Meetup HQ Blog

Amen! I wish my members would come out more often! I have definitly seen a decline in show-ups in the last few months. We drink wine, we have great conversation, we learn! What a great thing to do when times are tough and to relieve stress!

My group focuses on attending free or nearly free events around Orlando so I have not seen a decline in the number of people attending my events - but an increase! When times get tough one of the best things you can do is be surrounded by friends, laugh, relax, have fun, and get out and do something!

I truly love meetup and have been endorsing it for over 2 years now.
I organize 6 groups myself, so everything stated in the video I resonate deeply with.

Having said that I am still always amazed of how many people are coming for the first time and have never heard of meetup.com. I think it's time for meetup to step up there game in the form of advertising whether it be radio, t.v., print, etc... to get the word out. I'm sure there is money there for an advertising budget, so help us help you. As an organizer I can safely say the rest of us would greatly appreciate the community awareness. It will also give meetup more credibility as a legitimate option for people to spend an evening with a meetup group, rather then simply a place for lonely or single people to attend. Which is the common perception for people who don't take part.

Cheers!
Steve

Most of the events I post for the ladies are sponsored so they're free, and the ladies are privy to free cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and gift giveaways. There are ALWAYS comped events going on in NYC, and if you have the right networking skills, they're easy to get in on. I find in these hard economic times, that our events are filling up really quickly, and our members want to be put on a waiting list!!
Most of all, the ladies are developing stronger relationships with one another & I find that bonding goes on especially when people are stressed because it's conducive to increasing their happiness in tough times!

We will continue to look for inexensive outlets for our moms and kids. We'll keep meeting at each other's homes and local playgrounds. We'll keep our kids happy for meeting our meetup friends and our pocketbooks won't suffer too much.

That was a great message Scott, it's motivating to see your passion behind the rebirth of communities.

We are a closeknit group of Soapmakers who get together to support each other and hone our skills through workshops. Most of our meetings are free because they're held at member's homes. We are now in the process of putting together a Soapmaker's Coop so that the cost of our supplies and shipping will be easier on the pocketbook.

We schedule free events throughout the week and are more than a Cougar/cub social group. We advocate our members networking their businesses and supporting each other in business; sort of "keep it in the family" kind of thing.

With the given economic situation, are you guys willing to drop the rates a little? I am barely getting by. I realize the rates are low as it is, but I am up for renewal next month I believe. I would hate to see my group get crippled by someone else!

Scott - I agree 100%. Since April 2008, our Meetup members have increased by 400% simply because we went from a once-a-month meeting to meeting 5 times a month. Thanks to the bad economy, our group has become a closer, more synergized source of support.

Check us out at http://realestate.meetup.com/910/

Sitting in a city already being severely affected by the current situation have to agree community is important. Just like to reinforce the importance of meetups when people face unemployment and the damage this does to their normal day to day communities. In cities community is less likely to be related to location but rather to activity (largely activity related to work). As unemployment strikes these communities are broken and damaged. Meetups do provide that opportunity for people to break social isolation in activities surrounding a common interest or goal. For us organising meetups it is important that we ensure our meetups are inclusive and supportive as well as providing respite from the anxieties which people are facing in their day to day living situations.

We just launched our Law of Attraction meetup and it is in times like this that we need to get together and focus on creating our destinies. We are surrounded by negative news all day long whether on the radio, internet, or t.v. We need to stop listening to negative messages and surround ourselves with positive people and seek out the good in everything. We can create the change we wish to see in the world as Muhatma Ghandi said. So I urge all organizers to create the change you wish to see in your world and in your community. I believe that if we come together as a community and as a nation we can make this beautiful country and the world a better place.

Loved the message, Scott!

