Execution Thread - Creating A Micro Network Meetup Group in Dallas-Fort Worth called The Entreprenerds! (TEST EXPERIMENT)

[ZackerySprague]

So a friend and I had the idea of creating an Entrepreneur group after speaking Roots Coffee close to my neighborhood. I wanted to create this thread to give you guys updates on how this experiment will go.

We thought instead of actually going to other network events and trying to make connections, why not create a group for ourselves. And thus, The Entreprenerds was born! I got the name from ChatGPT, I don't know how well this group idea will go to be honest. But I am going to try anyway and just looking to have fun with it.

I thought screw it, you only live life once, so why not. My plan is to first just see if people are interested in doing such a thing, so I created a meetup.com account, paid the $25 dollars to do it as well. So low barrier to entry to even get started. Created or tried to create some catchy copy to get people interested and created a short video explainer.

Here is the Webpage: The Entreprenerds! (North Richland Hills, TX)

I hope you enjoy this experiment!

In terms of getting more exposure, I kinda came up with the idea to create a flyer, print them out, and post them up on public billboards around Dallas-Fort Worth local chill coffeeshops that people go to. More locations = More traffic, at least that's what my brain thought.

 

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[RicardoGrande]

Oh that's cool, I used to go to roots all the time in the late 2010s. Kinda started getting bougie though but best of luck. World blend has a similar meetup about 2 miles away but they hemorrhaged members from about 35/meeting to 4-5 with the "not a recession" recession we're having but it could also just be the people running that.

If you can get the meetup on their chalkboard or get them to mention it on their fb/insta, considering the volume of young people they get, there'll probably be good attendance to most of the events.
Best of luck.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Oh that's cool, I used to go to roots all the time in the late 2010s. Kinda started getting bougie though but best of luck. World blend has a similar meetup about 2 miles away but they hemorrhaged members from about 35/meeting to 4-5 with the "not a recession" recession we're having but it could also just be the people running that.

If you can get the meetup on their chalkboard or get them to mention it on their fb/insta, considering the volume of young people they get, there'll probably be good attendance to most of the events.
Best of luck.

Oh wow that's so cool I didn't know that haha. World Blend? Is that another coffee shop? Just looked it up, I don't think I have ever been there before, I'll go check it out.

I didn't ask them about that, but I just might thank you for the idea .

 

[ZackerySprague]

Update - March 9th, 2023 :

We got two members to join! -Make that now 3.

 

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[ZackerySprague]

Update (03/10/2023): Total of 26 members. Added in 25 in two days.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Update (03/11/2023):

34 members in three days. I have scheduled our first meeting at a local coffee shop close by my house. 3 confirmed attendees. Interesting experiment so far.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Update (03/13/2023:

This experiment has been really fun, we are now up to 39 members. I will go to Roots Coffeehouse to see if we can borrow a table for 2 hours this coming Thursday.

I have setup a table at the coffeeshop, but also turns out they don't like business cards. So I don't exactly think they are business friendly. I may have to move the meeting online.

 

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[BizyDad]

Update (03/13/2023:

This experiment has been really fun, we are now up to 39 members. I will go to Roots Coffeehouse to see if we can borrow a table for 2 hours this coming Thursday.

I have setup a table at the coffeeshop, but also turns out they don't like business cards. So I don't exactly think they are business friendly. I may have to move the meeting online.

View attachment 47605

Keep the meetings in person.

Keep the business cards in your pocket.

It will feel more organic that way. Better connections will be made.

People do business with people. So in business, put people first.

Besides, you can't give someone a business card in an online meeting anyways, so it obviously isn't that important to you...

 

[ZackerySprague]

Keep the meetings in person.

Keep the business cards in your pocket.

It will feel more organic that way. Better connections will be made.

People do business with people. So in business, put people first.

Besides, you can't give someone a business card in an online meeting anyways, so it obviously isn't that important to you...

That is true, I told my partner, that I’ll be calling venues today. I prefer in person meetings anyway. Compared to online. Gives everybody a chance to meet in person.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Keep the meetings in person.

Keep the business cards in your pocket.

It will feel more organic that way. Better connections will be made.

People do business with people. So in business, put people first.

Besides, you can't give someone a business card in an online meeting anyways, so it obviously isn't that important to you...

I wouldn’t say that it wasn’t important to me, it is. Kinda of a huge pre-made assumption there haha.

I just didn’t think the coffee shop would like the kind of meeting we were going to conduct…

But I know there are other venues in favor it this kind of things.

I’m not going to buy business cards for nothing… and not want to make connections… when this was the sole purpose of creating this.

The online meeting was just temporary until we can find a permanent place.

There’s an Olive Garden close by that is in favor of this stuff. I’ll give them a call.

 

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[BizyDad]

I’m not going to buy business cards for nothing… and not want to make connections… when this was the sole purpose of creating this.

Business cards don't really facilitate connections. Taking an interest in people creates connections.

Imagine we meet at an event. Now imagine the difference between me saying to you

"Hey, I'd like to chat some more. Do you have a business card?"

or

"Hey I've enjoyed this chat. We should keep this conversation going" *whips out phone* "What's your number bro?"

All else equal, who comes off as more genuine? More in control? More organized? More worthy of a connection?

Think about the body language...

Business cards get trashed. Unless someone has an instant need. And if they have an instant need you should DEFINITELY do the latter.

Food for thought.

