Ideas for putting together a local investor meeting?

The first meeting I'm having will be free to attend.

As things progress however, a "membership fee" and a "monthly newsletter" to keep in touch with all those who attend.

My question on that aspect is:

Online or offline newsletter ... or both? Of course I'll ask that question at the meeting, but I'm interested in your opinions here as well (for reasons I'll explain in a moment).

I know some of the more prominent, wealthy investors-land owners in this particular area are not particularly "net-savvy" and very importantly, don't care to be. Many of them drive 20 year old pick-ups and their typical "around town" garb consist mainly of the old "Mr. Greenjeans" Overalls. (Part of why I love it here!)

That's one reason I'm looking at doing a "hard copy", mailed newsletter. Plus, personally I prefer hard-copy newsletters myself. Inexpensive I would guess (B&W, created on my own computer with Publisher, sent over to the printer for copies). I would also think I could pass along the cost to the "member" as long as the value is there. Or even have it paid for by advertisers.

Your opinions on the online or hard copy newsletter? I ask because ... I know some of you here are familiar with the concept of "licensing". I suppose I could do both and have the online "pdf" edition on an online "membership site"?

Now here's why I mentioned licensing before. I'm going to make some general assumptions and say my "local only" meeting becomes successful in terms of: interested (and interestING) people attending, profitable relationships / deals result (which is already happening based on a few simple calls to other local investors about the meeting!), more "exclusive" groups form from the larger group, people are willing to pay a "membership fee" to become (monthly/yearly?) members after attending / seeing the "value" membership will provide ... okay, so let's say the whole concept proves to be profitable and viable.

Based on those "look to the future" assumptions, does "licensing" my group name and packaging this an an opportunity for other investors in other mid-size cities across the country seem plausible?

I would say that if the idea "in and of itself" proves successful, I personally will profit in two ways:

1. The membership fees (to cover cost/expenses and a small monthly $ for myself).
2. The true profits will be made through the relationships and partnerships that are formed as a result of the meetings.

#3? But licensing the "name and systems" created along the way that make it a profitable venture could be another business and income stream itself. A small setup fee and then a monthly fee from a "franchisee" of sorts?

I show them how to set it up in quick fashion, who they want to call and why, how to run the meeting, how to set up partnerships, where to get the "local" information that will be so valuable to their local investors, how to talk to get local lenders, bankers, realtors to bring the BEST deals to their meetings for THEIR members, etc.

Yes, I'm getting ahead of myself but don't the Japanese usually have a 100 year plan for running a business versus our American way of having a 100 minute plan?

By The Way: I ran across one of Jay Abraham's "mind maps" last night and starting creating one of my own for this little business idea (plus I have about $3,000 worth of his info ... and Dan Kennedy's of course sitting on my shelf), so between these guys and the info you've provided me here, my mind is reeling with ideas! If anyones interested in J.A's mind map, here's the link
http://www.strategicprofits.com/news...-announcement/

Thanks again for all your input here guys!

Sorry for the rambling