My group has been going strong since January, 2007 and honestly, I haven't seen a decline in attendance...at all! The average attendance at one of our functions is at least 45, if not more. A recent event had over 115. I’m not quite sure what the reason is but when I personally plan an event, I make sure to arrange special discounts just for members of "Extreme" and ensure that management makes that extra effort to make the group feel welcome. As such, my members continue to flock to events and so we keep pondering, planning and posting. Our members are happy and I personally strive to ensure that each person who attends an Extreme event, feels welcome, is introduced to everyone, has a great time and most times, I (or someone else in the group) will even buy them a drink and offer them their seat. After a few times attending one of our events, each member feels comfortable and will start to open up. Then, voila, they have a social life.

I have found that for a few hours at an event, especially during these tough times, our members can count on Extreme to plan a good time that will allow them the freedom to forget about the "real world" if only for a few fleeting hours.

Luckily, in the Orlando area, there are a few successful social groups that do actively plan events that are free. As my members are also part of these groups, that niche has been filled and honestly, it allows me the opportunity to focus on finding that unique event that just might cost $15 - $20. For example, we are having a blow out Halloween Party and the venue has even graciously posted the party in one of the local independent papers, used our theme for the night and posted the drink specials I worked out with the owner. They are even offering all inclusive trips as prizes. Kind of cool! So, they liked the idea and went overboard but my members benefit! Wow! The point is that my members love the vibe of Extreme events and I more importantly, its the camaraderie and friendship that keeps them coming back. Many have told me that that they wouldn't know today where they would be if they hadn't found Extreme.

After nearly two years, it’s hard work but it does make me feel good to be a part of something special and of course, what I receive in return from all my members makes all the effort and love I put into the group, well worth it! Check us out here: http://socialnetwork.meetup.com/446/

Thanks again for your input, Scott and thanks for letting me go on and on! :)

Kimberly

Can we just say right off the bat, we love meetup.com. Thank you for making it so easy for us to plan, organize, and connect. And, thank you for also making improvements to make it work better. Our group takes the day's frustration out on yarn. Knitting and crochet is a great stress reducer for our group members and we have added other activities such as demonstrations where we have knowledgeable group members demo a new technique with extra assistance. We do not charge our members and feel the info and knowledge they bring to the meetup each week is valuable. Plus, we have made new friends and share other cost cutting ideas as well such as coupons, group benefits, etc. So, for us it's been worthwhile for 2+ years now. Thanks Meetup.com!

My Alpharetta Day/Swing Traders Meetup is totally focus on help new and established investor/traders become or enhance their success. We provide tools and information to help our members find profitable trades/investment opportunities with Stocks, Options, Currencies, and Futures. One of our proprietary tools we make available FREE is access to our website http://www.BuySellHoldAdvice.com where we supply daily updated BuySellHoldAdvice for 12,306 stocks and 60 currency pairs (forex). I would be happy to allow other Meetup Organizers focused on help investors and traders to use our tools also. If you check you'll find that Alpharetta Day/Swing Traders Meetup since I took it on four months ago, is growing its membership by 2 to 3 new members a day, we've grown from 138 to 183 with 25% of our members attending our last meetup. Ever investor/trader has been affected by the market turmoil, and is looking to learn to manage the risk and have the courage and conviction to act in the face of opportunities, such as Buy Low and Sell High. I totally agree with you Scott. Let's get busy, and Let's Make Some Money!

I agree: United we stand, divided we fall. Meetup is a great way to unite in commonality. I love sharing the psychology of happiness with our members.

Why condition your happiness on things beyond your control? We teach our members how to experience unconditional happiness DESPITE what's happening with your family or friends or the massive changes occurring in the world. We don't DENY what's going on in the world. We just don't DWELL there. We focus what we CAN do and how to develop optimism and a positive attitude; how to go from victim to victor.

Experiencing more consistent, sustainable happiness is a skill that can be learned and has many positive benefits. It all begins with ourselves, then through us to others, and then to the world. The happiness revolution has begun! We're helping it continue with the help of Meetup.

I love my Meetup Moms! I am truly blessed with a fabulous group of moms who constantly think out of the box when it comes to our meetups and playdates. Our calendar is full of lots of low-cost events.

