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Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve lived in the same place all your life, chances are you don’t know everyone in town. If you do, well then it’s time to get out there and meet new people anyway. Meeting new people may seem fun or scary, but tech can make it easier for you to meet new people.
Meetup is an organization designed to get people together. They want to use the Internet to get people off of the Internet and meeting in person. About 9,000 Meetup groups get together each day, with a total of over 112,000 groups in 129 different countries.
Meetup can help you find people in your area who have common interests with you. Through Meetup you can find Meetup groups that meet regularly for all sorts of activities. In addition to meeting new people, you might find new favorite places. Meetups often occur at interesting local places you might not have discovered otherwise.
Here’s a video showing people’s reactions to attending their first Meetup:
The website is free to join and free of advertising, though Meetup groups may charge dues. If you want to organize meetings, you can become a paid member of Meetup for $12/month.
Ideas for Meetup Groups
Meetup groups get together with all different interests: personal, professional, political, religious, financial, and many others. Meetup allows groups based on any interest except those based on hate or crime.
You may find a group based on your stage in life – moms, dads, singles, newly divorced, working moms, etc. Or you may find a Meetup group based on activites such as hiking, biking, reading, tech, blogging, photography, fitness, cooking, adventure, movies, gaming, or volunteering.
- Singles in New York City might enjoy Silly Date, a group dedicated to getting fun-loving single people together to let loose and release their inner child.
- Theatre goers in London can get together at Up in the cheap seats – enjoying London theatre.
- Philly folks may enjoy Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group Meetups.
- Australian photographers can join Sydney Photo Fun.
- California dog lovers might enjoy the San Diego Golden Retrievers Group.
- Find yourself in Japan? Don’t miss Tokyo Spontaneous Hangout Meetup Group.
- New Jersey Dancers can check out Let’s Dance Jersey.
- Texans can get together at Houston Single Professionals 30’s – 50’s.
You’re bound to find a Meetup group with your interest in your area. If not, you can start one!
Bulletin Boards
Meetup groups often have community bulletin boards where members can post information. Members can post follow-up information after a meeting or helpful hints about a meeting location. Job listings can be posted on Meetup bulletin boards.
Professional Meetups
You can also use Meetup to network. If you’re trying to break into a new field or want to meet people in your profession, try to find a local Meetup group in your area of expertise. Often groups meet monthly so you can start to develop friendships with people in your industry outside your company. Meeting people face-to-face may open up new opportunities for your career.
Getting Started
Getting started with Meetup is easy. You sign up using either Facebook or your email address. You can search for Meetup groups by your geographic location. You can indicate on a sliding scale how far you’re willing to travel to join a Meetup group, from two miles to global (interplanetary Meetups don’t seem to be available yet). If you’re headed out of town on a vacation or business trip, you can look for a Meetup group at your destination.
You can also search for Meetup groups by your areas of interest or by the calendar to find Meetups occurring on a particular date.
When you find a Meetup you’d like to join, click on the link and head to the home page of the group to find out more information. Some groups require you to contact the leader to find out more about the group, others have their information available to all Meetup members.
Find out when and where the next Meetup is being held and RSVP to the event. Show up and introduce yourself. Have fun!
Meetup App
Meetup is mobile as well as a website. Meetup has free apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in the iTunes App Store and for Android devices at Google Play.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to pursue your interests, meet like-minded people, network, and/or discover new friends, check out Meetup and expand your horizons!
Have you ever been to a Meetup? What type of groups would appeal to you? Do you like the idea of meeting new people? Let us know in the Comments section below!
HI Carolyn
This is great information. Meetup – Website, We all are looking for like minded community everywhere and nothing better than meeting in person.
Thanks for sharing this.
Sapna
Hi Sapna, I’m happy you enjoyed this article. I hope you find some fun and interesting Meetups in your area! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Most of the groups near me are in Birmingham. There is one starting locally in Walsall, but only has one member after 4 weeks. I’ll keep an eye on that one, it’s a creative group into brainstorming and ideas. I think the organiser works at the university and so they might meet somewhere sensible. Parking around here is a nightmare.
I took new photos yesterday. It was dark and dismal, but at least the rain stopped. I’ve used those for tomorrow’s blogs. I tried a plug in to reduce the size of them all again and save space and loading times. It turned them all black and white again! I deleted the blog and images, then uploaded again, but had to start again and write a new post. The days are getting longer now and I have new ideas for photos. My pictures in poor light have improved over 2011. Just as well, the light is always poor now.
Hi Mike, The creative brainstorming group would certainly be a good fit for you, with all of your creative talents. By joining the group you could double its size!
