HELP WITH GROUP

Andrew you disagree with what I said for a newly created group when you actually have a group that isn´t new and already had momentum. You disagree with something I simply didn´t say

Toni, you had luck or chose a very cool topic that was kind of a niche. Good for you!. That doesn´t always happens. This very same posting was started by somebody who did what you did and it totally failed. My feeling is that doing what you did has much higher chances to fail than waiting and setting up an event for later.

Yes, after 2-3months you lose your period of grace with meetup and you have to start paying...$12-$19 to run your group - wow, is this such a big hazzle?. This is what makes people not to start groups for just a couple of gatherings and that was it

So many people start groups and say let´s see 1 month or 2. Creating events is easy and almost anyone can do it. Creating communities isn´t that easy, that takes time, and you won´t make it in 2 months, even less in your first meeting with your 5 people attending.

I created several groups, and I don´t remember ever having a 1st meetup event with less than 20 people, perhaps there is something right in what I´m recommending to the original poster.

there isn´t a failure-free solution to the attendance problem, but I think what I am suggesting for the first meeting has LOWER chances of failure.

There are a lot of really good, successful Organizers contributing to this thread, and each of them have a different experience with making their groups successful. Nestor's had a lot of success scheduling his first Meetups quite a lot of time in advance, but Lana, Toni and others have had success scheduling Meetups earlier.

So my takeaway from this (and I hope you guys see this as well!), is that there's no 100% right way to start out a Meetup Group. To me Sherry, what's important is that as soon as you felt as though you might not have been getting the response you were looking for, you turned to the community at large for suggestions, and it looks like you got a lot of really great help! This is what Meetup is all about, and it's great to see so many people out there willing to help each other offer their own tips and tricks.

It seems like you're really dedicated to making your group a success. And if you want my opinion, that's the most important ingredient :-)

I think it really depends on what you are wanting from your group.
If it's a singles group, singles like attending things with big numbers (more fish in the sea) :)
If it's dinner, 6 people can make one heck of a fun evening!

I have organized many groups and events for well over 100 members to an event for 3 people. Personally, I like the smaller events (around 20) because then I as well as other members get to spend talking with one another and begin to form real friendships. My main group now is a Friend's group. So again, it depends on what type of community you are hoping to create.

It does take time to create a a sense of community but it can be done with just 3 people.
Word spreads like wildfire.

My equation for a new group.
1. Before Announcement:
Send out personal invites
Write the automatic welcome letter (don't include rules but you can say read our about us page for our policies)
create event 2 weeks out but not dependant on purchasing tickets or costly - maybe a happy hour - so it doesn't matter so much if people no-show.
create some basic policies on About Us
Put zip code closer to the biggest metro area that you will be hosting in. (you can always change it later)
Create Poll for event ideas.
2. Make the events fun - include mixer games when possible
3. Schedule at least 3 events a month - get assistants to help
4. Greet new people via Shout or personal emails
5. Introduce newcomers at events and try to spend some time asking them about themselves and what they would like to get out of their Meetup experience and event ideas.
6. Ask someone to take pics with your camera. Post the next day. (people love seeing smiling faces!)
7. Send out thanks to all who showed up.
8. Most important - Have FUN otherwise, why bother? :)

There are a lot of really good, successful Organizers contributing to this thread, and each of them have a different experience with making their groups successful. Nestor's had a lot of success scheduling his first Meetups quite a lot of time in advance, but Lana, Toni and others have had success scheduling Meetups earlier.

So my takeaway from this (and I hope you guys see this as well!), is that there's no 100% right way to start out a Meetup Group. To me Sherry, what's important is that as soon as you felt as though you might not have been getting the response you were looking for, you turned to the community at large for suggestions, and it looks like you got a lot of really great help! This is what Meetup is all about, and it's great to see so many people out there willing to help each other offer their own tips and tricks.

It seems like you're really dedicated to making your group a success. And if you want my opinion, that's the most important ingredient :-)

Hello Adam,

Yes I have taken everyone's suggestions and ideas. I made quite a few changes on the presentation for the Meetup Group. Everyday I think of something different so I think maybe I jump in too soon with putting the page up but at the same time I took the Meetup recommendation and didn't procrastinate.

I have been working really hard with bringing my ideas to life. We have two Sponsors now and more members have joined.

Everyone has been great with their input and has helped a lot!!!! Thank you.

Sherry

Hi Sherry,

Don't forget, it takes a couple of months for a meetup event to kick off to a good start. It took me 5 months to get a good number of members to attend my events. In NY there are a bunch of women's social groups which makes the competition high. In some cities, and states the competition maybe low which increases the chances of having a meetup group kick off to a good start.

You may find yourself making changes to your group. Organizing a group is a trial and error. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or post messages on the thread!