What should an event ad contain?
Five things, in this order: what the event is, when it is — day, date and start time — where it is, with the venue's full name and address, how to get in, whether that means free entry, tickets at a counter or a booking link, and a phone number for questions. Anything else is optional. Send us those details in any order, even as a photo of the invitation, and we set them in the paper's format and show you a proof before it prints.
How much does an event ad cost in the newspaper?
Classified text is charged per line, so a plain announcement — event, date, venue, contact — is the cheapest way in. Classified display and full display are charged per sq.cm, so the price follows the size you take, and that is what lets you carry the poster, artist photographs, a sponsor's logo, a border or colour. Both are per insertion, plus 5% GST. The rate finder above shows the real figure for your paper and edition at official rates, lowest-price guaranteed, before you share anything.
Classified or display for an event?
It depends on whether the event needs to be recognised or merely known. A society meeting, a community function or a small exhibition is well served by classified lines. A ticketed concert, a stage show or anything with a poster, a headline artist or a sponsor to credit needs display, because the image is doing half the work. Organisers often take one display insertion when tickets open and classified lines in the days before the date.
How far ahead of the event should the ad run?
Far enough that a reader can still plan to come. For a ticketed show, one insertion when booking opens and another two or three days before the date is a common pattern; for a function or a community event, a single insertion two to four days ahead is usually enough. Avoid the morning of the event itself — by then most readers cannot rearrange the day.
Which edition covers my venue?
An ad runs only in the editions you choose, and each covers specific districts — so an edition two districts away will reach readers who are never going to travel to your venue. Pick the edition that covers the venue's own city, and add a neighbouring one only if you genuinely expect people to travel. Tell us the venue and we confirm the coverage before you pay.
When is the booking deadline?
Most papers have a same-day or next-morning cut-off, so booking before the cut-off gets you into the next day's edition. Display space books out earlier than classified lines, especially around festivals when many events compete for the same pages, so give yourself several days of margin for anything with a poster.
Can you write or translate the ad for me?
Yes — free. Send the details in any language and we draft the wording, trim it to the paper's line limit, translate it into the paper's language and show you a proof before it prints. If you already have poster artwork for a display ad, send that instead and we check it against the paper's size and format rules.
How do I know the ad actually ran?
After publication you can view your ad in that paper's e-paper, or buy a local copy of the edition. You also get a GST invoice for the booking, which matters if the event is being funded by a club, society or sponsor.
How do I pay, and is this genuine?
Book and pay online in minutes — UPI/QR, card, net-banking or NEFT/RTGS via a secure link. releaseMyAd is the INS-accredited online booking platform for 280+ dailies and has booked ads since 2009.
