Friend Update #4: Meetup Groups

May 14th, 2012

Emily

In case you don’t know about Meetup, it’s a website that helps people either organize a community group or find local groups to meet up with. On the Meetup site, you can search by your location and your interests and find local groups of people doing fun activities together.

I joined a Meetup group because I was interested in meeting people outside my small circle of friends, and because I wanted to find writing friends.

I went to my first event recently, which was a sit-and-write workshop. About 25 of us met at a coffee shop, with computers and notebooks handy. We wrote for an hour and a half, then spent time introducing ourselves and reading each others work. It was so nice to have company while I wrote, and refreshing to talk to other writers. After the Meetup, several people went out for a drink to continue the socializing.

This wasn’t the kind of event where I could make fast friends, but I think if I keep going, I will slowly get to know fellow writers. Luckily the group has several different kinds of Meetups each month, so it shouldn’t take long!

I’m planning on joining more Meetup groups, but I don’t want to make the commitment before we leave for Kenya. It will be a priority when we get back though!

In search of Atlanta writer friends.

Here’s why a Meetup group can be a great place to make friends:

1. You meet people with similar interests- In metro areas, there are hundred of Meetup groups, so whether you love your pugs or enjoy outdoor rock climbing, there’s probably a group–or three– for you.

2. You can visit new places/try new things- Most Meetups have at least one event a month, which is a great way to visit new coffee shops, try out whirlyball or find new places to volunteer.

3. You can start your own group- Don’t find what you’re looking for? Then create your own group and start meeting like-minded people.