As you mentioned in the video, the moms in my group will babysit swap to help each other. Many of us cannot afford the extra expense of a gym, so we will meet at the park and take turns watching each others children so we can run or work-out.

We search our newspapers for free local family events.

Sometimes, we will contact local performance schools for a free introductory music class or gym class for our children.

We share Freebies and Internet/local specials on our message board to help cut costs for our families.

Many restaurants in our area offer "Kids Eat Free Tuesday night deals. On occasion, we will organize dinner time playdates to take advantage of these specials.

I *heart* my Meetup!

"To be a man is to be responsible: to be ashamed of miseries you did not cause; to be proud of your comrades' victories; to be aware, when setting one stone, that you are building a world."
Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Thanks a whole heap, Scott, for such an inspiring message!
Our website: http://french.meetup.com/839/

Pepe

Thank you Scott for personally contacting us~! Your meet up's have been a great way to contact new guests and keep in touch and also inform them of what's happening with your great calendar~! I am so glad I started my own meet up it helps me as I have craft and gift fair events all over town here in Las Vegas and I now have vendors coming from Utah, Arizona, Pahrump and more~!Thank you again
Contact me at www.craftandgiftfair.com

Great message, Scott...except for the babysitter comment.

Babysitters are core members of the local "economic village". I believe that cutting back on 'sitters will only accelerate the economic meltdown and the collapse of civilization as we know it.

(I suggest that there are much better examples of cost cutting--like expensive, noisy, restaurants that prosper thanks to meetup.com!)

I'm up in Canada and fortunately we haven't been hit as hard (yet) as those of you in the U.S. Nonetheless, economizing is still important and one of the ways we help each other out in my group is by carpooling. I organize Montreal Hiking for Fun and many group members live in the city with ample public transportation in town but no way to get out into the countryside without renting a car. Those of us with a car apppreciate our passengers who help by sharing the cost (and the company!). In addition, we get to know our fellow hikers chatting in the car while we travel. Consequently, even a first-time member feels part of the whole before we even arrive at the trail! I believe that feeling of inclusiveness is what keeps many of them coming back. I've also found that a lot of my group's members are recent arrivals to Montreal (both Canadians from other provinces & immigrants) without a local support network, so Meetup is invaluable in helping them integrate and feel welcome in a new culture. We all gain from meeting and getting to know other cultures. And although I started this group with the goal simply of finding others to hike with, I've met some wonderful people who've become personal friends. My only complaint: I have to work for a living and don't have the time to organize and lead hikes personally every week! P.S. I fund my meet-up fee by charging each person $1 per outing attended, which I collect at the beginning of the hike.

Our meetup is growing every month. People are hungry for a way to supplement their income without the extra stress.
I enjoy our connection as a group and look forward to building this group into a large community.
Thanks Scott for this video.. It's time to redirect and get to work on growing as a person and entrepreneur.
Please join our meetup NUSSENTIALS NETWORKING

Hi there! Meetup has been so important in recruiting new members to our Business Breakfast! Our radio station, WAY-FM, loves using Meetup - the automatic reminders are helpful, and people love that they can join for FREE! Often after our meetings, people leave energized, as if they've just gotten a shot of B12 in the arm!

These social networks are much more important than some may think. In the important book, "Bowling Alone" by Robert Putnam, you can learn more about the collapse and revival of American Community. Did you know that joining and participating in one group cuts in half your odds of dying next year?

These groups offer a chance for people to connect at a level that is sometimes missing in their lives. Thanks for all you're doing, Meetup Organizers! God's phone number: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

Thanks for the Video Scott. Meetup is definitely an asset to our company and our members.

Our meetup is still growing even through the "recession". Actually, we're getting even bigger events as time goes by because it's a free event that teaches people how to save their tax dollars to build their financial futures in these tough times. We've even got a great team building event once people have attended a few of the public meetup events that supports each other like a big family and makes money all together.

