Using Meetup.com for Networking
Joining Meetup
I’ve been using meetup.com as part of my networking efforts. The site has a lot of really good features. Being able to search by interest, locality (by zip code), distance from that zipcode.
Registering for an account is quick, free and easy and the link to register is here: Register for meetup.com.
My profile can be found here: My meetup.com profile.
For those of you in the Phoenix metro area looking for work I would recommend these groups to join, and . The experience I’ve had with these groups, has been very positive, and I’ve attended several of their events in the north east valley.
Meetup site Features
Calendar Export:
One of the best site features I like is the export to calendar feature. On the main meetup page there is a calendar, and you can export the calendar into various formats, Outlook, iCal, Google, RSS, and Atom. Either All your meetup events, or just the ones you’ve RSVP’d yes or maybe to.
While I haven’t found a way to utilize the RSS feed yet, it is something that can be exported and used in another web page as I have my Networking Calendar feed from a calendar I own.
On individual event pages such as Face Time Friday – East Valley the calendar options are a bit different since it’s an individual event, you have Outlook, iCal, Google and Yahoo!.
Searching for a local meetup group:
The Find Meetup page is where you begin your search, entering your location by zip code, and entering a keyword such as “small business” or “networking” for example.
It will bring up a list of results, once you find a group to join, you can join the group, and more than likely will be prompted with a short questionaire from the group owner which will be part of that groups profile when someone looks at your profile in that group.
Some groups are private and membership will need to be approved by the owner before you’ll be allowed to join.
Group Message boards:
The message boards are individual for each group you’re a member of, and you can choose to ‘track’ the message board where you will recieve notification of new messages in a threaded discussion by email, or not. I watch the message boards for upcomming events, or if someone has a comment or suggestion for an event it can be posted there by the membership of the group.
Facebook Integration:
Another very cool feature I’ve utilized a few times is the facebook integration, when you RSVP Yes or Maybe for an event there is a checkbox to add it to facebook, this will post the event details to your wall and friends feed. This allows me to show my facebook connections that I’ll be attending the event.
The “What’s Happening?” feed
While I haven’t had much of a chance to utilize this feature, or even tune it to my liking, it is a feed showing all activity across all your subscribed meetup groups, when someone joins the group, when a message is posted, an event is added, someone RSVP’s or changes an RSVP for an event they are attending, and activity on your profile, such as someone sends a greeting, tags you in a photo (much like facebook tagging).
Overall thoughts:
I like the design and layout of the meetup site, it is easy to navigate, and finding groups you’re interested in is relatively easy. Depending on your location, there may be more or less meetup groups available.
I’ve found it a useful tool in my job search and networking efforts, as well as just generallly being a social outlet as I belong to a couple of local hiking groups through the meetup site, and hiking is one of my other interests. Even in the other groups, networking comes just from talking and letting someone know what you’re looking for and what you have to offer.
Happy Reading!
-Martin
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