All Forum Posts by: Doug Merriott

@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. 

Clearwater Countryside Library at 2:00 pm.

SR 590, Clearwater.

@Dave Bingham I am so sorry that I missed the Meetup. I had every intention to go but then work got the best of me with a new property that I am managing. Definitely keep me in mind for the next go round and I hope to see you this Sunday at my Meetup in Clearwater. 

Thanks for the mention Wes!

Best of luck in Denver Jeff, it is beautiful!

I am not an expert on Tampa. I am just going off what I have heard.

Southeast Seminole Heights

Tampa Heights

I have also seen some flips in Carver City, which is not great but borders Westshore/International Plaza area.

@Amanda Sutherlin , I should learn how to read a calendar!!! Tampa REIA is second Thursday of the month, not first Tuesday...

Thank you for the clarification.

@Gina Shields welcome to Bigger Pockets! Don't be a stranger!!! As @Patrick L. mentioned there are a lot of us local folks on BP and we even get together in small groups, search Meetup.com for REIA or real estate investing to find some of the meetings.

It is the same on Amanda mentioned. Feb 3rd at 6-ish. Doubletree in on Rocky Point in Tampa. 

I saw Jimmy last time he was in town. He is a very interesting and entertaining fellow. Taught me quite a bit in just a few short hours. 

@Rob Cee Try to make it to Tampa REIA before the weekend. It is a good group.

I am feeling well enough that I will likely attend. 

Palm Harbor is very nice.