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Promoting Technical Users Groups?

Posted by Cliff on from the more-coverage-than-a-billboard dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "I'm trying to promote a technical user group in my area. We have great sponsorship and have had great speakers. I know my town has a lot of software developers employed, however I'm at a loss as to how to announce and get the word out to them. As a software developer working for a company, how do I get information to you? SPAM? Surely you delete those. Mail? I suspect my ad will never get beyond the mailroom. Should I post in bookstores? Put ads on the radio? Please help!"

2 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. Post to Slashdot of course. by rednip · · Score: 4, Informative
    I've got a great idea, submit your question to Slashdot! Oh, yea. here we are...

    AKA,

    • Travel to your nearest users group and ask around, I'll bet even money that you'll find some people from your area
    • but more importantly get to know that organizer, and find out that they do to be successful.
    • Get to know the local University or College, post in the lunch room perhaps even take a night class.
    • Post to online forums, I hear people get good success from Craig's list.
    • Put a magnetic sign on your car, announcing your group.
    • Get a booth at the local flea market.
    • hang signs where ever you can. Take inspiration from the "loose weight now" signs you see posted on public property. (if it's legal where your at)
    • Go door to door like a Jehovah's witness (ok that's a little over the top).
    • Go to the nearest Scifi convention, and spread the word.
    • Talk to the nearest computer hardware providers, ask them to put up signs, they might even 'sponsor' your group!
    • Meet with as many people as you can muster, even if it's one or two, but do so in a public place like the coffee area of a bookstore, chances are someone will wander by and ask what's going on.
    --
    The force that blew the Big Bang continues to accelerate.
  2. Do it the Internet way.... by jimpop · · Score: 2, Informative

    Join mailinglists for other local groups in the geographical area in which you are interested. For example, if you wanted to launch a technical user group in Atlanta you might announce it to the Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts, the Atlanta Perl Mongers, the Atlanta .NET User Group, or the Atlanta Java User Group. Even though your new group might be unrelated to some other groups, there will undoubtably be members who are interested or know someone else who is interested. If you are concerned about posting to those groups, just contact the respective mailinglist admins to ask their opinion.