I have been a VORACIOUS networker and I have also run several meetups in my time. I still have at least 1000 business cards from the business I started 14 years ago and failed 7 years ago. They still have sentimental value for me.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Business cards don't really facilitate connections. Taking an interest in people creates connections.

Imagine we meet at an event. Now imagine the difference between me saying to you

"Hey, I'd like to chat some more. Do you have a business card?"

or

"Hey I've enjoyed this chat. We should keep this conversation going" *whips out phone* "What's your number bro?"

All else equal, who comes off as more genuine? More in control? More organized? More worthy of a connection?

Think about the body language...

Business cards get trashed. Unless someone has an instant need. And if they have an instant need you should DEFINITELY do the latter.

Food for thought.

I have been a VORACIOUS networker and I have also run several meetups in my time. I still have at least 1000 business cards from the business I started 14 years ago and failed 7 years ago. They still have sentimental value for me.

You are correct, I have them to just have them, their not really my main focus. My focus is rather towards the connections.

I have them just in case someone wants one or wants my information. Or to have a conversation later.

The second option is much better. I usually try to get their phone number instead, but people ask if I had a business card so that’s why I created them.

I originally wasn’t going to get any, I got instead a dot card that creates a contact in your phone with my number and picture. So if ever wanted to chat with them you had my email and number. Pretty great card and I still have it.

A buddy of mine just said to get business cards in case so I bought them.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Business cards don't really facilitate connections. Taking an interest in people creates connections.

Imagine we meet at an event. Now imagine the difference between me saying to you

"Hey, I'd like to chat some more. Do you have a business card?"

or

"Hey I've enjoyed this chat. We should keep this conversation going" *whips out phone* "What's your number bro?"

All else equal, who comes off as more genuine? More in control? More organized? More worthy of a connection?

Think about the body language...

Business cards get trashed. Unless someone has an instant need. And if they have an instant need you should DEFINITELY do the latter.

Food for thought.

I have been a VORACIOUS networker and I have also run several meetups in my time. I still have at least 1000 business cards from the business I started 14 years ago and failed 7 years ago. They still have sentimental value for me.

My idea was to get to know them first and then invite them for a coffee outside the event, having a one-on-one kinda thing.

But to never sell right off the bat.

 

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[BizyDad]

But to never sell right off the bat.

Never sell right away.

Always profile right away.

And if, during profiling, a genuine need is uncovered that you can fulfill, then

SELL BABY SELL.

I've initiated deals in all kinds of places. If someone needs you, strike while the iron is

Get a deep profile first, before selling. So you know what objections are coming ahead of time.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Never sell right away.

Always profile right away.

And if, during profiling, a genuine need is uncovered that you can fulfill, then

SELL BABY SELL.

I've initiated deals in all kinds of places. If someone needs you, strike while the iron is

Get a deep profile first, before selling. So you know what objections are coming ahead of time.

Yes, I have learned this the hard last way year... haha... Lost 4 potential web design deals because I didn't profile first. Lessons learned there... It actually kinda hurt.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Update: (03/15/2023)

I posted on Nextdoor yesterday a post, in the hopes, that my community may have recommendations for venue's for us to book our first meeting. I will check and see if there are any responses.

Other than that I found a Networking Mixer that happens every two weeks in Dallas. I will attend and experience what it's like.

I also setup a whiteboard in my room using a Kanban Method to keep track of all the tasks I need to get done. Got this advice from Nick.

 

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[RicardoGrande]

Update (03/13/2023:

This experiment has been really fun, we are now up to 39 members. I will go to Roots Coffeehouse to see if we can borrow a table for 2 hours this coming Thursday.

I have setup a table at the coffeeshop, but also turns out they don't like business cards. So I don't exactly think they are business friendly. I may have to move the meeting online.

View attachment 47605

So good job with the numbers but do be wary- a lot of meetups see only about a 1/8th to 1/5th attendance rate at best and it was something I used to see when I was doing a latin dance meetup back in the day. Good case in point is that I went to a professionals meetup last week with a supposed 120 people booked and only about 18 showed up.
For the second point: Roots used to be a lot better but got sold out to woke owners and they hire some very interesting people with very strong anti-"capitalism" attitudes.

 

[ZackerySprague]

So good job with the numbers but do be wary- a lot of meetups see only about a 1/8th to 1/5th attendance rate at best and it was something I used to see when I was doing a latin dance meetup back in the day. Good case in point is that I went to a professionals meetup last week with a supposed 120 people booked and only about 18 showed up.
For the second point: Roots used to be a lot better but got sold out to woke owners and they hire some very interesting people with very strong anti-"capitalism" attitudes.

To be fair on my part, I never actually asked them or gave them the full details of how the first meeting would go.

But I figured since, they took down my business card, which was good anyway because my web design website wasn't ready, that they wouldn't be very business friendly. They had a poster up saying they are more than willing to events or local community events. But with the biz card being taken and intently expressed on their wall that I thought this place may not be the best.

Oh yeah, our first event that was scheduled to be tomorrow only had 3 people confirmed. But I am expecting not many people to go on the first go or overtime. My partner and I have expressed that we need to get to know these members, make connections, and are going to try to keep them coming.

I told him maybe, we should ask them for their feedback on what they expect from us and the future events. Like what would they like to do other than the normal standard stuff.

 

[ZackerySprague]

Update (03/18/2023):

Not gonna lie, I have to admit, I have veered of course on finding a place, but I'm back on pace to to find one and schedule the first meeting this next week.

A lot of people where on Spring break.

 

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