Month: October 2019

Considering the work nature and rising number of freelancers nowadays, a coworking space is what they need instead of coffee offices or homes. It’s a perfect place for them to stay productive without leaving their freedom as a freelancer. Many would like to work at home, but who would agree that working at home would compromise productivity. For this reason, freelancers should look for a good place to work to keep them motivated and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Even though freelancers aren’t working directly with other people, the good thing is that they’re still around other people. Your coworking space should have this sense of community for them to be involved in and look forward always as they visit your space. If freelancers can work either at home or at coffee shops, then as space owners, how can you attract them to work on your coworking space? Here are some ways to do it.

Offer Diverse Membership Packages

Many freelancers are doing their jobs part-time only. For this reason, your membership package should represent part-time options to allow flexibility. You can offer daily passes or present a limited amount of days each month when they can work in your space.

Make Google as your Marketing Tool

List your coworking space on Google. Include the opening hours, your space phone number, email and website details and allow your members to add their photos of the venue in the Google listing. This would help to build awareness and gain an online presence for your space. By creating an Adword campaign, you are reaching potential customers who are interested in coworking space.

Offer a Free Trial

Allow potential customers to spend one day at your space for free. This will give them a chance to have on-hand experience working in your space. At the same time, this will draw more prospective members.

Create a Referral Program

Offer discounts to members who bring their acquaintances and you’ll be amazed how useful this tactic is. You’ll be surprised that a percentage of these people are freelancers who are looking for space or just curious about how a coworking space environment might be. In any type of business, word of mouth is still the most effective delivery channel.

Social Media Presence

Create a social media account on Instagram and/or Facebook and put posts regularly with good quality photos or videos relevant to your space. Social media influence is very helpful in attracting potential members. Posting some of your services and the people inside your space will certainly gain an audience from prospective members. Also, be active in engaging with comments and answering inquiries to reflect on how engaging your activity on social media.

Host Useful Events

Host fun social events and practical workshops for non-members and you’ll see an influx of new members. In organizing an event, keep in mind that the sense of community matters in coworking space. Have events that encourage collaboration and networking among other coworkers from different industries. 

Partner with Local Business

Partner with restaurants, coffee shops, and fitness centers to offer your members special discounts at these venues. This way you both advertise your coworking space and these establishments will benefit as well.

Summary

Freelancers who work better in non-standard hours have the freedom to choose which place to work. Coworking space is not their only option. As space owner, you should market your coworking space with a good strategy. Be sure that the amenities you advertise are available and functional for their needs. Let your place promote community where they can be a part of, especially if they are not regular members of the space. 

 

Some will say hot desk is better than dedicated desks while others claim dedicated desks are way better. Well, there is no better superior option since each type of membership has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look and you can decide based on what is best for your space. 

Hot Desks

Hot desks are seating areas shared communally amongst a group of members. It is your on-demand workspace where coworkers would simply choose any open seat in your location to begin their work. Hot desks are ideal for freelancers, remote workers, small business owners, or business travelers in need of inspiring and vibrant spaces. This is perfect for those who need flexible and 24/7 coworking space access. 

Advantages

Hot desks grant freedom to coworkers to choose where, when, and how they want to work within the space. They can choose to sit at a quieter place if they need concentration or for other days to sit around and chat with coworkers. This is offered to both full-time and part-time memberships. Through this kind of set-up, it increases the level of communication and collaboration among coworkers. It can lead to valuable conversations from different backgrounds and industries. 

This can be recommended to a larger team in your coworking space for project-based collaboration. Also, this is at a cheaper cost for the members since they do not have their dedicated spot and are sharing the cost of the space with fellow hot-desking members.

Disadvantages

However, there are also drawbacks to hot desking. The recurring monthly revenue will be harder to predict since it varies from time to time. It is also difficult to foresee and accommodate coworkers during peak hours. Since members come and go, it will be a challenge to create a consistent community.

Dedicated Desks

Dedicated Desks are desk rented out to one specific individual. It is like giving a coworker a business home with a desk that is specifically reserved for them. Dedicated desks are for anyone who needed a reserved, permanent space where they can keep their belongings and return to every day. It is specifically equipped with a chair, trash can, and lockable filing cabinet and other important stuff to make the member at home. 

Advantages

Dedicated desks are charged at a higher cost when compared to hot desks. This kind of membership enables to have anchors for your community since you will have consistent members who can grasp the vision and mission of your coworking space. As a space owner, you can offer your members additional security of their belongings to make them feel comfortable and relaxed. Offer your members a long term contract for you to have a more reliable recurring revenue plan.

Disadvantages

There are also a few disadvantages with dedicated desks. This would require a more upfront commitment from your prospective members making them hard to get this type of membership. There might be fewer drop-ins and visitors to be part of the community. Also, it can be an additional expense since it requires additional security for storing items and allowing 24/7 access.

Why Not Choose Both?

Why choose one when you can have both this type of memberships in your coworking space. Most coworking spaces adapt the mix of hot desks and dedicated desks since they can work together to maximize the benefits of both memberships. Visit the site if WeWork where they have a mix of shared-workspaces in their coworking space. Offering both ensures you to attract a mix of members that can keep your community dynamic and your members engaged. In terms of revenue, it allows you to optimize your growth efforts from event rentals, drop-in visitors, and shorter-term memberships. When you have a mix of dedicated and hot desks, your community benefits the best of both and you can even experiment if which works the best in your specific location. 

Final Words

There are different needs of the members and the demand to compete with the rising coworking industry is also high. From the selection above, what fits you and your space best? The choice will be yours. In some areas, the combined approach might be a great idea. But for some, it might take to choose from either of it. Check our blog on The Different Membership Plans you can offer to your members to widen your choices.