Tips:recommendations on how to Build a successful meetup group

[Anthony Kondor]

Just started a meetup group and havent created an actual event (date and time) and would like some tips from the biggerpockets family to know how to run a successful meet up group .

[Collin Schwartz]

@Anthony Kondor so for the meetup group I started. We originally did it as a walkthrough of a fourplex that I was remodeling, I posted the "meetup" to private group on facebook. 

From there the meetup has become a more formal/informal event. The event typically takes place on a Wednesday from 6-10pm at a local bar, but we have done other days as well. At first I had a lender come speak about how they underwrite loans, we didnt have a microphone or even really a plan. Now it has become a bit more streamlined. We start with an hour of networking, then 1 hour or less for the presenter (we have begun to time cap presentations as you will lose people after an hour). We encourage questions and dialogue during the presentation to keep everyone engaged. What has also worked well is to encourage people who aren't interested in the presentation to go to one of the side areas to have discussions. This way if people are not interested in Fannie Freddie debt, but want to discuss a wholesale deal they can go off to the side and do so, and will not disrupt the presentation. After the presentation I have done a couple different things:

1. Success stories-  I offer someone in the group to share a success story, I then give them a book I have read recently.

2. 30 secs of a pitch or an ask. Individuals can come up to the mic and say what they have to offer or what they are looking for.

The rest of the meetup is networking.

Make sure you have a sign up sheet. I know have one of my partners run the sign up table as I help keep the flow of the meeting.

To market the meetup: I created a website, advertise on the meetup section of BP, facebook, facebook groups, and send out an email/calendar invite so that it automatically is put unto the individuals calendar.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!