Hosting an event in downtown Anacortes? Getting the word out is key! We’ve compiled a list of local media outlets, online calendars, and social media pages where you can share your event to maximize visibility and attendance. If you are short on time, prioritize items with a 💙.
📢 Print & Online News Media
For press coverage, submit press releases at least three weeks in advance to:
- Anacortes American 💙 (Submit Here) – Contact Nic Johnson (njohnson@goanacortes.com)
- Skagit Valley Herald (Submit Here)
- Bellingham Herald (Submit Here)
- Cascadia Daily (Submit Here) – Contact Cocoa Laney (cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com)
- Seattle Times (Submit Here)
- The Clamdigger 💙– Call (360-293-2131) or email info@clamdigger.com
- Salish Current (Submit Here) – Independent news for Skagit, Whatcom & San Juan counties
- Fidalgo Living Magazine – Long lead time required. Contact John Brierly at (360) 708-8690
- La Conner Community News – (Read paper) email newstips@laconnercommunitynews.org
- Skagittalk – Online positive news – Contact submit@skagittalk.com
- AnacortesNow – Online publication – Contact art@anacortesnow.com
- Anacortes Today – Online publication – (Contact Here)
- Maritime Washington Sea and Story – For Maritime Events, submit to mwnha@preservewa.org
- Senior Center Newsletter Community Links: https://www.anacorteswa.gov/556/Senior-Activity-Center
- Newcomers Club Newsletter: Email: lew@usa.net (~200 subscribers)
- Show Chime (Anacortes Music Project) See the zine | Submit Here
📅 Online Event Calendars
List your event on these platforms for additional exposure:
- Anacortes.org 💙 – Submit Here
- Anacortes Creative District 💙– Submit Here
- SVH Local Events – Submit Here
- Seattle Times “The Ticket” – Submit Here
- Cascadia Daily Events – Submit Here
- Visit Skagit Valley – See the calendar here | Submit Here (requires partner account)
- Anacortes School District– See instructions here. https://www.asd103.org/District/1589-Anacortes-Community-Connect.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHufNgCmYB8tfiUDzyeWsfIyDudeNKZQFHVV2nJaf8J1IGjUDlG1ImdsIN1Od_aem_Bt7JQSwM09WWvH-pzG1SGQ
🏛 Chamber of Commerce Calendars
Promote your event through regional chambers:
- Anacortes Chamber – Submit Here
- Visit Bellingham – Submit Here
- Burlington Chamber – Submit Here
- Mount Vernon Chamber – Submit Here
- La Conner Chamber – Submit Here
- Oak Harbor Chamber – Submit Here
- Stanwood Chamber – Submit Here
📲 Social Media Promotion
Engage the community by sharing event details on these platforms:
- Downtown Anacortes Facebook – Email a description and a photo to social@downtownanacortes.org
- Anacortes Community Page 💙– Join & Post (Recommend 2-3 posts leading up to the event)
- “You Know You’re From Anacortes When” – Post Here
- Anacortes “Buy Nothing” Page – Post Here (For free events)
- What’s Up Guemes – Post Here
- Skyline Property Owners Association – Post Here (Send them a post & invite the community downtown)
- Skagit Breaking Music – Post Here
- Skagit Art & Music – Post Here
🖼️Posters
Get folks excited for your event by hanging posters around town:
- Downtown Businesses:💙 Many of the downtown businesses hang posters in their windows or inside their stores. Visit each store on foot to ask to hang a poster
- A good estimate is 50 posters: 20 11 x 17″ posters and 30 8 1/2 x 11″ posters
- Beyond Downtown: Valuable places to post posters outside of downtown:
- Senior Center: 1701 22nd St. Anacortes, WA 98221
- Penguin Coffee: 2119 Commercial Ave. Anacortes, WA 98221
- Thrive Fitness: 1609 R Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221
- Handbills: If you are partnering with a specific store, they may be willing to hand out printed handbills for your event at their register. We’ve found it easiest to print 4 handbills on a standard sized paper that we or our partner can print out as needed
By using these resources, you can ensure your event gets the attention it deserves! Need further assistance? Reach out to social@downtownanacortes.org, and we’ll help spread the word.
See more resources for downtown businesses and building owners.
