starting my own REI club in my town????

Question

Any suggestions that may be helpful to get one started..........so I can get this darn whole sale off  to a start and get some of my money back from the FLIP or FLOP class I took! LOL!!

Brie Schmidt · Answer

@Barbara Long -  I didn't start our meetup group but I now organize and market it and our list has quadrupled.  I found when we set a specific day of the month (we do third Tuesdays) people could plan around it all the time and our attendance grew.  I also post it on BP in the http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-events-and...

section.  I do market it on Meetup.com which costs $15 a month and that brings in other people.

For the actual event we get about 50-60 people.  We choose to do a 3 hour networking event since we have a lot of attendees from all areas of REI and experience levels.  So we don't have speakers or promoters and that has worked well for us.  The other organizer and I do not advertise ourselves or sell anything at the events, nor do we promote any specific person or product.  The first 30 minutes is networking, then we each go around the room and tell everyone what we do and what we are looking for, and then the rest of the night is networking.

Doug Merriott · Answer

@Barbara Long Best of luck on your REIA, here are a few key tips from my experience:

1. Come from a place of contribution, the meeting is most successful when it is about people coming together to learn and grow

2. Do not use BP or Bigger Pockets in advertising your group. Just because you are a member does not mean you are affiliated with them and they do not want to be held liable for things you or your attendees may do or say.

3. An open format has worked very well for me. Encourage attendees to openly discuss their REI issues, hurdles and success.

4. Consider becoming a Pro or Plus BP member so that you can put an post in the Marketplace section to announce your upcoming meeting.

5. Use Meetup.com to post your meeting as well, with good keyword descriptions. This will hopefully bring in interested and excited people that will form the lifeblood of your group.

6. Remember Rule Number 1. The leader has to be an example for the meeting.

The core of my group tends to be BP members but often we have people from Meetup and even people that wander in after seeing us on the library calendar. Some meetings we have 20, others 3. Don't be discouraged by low attendance, just know that you are doing service to your investing community.

Josh Caldwell · Answer

Barbara

I run the REIA in Pittsburgh, how would you like to be a sattelite?  My club already functions, and we have a lot of resources.  You could hold meetings in your town and go from there.

Josh

Barbara Long · Answer

keys sticking on lap top.yikes ...sorry  :/

Barbara Long · Answer

Thanks Everyone! Actually I own 2 hi end  beauty salons . the one salon is more of a spa and has a really  nice atmosphere and plenty of seating & tables. I think I may start there first since it is local and centered nicely between the two towns that I am in. I totally understand the legalities of BP and this will be on my own terms and responsblility. Thanks for all your help! Im going to start PR  the begging of next week. I can't see why this is any different than the open houses I hold for blow drying classes and such....:)

Barbara Long · Answer

Thanks @Dave Bingham  love it!  Pittsburgh is the closest one to me which is 3 hours away. I def have to start one in Martinsburg Pa . I've get to get this thing on the road and STAT!

Dave Bingham · Answer

@Barbara Long

Hi Barbara. I'd recommend doing what @Mark Brogan friend did. I did the same thing and have met a lot of quality people on our first meeting. We have another scheduled for the end of February due to the first meeting's success. I reached out to @Doug Merriott and he helped me out with the format. He has had his own for some time now and was gracious enough to let me know about how he conducts his meetings. I'd suggest going to other local REIA's to get a feel for how you'd like to do yours. Then just reach out to others on BP that are local to you. I did mine at my house as I have some space for these types of meetings but you can check with local community centers or restaurants if you're lacking a meeting spot. (This also gives you an opportunity to meet a manager/owner of an establishment and talk about what you do!)

If you want any specific tips or if there is any other way I can assist you please pm me and I will be happy to help you out. Have a spectacular day Barbara!

Barbara Long · Answer

@Mark Brogan undefined- comment at top- forgot how to use the @!

Barbara Long · Answer

Thanks! A little scary to do this on my own. But I have to do something..I've been sitting way too long and not getting bites. I have properties waving at me like ((Hello)) get me and find me someone! LOL!

starting my own REI club in my town????

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