The world of Meetups 🍕
If you are in tech, you can't miss this
So, you're a software developer, maybe new to the field or just looking to connect with others.
You hear people talking about "meetups," but you're not quite sure what they are. Do they cost money? Are they super formal? Will you feel out of place?
If any of those questions sound familiar, this article is for you! We're going to demystify tech meetups, explain how they usually work (spoiler: they're often very relaxed and fun!), and then show you how your experiences there can even give your LinkedIn profile a nice boost.
Let's get started!
1️⃣ What exactly is a tech meetup? 🤔
Imagine a casual get-together of people who are all interested in a particular area of technology. That’s pretty much a tech meetup! It could be focused on:
A specific programming language (like Python, JavaScript, Java)
A field of development (like web development, mobile apps, data science, cybersecurity)
A particular tool or platform
Just general "tech talk" and networking
The "Community" Vibe: A big reason these meetups exist is to build a tech community. Think of a community as a supportive group of people with shared interests. They help each other learn, solve problems, share news, and just generally connect. Being part of a developer community can make you feel less alone in your coding journey and more connected to the wider tech world.
For example, I'm based in Milan, and I'm a member of the React JS Milano community. They often organize meetups to discuss everything about React, share cool projects, and simply connect with fellow developers in the area. It's a fantastic way to learn and feel part of something bigger.
Here’s how meetups often work:
Talks & Learning: Usually, there's a short presentation (or maybe two) by someone from the community. They might share a project, explain a new technology, or give tips.
Q&A and Discussion: After the talks, you can ask questions and chat about the topic.
Networking (the easy kind!): People chat before and after. It’s a great way to meet other developers.
Often FREE! Most local tech meetups don't cost anything to attend.
The Perks (Pizza & Drinks!): Many meetups, especially if they're hosted at a company's office, offer free pizza, snacks, and drinks. It helps make everything relaxed and friendly.
Dinner afterwards? It's also quite common for a smaller group to decide to go out for dinner together after the meetup officially wraps up. This is totally optional but a great way to chat more.
A powerful weapon: your curiosity 🧠 During the Q&A or discussion parts of a meetup, don't be afraid to ask questions! Curiosity is a powerful weapon for any developer. Asking questions – even if you think they're "simple" – shows you're engaged and eager to understand things deeply. It's your chance to clarify doubts, learn even more from the speaker's expertise, and ultimately, improve as a software developer. It's a sign of strength, not weakness.
A surprising benefit: finding your future co-founder? 🤝 Here's another enormous benefit you might not have considered: meetups are a natural place to meet your future co-founder. These events are a melting pot of passionate, skilled, and ambitious people. You might find someone with complementary skills (maybe you're a backend genius and they're a frontend wizard) who shares your vision for a startup idea. A casual chat over pizza could be the very first step toward building something great together.
Why go? To learn new stuff, get inspired, meet other developers, find support within your local tech community, hear about job opportunities, and maybe even find a business partner!
Now, how does LinkedIn play a role in all this?
2️⃣ Planning your first meetup adventure (and a little LinkedIn prep) 🗺️
Okay, you're thinking of going to a meetup. Awesome! Here’s how LinkedIn can help you before you even go:
Find the event details: Many meetups are announced on LinkedIn or on dedicated platforms like Meetup.com (more on that later!). Check out the event page. Who are the speakers? What's the topic?
Look up the speakers/organizers on LinkedIn: See what they do and what they post about. This can give you a better feel for the event.
A little (optional) LinkedIn post: You could post something like: "Looking forward to checking out the [Meetup Name] tonight to learn about [Topic]! #TechMeetup" (using any official hashtag). This just signals your interest.
The idea: A little prep makes you feel more comfortable and in the loop.
3️⃣ At the meetup: enjoying, learning, and a touch of LinkedIn 🎤
You're at the meetup! Focus on enjoying the talks and chatting with people. Here are some low-pressure ways LinkedIn can be part of it:
Connect with people you chat with: If you have a good conversation with someone, and it feels natural, you can say, "This was a great chat! Are you on LinkedIn? I’d be happy to connect."
Note down interesting points: Hear something cool in a talk? Make a quick note on your phone. This could be something you share on LinkedIn later.
Share a simple update (if you want): If you're comfortable, a quick LinkedIn post like "Learning some interesting things about [Topic] at the #MeetupName right now!" can be a nice way to share your experience. But no pressure at all – just being there is the main thing!
Remember: The main goal is to learn and connect in person. LinkedIn is just a tool to help.
4️⃣ After the meetup: sharing your experience on LinkedIn 📝
The meetup was fun! Now you can share a little about it on LinkedIn if you like:
Post a simple "takeaway": What was one interesting thing you learned? You could write a short LinkedIn post: "Enjoyed the [Meetup Name] last night! My favorite takeaway about [Topic] was [your learning]." If you remember a speaker's name and they are on LinkedIn, you could mention them (e.g., "Thanks to @[Speaker's Name] for the great talk!").
Add your thoughts: What did you think about the topic? How might it be useful?
A photo can be nice: If you took a casual photo (and it's okay to share), it can make your post more friendly.
This isn't about showing off. It's just about sharing that you're actively learning and part of the tech community.
5️⃣ From meetup chat to LinkedIn connection 🤝
At meetups, you typically meet talented people. LinkedIn can help you stay in touch:
Send a personalized connection request: When you invite someone to connect on LinkedIn, always add a note! Something like: "Hi [Name], it was great to meet you at the [Meetup Name] last week during the pizza break! I enjoyed our chat about [what you talked about]. Would be great to connect here."
Engage with their LinkedIn activity: Once connected, if you see their posts on LinkedIn, give them a like or a friendly comment. It shows you're paying attention.
This helps turn a casual meetup chat into a lasting professional connection.
🎁 Bonus: where to find these awesome (and often free!) events 🗓️
So, where do you find these meetups?
Meetup.com: This is a hugely popular website and app. It’s probably the #1 place to find local groups and events for almost any interest, especially tech! Just search for your city and keywords like "software development," "Python," "JavaScript," "AI," "data science," etc. You'll likely find many free events, often with those pizza perks! Many communities, like React JS Milano, list their events here.
LinkedIn itself:
Follow local tech companies or people active in your local tech scene. They often share events.
Check LinkedIn's "Events" section. You can search for online and local events there.
Join LinkedIn Groups related to your tech interests. People often post about meetups.
The key is to look around – there are probably more opportunities than you think!
Going to your first tech meetup doesn't have to be scary. They're usually very welcoming, a great way to learn for free, meet other developers, enjoy some snacks, and just feel more connected to your local (or online) tech community.
And by using a few simple LinkedIn tips, you can share your experiences, build your professional network, and show others that you're passionate about growing as a developer. So why not give one a try?