Welcoming Newcomers to your Meetup Group

It's great when a new member joins your Meetup Group! But realize, people can find the prospect of participating in a Meetup group a little daunting. Meeting people through the Internet is different from meeting them in person. That's why it's key for Organizers to make members feel welcomed into their Meetup group.

Welcoming new members gets them to show up to Meetups and become long standing members! It's as easy as sending an email!

Here's how:

1. Send new members a Welcome Email




2. Send new members an Meetup Reminder




3. Personally Welcome new members at your Meetup




4. Encourage your members to Welcome new members at your Meetup




5. Send a Post-Meetup Follow up email

1. Send new members a Welcome Email

When a new member joins a Meetup Group, send them a personalized welcome email. Having an Automated Welcome Message set up to email new members information about your Meetup group is a good idea. But you'll also want to send them a short, personalized email that lets them know there's a real, live person behind the Meetup Group. Just a simple note to let members know who you are and how they can get in touch with you.

Something like this would be perfect:

Hi there Tom!

I want to personally welcome you to the The Jersey City Alpaca Ranchers Meetup Group. I'm Matt, the Organizer - I set up the Meetups for this group. If

you have any questions about our Meetups, or any suggestions about making the Meetup group better, just let me know! You can shoot me a message by clicking the

"Contact Me" link under my photo.

Also be sure to RSVP our next Meetup here (RSVP No if you can't make it!):

http://alpaca.meetup.com/8/calendar/5624407/

Looking forward to meeting you!

Matt

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2. Send new members an Meetup Reminder

If a member has never been to one of your Meetups before, send them a "hope to see you there" email. This helps make the idea of attending a Meetup more inviting.

Here's an example you can use:

Hey Tom,

Just wanted to remind you about our Meetup this Saturday at 1. We'll be meeting in the back room to discuss the different uses for Al Paca fur. I hope

to see you there! If you have any questions about getting there, just let me know!

In addition to telling the new member an idea of what to expect at the event, it lets them know there will be someone friendly waiting there to meet them.

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3. Personally Welcome new members at your Meetup

Just as you welcome new members to your Meetup group, it's important to make newcomers to your actual Meetup feel welcome. Here are some key elements to being a good host:

1. Be on the lookout for newcomers

   With any Meetup, set up table top sign or something else distinctive that makes it easy for members to find you. Also keep an eye out for new members.

   If you see someone wandering around like they're looking for someone, they're probably looking for your Meetup.

2. Approach new members and introduce yourself

   Some people are shy about introducing themselves to new members. So if you see a newcomer to your Meetup, make it a point to actively approach them and introduce yourself. Smile, shake their hand, and welcome them to your Meetup.

3. Introduce newcomers to the rest of your Meetup

   After you've introduced yourself, introduce them to your other Meetup Group members. How best to do this depends on the kind of activities you're at your Meetup. You might try having members sit in a circle and introduce themselves. Maybe an ice breaker would get the ball rolling.

   However you do it, just be sure to help your new member participate with the group. And let them know you're available if they need anything.

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4. Encourage your members to Welcome new members at your Meetup

Encourage existing members to be good hosts, too! Suggest that your members do the same things we recommend you do above:

1. Be on the lookout for newcomers - If your members see someone wandering around, they're probably looking for your Meetup.

2. Approach new members and introduce themselves - If your members spot a newcomer, encourage them to smile, shake their hand, and welcome them to your Meetup group

3. Introduce newcomers to the rest of your Meetup group - Don't forget to encourage members to introduce newcomers to you and all the other members of your Meetup group.

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5. Send a Post-Meetup Follow up email

So you had new people at your Meetup - awesome! The next step is to keep them coming. Send them a friendly post-Meetup email one or two days after the event that thanks them for attending. That encourages members to come for future Meetups

Your email could go something like this:

Hi Tom!

It was great to see you at the Meetup last night. You made some great points at our discussion. I definitely hope to see you again next month!

Matt

Expressing that you noticed them at the event will help new members feel like a real part of your Meetup Group, and that makes them want to come back.

Sending personalized follow-ups is a great way to create active members in your Meetup group.

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