Learn how to use our Content Management System to create an Event Post including adding images and switching on RSVPs as required, then schedule and publish it on your platform.
To create an Event Post, click the Create Event Post shortcut from your Equiem One dashboard. This will open the Event Post creation page.
Alternatively, if you are already in the Content Management System, navigate to the All Content page, click Add New and then click Event Post.
You will then also see the Event Post creation page.
Follow the below guidelines for completing each section of a Event Post
Title
Enter the title of your event. Keep the length to 10 words or less where possible.
Excerpt
Event posts do not have a separate space for an excerpt because the excerpt is not displayed on the front end of the platform. The only time Event posts will display an excerpt is when they are sent as a single-post notification. If you plan to send your event post in this way, treat the first line of text in the Body section as the excerpt. It should summarise the event and be no longer than 150 characters to avoid cutting off mid-sentence when sent as an email.
Body
We recommend splitting body text into three main sections: Introduction, main text, call to action (CTA).
Introduction/excerpt: This should summarise your event in 150 characters or less.
Main text: At a minimum, there should be at least two paragraphs of the main text. This is the who, what, where, when and why.
Call to action: Let the reader know what you want them to do next – RSVP to join, go to a website, consider something, have a nice day.
Formatting the text
You can format the text by using the formatting toolbar:
Linking
The chain icon will allow you to hyperlink a phrase so it navigates to a specific URL or email address. Automatically, hyperlinking will be connected to URL linking. Select Email from the Link Type drop down to direct to an email address.
We recommend clicking Target and choosing New Window for links to open for users in a new tab.
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In addition, the Blue Equiem icon within the formatting toolbar allows you to dynamic link to content within your Platform, including Deals and Polls. After clicking the Equiem icon, enter the title of your post, Store product, event or Building Info post into the search bar and filter by type and site to find the item you wish to link to. Selecting a Poll here will embed the poll within your post.
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Embedding images
To embed an image into the body of the text, you can drag and drop it directly into the field. You will have the option to crop the image, and you can also drag it to other areas in the text.
RSVP and Check-in
To allow users to RSVP to an event, select the Allow Users to RSVP box. You can choose to add an email to receive the RSVP notifications.
Restrict event capacity by selecting the Restrict the Number of Attendees box, followed by including an Attendee Capacity. This will limit the number of users that can RSVP to your event.
If your event has a restricted capacity and is assigned to more than one Site, the capacity restriction will be duplicated per site. For example:
Site A will have a 10 attendee capacity. Site B will also have a 10 attendee capacity.
If your total event capacity is 10, we recommend splitting it between your sites. For example:
Site A will have a 5 attendee capacity. Site B will also have a 5 attendee capacity. In total, 10 attendees will be able to RSVP to the event.
If you wish to check users into your event, you can also select the Allow Users to Check in box. This will allow you to use the check-in app and attendance report to track in-person attendees.
Terms and conditions can also be added to an event, which will require users to accept prior to placing an RSVP.
Date and timezone
Select the start and end date and times and check that the correct timezone is selected.
Repeat event
The repeat function is useful for things like fitness classes or any other event that occurs on a regular basis. You are required to complete the following information.
Note: If you create a recurring event, you will not be able to make this Shareable Content
Location name
This is the name of the location, not the address eg; Foyer, Lobby, Online, Floor 8
Address
Enter the full address in this field – it is located in Google Maps. If you are hosting an online event, we recommend entering your country in here rather than an address.
Other information
This could be the name of a major crossroad or street name where the main entrance is accessed, or a level/area etc. This is an optional field.
Post images
Upload an image to accompany your post. Images must be minimum 900 x 600 pixels (3:2 ratio, width x height). You may add multiple images if required. It is mandatory to add an image to your post. Ensure you have removed the placeholder image by clicking the 3 dots next to the placeholder and pressing Remove.
Make sure the caption (filename) is not displaying by ensuring the ‘Display caption’ option is unticked:
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Content categories
Select one category for your post, which best categorises your content. This will likely be Event.
Related information
Enter a URL to an external website with additional information. This is where you can link away to a ticket site or event organiser information. This is an optional field.
Shareable Content
Tick this box if you would like to generate a shareable content link for this piece of content. This link allows you to share the post with those who are not registered to the platform. It will prompt them to register if they wish to RSVP, read more, comment, like the post etc.
Press Save. You will then need to continue with the following options down the right-hand sidebar.
Sidebar options
When you are happy with the content of your post, continue with the options down the right-hand sidebar.
Event calendar
This calendar lists the event date range of the event, and gives you a quick snapshot of the location name and address. If you need to edit the date range, or add another date, you can do so by selecting the Edit button.
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Note: You can add additional occurrences of an event manually here but you cannot now make the event an automatically repeated event, you will need to do that in the initial creation of the post.
Tags
Add a tag to your content piece to allow for easy navigation and searching within the Content Management System. This is optional so leave this space blank if you do not wish to use a tag.
Feature event
Tick this box if you would like this post to appear in the Featured section on your homepage
Authored by
The author should always be the individual responsible for that site, either a Community Manager or Receptionist, etc. Leave ‘Authored By’ blank for the default Platform author to be added. You can also set a desired author by adding their Equiem account email address into the box.
Assigned to
The Content Management System will automatically assign the post creator to the post, so that they can receive updates when the status changes and any comments are left. Only change this if you need to assign to another team member who you’d like to be responsible for following up on the post.
Publish at (date & time)
This is the date that you are scheduling the content to appear live. A post Published in the future will not appear until that date. A post that is not in Published or Published & Proofed status, will also not appear regardless of publishing date unless it is assigned one of those statuses.
Expire at (date)
This is the date that you are scheduling the content to be unpublished from your platform. When the expiry date of a post is reached, the post will automatically be unpublished and removed from your platform. An expiry date is not mandatory so leave this section blank if you would like the post to remain on your platform.
Note: Event posts will drop off the platform once the date of the event has passed.
Sites
Tick your relevant Site(s) for the post to be published on. If there is only one site displaying here, you will still need to tick the site, otherwise content will not display on the platform.
Comments
Add a comment if you wish to communicate specific information on the post to other parties. Comments do not provide email notifications to other parties unless they are assigned the post. Assign the post to your desired party before commenting.
Tasks
If you need to complete more tasks for your post you can add them as a reminder, or assign them if you are working with a colleague. Tasks are set at a client level so you will need to stick to a pre-registered task. If you need a new task added, ask your Equiem Contact.
History
Here is where you can see all of the changes and amendments that have taken place on this post, such as edits to the text, image changes, changes to publishing dates and times, changes to the status, etc. This history will also indicate whether a post has been created using the Copying function.
Scheduling
Once you have finished your post and completed all required fields, change the status of your post from Draft to one of the following:
Needs Review: Your post will remain unpublished, but make it clear to other users that this post requires review
Published: Your post will be published when the publishing date arrives
Published & Proofed: Your post will be published when the publishing date arrives. This status also makes it clear to other Content Management System users that this post has been reviewed and can be copied.
Copying function
You can Copy a post created in the Content Management System by clicking on the ellipses menu, and selecting Copy. You can then copy this to your desired location by using the drop down search bar.
Please note: you can only copy a post that has been proofed (will be in the Published & Proofed status), or that has Copying Enabled by an Admin.
If you’d like to segment the content to a specific user audience, use the Audience button to choose which segment your content should be shared with. Please see our course on Content Segmentation to find out more about this.
After you have created and published your content, click the ellipses menu and click View Post in Site. This will allow you to preview what your content looks like on the front end of the platform and therefore what your end users will see. We recommend doing this every time to make sure you're happy with how content appears on the platform.
