If your name is Ryan, then I’ve got the community for you.
However, there are three essential guidelines you’ll need to meet before you can join their vibrant Meetup community:
- Your first name must be Ryan.
- If your name isn’t Ryan, this community isn’t for you.
- Bryans, sorry, you’re not welcome here.
This group gathers monthly to socialize, united solely by the common thread of sharing the name Ryan. Their shared aversion to the name Bryan has also become an unspoken bond among them.
With thousands of new members and duplicate groups sprouting up in major cities, the group’s popularity has soared.
It all began with one person – Ryan Rose from Brooklyn, NY. She yearned for a sense of belonging, and after several previous attempts at creating communities, she struck gold with the idea of a Ryan Meetup.
At the outset, only three Ryans, including Ryan Rose herself, attended the first gathering. As she recounted to The New York Times, “In a cosmic way, we were just connected. We started texting every day.”
The meteoric rise of the Ryan Meetup’s popularity isn’t surprising when you consider that it encompasses three essential ingredients for building a successful community.
Three Essential Ingredients For Building A Successful Community:
Dedicated and Personable Founder:
Every thriving community needs a driving force, and in this case, Ryan Rose provided the spark alongside the two others who joined the initial meetup. Her unwavering commitment to bringing together individuals with a shared identity has fostered an environment where Ryans can connect. A committed and relatable leader acts as the catalyst for a community’s growth. By embodying the essence of the group and forging genuine connections with members, you create an atmosphere that naturally draws people in to engage and connect on a profound level.
Clear Membership Parameters:
The cornerstone of any successful community is a well-defined understanding of who belongs and who doesn’t (sorry, Bryans). The Ryan community embraces its specific criteria and proudly proclaims it: “Only Ryans allowed, no exceptions!” This clarity cultivates a strong sense of belonging and unity among its members. Defining your community’s membership criteria with precision is vital. Crafting well-defined parameters fosters unity and a sense of belonging among participants. Whether it’s a shared interest, experience, or identity, explicitly outlining the eligibility criteria sets the stage for a tightly knit and purpose-driven community.
A Dash of Quirkiness:
Let’s be honest; there’s something charmingly unconventional about a group of people uniting solely because of a name and then going the extra mile by excluding a similar-sounding one. Embracing their quirkiness underscores the authenticity of the community, and it’s this distinctive charm that sets it apart. Every attendee now has a story to share with friends. Embracing your community’s uniqueness can be a game-changer. Infusing a touch of eccentricity or quirkiness creates a memorable and engaging experience for members. It encourages them to celebrate their individuality while finding common ground with others, leading to stronger bonds and more meaningful interactions.
By weaving these three elements into the fabric of your community, you’re setting the stage for success. Much like the Ryan Meetup thrives on the passion of its founder, the clarity of its membership guidelines, and the charm of its distinctiveness, your community can flourish by embracing these principles. Whether you’re steering enthusiasts, professionals, or any group bound by a shared interest, always remember that a pinch of dedication, a sprinkle of clarity, and a generous helping of uniqueness can transform your community into a thriving and unforgettable experience for all involved.
