In this community update, CEO David Siegel will give you an overview of what’s been happening at Meetup, including how Meetup pivoted to adapt to the times, a look back at all that we accomplished in 2020, and what we’re planning for 2021. David will also share details on how the company will continue its commitment to help members and organizers meet their goals in the new year.
Main Takeaways:
- Top eight pivoting principles
- Pivot can’t change mission and values
- Support online pivot with best practices
- Learn to pivot from user behavior
- Minimize pivot risk
- Pivot around Unique Value Prop
- Plan for present but double-down for future
- Leverage data to direct your pivot
- Find new customers & revenue sources
- Upcoming changes
- Marketing initiatives to bring new members to Meetup
- Helping members find your events easier (better discoverability and search filters)
- Better notifications
- More organizer workshops (hosted in the Meetup Live group page)
- Focus on online and in-person hybrid events
- Resources:
- Communities for Black Justice and Equity network – you can learn more about it here
- We launched a new podcast! Keep Connected with Meetup CEO David Siegel
- Free 6 month subscription for college students
Top Q&A Questions:
- Do you feel online events will dry up eventually?
- Online events have so many benefits. It democratizes access. Which is why we’re going to keep it.
I do think people are at a saturation point, I think that is going to evolve and change as people get back together in person.
- Online events have so many benefits. It democratizes access. Which is why we’re going to keep it.
- Are you going to create your own payment technology for events in the future?
- We are not going to create our own technology for payment. That’s not what Meetup’s expertise is as a company. Our expertise is bringing people in and matching the right person to the right event and helping to support organizers and our members in a safe way. But we are integrating with new payment systems. And there’s going to be new ticketing and dues payment infrastructure that will be rolling out very soon.
- Can we as organizers be featured in the podcast?
- Yes! I am desperately looking for amazing stories to have on the podcast and interview and to learn from you!
Please email podcast@meetup.com if you have a great story to share!
- Yes! I am desperately looking for amazing stories to have on the podcast and interview and to learn from you!
- Do you think we will return pre-COVID levels in 2021?
- I expect that Meetup will be substantially larger by the end of 2021 than it was before COVID-19. I expect it to happen, because people have so much awareness, during lockdowns and during social distancing, of the need to get back out and do things. And I also know that organizers like you and members like you are so devoted. I think that when we get back out and we get back out safely, that there’s going to be so many more people that are going to be looking to join groups of growing events. That’s why we’re planning on devoting resources in marketing to drive those people to groups, events, and our platform, to realize the beauty of human connections.
Last modified on June 23, 2021
