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Anyone Run or Participate in Meetup.com ?

by Thomas W
14 replies
For the last two months I have been participating in lots of business networking events to help grow my offline business. Most of the events have came from Do something, Learn something, Share something, Change something - Meetup lot of the events have been hit or miss for me.

It's very different kind of relationship building when you spent 99% of your time meeting and talking to people online only.

Few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take over a large business networking group in my area.

Does anyone have any advice or stories to share about Meetup.com ?
#meetupcom #participate #run
  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Hi

    I haven't actually gone to a meetup.com meeting but I have found several groups around Ottawa that seem active.

    I think that for 'offline' marketing or meeting 'online marketers' in person it would be great.

    I like doing face-to-face social interaction, some online marketers do not. I think meetup.com has great possibilities but I need to overcome my inertia and actually get out to a few groups.

    There is also a wide variety of groups. There are many entrepreneur groups and business oriented groups, but there are also social activity, sports and 'singles' type groups.

    Mahlon
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  • Profile picture of the author Surminga
    I've been to a few in London, UK.

    They are great for finding contacts and inspiration, I also was able to find a part-time job a while back via going to a meetup through meetup.com
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  • Profile picture of the author threezerozero
    meetup.com is pretty good. people can search for groups using the website, but you can also share the info via social media to also get the word out. you can find groups for almost anything and its really easy to start. for networking, its a great resource as long as people show up. sometimes its the same people that show up to the meetings all the time, which isn't bad, but i would rather have new people attending as well. i guess it just depends on how many people get the information.
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  • Profile picture of the author ElmoreMarketing
    I agree with you threezerozero, Meetup.com certainly is a great interface to join like-minded groups and network with people.

    However I have read many instances recently, where the networking takes place rather in discussions online on the site and only few people show up to actual scheduled Meetups.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sphinx
    I use it to collect business card and compile their email into a mailing list, and participate in other networking event too, doing the same thing. So far my list is growing very fast through networking event, but it's a hard work.
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    • Profile picture of the author James Foster
      Originally Posted by Sphinx View Post

      I use it to collect business card and compile their email into a mailing list, and participate in other networking event too, doing the same thing. So far my list is growing very fast through networking event, but it's a hard work.
      Instead of getting a lot of names, and putting people (you probably didn't ask to be on a list) on your list... have you considered getting to know these people? Find out what their actual needs are and actually helping them?
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      • Profile picture of the author CrispWords
        Originally Posted by James Foster View Post

        Instead of getting a lot of names, and putting people (you probably didn't ask to be on a list) on your list... have you considered getting to know these people? Find out what their actual needs are and actually helping them?

        Agreed.

        I have gone to a few Meetup groups in my niche, and I have given as much as I have received. In other words, I have offered valuable information to the attendees, and in turn I have learned more about the problems that they want to overcome.

        Because I have been so open and useful (I have received numerous "thank you" emails from Meetup attendees) I have generated some goodwill, good karma and more than a few customers after the fact (despite not pitching anything at the meetup).

        I think that they can be invaluable with the right approach.

        I hope this helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author Thomas W
      Originally Posted by Sphinx View Post

      I use it to collect business card and compile their email into a mailing list, and participate in other networking event too, doing the same thing. So far my list is growing very fast through networking event, but it's a hard work.

      I have to agree it is hard work. Most of the time it's all about the follow up. It appears that 90% of the time nothing happens after the first time with meeting people.

      One guy told me it's all about repetition. The more they see your face the more they are willing to work with you
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  • Profile picture of the author GrumpyMonkey
    Offline is all about building relationships. Offline businesses do business with people they know, like and trust. Networking is an opportunity to work a room, hand out cards, briefly interact with other local business owners, and set up a future date to get together for an hour and see how you can HELP EACH OTHER. Thats how relationships and trust are developed.

    When I get newsletters from people who have taken my business card, They immediately go into the junk folder and blocked. Just because I met you at a function and we swapped cards, doesnt give you permission to add me to your email list.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author MN Warrior
    Because of a couple of certain groups which I found on that site, I know more about internet marketing than I once did.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas W
    I think most people that participate try to figure how much they can take rather than what they can offer
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  • Profile picture of the author bengirwb
    Quote from Grumpy"

    "Just because I met you at a function and we swapped cards, doesnt give you permission to add me to your email list."

    Just what, pray tell, is the purpose and swapping cards if you don't want to communicate with that person?
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
    I've done a couple of the social/sport groups on meetup.com which were just as large as the business networking groups. As it turns out, I picked up some solid business contacts from those so don't think that the business networking groups are the only viable groups.

    Just be yourself, have fun, dont be pushy, and meet others. Over time you will develop great business leads....meetup.com is an excellent resource.
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  • Profile picture of the author latinkreation
    I am a part of a warrior meetup group here in Los Angeles. I have only met with the group a couple of times though. A lot of great information was shared both times. I have also been to other group meetings and I feel that not only do most of them provide you with great info, but you can meet a variety of interesting people that can help you with whatever it is that you are currently doing.
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