Starting, Running and Growing a Successful Developer Meetup

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been attending and then helping to run my local Apple developer meetup group. Meetup groups provide great learning opportunities but more importantly they provide great relationship opportunities for its members. In this talk I’ll share the story and lessons learned from running my local CocoaHeads chapter. After a quick review of the benefits and challenges of running a local developer group we’ll jump into actionable items for people starting, growing or running their own group. From defining success, to time expectations, marketing, sponsorship, planning content, tools and more.

This talk is targeted at those who are running or would like to run a local developer meetup. It may also be helpful to those who attend a current group that needs guidance and/or focus.

Transcript

1. STARTING, RUNNING & GROWING A SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPER MEETUP
2. Michael Zornek @zorn
3. December 9, 2010
4. PhillyCocoa
7. “If you care about PhillyCocoa at all - past, present, and future - this is a meeting you really don’t want to miss.”
9. New Leadership
10. 2010 2017 Meeting Format Changes New Website Embrace CocoaHeads Brand Promoting Show and Tell Meetup.com Side Project Saturdays Workshops Apple Store CocoaLove Conference Video Recording Book Club Return to IndyHall More Format Changes
11. STATS * ~220 Active Members (1,100+ on meetup.com) * Monthly MAIN Meeting (35-45) * Monthly Side Project SatURDAY (8-16) * Weekly Book Club (5-10)
12. Build the Campfire
13. Meetups are Great!
15. STARTING GROWING RUNNING
16. STARTING GROWING RUNNING
17. STARTING A MEETUP
18. Attend Meetups
19. Pick a Niche
20. Start a Mailing List / Website
21. Define Success
22. Know Your Time Commitments
23. Finding a Good Venue
24. Be Prepared to Run AV
25. Build and Agenda / Meeting Format
26. Have Lots of Time for Socializing
27. Doing Early Talks Yourself
28. Promote Your Meetup
29. STARTING GROWING RUNNING
30. Finding Speakers
31. Confirm Venue / Speakers
32. Send Out Reminder Email
33. Be Excessive with Directions
34. Collect and Manage RSVPs
35. Order Food
36. Show Up Early
37. Welcome People. Be a Good Host.
38. Follow the Agenda Times
39. Round the Room Introductions
40. Be Consistent
41. STARTING GROWING RUNNING
42. Add to the Leadership
43. Use Meetup.com
44. Other Event Types
45. Alternate Locations
46. Take and Post Photos
49. Sponsorship + Taxes
50. Crossover Meetups
52. Michael Zornek @zorn