You could start a photography group near you, sharing information about photography, cameras and best location shots. You could give them so many pointers about photography and direct them to your blog for awesome editing tips and tricks!
We had a Farmville Meetup group near us a while back but I haven’t seen any notices of it lately.
I look forward to seeing your photos tomorrow, Mike! (*)
Hi Carolyn,
I am looking for the best i-reader for my college student, as I hope to save $ on college text books. Is it correct that the I-pad can use all i-reader formats, such as the Kindle and Nook formats? If this is the case, then the i-Pad (perhaps an older modle) would pay for itself over the course of a few semesters. Please advise!
Best,
Leslie
Hi Leslie, Good news! Your college student has lots of choices for digital tools to help her learn at college. I encourage you to check out my article from August: Tech Tools to Enhance Your Knowledge at College! https://wonderoftech.com/tech-tools-college/ That article reviews three different companies that offer digital textbook options as well as one that offers a tutoring app.
For digital textbooks, your student’s best bet is an iPad. You’re right, it works with iBooks, Kindle, Nook and almost all other formats. The touch screen and multi-color display make it a better choice than getting a Kindle or a Nook.
Yes, you can get an older model iPad, just make sure to get one with at least 32 GB of capacity. The iPad 3 might be the best choice now as it’s less than a year old but not the latest model so can be found at a discount off of its original price.
Hi Carolyn, Meeting like minded people will help us a lot to learn, specially in blogging network. Meetup is a good app to organize, to know and participate meet ups that we like. I think we bloggers need more meet ups.
Hi Hemanth, Excellent point. Blogging can be a very solitary endeavor but fellow bloggers might be living right around the corner and we may not realize it. You may be surprised at how close a blogging Meetup group is. You may be able to find groups for bloggers, WordPress users and for people in your blogging niche. I hope you find some good groups, Hemanth, and if you don’t, you could always start one! 🙂
Carolyn:
I recently moved from the Northeast to the Southeast and MeetUps have been such a wonderful way to meet local people in a host of different interests. It has been one of my best tools for networking, getting to know the local genre and tremendously helpful on my professional interests. Just this weekend, I traveled 160 miles to go to a MeetUp on Internet Marketing. The tips and friendships garnered from the group was worth every drip of gas to get there.
Hi Anneliz, Wow, you certainly are a big fan of Meetups and I can see why! Your groups seem like a great way to get to know your new area as well as network and form professional connections. Did you use Meetup before you moved or did you discover it after your move?
Thanks so much for letting us know about how you have used Meetup, Anneliz!
Great review of a great system/service.
The Meetup App is wonderful. It shows all coming events for Meetups that you belong to and which ones you are registered to attend. Tap on any event to open a form where you can RSVP. It’s remarkably simple; I just hope they keep it that way 🙂
Gary
Hi Gary, I’m glad you make such good use of Meetup and its app. I like that it can automatically add Meetups to your calendar. Very handy!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience with us, Gary!
You’re right Carolyn, the Meetup App can automatically add events to your calendar when you RSVP.
Yes, if someone gets busy with a lot of Meetups, they will need to make sure to keep their schedule straight!
I will always start with this question for all the new apps and services you are introducing; is this available in Norway? 🙂
I sure hope it is (or that it will be). It was a huge discussion in the media in Norway during Christmas about all the lonely people in Norway, who didn’t have any friends or family to visit during the holiday. Some people have started friends’ groups on Facebook to organize meet ups in their towns, and it seems to be working. But an app like this should be a lot better.
Hi Jens, Great news! Meetup is indeed available in Norway. Just type in your town and search for it. Here’s a link to Meetup groups in Bergen, Norway where I will be visiting next summer: Meetups in Bergen, Norway
I hope this helps people in Norway connect during the long, dark winter there. You’re right, Facebook can be good for getting people together, but often the relationships stay online. In person connections can make a big difference and Meetup can definitely help with that!
I have a good friend who met his wife through a hiking Meetup.
Hi Josh, Very cool! Yes, people can join Meetup groups for singles or they can join groups in their areas of interest and find other single people that way.
Thanks for sharing this great story with us, Josh! 🙂
Sounds cool to me; I can meet up w/ people who want to buy me a beer, huh?
Hey if you find this kind of people, drive some beers to me.
