3 Ways Your Meetups Save People Money

by Scott

Hello Meetup Organizers!

I love browsing Meetups. I spend hours each week seeing some of the amazing things you're doing... so I can share with everyone what's working.

What's working right now for plenty of Meetups is helping members get through the tough economy.

So, I made a quick video of 3 ways we see Meetups helping people save money.

This video won't win an Oscar, but may give you ideas to make your Meetup Group stronger... during a time when people may need your Meetups more than ever!

Keep sharing your ideas & stories, and keep organizing!

Scott is Chief Organizer and Co-Founder of Meetup.

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Comments

[Stacey]

Is there a way to create and post videos and audios to my meetup sites so I can invite and communicate via these tools?

[Life Coach Ed McDonough]

Scott,

Great job! Thanks for the valuable info!

Ed

[Karen - Pillar of Light]

Thanks, Scott - short and sweet. The vid was valuable, too! ;-)

[Alfredo Zapata]

thank you for the great tips, to help people relax from this non trusting way of socializing but very effective when is done in a community like meetup.com where we can come and be real,honest and ready to associate with people like minded.

[Nava]

love your clip

[Kristina Hughes]

Hey Scott,

Right on target.

Our Meetups are helping actors, performers and other Industry professionals in Entertainment save money.

Our seminars have been a hit. Maybe even more so than just meeting for drinks!

Best,
Kristina
(Organizer of 7 Meetups and member of many)

[Dawid - from the 4:8 people]

Thanks to all friends from the MeetUp HQ
Dawid (the 4:8 Principle - Vancouver, Canada http://www.meetup.com/48Poject/

[Gary McGee]

Thanks Scott.

I can't say enough about Meetups.com - I am always praising and referring people to Meetups website so they can get connected.

When you talk about comparisons, I heard from a friend of mine who spends alot of money on those Just Lunch dating services and I told her, look you can join a group for free, meet people with similar likes and go from there - you are meeting people in a non-datint atmosphere, more natural, etc.

Also, when you speak of pooling, I am an organizer and co-organizer of many groups, and we have developed events and outings where we have blended multiple groups to get a bigger response. With a larger group, more discounts are awarded us at retailers, bowling alleys, etc.

Also, another idea I have been promoting is a discussion board forum for my members to post their wares for sale (i.e. free classifieds for selling things, roommates, etc.) as well as a forum for exchanging/networking their services and products (free advertising for individuals who have their own business, provide services, and sell products).

Thats just a few things we are doing here in S. Florida.

Thanks again and keep up the good work with Meetups.com

Gary McGee
Organizer - Cashflow of Broward
Organizer - Broward Vballers Club
Co-Organizer - Prime Times Social Club
Co-Organizer - The Alliance
Co-Organizer - Wink's Poker and Bowling

[Jennifer M.]

Good to know what's working. Something that my group is offering, to save money and provide value, is seeking free speakers and providing computer/internet demonstrations (pooling our resources). These things seem to really motivate the membership to attend!!

[Daryle Dickens]

So true. Organizing a Meetup has saved me money and also made me money. By offering information for free I've been able to connect with people in my community in ways that have boosted my bottom line. I am a Meetup believer and I am working on organizing my second Meetup to take it even further.

[Patty Hook]

Scott, this is exactly what I do and have been doing with my Single Friends group, and it works great (I have almost 1100 members in less than 2 years). I have always negotiated cheap deals for anyplace we meet, and now regularly have business owners calling asking me to host an Event there...with deep discounts. I also started a Service Directory on our "About Us" page, where all members post what they do and can do for other members. We ALWAYS look there first, for home repairs, dogsitting, any service work, landscaping, even Avon ladies! We take care of our own FIRST...and have thus created our own MICRO-COMMUNITY. Our very active Message Board posts new job openings members find out about as well as pleas from those in need of jobs...and much, much more. It's all this and more which has strengthened and supported us throughout this tough economic time. Thanks for emphasizing this!

[Eileen - from Widow/Widowers Dinner Meet Up]

Scott,

Thanks for the information, the idea and the support! Loved it.

[Rich]

Can Meetup actually help take the lead in helping members to do this? Having it be able to negotiate cost saves, and also find venues, would be a BIG help.

[Yvonne Bisk]

Hi Scott,

I have been the organizer for a business networking group for about 2 1/2 years now and the Meetup site is such a great tool. I have also set up a blog for my members http://www.LIBUSINESSBLOG.COM which gives them an opportunity to communicate specials and offers to the others without spamming them.

Keep doing what you are doing,
Yvonne

[Coach Valj]

Great video, thanks for the tips.

I am actively seeking sponsors as a means of effective, low-cost advertising.

So far I have a few sponsors and it's great!

Val Johnson
Twitter (Coach Valj)
**contact info edited for privacy**

facilitator of 3 great meetups:

http://www.meetup.com/IMAGINEANDBELIEVE/

http://lawofattraction.meetup.com/334/

http://www.meetup.com/Self-Help-Mastermind-Group/

[Toni Armstrong Jr.]

A. Our meetup already has more than 200 members just since we started six months ago.
B. I'd like more info on how we can negotiate prices from meetups or organizers who have tried this. Thanks!

[Philip]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the great video, or what we are calling a Hot Doc entry -lol
I have found that asking members for use of theor condo party room for a pot luck or a games night have been super successful and really not an expensive event, they have even helped to foster the 5 relationships that have now formed out of the membership, these are now going into their 2nd year for most of them and my group has only been around just over 3 yrs.

Cheers,
Philip

[Coach Anne]

Hi Scott ... you are right ... our meet-up groups offer an array of opportunities for anyone out there that is seeking financial stability and freedom ...

and it is the most cost effective marketing program I run!!

thanks for all you all do!! Coach Anne

[Kathryn Gorges]

Thanks Scott! You continue to inspire us to make things happen together as a community ;)

MeetUps are a great way to get people together that have common business interests and form new ventures - great incubator potential for free!

[Stan Goldstein]

Hi Scott

It seems to me that your video was shot with the lens at a wide angel setting & you standing very close to the camera. As a result, when you move back or fourth just a tiny amount your movement is greatly exagerated. Try using the lens at a moderate telephoto setting for a more natural look.

See ya'
Stan
.

[Tammy]

Scott - you're awesome.

Orlando Screenwriters are people making a difference locally & in the world - thanx to meetup!

Our $1 group fee sure beats the cost of full-time school and seminars in Hollywood.

[Erik]

Great tips Scott. Meetups are invaluable. Especially for the unemployed (Just attended LaidOffCamp last week in NYC. The ultimate unemployed Meetup!)

Thanks for your energy and commitment to self-organization.

[mike]

Liked the video the next one please give lucky numbers of the month to bet on the lottery. On a serious note, you should make more video-aid helping hints. It was short and got right to the point, Nice job.

[Debby Fenn]

Hi,
Thanks so much. This was right on mark!
Deb

[Rosanne Rusnock]

Thanks, Scott!
That brief info brought to my attention that we are doing our part to help and to be smart at the same time. Thanks, again.