What I think works for running a user group

A few thoughts on what I think works for running a user group:

Circa 2013, if you want to organise a user group, just use Meetup:

• It provides cross marketing to similar groups for you;
• It makes it easier to coordinate with other groups by showing events occurring on any particular day;
• It pretty much takes care of everything except for discussions / mailing list which are frankly woeful

In general, predictability helps.  The more regular you make it, the easier it is for people to plan to attend.

Run events on a regular cadence.  So, for example, an event roughly the same time every month.  I tend not to be too strict about this but I know other groups will pre-schedule the events in advance.  I'll usually schedule at most a month in advance.

Try to use a regular location.  This can sometimes be difficult, especially if you vary the types of events, but it makes it easier for regular attendees to know where to go.

Avoid using boring offices, pubs and similar are more socially conducive... however, if you want to run activities, offices tend to be better.

Activities are good, lectures are boring.  This is more my preference for groups I facilitate.

Provide food... that's not pizza.  Again, this is more my own preference.  Pizza is a very cost effective meal option but it gets boring when every user group serves pizza.  I prefer to mix it up with alternatives.  I use Menulog and I assume there are similar services outside of Australia.

Beginner sessions will always attract more people (there are always more novices than experts) but be careful...

Beginners show up to interact with more experienced practitioners.  Experienced practitioners will tend to leave if all you have are boring introductory presentations.

Perhaps an obvious point... famous visitors tend to attract a lot more people... so pay attention to who's visiting and just ask them if they'd like to drop by.