How to start a Meetup in
Your Town
WordCamp Wilmington • Sept 24, 2017
(And why you should)

slides
slideshare.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.org
https://make.wordpress.org/community/meetups/

Meetup fees CAN BE COVERED BY WORDPRESS.org
IF 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 Meetup
Founded in July 2012
Now has over 540 Members

WordCamp Nepal 2016

Columbia WordPress Meetup
Founded June 2016
Now has over 250 members

Thank you!
Slides: slideshare.net/laurahartwig
WPDecoder.com @LHartwigDesign #wc_wilmington