Hari Shanker R 10:37 am on May 28, 2021
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2020 Meetup Organizer Survey results

We recently published the 2020 Meetup survey results, which shared several insights and statistics about our meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. group members. It’s time to analyze the results of the 2020 Meetup Organizer survey. This year’s survey is unique because it is tailored for online meetups in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have removed some questions on in-person events and added some questions about online events.

2020 Meetup Organizer Survey Participation

  • Total organizer respondents: 65
  • Total countries participated: 26

Key Insights from the survey

  • Most of our meetup organizers are experienced folks. Most respondents have been an organizer of the group for the past 2-4 years (37%). While 22% of respondents have been involved for 4-6 years, only 13% have been a part of their local group for the past 1-2 years. Additionally, a whopping 49% of respondents had been using WordPress for over 10 years!
  • Most meetup groups have pivoted online during the pandemic. 82% of respondents had organized at least one online event for their group in 2020, with 42% of folks organizing at least one event per month. 26% of the respondents stopped organizing events due to COVID-19. 85% of organizers intend to continue organizing online meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. in 2021 and beyond. 
  • Zoom is the favored online meetup platform amongst organizers. Like the meetup member survey results, Zoom emerged as the most preferred tool amongst meetup organizers, with 55% voting for the service. Google Meet achieved a close second, with 23% of respondents choosing that tool. StreamYard, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Jitsi were also the top contenders. 
  • Learn WordPress and Meetups: 66% of organizers expressed interest in contributing to learn.wordpress.org, and 71% of organizers expressed interest in organizing discussion groups based on Learn WordPress for their meetup. This shows that given enough support and encouragement, meetup organizers can offer support for Learn WordPress by organizing workshops and discussion groups!
  • Online event fatigue seems to be one of the top blockers faced by organizers while planning WordPress events. Many organizers cited a general lack of interest and high cost of online tools and captioning services as blockers faced by their meetup group. 

Want to explore the results of the 2020 Meetup Organizer survey in detail? Read on!

Results of the Survey

What’s your role in the group?

What's your role in the group? One of the many organizers: 41 63% Theh sole organizer 23 35% I'm listed as an organizer: 1 2% Not officially an organizer 0 0% Total answers: 65

How long have you been part of the organizing team for the group?

How long have you been part of the organizing team for the group? 2-4 years: 24 37% 4-6 years: 14 22% 1-2 years: 13 20% 3 months - 1 year: 5 8% 6-8 years: 4 6% 8-10 years: 4 6% 10+ years: 1 2% Less than 3 months: 0 0% Total answers: 65

How long have you been using WordPress?

How long have you been using WordPress? 10+ years: 32 49% 8-10 years: 10 15% 4-6 years: 9 14% 6-8 years: 7 11% 2-4 years: 3 5% Less than 3 months: 2 3% 1-2 years: 2 3% 3 months-1year: 0 - 0%

How would you describe yourself?

How would you describe yourself? Developer 46 21% Consultant: 34 15% Site Admin: 33 15% Advanced user: 32 14% Small Business Owner: 30 14% Designer 24 11% Blogger: 15 7% Other option: 6 3% Beginner user: 1 0% Total: 65

How often does your group meet/have events?

How often does your group meet/have events? We have one event per month: 27 42% Used to organize frequent events but stopped due to COVID: 17 26% Usually have one per month, but skip some months: 11 17% Multiple events per month: 6 9% Events every month: 1 2% Events every couple of months: 1 2% Couple of events per year: 1 2% Inactive group, no events: 1 2% Total answers: 65

How would you describe your group’s event planning? 

How would you describe the group's planning? Several organizers plan: 28 43% One organizer plans all events: 22 34% Organizing events with other meetups: 8 12% Many members (incl. no organizers) plan events: 4 6% Other option: 3 5% Total answers: 65

How many people typically attend each meetup event, whether in person or online?

How many people typically attend each meetup event, in person or online? 10-20 people: 20 31% 20-30 people: 17 26%

Who is the target audience for this group’s events? Select all that apply.

What is the target audience for this group's events? Select all that apply. Beginner: 60 17% Small Business owner: 53 15% Developer 46 13% Site Admin 42 12% Advanced User: 42 12% Blogger: 39 11% Designer: 38 11% Consultant: 30 8% Other option: 5 1%

How often do your meetups take the following formats?

How often do your meetups take the following formats? Hang out and work on sites Almost never: 20 Never: 20 Sometimes 12 Often: 7 very often 6 Social/happy hour Sometimes: 18 Very often: 8 Mini lectures: Very often 33 Never: 1 Developer hacking meetups: Never 34 Very often 1 Show and tell of WordPress Sometimes: 30 Never: 3 Formal instructions of how to use WP Fairly often: 26 Almost never 5 Lecture series Fairly often: 18 Never: 10 Genius bar: Sometimes: 20 Never: 10

How does the group handle providing event topics that appeal to a variety of skill levels and interests? 

How does the group handle providing event topics that appeal to a variety of skill levels and interests? Alternating months between different interests: 35 54% Having a mix of topics: 14 22% Other option: to 7 11% Having each organizer focus on a topic: 5 8% Having multiple events a month: 4 6%

If you have sponsors, what do they provide? 

If you have sponsors what do they provide? Venue 35 32% Food/refreshments 28 26% Other option 25 23% Online meeting tools 14 13% Online swag: 6 6%

Has your Meetup group held an online meetup in 2020?

Has your meetup group held an online event in 2020? Yes: 53 82% No 12 18%

If you answered yes, which tool(s) did you use to organize meetups?

If you answered yes, which tool(s) did you use to organize meetups? Zoom: 41 55% Google Meet: 17 23% Other option: 5 7% StreamYard: 4 5% YouTube Live: 4 5% Facebook Live: 3 4% Jitsi Meetup: 1 1%

How many attendees do you usually have for your online meetup?

How many attendees do you usually have for your online meetup? 10-20 people: 15 28% 20-30 people: 13 25% Fewer than 10 people: 12 23% 30-40 people: 7 13% 40 or more: 6 11%

Are there any difficulties you face with online Meetups?

Are there any difficulties you face with online meetups? Other option: 16 39% Lack of interest: 11 27% High cost of online meetup tools: 7 17% Unable to find a speaker: 5 12% Unable to find organizers: 2 5%

Would your meetup group be interested in contributing to Learn WordPress with the help of workshops or discussion groups?

Would your group be interested in contributing to Learn WordPress? Yes: 43 66% No: 22 34%

Have you organized Learn WordPress discussion groups as part of your online meetups?

Have you organized Learn WordPress discussion groups as part of your online meetups? No, but I would like to organize one: 46 71% No, I'm not interested: 17 26% Yes: 2 3%

Do you intend to continue organizing meetups in 2021 or when it is safe to do so in person?

Do you intend to continue organizing meetups in 2021 or when it is safe to do so in person? Yes, I intend to continue organizing meetups in 2021: 55 85% No, I want to wait until it is safe for our group to meet in person: 10 15%

Looking Forward to the 2021 Annual Meetup Organizer Survey?

Let’s find out how we can improve the following meetup organizer survey (which will be sent at the beginning of 2022): 

  • Are there any questions that you would like to include? 
  • Are there any questions in the current survey that are not useful and could be removed? 
  • Should we keep the same focus on online meetups for the 2021 Annual Meetup organizer survey?

Please let us know in the comments!

#meetups #survey #annual-survey

#meetup-organizers