Know-How Exchange : Strategy

As others have said, the issue is having a reason for people to want to get together face-to-face. Start by identifying a niche: young singles, older singles, young professionals, etc. Find out what your niche does to "network" and find out if there's interest for more of it. You might have to pay a core group of people to attend your first few meetings to build up a core or find a someone that everyone wants to hear/meet.

I wouldn't worry about the venue initially - focus on the people. Hold the first meeting in a park, or while walking, etc. Eventually, once you have some regular interest, then convert it into a business by adding value to the meeting: food, drink, safe ways to connect online, great speakers, trips, etc.

Codybella:

To answer your question simply: both are the best option. :) Here are some things to think about. It is not exhaustive but some key points:

1) Are you in a large metro area? If so, there are likely dozens of promoters who will have the same basic business model — a hybrid of both profit sharing with venues and attendee fee-based events). Promoters use both approaches depending on where they are in their development cycle.

2) Promoters typically use their mailing list as leverage with the venue. If you do not have a list yet, how will you sell the venue on taking a chance on your event versus other promoters? You have to offer something different to people that will meet an unfulfilled need/want/interest. What’s your angle? Who are you targeting? Which day(s) does the venue need traffic?

3) Attendance is not an exact science. Very popular organizations with the largest lists still have problem nailing down “exact” numbers even with RSVPs. You must think in terms of a sliding scale. Once your organizations gains more name recognition and some history of successful events, potential attendees will be willing to pay.

4) Launch strategies….your service is a virtual unknown so you will have to partner with other businesses and throw one heck of a kick-off event.
--Launch event-- You will likely have to come out of pocket to put this event together but think
of this as an essential investment. It has to be a unique concept to pique interest.

--PR -- Use PR (press release, entertainment press invites, etc) to get local news coverage
(even a mention in your city’s “weekend events” section could do wonders; plan ahead).

--Partnering -- If you can, partner with a local nonprofit (something that you actually have a heart for) and donate a portion of your proceeds to them. This will help you get media coverage, you can also ask the group to promote the event (nonprofits can get PSAs on most radio stations free of charge). You can approach professional associations (with similar target audience) to promote to their member list. Some organizations charge a fee but if your target audiences are similar you may be able to work out a deal.

--Promote -- Use your website to collect RSVPs and have an “invite a friend” feature. Promote the heck out of the event and ensure it goes off without major hitches.

5) After your event, you will have the beginnings of a list. You can begin using the list and the success of your event as leverage both with venues and potential attendees. One key to fee-based events is providing a unique experience.