The Newbee Question - Where Are People? (New York, Albany: live, activities)

[starbuxstranger]

Hello all, thank you for reading this post.

I'm new to Albany and would like to explore the city through 1) joining some groups and activities and 2) organizing some groups and activities. I've been organizing groups and activities since I was in New York City because it allows me to determine a topic of interest and meet people sharing the same interests. It's also the fastest way to meet new friends.

I do this on Meetup dot com mainly because meetup promote newly established groups and help them gather people faster, and a typical meetup group in NYC will usually get about 100 members in the first week. I've been trying to do the same thing in Albany, but results have been disappointing. The first group Financially Happy Women for activities and discussions on personal financing and investment ideas have got merely 16 members so far. The second group Clifton Park Weight Challengers has only got 1 in the past 3 days. The reason why I organized these two groups is because I'm personally interested in the former and have successful experience in the second and would love to create a group to bound and help each other. I thought many would share the the same interests.

Any idea why so few people have responded to the call? Is it because people are generally not into the MeetUp dot com thing, the topics are bad or people have too little time to attend activities?

[bnm6309]

Originally Posted by starbuxstranger

Hello all, thank you for reading this post.

I'm new to Albany and would like to explore the city through 1) joining some groups and activities and 2) organizing some groups and activities. I've been organizing groups and activities since I was in New York City because it allows me to determine a topic of interest and meet people sharing the same interests. It's also the fastest way to meet new friends.

I do this on Meetup dot com mainly because meetup promote newly established groups and help them gather people faster, and a typical meetup group in NYC will usually get about 100 members in the first week. I've been trying to do the same thing in Albany, but results have been disappointing. The first group Financially Happy Women for activities and discussions on personal financing and investment ideas have got merely 16 members so far. The second group Clifton Park Weight Challengers has only got 1 in the past 3 days. The reason why I organized these two groups is because I'm personally interested in the former and have successful experience in the second and would love to create a group to bound and help each other. I thought many would share the the same interests.

Any idea why so few people have responded to the call? Is it because people are generally not into the MeetUp dot com thing, the topics are bad or people have too little time to attend activities?

Not sure if you're familiar with the American Marketing association, but you should do a bit of research. They have a chapter here in Albany that meets every month. Great for meeting new people, organizing and networking. Even if you're a student or entry-level career person you can join (don't have to be in the marketing field, but seems like you're doing something similar anyway).
It may seem that people aren't interested because although Albany is a city, it is often called "Smallbany because it has such a small town feel to it."
There is a facebook group called Smallbany who spotlights a lot of local groups and activities. Maybe you can try contacting them and see how it turns out. https://www.facebook.com/smallbany/

[Glacier Azure]

Albany is just not the same kind of city physically or demographically as New York. You're not going to have as many groups running through Meetup. That's why I'm looking to get my foreign language fix through a SUNY Albany group when I start my degree there.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Glacier Azure

Albany is just not the same kind of city physically or demographically as New York. You're not going to have as many groups running through Meetup. That's why I'm looking to get my foreign language fix through a SUNY Albany group when I start my degree there.

You will have some people that speak a foreign language in Albany and other places in the surrounding area, but it won't be to the same degree. Likely Spanish and perhaps languages of some of the refugee/immigrant groups is what you would hear.

[Yuptag]

Originally Posted by starbuxstranger

Hello all, thank you for reading this post.

I'm new to Albany and would like to explore the city through 1) joining some groups and activities and 2) organizing some groups and activities. I've been organizing groups and activities since I was in New York City because it allows me to determine a topic of interest and meet people sharing the same interests. It's also the fastest way to meet new friends.

I do this on Meetup dot com mainly because meetup promote newly established groups and help them gather people faster, and a typical meetup group in NYC will usually get about 100 members in the first week. I've been trying to do the same thing in Albany, but results have been disappointing. The first group Financially Happy Women for activities and discussions on personal financing and investment ideas have got merely 16 members so far. The second group Clifton Park Weight Challengers has only got 1 in the past 3 days. The reason why I organized these two groups is because I'm personally interested in the former and have successful experience in the second and would love to create a group to bound and help each other. I thought many would share the the same interests.

Any idea why so few people have responded to the call? Is it because people are generally not into the MeetUp dot com thing, the topics are bad or people have too little time to attend activities?

Albany and NYC are vastly different towns with people at different stages of their lives. In my experience, meet-ups outside of a handful of urban areas are basically far fewer members and less interesting.

[riverbender]

Those meetup groups sound like someone wanting to sell me something - so I'm not joining

I don't know about NYC but the bait & switch on MeetUp happens so much, I don't bother with new groups anymore. I've started MeetUps where the only people who came were people only looking to make a buck. Are there established, active groups you could join on MeetUp? If you are looking to promote a product/service, I'd check out some of the business networking groups first.

Meeting time/location might have something to do with it as well? I live in Colonie. I'm not going anywhere near the northway from 4-6pm

I'd say look for established activity groups - or try something new - hiking, scuba? I need a dive buddy!! If you want to learn scuba google out RogScuba or Seguins. Perhaps a Toastmasters group? I've been a member for a year now. Public speaking can actually be fun! Maybe sign up at a fitness studio focusing on group training (I know a couple) or a Crossfit gym? There's the Albany Running Exchange if that's your thing.

Find some Albany folks on Twitter & see what they're up to? Maybe checkout AllOverAlbany too.