Starting up local RE investors group

[Debbie Consalvo]

I wanted to start a local RE investors meet up group in my area and wanted to see if anyone knows of any books or sites that I can do some research on how I would get one started?  

Any advice or help would be appreciated!

[Larry Alexander]

Hey Debbie, I think you have a great idea there. I'd suggest a few things that will help you find success. I ran a meetup group for some time and also started a membership sports club successfully so have a little background :)

People enjoy fellowship with like minded individuals so be sure to build in that personal touch, and go out of your way to welcome new members and introduce new members to others. You may be a natural when it comes to getting to know someone, if not, keep notes to reference: "Hey Dan, this is Marsha. She also manages multi-family units!" The group I'm a member of now passes the mic each meeting where members and visitors introduce themselves and answer a simple thought provoking question. "Who are you and have you ever applied for a HELOC?"

Have a program. Either create a lesson that educates on some aspect of real estate investing or round up somebody who already has a program to share. Free is always best.

Name Tags! Be sure to stick a name tag on everybody, no exceptions. Our group uses color coded name tags. They give me the black one to warn others ;-P

Meetup.com - Create an account and register your group then advertise the heck out of it. Contact builders, handyment, loan officers, realtors, brokers, cpa's, insurance, etc. You get the idea. Even if they aren't interested, they can share your mission. I tell most everybody I come in contact with about the benefits of the group I'm involved with.

Email Alerts - Give your visitors and members the ability to reserve for your meetings and calendar said meeting. Meetup.com can help with this.

I'll let others jump in here with more ideas. Good luck and let me know how you get on.