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Starting a user group requires time, effort, leadership, dedication, and vision. However, ask almost any user group leader, and they’ll tell you it’s all worth it. Consider some of these reasons to start a user group.
1. Make friends.
You’ve realized some of the awesome potential of technology and how it fits into your life — your families, your hobbies, your school, and more. Meet other people who share your interests and passions (technology and otherwise).
2. Save the day.
A lot of people are looking for help. Group leaders can create a forum for helping people with their questions. It’s rewarding to provide these opportunities and answers.
3. Be first.
If you’ve searched the online locator and you didn’t find a group near you, you have a chance to make a real difference for your community. You can start something new and different that benefits you and all the group members.
4. Tell your own unique story.
Perhaps you know dozens of people in your community who are passionate about video technology and telling stories. Consider working with an established user group to start a smaller group focused entirely on a new digital medium or similar topic. Or, start an entirely new group.
5. Get in the action.
User group leaders have tremendous chances to learn more about working with people and leading organizations. Apple, the User Group Advisory Board, and other companies such as Adobe, host events exclusively for user group leaders that are both informative and rewarding.
6. Save money and get cool stuff.
Many vendors realize the influencing power of user groups, and vendors give groups and group leaders special offers and discounts. User group leaders receive this information first and can also receive special opportunities to get demo products for their groups.
7. Lead the way.
Running a user group requires the ability to motivate, to organize, and to lead. By running a group, you learn more of these skills and gain talent that can be applied to everything else in life. It even makes a great resumé line.
8. Create a network.
User group leaders can make important networking contacts in both their local areas and the national user group community. Leaders have found clients, jobs, and more because of their involvement with their group.
9. Tell the world.
Most user group leaders are passionate about the potential of technology, and they strongly believe in the best technology available. Share these passions with the uninitiated — show them what they’re missing out on by not experiencing the most exciting technologies.
10. It's just plain fun.
There’s something about user groups that makes their leaders spend hours and hours each week organizing and leading. They love it. They love the people they meet and the opportunities that user groups create. Running a user group...it’s just plain fun.
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