Understanding Member Listing Potential

1. Photos

The best practice is to load 3-5 photos with your listing via the member portal. They should be of your product or service specifically (not general area photos) and labeled with your business name. No graphic stock, no AI-generated images and no superimposed text, watermark or logo. They must be your photos that you own the rights to use and share.

Next, built on your robust listing presence by sharing additional photos (and different) photos directly with our marketing team for our photo library, so that when the media is calling, or we're curating our next blog or creating our next social post, not only will we think of your business - we will have photos ready to use!

What do we look for in a photo?

• high resolution
• horizontal format
• photo credit
• explicit permission to use the image

It is also helpful to have details about the photo that we can use for captions, such as location, business name, significant people identified or product description.

Send these additional photos to Melanie@EugeneCascadesCoast.org.

2. Events

Our event calendars are consistently the best performing pages on the website. Events are pulled onto additional pages based on categories including sports, dining, arts, entertainment, holidays and more. They are also promoted by community. Events are linked in your account, and display beneath your individual listing when a visitor clicks on the plus sign.

Events we like to promote:

• events that prompt visits to Lane County
• events that enhance a visitor's experience while they are here
• event listings that have a robust and compelling description 

The earlier your event is submitted, the better it is for maximizing search engine discoverability. Also, when we have your event details early, we can promote your event in curated blogs and as highlights in newsletters and media distribution. Submit events via the member portal, and if it is an annual event, all you have to do is update last year's event listing with new dates. (Please note: events may not be accepted if they are submitted within two weeks from the event date.)

Please familiarize yourself our calendar guidelines.

3. Listing Copy & Amenities

The Eugene, Cascades & Coast website is designed around our member listings - they are the building blocks of our content. Not only are listings pulled in directory style on our main pages of lodging, dining, entertainment, shopping, services and transportation; copy links in blogs and on pages will link to your listing. Search engines and Large Language Models (LLMs and AI) also find and read your listing. 

Maximize your listing's impact with a robust copy description that is optimized for search engines, AI and visitors. 

For search engines use key word phrases (ask yourself what your customer would type into Google to look for your product and then make sure to have those words in your description). Include locational words combined with product words. Highlight your most unique and differentiating features first.

For AI and website users provide detailed descriptions that convey the experience offered. Answer possible questions with unique details. What is your niche? Perhaps expand on family features, outside areas, certifications, dog-friendly offerings, brand names, menu items, music genre, setting or services that people want to know about.

Make sure your listing copy includes:

• best known features, popular attributes
• proximity to other locational attractions
• descriptive accessibility details

Most importantly, make sure the listing copy and your amenities, including your hours of operation, are accurate and current. At times you will see we have made edits to the listing copy to help with optimization, but we rely on you to keep the information updated.

Example Listings (click on them):

4. Packages & Promotions

Along with events you can submit bundled thematic lodging or activity packages and limited time giveaways and product highlights built for specific customer groups like UO students, veterans or mothers on Mothers' Day. These are also loaded directly into the member portal, and like events they show up on your member listing under a plus sign.

What we need:

• value-added or bundled packages
• thematic around holidays, seasons or interests
• offers to visitor groups such Duck fans, students, families, seniors or veterans
• a url link with the package or promotion details

Unique and themed packages and promotions may be used as highlights on blogs or on holiday pages.

5. Explore AND Score

While not linked with your member listing, participation in our digital Explore AND Score savings pass is a great way to get your business or product directly in front of visitors.

What deals are best for this program?

• ongoing, one-time or multi-time use coupons
• percentage off
• two-for-one
• buy one-get-one-free
• $ amount off
• free with purchase

There is no additional cost to participate if you are a Travel Lane County member. Apply to participate.