you make the most of your listing so it reaches the right people and importantly, help them feel comfortable attending.
If you’re still shaping your idea, you may want to start with our guide on how to start a gathering.
Name Your Gathering Clearly
The title of your gathering is often the first thing people see. It should quickly tell them what the gathering is, who it’s for and why it might interest them. As a guide, aim for fewer than eight words. Shorter titles are easier to scan, especially on mobile, and tend to have a higher click-through rate.
What works well:
- “Beginner Yoga in the Park”
- “Men’s Wellbeing Walk”
- “Creative Writing for Beginners”
What to avoid:
- Vague or overly long titles
- Internal or branded language unlikely to be searched
- Titles that rely on the description to make sense
A simple formula to follow: activity + who it’s for + (optional) location or benefit. For example, “Women’s Sunrise Swim Group” or “Free Community Gardening Session”.
Clarity always wins over cleverness. If someone can understand your gathering at a glance, you’re on the right track.
Start with Purpose, Not Logistics
We always lead with purpose, because it helps people quickly understand what they’ll gain and whether they’ll feel comfortable showing up. The filters take care of the practical details like time and location, so your description can focus on what really matters.
Instead of simply saying, “A weekly walk every Thursday at 9am”, try: “A relaxed weekly walk for men looking to improve their mental wellbeing through conversation, fresh air and shared experience.”
It doesn’t need to be long. Just clear and human.
Need help writing your purpose? Use this prompt in an AI writing tool:
“Help me describe the purpose of a [event/gathering/course/meetup] I’m hosting. It is for [who it’s for], and the main idea is [what will happen / why it matters]. I want the tone to be [warm/relaxed/energetic/creative/etc.]. Write it in one or two clear, friendly sentences, of no more than 100 words.”
Use Filters to Help People Find You
Filters are important as they are one of the main ways people discover gatherings. Every filter you complete increases the chances of your event appearing in the right searches. Think of them as signals that help match your gathering with the right people.
Examples of helpful filters:
- Who it’s for: families, beginners, over 50s, LGBTQ+
- Accessibility: step-free access, quiet or sensory-friendly
- Environment: indoor, outdoor
- Cost: free, donation, paid
- Format: one-off, recurring
Reaching the Right People (Not Everyone)
It can feel counterintuitive to narrow your audience, but in practice, it often does the opposite. It removes barriers. Our research shows that people are more likely to attend when they feel something has been created with them in mind.
Examples include:
- a men’s mental health walk
- a perimenopause support circle
- a beginner-only running group
- a boys-only ballet class
This is less about exclusion and more about belonging. When people can see clearly that something is for them, they’re more likely to take that first step.
Choose Your Words Carefully (Keywords Matter)
The words you use in your title and description help people find your gathering, both on Gather and through search engines. Think about what someone might type when looking for a gathering like yours.
You don’t need to overthink it. Plain, natural language always works best. Just describe your gathering as someone would search for it. Make it easy to say yes!
Clarity Builds Confidence
Once someone finds your gathering, they’re asking one simple question…Can I see myself there?
You can help answer that by sharing a little more about what to expect:
- What it’s like when people arrive
- Whether people can come alone (or bring dogs or children, for example)
- The general pace or atmosphere
- Anything they might need to bring
The more clarity you give, the more confident people feel attending - and the more likely they are to keep coming back.
Why We Ask You to Choose Interests
When you add your gathering, you’ll be asked to choose an interest category. There’s more about how to choose the right one for your event here.
You’ll also need to select a few options from a list of interests, and this plays an important role. We use these interests to create tailored, personalised newsletters for subscribers, based on what they’ve told us. This means your gathering can be shared directly with people who are far more likely to be interested and attend.
To keep these recommendations relevant, we limit the number of interests you can select.
This helps ensure that:
- Subscribers receive content that genuinely matches their interests
- Your gathering reaches a more engaged and appropriate audience
- The overall experience stays focused and meaningful
Remember…
You don’t need to appeal to everyone. You just need to reach the people who will feel at home in what you’ve created.
Ready to create your gathering?
FAQs
Why is the purpose of my event so important?
Your purpose helps people quickly understand what they’ll gain and whether the gathering is right for them. It’s often the deciding factor in whether someone attends.
Do I need to fill in all the filters?
You don’t have to, but it’s strongly recommended. Filters help your event appear in relevant searches and make it easier for the right people to find you.
Will adding age or gender make my event feel exclusive?
Not necessarily. When used thoughtfully, these filters can help people feel more comfortable attending. They signal that the space has been created with them in mind.
How do I choose the right keywords for my event?
Think about what someone would type into a search bar. Use clear, simple phrases that describe the activity, who it’s for and what people will gain.
Can I update my event after publishing?
Yes. You can edit your listing at any time through your organiser dashboard.