One shot wonders at Meetups

[MixedUpChick]

What advantage is there to having an accurate representation of how big the group is?

 

None for me (although see my very last paragraph below), I was only responding to the person who mentioned wanting to join groups of a certain size (based on the number of members). Our group has ~500 members, but less than 100 who actually attend events. In this case, if a person joined our group based on our group size it would be meaningless. Total membership has nothing to do with how active the group is, what kind of events they have, how many people actually attend events, etc. That was my point.

 

So say you have an event. Would you rather that 20 out of 100 turn up, or 20 out of 2000?

Either way you've got 20 people at the event so what's the difference?

 

If 100 or 2000 people RSVP'd that they were coming & only 20 turned up, I'd be Other than that, I'd be happy that 20 turned up.

 

I join them based on interest but I know they are often listed according to size. I understand why no-shows are a nuisance but if you want to keep attracting new members I think getting rid of inactive ones is a mistake because of your listing.

 

Emilia I don't understand what you're saying? Feel free to PM me since this is somewhat off-topic from the original subject. Or not. Overall it's kind of a boring thing to talk about

 

Also as far as getting rid of inactive members: Meetup recently sent out a survey to organizers asking about various things they may or may not implement in the future, in terms of the fees/group size/etc. If they decide to make the changes they had in the survey (which I REALLY hope they don't do), it will mean I'll have to make even bigger cuts to my group's membership, or I'll need to start charging my members to be in the group. I'm not a fan of either, but it may be what's coming.

[irc333]

This is interesting. This new Meetup that wasjust started, VERY local, I'm being asked to attend an Organizers meeting. (Where they get organizers together to pitch ideas for events)

 

This guy, after an event last night, posts his "idea" publicly in the comments section.

 

Saying how we should all have a "date" night and mark the single people somehow (with am armband) to differentiate who is single and who is not and have a "Singles Night" (This group is labeled a "Professionals" social club).

[irc333]

None for me (although see my very last paragraph below), I was only responding to the person who mentioned wanting to join groups of a certain size (based on the number of members). Our group has ~500 members, but less than 100 who actually attend events. In this case, if a person joined our group based on our group size it would be meaningless. Total membership has nothing to do with how active the group is, what kind of events they have, how many people actually attend events, etc. That was my point.

 

 

 

If 100 or 2000 people RSVP'd that they were coming & only 20 turned up, I'd be Other than that, I'd be happy that 20 turned up.

 

 

 

Emilia I don't understand what you're saying? Feel free to PM me since this is somewhat off-topic from the original subject. Or not. Overall it's kind of a boring thing to talk about

 

Also as far as getting rid of inactive members: Meetup recently sent out a survey to organizers asking about various things they may or may not implement in the future, in terms of the fees/group size/etc. If they decide to make the changes they had in the survey (which I REALLY hope they don't do), it will mean I'll have to make even bigger cuts to my group's membership, or I'll need to start charging my members to be in the group. I'm not a fan of either, but it may be what's coming.

 

 

Actually, some former Meetups went the way of Facebook to avoid fees charged by Meetup.com. Facebook wound up turning out to be a better alternative for some....after years of being on Meetup of course.

 

I recall falling up with a lady I had met at a brand new Meetup....organizers first time doing this. Had a decent turn out, and I was chatting with the lady in front of me. SHe had lived in my area for years and I looked at her profile and she's been a member of Meetup since 2009.

 

While we were talking, she said most of the Meetups are in the larger, neighboring city an hour away and she doesn't want to have to drive all that far. Ironically, I've been doing that very thing (commuting) for years because there's simply nothing going where I live.

 

Through out talks though shes been on the site for years, she just hadn't done much with it.

 

Later on, a few days after I got home, I had emailed her through the Meetup site and asked her if she was going to the next event.

 

She said that she doesn't plan on it, and..."to be honest, I really don't check the site routinely nor even get notifications, and if I do, I don't check them...I don't plan on going to the event "xxxx" night, but I'm sure I'm sure it'll be fun. Hope you have a great weekend."

 

So it sounds as if she's a reclusive sort that makes her way out of her house on occasion if it's worth it to her (if an event is within minutes from her), but it makes me wonder why be reclusive when you could be among friends? (or making new ones?)

 

Why join a Meetup if you have no intention of attending events?

 

I guess I have to say, Meetup was pretty much my ONLY means of having met people, but some people I've met have alluded or implied that they don't need Meetup to "get a social life". I'm not sure if that makes me (or others that depend on the site for a social life) pathetic or not? I"m not sure, but it does explain the 1,000 people that join a Meetup but only very few attend events. Thus the reason for "culling".

 

Personally, I think said woman that I had a conversation with should be given the boot considering that she's been a member since '09 and not active, but only when she wants to be.

[Emilia]

Why join a Meetup if you have no intention of attending events?

Because you don't have access to a lot of information until you join. Then you see that the group isn't for you after all. Personally, I delete my membership but many don't bother. Maybe they hope the group will get more interesting or active.

[PegNosePete]

Saying how we should all have a "date" night and mark the single people somehow (with am armband) to differentiate who is single and who is not

Google "traffic light party".

As usual urban dictionary has the best definition

You can use armbands or whatever instead of a dress code.

Edited May 16, 2014 by PegNosePete