An interest group brings together members who share a passion, whether or not they know each other yet: a language you’re learning, music from a part of the world you love, a cuisine, a country you have ties to, travel stories. Circles are for the people you already know; interest groups are for meeting new ones.
On the site itself, interest groups and circles are both called Spaces, so that’s the word you’ll see on the menus and buttons.
How an interest group works
- Anyone can find it and join it. There’s no approval step: members click Join and they’re in.
- Posts are public. Visitors who aren’t members of Global Twin Cities can read what’s posted, which helps new people discover the group. Anything you’d only share with friends belongs in a circle instead.
- You’re the host. As the person who starts the group, you can welcome people, pin important posts, set a few house rules and remove posts that don’t belong.
Before you start
Take a quick look at the existing groups to make sure yours doesn’t already exist. If it does, join it and help it grow. If you have an idea but don’t want to host it yourself, suggest it in the forum and someone else may take it on.
Step by step
- Go to Spaces and click Create a space. (You’ll need to be signed in.)
- Give your group a clear name that says what it’s about, like “Persian Poetry” or “Twin Cities Salsa Dancers.” For Type, choose Open: anyone can join.
- For Category, choose the one that fits best: Countries & Regions, Language & Conversation, Minnesota, Travel, Food & Culture, or News & Ideas. (Circles is only for circles.)
- Add a short description, up to 160 characters, so people know at a glance what the group is for.
- Set the tone. Open your group’s Settings and add a few house rules, such as what belongs here, and what belongs in the Forums or on a blog instead. They appear on the group’s About tab.
- Get it started. Write a welcome post, share a photo, ask a question or run a quick poll. People are much more likely to join a group with something already in it.
- Invite people. Click Invite to invite members by name, or create an invite link to send to friends who aren’t on Global Twin Cities yet. When they sign up through your link, they go straight into your group, with no waiting for approval.
Keeping it lively
- Post regularly, even briefly: an event you heard about, an article, a question. A group with fresh posts draws people back.
- Welcome newcomers. A quick hello to each new member goes a long way.
- Find a co-host. Once the group gets going, ask an active member to help out. It’s more fun, and the group keeps going when you’re traveling.
- Post events on the Events calendar and share the link in your group.
- Long pieces? Trip reports and essays work better as blog posts. Write one, then share the link in your group with a photo and a line or two.
A few reminders
- Because posts are public, please don’t post anyone’s full name, photo or location without their permission. Some of our members have family in countries where being identified online can be dangerous.
- Our community guidelines apply in interest groups too.
- You can start as many groups as you like.
Questions, or an idea for a group you’d like to see? Let me know.