We are all aware of the importance of networking, whether online or in person. Connecting with others is easier than ever with the growth of social media and many people find their own community online. The time may come when you want to meet up in person with the bloggers you know virtually. You may also want to extend the invite to other people who share the same interest.
Whether you want to meet up with people you already know online or reach out to other local bloggers, here are six tips for planning a local blog meet up covering everything from virtual invitations to deciding on a venue.
Plan Dates Well in Advance
Being well organized is key to arranging any event and a local blog meet up is no exception. If you are planning a small gathering, it is worth checking dates to find out when everyone is available before going any further. For larger events, prioritize key people who are integral to the event being a success – these might be influencers, businesses, or sponsors – and choose the most suitable date based on their availability. Give plenty of notice of the event, especially if it is on a weekend or during holiday season, to make sure people can save the date.
Decide on a Venue
Finding the perfect venue for your blog meetup can be tricky – there is so much to consider. Firstly, decide if you are looking for somewhere free or if you are willing to pay for a room. Is the event a small, informal gathering or a conference? These two factors – cost and size – will be major factors in deciding on the best space for your meetup. If it is a small, free event, consider meeting in a park or coffee shop. Depending on the time of your meetup, some cafes might close to other customers if you can guarantee to spend a certain amount. Make sure your venue is easy to access by both public transport and car, and that there is sufficient parking nearby. You don’t want people pulling out of coming because it is difficult to get to. Make sure to always meet in a public place for everyone’s safety and always tell someone where you are going.
Send Invites
Once you have a date and a venue, it is time to send out invites. Even if your meetup is a relaxed affair, you will find that sending invites is the best way to get people to commit to the event, so to have an idea of numbers, request that they RSVP. Sending virtual invitations with a service like Greenvelope is an affordable, simple way to let people know about your meetup and has the advantage of being better for the environment too. Plus, Greenvelope makes it easy to track replies. Win-win!
Food, Drink, and Other Prep
Whether you are providing food or drink or giving people the opportunity to bring or buy their own, you will want to make sure refreshments are on offer. It is up to you to decide which option will best suit your event but remember that if you are providing food remember to check for any allergies or dietary requirements. Consider making sticky name labels for everyone to wear and if people have ordered food, it can be useful to have a list of everyone’s orders. Think of any other ways you can plan – it pays to be prepared.
Setting Up
When the day of your event arrives, give yourself plenty of time – you don’t want to be rushing. Ensure you have everything you need, including any travel tickets, and set off well in advance of when you need to just in case there are any delays. When you arrive at the venue, make sure everything is safe and as you expected, and if you are setting up any seating or food yourself take your time doing it so you don’t get hot and flustered. Call on the help of staff at the venue or any co-hosts so you don’t need to do it all alone.
Introductions
When people start arriving, be welcoming and make sure they are comfortable. Introduce yourself and give them their name label. When everyone has arrived, it can be a good idea to do icebreaker games in a group as a fun way to get people talking and make sure everyone knows at least some of the other guests.
Have Fun
Whatever your plans for the meet up, try to relax and enjoy yourself. If you have planned a talk or any activities, be calm and collected and remember that everyone else is there for the same reason – to have fun and get to know each other. Once the arduous work is done, it is time to mingle, knowing you’ve done all you can to ensure the meetup is a success.
Enjoy!
