Lessons From a Linkedin Local

I set some goals back in November 2017 with the #goalstogether and #inittogether campaigns. One of those goals was to host a LinkedinLocal in my area. With some encouragement from friends, West Palm Beach welcomed it’s first #LinkedinLocal on February 22, 2018, at the new Restoration Hardware RH Rooftop restaurant. 

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it was developed to encourage people to meet with their Linkedin connections in person, offline. It has become a global meet up movement and is active in over 70 cities. 

Over the past year I have made some amazing connections on the platform, people I would call friends, and this was an opportunity to meet many of them in person. So, I jumped in with two feet. 

It was a great night with newfound connections, new faces and lots of laughter. 

Since the concept is still relatively new, there are no practical guides available to set one up. Some have been large (150 attendees) with panelists, and some have been small meetups (30 attendees) at a local coffee shop. That’s in part the point, ‘make it what you want.’ 

Here are some practical tips I learned along the way: 

1.   Build a vast local network. Connect with as many people as you can locally, they will help support the event as you build it.

2.   Schedule a call with a few hosts so you can get an idea of the type of event you would like to host. Large format panel-style or small intimate coffee shop-style.

3.   Find a Co-host. Two well-connected Linkedin-ers spreading the word are better than one. If you can find two, that’s even better. 

4.   The first big hurdle is choosing a venue and setting the date. Venue first, date second. Some made the mistake of selecting a date and started promoting but then couldn’t find a venue.

5. Add it to the linkedlocally.com global hosts page. 

6.   It takes time to build. Give yourself 3-4 weeks minimum to build momentum and interest (unless you're Goldie Chan or Brian Wallace); longer is better. 

7.   Create some graphic images for your event. A simple city image with the details in text overlay will work. I created six variations to use on LI, Twitter and various website like Eventbrite.

8.   I suggest using Eventbrite or another Event Ticketing website like Eventbee.com and even Meetup.com. The tracking analytics very helpful.

9.   Craft 2-3 posts that you can use to share continuously during the promotion phase. Encourage your network to share and engage with your posts to spread the word. 

10.   It’s not enough to post about the event and hope your local network will see it. Send emails, messages and then, send some more.

I have 1270 local connections. I sent 370 private messages, and many were opened, but only about 30 initiated a response. Linkedin Messenger is not an effective outreach tool. Download your connection list and capture email addresses. Then send an email to all local connections. They are much more likely to respond when it’s in their inbox. 

11. There will likely be some out of pocket costs. Consider a sponsor.

12. Consider the format of the event. Do you need nametags, an icebreaker, a moderator, food, drinks?

Some have used a fishbowl concept. The advantage of the fishbowl is that it allows the entire group to participate in a conversation.

13.   Enlist some helpers. As the host, it’s best if you can talk to people throughout the evening and leave the filming and photography to someone else. I brought my husband, he brought his A game and was a huge help because he wasn’t there to network, just to lend a hand. 

14.   Prepare to speak at the event. Depending on your audience, most attendees are not that active on Linkedin and want to know more about the platform and how to become more engaged. Create an elevator pitch to explain the “why” of #LinkedinLocal. There will be attendees that aren’t clear on the purpose and want to understand how it’s different from a typical networking event.

15.   Collect email addresses for future correspondence.

16.   Develop and send a survey to gauge interest and recommendations for the next event. 

The most important tip is to GO FOR IT! Have fun and join in on the LinkedinLocal movement.