Ask HN: How do you monetise a group meetup
I've got a group that regularly meets in bars, restaurants, theatres, cafes which is organised through meetup.com They're pretty switched on and I can easily get 60+ folk along to a meetup at any one time.
I'd love to turn this in to a business but have no idea how to monetize? From the user side or business side? Offering businesses the same benefit as a daily deal site could work, or ask for kickbacks, but it seems like a lot of business convincing (read sales) Membership dues doesn't sit right with me as the appeal is that many events are free to attend.
Thoughts? Ask the local ad agencies to display ad banners at your place of meetup or get the food sponsored by them or so.