A community is no fun without members. Here are some tips for getting people to join your Google Developer Group:
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Tell the world
- Spread the word about your group via social media channels (i.e., Twitter, Google+, Facebook).
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Use hashtags
- Use the #GDG hashtag for tapping into the existing GDG community on both Twitter and Google+.
- Use hashtags in a location-based search in Twitter or G+ to find and participate in local product conversations. For G+, simply enter “your city” within quotes after the hashtag to filter by your city location. Some possible hashtags to search under are: #java, #android, #appengine, #gmaps, #html5, #gmail.
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Network with existing friends
- If you’re involved with other local user groups, send out an email to look for interest.
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Network with new friends
- Find other developer user groups in your city and introduce yourself. Search for groups on groups.google.com, meetup.com, LinkedIn.
- Search for groups interested in Java, Python, cloud computing, JavaScript or general web development, just to name a few options.
- Look for a “shameless plugs” section within existing user groups to promote your GDG. You could even write a short presentation about your GDG and share it via slideshare.net.
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Involve universities
- Send a note to local university officials about your group so it can be passed on to the computer science and other tech-related departments. Students like to learn inside and outside the classroom.