When you have exciting news to share, you want everyone to hear it loud and clear. Trust us—Meetup messages, group communications, and contact tools are not only effective but also secure.
As an organizer, you have multiple ways to get in touch with your members. Whether you prefer reaching out individually, targeting a small group, or broadcasting to your entire community, the choice is yours.
Watch our Community Support specialists as they guide you through all the available communication tools.
Overview
When you have exciting news to share, you want everyone to hear it loud and clear—and doing so in a secure, effective way makes all the difference. Our platform offers a range of communication tools that not only simplify how you reach out to your community but also help keep your support efforts streamlined. Below, you’ll find an overview of the different methods you can use to contact your members, along with practical tips and step-by-step guidance.
Group and Events Announcements
For those big moments when you want to make a major announcement, the Contact Members tool is your go-to option. This feature lets you send messages to all members who have opted in to receive organizer announcements or to a specific subset (such as those active recently or who have RSVPed to an event).
How to Use the Contact Members Tool
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On a desktop or laptop, navigate to your group’s homepage and select Manage group.
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Choose Contact members from the dropdown menu.
Your email address remains hidden when using this tool—unless your group’s announcement list is enabled, in which case your email address will be visible.
If you need to send a message specifically to event attendees—whether for an upcoming event or a past one—the process is similar. Simply select the event from your group homepage, open the Organizer tools dropdown, and click on Contact attendees.
Announcement List
Every group on the platform is linked to its unique announcement list. New members are automatically subscribed to receive updates when they join, though they always have the option to unsubscribe later.
As an organizer, you have the flexibility to send these emails either directly from the Meetup platform or through your own email client. No matter which method you choose, if you use the email address linked to your Meetup account, it will be visible to all recipients—and the same applies when members reply. This openness fosters transparency and builds trust within your community. Be sure to use your associated Meetup email so that our system can verify your identity.
Learn more about announcement lists and how to use them to keep your members up to date.
Meetup Messages (DMs)
If you prefer a more personal approach, Meetup Messages let you reach out privately or in small groups. These messages appear directly in your members’ Meetup inboxes, ensuring that only the intended recipients can see the conversation.
Welcome Message
Your first impression matters. When a new member joins your group, they receive a welcome message—which you can customize. This is an excellent opportunity to set the tone of your community and share important information right from the start.
How to Set Your Welcome Message
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From your group’s homepage, select Manage group.
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Click on Edit group settings.
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Navigate to Your Members and scroll down to the "Welcome message to new members" section.
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Enter your message and then click Save.
Group Discussions
For everyday conversations, group discussions are a quick and efficient way to keep the community engaged. With a 140-character limit on posts and comments, discussions remain concise, allowing everyone a chance to share their thoughts without overwhelming the thread. This feature is especially handy for sparking quick ideas or feedback among members.
Discover everything you need to effectively manage your group’s discussions.
Event Comments
Excited about an event and eager to share your thoughts? The event comment section is the perfect communication tool for you. With messages limited to 700 characters, conversations stay focused and accessible, ensuring every member has the opportunity to contribute. This tool is perfect for triggering quick feedback and fostering engaging exchanges among the community.
Sharing Attachments
Sometimes, you need to share more than just words—a welcome pamphlet, detailed map, or important document might be necessary. In these cases, you can send attachments directly from your email client using your organizer announcement address.
To locate this address
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Go to your group’s homepage and click on Manage group.
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Select Edit group settings from the drop-down menu.
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Scroll to Optional features to find and copy the appropriate address.
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Paste it into your email client, compose your message with the attachment, and send.
Message Formatting and Best Practices
Messages sent by email come with a consistent look—a subtle gray border and the Meetup logo at the top—ensuring members easily recognize official communications. While you can use HTML, we recommend keeping your messages text-based or very simple (with images ideally no wider than 360 pixels) to guarantee that they display well on all devices.
Tips for a Successful Communications Strategy
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Regular Outreach: Consistent, clear communication helps secure RSVPs and attract new members. Plan a regular schedule for updates.
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Personalization: Tailor your messages when appropriate to increase engagement. Whether it’s a group-wide announcement or a targeted message, consider the unique needs of your audience.
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Monitor Engagement: Use available analytics and feedback to see what works best with your community, and adjust your strategy as needed.
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Learning and Community: For further inspiration and guidance, check out our Community Matters blog and join the Meetup Organizer Community on Discord. Connect with top organizers who have successfully built thriving communities.