Hi Radu, you may wish to read my answer to Bill, but let’s just say that you will probably find it easy to discover a Meetup where you won’t be thirsty! 😉
Bill, you’re in luck. You can go to beer making and wine tasting Meetups to enjoy libations. I went to a Meetup in November sponsored by a tech recruiting firm that paid for our drinks at a Philly bar. I’m fairly certain you could find like-minded folks where you are to share a brew with you! :-bd
As a female I’m skittish about hiking alone. MeetUp helped me discover a group of all female hikers in my area! I’m psyched!! I’ll be off in the mountains this weekend. Thanks, Carolyn!
Hi Whitney, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Excellent point, even if you have friends aplenty, you may still need to find someone who shares a particular interest with you. Meetup can help connect you with other people who share these interests and can help you find new trails.
Happy hiking, Whitney! 🙂
Hi,
Great stuff Carolyn. I have seen pretty much a meetup for any and everything you can think of. Even WordPress Meetups..lol…But honestly, it’s a great way to meet new people and network. And they are doing all the hard work and setting it up, all you have to do is show up!!!
Hi Justin, Excellent point. Group leaders generally really care about the group and work hard to make Meetups fun for all. We only need to show up and have fun!
I hope you find some amazing Meetups in your area, Justin! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Looks interesting. Communication is very important these days and offers lot many chances to learn and share things. it may be for fun or for some useful educative info. Believe meetup would help who wish to closely follow the community. Thanks for the post.
Hi Manickam, Excellent point. We can learn from Meetups in addition to socializing. Some Meetups have formal programs while other Meetups are more informal. Whatever works for you, right?
I hope you find some fun and informative Meetups near you, Manickam. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Meetups are great. I’ve met a few times with a Boston Terrier group. Fun to meet people who love the same kind of dog. Thanks for sharing. The hiking groups and outdoor activities are always fun.
Hi Cathy, So great to see you back here at The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad that you have been able to meet other Boston Terrier owners using Meetup. Your dog probably enjoys it too! You’re right, getting outside in the fresh air and being active is a benefit in addition to meeting other people.
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know your experience with Meetup. These comments about Meetup really help readers learn about the organization and get ideas on groups to join! 🙂
I’m registered with MeetUp Carolyn and have been for a number of years. I’ve actually attended several meetings of event that were created a couple years ago actually. We met once a month for almost two years straight and then the person who hosted that meetup moved.
I haven’t found another one similar to it that I care to be a part of. I have attended a few more functions but not on a regular basis.
They are a great way to connect with others and possibly meet some new friends. I’m not surprised that there is now an app available for easier access.
Thanks for always sharing the newest stuff with us.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, That’s great that you were part of such an active Meetup group though it’s a shame that the group’s leader moved away. Your right, the mix of people has to be right for you to see them on a regular basis.
I hope you find another group you like as much as the last group, Adrienne!
Hi Carolyn,
Folks from everywhere? 😉 Gotta check out for my country though.
I like meeting new people dear 🙂 But as I mostly online, I find online connections are much more reliable and end up being friends 🙂 I don’t say face-to-face is bad, but I’m always face-to-monitor 😉 lol… However it’s a great way to find people with common interests such as climbing, hiking or so as they can get together to do those stuff.
Once I’ve heard of MeetUp but really didn’t wanna give it a try as I find I’m lack of time for such dear. Well, I gotta check for my country and let’s see how much I will be like it. Did you find folks in your area too dear? 🙂
Cheers…
Hi Mayura, I hope you are able to find Meetup groups in your area. If not, you could try starting one!
Yes, I attended a tech meetup at the end of last year that was a lot of fun. I met a fellow tech journalist who lives in Philadelphia which was fantastic.
Sounds interesting Carolyn. Maybe we should start a blogging meetup group and see how many really will be interested in that..you never know, the blogger whom you interact everday might actually live right across the street 🙂
Good find and thanks for sharing.
Hi Praveen, Great idea. I have seen loads of blogging groups around the world, some with special niches such as WordPress or Blogger. I hope you find one near you, Praveen. If not, you should start one!
I feel like meetups are HUGE in the real estate industry.
Hi Robert, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! That is great to know. I can see why Meetups would be very useful for those in real estate. Sharing information face-to-face with others in real estate could lead to a lot more deals being done.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us here, Robert!
Wow! this can increase more interaction with like minded people in our own area.
that`s awesome, bring all the time over internet can really make us dead, this can be bit refresher.
Already there are few meetup groups on my area. Thanks Carolyn! going to meet few new people. 🙂
~@Khajamoin1
Hi Khaja, That’s great you found Meetup groups in your area! I hope you enjoy the people and the activities.
You’re right, if your job is in front of a computer all day, then it’s especially important to make the effort to get out there and enjoy life!
Have fun at your Meetup, Khaja!