How to start a Meetup in Your Town

WordCamp Wilmington • Sept 24, 2017

(And why you should)

slidesslideshare.net/laurahartwig

Meetup.com brings people together to do, explore, teach and learn the things that help them come alive.

Meetup.com was founded in 2002 AFTER 9/11 with the mission of bringing people together locally

WHo am i?(And why do I think i know

about this?)

Laura hartwig

Wordpress developer

Meetup member - 6 yrs

Meetup organizer - 3 yrs

Grew WordPress Westchester from 300 members to 800 Members in 2 years

Started Columbia WordPress meetup in June 2016 - now over 250 members

WHY YOU SHOULD(start a meetup)

LEARNING

Each month (or however often you choose)

you have a different presenter or get together.

Topics depend on you (beginner thru developer level)

Not only them but you, too.

Networking

Meet people who compliment what you do

● If you’re a developer - find a designer● Find SEO people, security people, video people, etc.

Support

Support ● GROUP EMAILS● POSTING TO MEEUP.COM● NETWORKING● SOCIAL MEDIA

FRIENDS

JOBS

Jobs● Considered an expert● Networking● Resume builder● Take your experience

speaking to other venues

(get them!)

Improve your ability to speak and to organize events

FEEDBACK(POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT)

HOW TO

JOIN MEETUP.COM

Groups pay a small monthly fee.The head organizer of a Meetup pays a subscription

of about $10-15/month, which they can offset via dues, event fees, or contributions from members.

Venue● CO-WORKING SPACES● LIBRARIES● universities● COMMUNITY CENTERS● OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM● Movie theaters

(HOW TO get ONE)

Speakers● Group members● Go to other tech meetups● WordCamps● Google “WordPress” in your town● Local Website design businesses that

use WordPress● Local business owners that use

WordPress for their site (case studies) ● Ask other members to organize

meetups

(HOW TO GET THEM)

Speakers● SPEAK YOURSELF● PARTIES!● Coffee & wp● SHOWCASES● WordPress TV

(WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T GET THEM)

“I won’t speak unless I know everything about a subject”

Speaking is a great way to learn.

(Not!)

The WordPress community is helpful. They want to see you succeed.

SPonsors● LOOK AT THE SPONSORS HERE● Local WordPress businesses● BUSINESSES THAT SPECIALIZE

IN WP LIKE HOSTING SERVICES● CO-WORKING SPACES/Venues● ASK!

(HOW TO GET THEM)

Sponsors can help with not only the meetup fees & venue, but also food, swag & discounts

wordpress.orghttps://make.wordpress.org/community/meetups/

Meetup fees CAN BE COVERED BY WORDPRESS.orgIF YOU ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW THEIR RULES:

● Be interviewed● CAN’T CHARGE● Regular meetups● Try to find free venue

Find their rules here:https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/meetup-program-basics/

Members● MEETUP.COM● PLUG AT OTHER MEETUPS● ASK OTHER MEETUP ORGANIZERS TO

PLUG YOU by sending emails● ADVERTISE ON SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE

FACEBOOK/slack● HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS● ASK MEMBERS TO TELL OTHERS● ASK MEMBERS TO RATE MEETUP● Adhere to best practices

(HOW TO GET THEM)

Best practices

● Announce meetup a month in advance

● Keep a regular schedule (3rd Wed.) ● Have meetups regularly● Post to multiple places like

meetup.com & facebook/slack● Have partners in crime● If you’re not using wordpress.org

to pay fees, charge small amount to make sure people don’t rsvp and then no show

Structure● 6PM - NETWORKING & PIZZA● 6:15PM - INTRO

(THANK SPONSORS) & LIGHTNING ROUND

● 6:30PM - PRESENTATION & qUESTIONS

● 7:15PM - FINAL NETWORKING● 7:30PM - END

(OF THE MEETUP)

Topics● Theme customization

/development● Plugins● promotion/marketing/seo● Advanced basics● Social media integration● Plugin development● Making $$$● Security● WordPress 101

(MOST WANTED)

Other ideas:● Charity Hackathon – WordPress.org has an extensive handbook.

● Coworking/Workalong – have people to talk to when you get stuck.

● Coffee and Code – This easy event can be done in any space where you can get coffee and they

have wifi. People can code projects, ask questions, or learn about making their first commit.

● Brown Bag Sessions – This one is a cross between a lecture and a lunch date. You view a video

from wordpress.tv and Everyone brings their lunch, and then discusses the topic afterward.

● Workshops – For this you will need someone who is comfortable walking through a project. It

can also be helpful to have a few people who are knowledgeable to help out if needed.

Don’t give up

Nepal WordPress MeetupFounded in July 2012

Now has over 540 Members

WordCamp Nepal 2016

Columbia WordPress MeetupFounded June 2016

Now has over 250 members

Thank you! Slides: slideshare.net/laurahartwig

WPDecoder.com @LHartwigDesign #wc_wilmington