When people browse for groups on Radius, they're scrolling through many options. You have just a moment to catch their eye. Here are some tips to help your group stand out and connect with the right people.
Start with a clear, welcoming name #
Your group name is often the first thing someone sees. A clear, descriptive name helps people find you and understand what you're about. Here are some examples:
Good: ✅
- "Toronto Ruby Meetup" immediately tells people it's a Ruby programming group in Toronto
- "London Board Game Night" clear about both the activity and location
- "Berlin Tech Women" shows the community and focus
- "Manchester Running Club" activity and location are right there
Bad: ❌
- "The Collective" what kind of collective? What brings people together?
- "Tuesday Group" Tuesday for what activity? It's hard to know what to expect
- "Friends of Coffee" could be many things, from a coffee shop to a book club
- "XYZ123" doesn't give people much to go on
When someone searches for "ruby programming" or "board games" or "running club", a clear name helps your group appear in their results. When they see it, they should understand what you're about right away.
A descriptive name isn't just helpful for search. It builds trust by showing you've put thought into how people will find you.
Your icon is your group's friendly face #
Your group icon appears everywhere: in listings, search results, and notifications. It's worth taking a moment to make sure it represents you well.
Make sure it's square. Icons are displayed as squares on the platform, so rectangles get cropped. Start with 512x512 or 1024x1024 pixels for a clean base.
Your icon appears alongside many others in listings, so use high contrast colors and keep the design simple. Bold shapes work better than intricate details, especially at small sizes. If you're including text, make sure it stays readable when small.
Test it at different sizes. Look at how it appears in a group listing (small) versus on your group page (larger). If you can tell what it is at thumbnail size, others will too. Photos that don't scale well, text that becomes illegible, or designs that blend into the background won't work.
Write a description that helps people feel welcome #
Your description is a chance to share what makes your group special and who might enjoy joining. Be specific rather than vague.
What happens at your events? Speakers, workshops, casual discussions? Structured learning or relaxed social time? The more details you share, the easier it is for someone to picture themselves there.
Tell people who your group is for. Phrases like "a community for women in tech" or "open to all skill levels" help people understand if they're a good fit. Include the basics: how often you meet, what a typical gathering looks like, and what new members can expect.
Here's an example:
Toronto Ruby Meetup brings together Ruby developers of all experience levels for monthly technical talks, code reviews, and networking. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at various venues across the city. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting with Ruby, you're welcome to join us for pizza, talks, and discussions about Ruby and web development.
See how it shares exactly what happens, when it happens, and who it's for? That's the clarity that helps people feel confident about joining.
Photos help people see themselves there #
Real photos from your actual events make your community feel alive and show people what to expect.
Show the diversity of your community. When photos reflect the variety of people who come to your events, it helps others see that they'd be welcome too. If your photos only show one type of person, others might wonder if they'd fit in.
Capture authentic moments. Candid shots of people engaging, the venue setup, the atmosphere. These real moments tell a story better than a perfectly posed group photo.
Keep them up to date. If your photos are from years ago, people might wonder if the group is still active. When you have new events, refresh your photos so people can see your group is thriving.
Build a gallery, not just one photo. Multiple photos share a richer picture: different events, different venues, different moments. A single photo might suggest a one-time event, while a gallery shows the ongoing life of your community.
And remember to ask permission before posting photos. Not everyone wants their photo shared publicly, especially in close-ups.
Your background photo welcomes visitors #
The wide background photo at the top of your group page is often the first thing people see when they visit. Choose something that represents your group well.
It should reflect what your group does: a tech event scene for a tech group, an outdoor setting for an outdoor group, a workshop setup for workshop-based gatherings. Make sure it looks good when cropped wide and isn't too busy, so any text overlaid on top remains readable.
Preview it on your page. Can you read the text comfortably? Does it create the feeling you want? If it's too dark or cluttered, try a different image.
Before you publish #
Ask yourself:
- Can someone understand what my group is about just from the name?
- Does my icon look clear at small sizes?
- Would someone new understand what we do and who it's for?
- Do I have recent photos that show what our events are really like?
- Does my background photo represent us well?
- If I discovered this group profile, would I feel excited to join?
If any of these feel uncertain, take time to refine things before sharing.
Keep your profile fresh #
Your group profile should grow with your community. As your focus evolves, update your description. When you have new events, add new photos. If your branding changes, refresh your icon.
An active, well-maintained profile shows that your group is thriving and that someone is actively managing it. It's a signal to both current members and potential newcomers that your community is alive and cared for.
The groups that thrive on Radius make it easy for the right people to find them and feel confident about joining. Taking time to create a profile that represents your group pays dividends. It's your first impression, and first impressions set the tone for everything that follows.
Want to see these ideas in action? Browse groups on Radius and discover how other organizers are bringing these practices to life in their communities.