2022
You can see my current series of 10 photography workshop meet-ups.
Tip one: The internet is unpredictable - even though I'm on an awesome broadband connection here at home, I have experienced drops from Meets. Have another Local Guide in your meet-up ready to take over when you drop out to keep momentum, I learned this the hard way and was fortunate that @MaxPlusFood was in the meet-up and he did a little song and dance number. In a recent event good mate @AnandaSim jumped in when my browser crashed so badly I had to reboot.
Tip two: Don't think like your work from home meetings, those people have to be there, Local Guides need to be entertained. Do a meet-up on something that you're passionate about such as @JustineE chocolate meet-up or @KarenVChin and the tea meet-up. If you're passionate then that will come across on the day and your attendees will have a good chance of enjoying themselves. This is where successful meet-ups come from.
Tip three: don't get lost, have a bit of a story - you probably don't need to go as far as I or @AdrianLunsong do and think of it as a production exercise but you do need a story - a beginning, a middle and an end - publish the program or topics in advance and try to stick to them. Do prepare for the meet-up and think about how you'll run things and keep any notes, photos, props or whatever you need with you.
Tip four: it's your meet-up run it how you want to - don't let your attendees take over unless that's the kind of meet-up that you want - polite but firm - keep things moving. It is worth setting some rules for your attendees - try to word them as guidelines but use them as rules. Don't be afraid to call out bad behaviour or boot someone out if they're disruptive or not complying with the Core Values of being a Local Guide.
Tip five: light and sound - try to do your best to make sure you've got good light before you start and think about your sound - a head set is going to work best if you don't have access to a dedicated microphone.
Tip six: fail fast - what do I mean? If it's not working either kill it before it dies its own horrible death or rework it on the fly to see if you can make it fly.
That's about it - keep it simple and enjoy it.
Paul
Great tips @PaulPavlinovich !
I would like to add that we should also try to organise meet-ups that are related to Local Guides activities. The easiest way to think about it is that we already have topics on Connect (Travel, Local Stories, Photography, Food & Drink, How-tos) that we can use to help guide the virtual meet-ups that you're looking to host.
Have a look at the meet-up page to see what others are hosting and maybe there's a topic that nobody has talked about that you're passionate for and happy to do a meet-up about it.
And give people enough time to sign-up for your meet-up! That will give you time too to promote your meet-up and get people to join in on the fun!
JAPAN LOCAL GUIDES
Tips are just great as you are @PaulPavlinovich I am planning to host one next month and I have started taking preparation from today. I practiced today how to use Google Meet for hosting a meet-up, I will give a second try tomorrow 😀😀. Thanks a lot for sharing this important post. Regards.
