why meetup.com -- with sallie goetsch

Bits and Bytes

BACN www.bacnetwork.com

What Is Meetup.com?• An online tool for offline networking.• “The world's largest network of local

groups.”• “Meetup helps people find others who

share their interest or cause, and form lasting, influential, local community groups that regularly meet face-to-face.”

To Find a Meetup• Go to Meetup.com.

• Enter your Zip Code and the distance you’re willing to travel.

• Choose a meetup type or enter a search term.

There Are All Kinds of Meetups

A Few Local Meetups

Why Join a Meetup?

• To Network• To Learn• To Have Fun

Members 15.92 millionMeetup Groups 142,319Countries 196Monthly Meetups 315,827Monthly RSVPs 2.07 millionMeetups Happening Now 2,890

Start Your Own Meetup

Why Start a Meetup?• Position yourself as a thought leader• Force yourself to become a thought

leader• Meet potential clients and people who

can refer you to them• Meet people you can refer clients to• Give back to the community

East Bay WordPress Meetup

• Started 2009• 853 Members• 10-50 people per

meeting• 62 Meetings• Organizer: Sallie

Goetsch• Format: Intro,

Q&A, Presentation• ≈50% of

presentations by Sallie

Conclusions1.Yes, it’s work. 2.No, I’ve never regretted it.3.We meet the third Sunday of the month

in Oakland, if you want to come.4.BACN has started a Meetup.com site to

attract new members. Feel free to sign up to help welcome them.

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