Times are definately tough for everyone. Our country is going through many changes and upheavals.
Our group is actively creating carpools for everyone who lives outside of our meeting area. Those who need ride contributes a little money to the one providing the car/ride. This is working very well and accomplishes 2 very important things:
1. It helps to share gas expenses
2. It helps our Mother Earth to have less cars on the road, creating less need on our resources.
Thanks for this video.
In today's world we definately need to stay aware of how we can help.

This was a real encouraging video. Though times makes short people feel like midgets. I created a SoCal Shorties group and hope more people could sign up and come together to feel tall.

AGREE 600% !!!!!!!!!!

Jean-Baptiste
organizer of the Los Angeles Wine (& Food)Meetup Group :-)

http://wine.meetup.com/409/

From day one the focus of my San Francisco Webeneur Meetup has been to join together as a community to be stronger, smarter and gain from one another. I constantly make sure that this message is clear in everything we do. This simple concept has made the group thrive. And lately as people feel insecure about what is going on my membership has noticeably increased.

Scott, it was good to meet with you too again here in SF. I will be sending you my thoughts that we talked about.

-- Bill Ayers (No, not the social terrorist from the 60's!)

I've started this meetup since July 2008 to organize an Alameda's tennis group to meet new people to play tennis and have a fun and exciting time to get away from the news and politics.

The Action Plan Marketing Meetup was born to bring self-employed people together to grow our businesses. I use elements of the Action Plan Marketing program to kick off each meeting. From there, we share marketing tips, ideas, resources and energy. The group is a safe marketing lab, where members can try things out and learn from each other and get re-energized. I'm revving up my meetup.

We are a growing Community here in Beautiful Asheville NC a vegan raw and Living Meetup. We get together for Potlucks and we find ways to have meetups where we do not have to pay rent such as have a Meetup in a members home of a Place that is free. We use Meetup to help each other find good deals on organic Foods and where to get the Local Grown Organics.

I am also the organizer of Orlando FL Raw Food Friends and this was my first meetup we started having Guest Speakers about Raw and Living Foods Chefs to teach the How to's on Prep. Most of all to keep us up to date on the latest health info and support we need in a very unhealthy World!

Now Meetups for Raw Foods are having Guest Speakers and Spreading the word about Raw and Living Lifestyle all over the USA! meetup has been and still is a Blessing! Chef Naddina

We are a growing Community here in Beautiful Asheville NC a vegan raw and Living Meetup. We get together for Potlucks and we find ways to have meetups where we do not have to pay rent such as have a Meetup in a members home of a Place that is free. We use Meetup to help each other find good deals on organic Foods and where to get the Local Grown Organics.

I am also the organizer of Orlando FL Raw Food Friends and this was my first meetup we started having Guest Speakers about Raw and Living Foods Chefs to teach the How to's on Prep. Most of all to keep us up to date on the latest health info and support we need in a very unhealthy World!

Now Meetups for Raw Foods are having Guest Speakers and Spreading the word about Raw and Living Lifestyle all over the USA! meetup has been and still is a Blessing! Chef Naddina

My meetup helps members save money and cope in tough times by providing a very inexpensive way to express yourself through free-form dance, and to get to know yourself better, release stress, and have fun. It's also a huge money saver for those who enjoy the energy of dance through clubing experiences and are seeking a less expensive and healthier alternative in a non-judgemental environment.

Well said!

Our group is WoW - Wine on Wednesday. Wine education events and wine dinners are very expensive to attend - often $75 and up; what we do is go to a local inexpensive Italian restaurant that is BYOB. We each bring a bottle and we all try everyone else's wines.We started as a once a month meetup, then quickly went to twice a month, and now they want to meet each week. (Me, too!) We fellowship, we drink, we learn, and we have bonded very well - like a microcosm of the world, we have people from all walks of life. It's very fun to look around the table and see something that you have created that brings so much joy and value to the lives of others...

Thanks Meetup.com - love you!

I have 3 groups and I do agree the decline in members participation. But I continue to share my spontaneous time. and I am honor to be part of the MEET up world.