Back in January I posted about how small businesses could use Meetup to market themselves. Today I got a reminder in my email via my East Bay SEO Meetup about how creative marketers are using Meetup to get the word out about their businesses. Check this out:
Hi Andrew,
I run a cafe & catering company in San Ramon and just wanted to
share with you and other group organizers that I offer my
dining room as a meetup location 7 days a week for free with
the purchase of food (appetizers or meals).If your are interested in booking, we seat up to 45 guests.
Give me a call.Thank you,
Brianna Slaven
Thyme To Eat Cafe & Catering
2217-f San Ramon Valley Blvd.
San Ramon, ca 94583
925-837-2246
I guess some people might think this is kind of spammy, but I just thought it was kind of smart. I never would have known about Thyme to Eat Cafe otherwise, and now I actually might consider holding an event there.
6 Response Comments
Might also be good for golf course managers to get in touch with professional meetup groups and offer them outing rates.
I like Meet Up – I have used it in the past with some success.
One thing I find about SEO Meet Ups that is rather annoying is the “spider trap” situation – whereby people coming to expect a nice learning session end up getting sold, expensive seo packages from a bunch of salesmen.
This to me is tacky.
I guess that’s one way to do it David. Whenever I run a meetup I typically see it as a social/networking thing and try to provide as much free education as possible to anyone who comes.
David,
That’s a shame that people use Meetups as sales pitches. Our meetup, like Andrew’s, is purely about education, information sharing & networking.
We do, however, sell food sponsorships. Anyone who provides snacks for the group gets a free plug, a brief presentation, or perhaps some business or site advice from our experts.
I don’t know that I 100% agree with you Dave. I have no problem with someone trying to sell me something at a Meetup as long as they were up front about it as their reason for being there. That said, I don’t think they will be too successful if the Meetup is more of a social/networking type thing.
I think it is implied that a Meetup event is for community interest purposes, and not a sales pitch by the organizer.
I suppose if it’s explicitly stated, then fine. But I agree that I don’t think that will work out so well. That’s not what people drawn to Meetups are looking for.