How does one go about starting a user group for the local community?

Question

There are many user groups out there for different technologies/platforms/etc. These groups seem to be very prevalent in the bigger cities. For smaller cities, maybe where the technology companies are scarce, finding a local geek community can be hard to come by. These groups can be a good source for networking, continued learning, etc.

If anybody out there has been a part of starting a user group:

• How did you go about it?
• How have you kept it alive?
• If it failed, what did you learn that you could pass along to anyone else?
• Any other tips for an endeavor?

I wouldn't even know where to begin on this so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Check out meetup.com

I started a game development group in Rochester, NY with it. Not sure how well it will go, but it's a nice starting point.

Answer 2

I started a group called Sussex Geek Dinners, based in the South of England. It's been going for about 3 years or so, sometimes as often as once a month, other times once every 6 months.

Although not a user group as such, I have guest speakers on various subjects, from Inversion of Control containers to Plone to starting out as a podcaster.

I started off with just a few friends and colleagues going out to a restaurant, but more recently I found a venue in Brighton that has free room hire and a free buffet, so no money has to change hands. This is a huge time-saver in organising an event.

So, my tips are:

• Start small, and with people you know
• Publicise the event with upcoming.org, facebook or similar
• Blog about it, and encourage guests to
• Attend other events (if possible) to meet more people to invite
• Try to get local employers or tech suppliers to sponsor an event, or provide a meeting room
• Remind people the day before the event
• Expect at least 30% of the people who say they'll attend to not show up
• Don't be too "professional". Friendly is definitely a better vibe
• Listen to feedback
• Pick a week-night, not a going-out night

Feel free to contact me directly (I'm easy to find with google) if you have any further questions. Good luck!