What happens when you start a Meetup Group?

Many Meetup groups are created when a Meetups in the Making member takes the initiative and starts one. When they start a Meetup group, the group pages are created on the site and the person who started it becomes the Organizer. Check out this page to see an example of an existing Meetup group:

The New York City Pug Meetup Group

72 hours after a new Meetup group is started, all the Meetups in the Making members for that topic and area receive an email telling them about the new Meetup group and inviting them to join.

So Meetup.com automatically informs Meetups in the Making members about new Meetup groups. The Organizer can contact them, too. Organizers can send an unlimited number of messages to Meetups in the Making members that share the same topics as their Meetup group. They can also contact and invite Meetups in the Making members in other topics, but in that case, there's a limit of 12 messages per day.

After a new Meetup group is created, the Organizer typically sets up a first event and posts it on the Events section of their group. Meetups in the Making members visit new group's pages, join it, and RSVP for that first event.

First Meetups are usually low key affairs. They're about discussing what everyone wants to do with the new group. When to meet, where to meet, what to do at Meetups, etc.

At that first Meetup, the Organizer is typically judging group member turn out, interest, and such.

If the Organizer is satisfied with the first Meetup, they and their new group members can schedule future Meetups. They can continue with their subscription, keep meeting up, and focus on growing their Meetup group!

If the Organizer isn't satisfied with the first Meetup, they can schedule another and try again. If they don't wish to do that, they can always cancel their subscription and step down from the Organizer position of the group.

We know that starting a new Meetup group involves seeing if people are interested, how interested they are, how many show up, etc, etc. It's something of an experiment. That's why we have a 30-day money back guarantee on the first month of subscription. In other words, a person can:

1. Start a Meetup group, step up into the Organizer role, and pay the subscription


2. Use the group for a month. Contact members. Set up Meetups. Judge group member interest


3. At the end of 30 days, if they decide being an Org isn't right for them, they can contact Meetup Support and get a refund

So if you're thinking of starting a Meetup group, that's the fastest to see if people are truly interested and willing to support it. And the 30-day money back guarantee makes it risk-free.

As for the subscription costs, many Organizers split the fee between their members like a restuarant tab. Some pass the hat and request voluntary contributions. Others require fees to attend events. Other Orgs set up membership dues for their group.

If you want to talk to other real Meetup group Organizers and get it from the horse's mouth, we recommend finding and joining a nearby Organizer Meetup Group.

You can also post a message to the Organizers' Forum and chat with Organizers from all over the world!

And if you ever need help or have any questions, just email Meetup Support at organizer@meetup.com.