The local hiking group Weekend Hikers & Beyond uses Meetup to promote its events, grow membership, and get RSVPs.
But Meetup groups are diverse and overwhelming. Getting attention among the many other groups and events relied on word of mouth, SEO keywords, and luck.
As one of the group leaders, I believed we could do better.
To achieve our goals of boosting attendance and consistency, I created a simple strategy.
We continue to host events that people enjoy. Our annual survey and anecdotal evidence says that the best way to get attention is to lead hikes that people crave.
I created a distinct brand look to make our events stand out from others. Hikers have told us that they know to look for our distinctive arch and typography. Over time I removed elements until I discovered its essentials.
I traveled to each popular site and shot photos specifically with title graphics in mind.
With tweaking, the format proved flexible with a variety of photos provided by hike leaders. It also worked with a variety of events including hikes, kayaking, presentations, overnight trips, and announcements.
Results
- A library of more than 50 titles from which hike leaders can pull for their events.
- WH&B receives 10–30 RSVPs within two days of announcing events on Meetup. Other factors, like timing, location, and season, also affect attendance.
- Anecdotally, hikers say they actively look for our style on Meetup.
