A free guide to planning small community events that lead somewhere
Standing on Giants, a community agency, published this free-to-read guide based on the client work of its community engagement manager, Beth Wright. The guide argues that a meetup works best when it is planned backward from what should happen after the room empties. It suggests peer-led formats such as an unconference, where attendees propose and lead the sessions themselves, and describes signals that an online following may be ready to meet in person, like members asking to get together. It also recommends starting small or partnering with an aligned group, and planning dated follow-up before the event. The page closes with a pitch for the agency's paid services.
- For
- A Detroit creative or small business owner with customers or an online following who is considering a first in-person meetup, workshop, or dinner and wants a low-cost way to plan it so people keep coming back.
- Cost
- No price stated by the provider. The guide is a publicly readable blog post. Standing on Giants also promotes paid community event services at the end of the page; those are optional and not needed to use the guide.
- Access
- Open web page with no sign-up or eligibility requirements stated. The advice is general and global, with no Detroit or Michigan connection in the source.
Your moveBefore booking a space, write down what you want attendees to do after the event ends, then check whether customers or followers are already asking to meet. If they are, set up a group chat for attendees and put the first follow-up message on your calendar with a real date.
Start here