How to run a user group
So you founded a local user group and wonder how you can attract and reach out to interested people? Here are some hints on how to get started:
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[edit] Choose your target audience for sending out invitations
- Research local user groups (Linux/BSD/Windows, Perl/PHP/.Net/Java/Ruby). Hint: try a web search for "User Group" and your city name.
- Universities (e.g. Computer Science Students)
- Local associations of SMBs in the IT Industry (most of them have web sites and mailing lists)
- Social Network sites (e.g. FaceBook, LinkedIn or Xing)
- Blogs (e.g. via PlanetMySQL) and MySQL mailing lists/forums
- Also check out Meetup.com for other people interested in a Meetup
[edit] Advance Preparations
- Set up a mailing list for sending out updates and announcements. MySQL provides the infrastrucure for hosting mailing lists for User Groups, please contact the MySQL Community Relations Team about creating one for your group!
- Use one of the following sites for sending out invitations and tracking RSVPs (reservations):
- Set up a meeting schedule that includes a round of introductions and maybe a technical presentation, to give people an idea what they can expect from the meeting
- Choose a location (e.g. a restaurant with a separate room, a meeting room in a company)
[edit] Invitation hints
Once you have gathered your list of potential candidates to invite, send out your invitation.
- Start inviting early and set a deadline for the confirmations (A "No" helps, too!)
- Also post a note to event notification sites like Upcoming.org
- Keep people posted about how many people have registered, eventual changes, etc.
- Shortly before the event, send out a reminder note to all registered participants
[edit] Other resources
- Check Sheeri's "How I have a successful MySQL Meetup Group"
- The Meetup Organizer Center has many helpful hints, too