For entrepreneurs serious about growing their businesses, coworking spaces offer opportunities for community learning, networking with like-minded individuals, and getting work done distraction-free. If you’re ready to break free of the coffeeshop or move out of your home office, coworking is right for you. For starters, try these 5 tips to help you get the most out of your coworking experience.
Know Your Need. Know how much space you need to operate your business. Sometimes when we start, we find we may need more or less space than we imagined. Will a shared hot desk suffice, or do you need a dedicated desk that’s all your own? Do you need a private office that will allow you to move in your supplies, furniture, and equipment so you work quietly and accept client drop-ins? Think about what your business needs are and choose the membership plan that best meets your needs. If there are vacancies in the coworking space you’re joining, ask the membership coordinator if you can try each space out before you make a final decision.
Match Your Need to The Membership. Once you determine how much coworking space you need, look at the coworking space membership page or brochure to find out what’s available and if it fits within your budget. Make sure also to review the terms and benefits to each membership level. You might find that for a little more you can upgrade to take advantage of additional perks.
Get to Know Your Fellow Inhabitants. As you begin your journey in your coworking office, learn about those who share the space with you. Coworking spaces can be ideal for networking and growing your business (and helping those around you grow theirs). As you meet people around you, find out what type of business are they in, who is their ideal client, and what makes up their interests. Aim to be genuinely interested and not self-focused. The ideal outcome is making new friends and perhaps, if you have businesses that overlap, new strategic partners with which to collaborate and/or share referrals.
Develop a Routine. Research shows that 40% of our daily actions are powered by the habits we establish. The same way you had a routine when you worked for an employer, you need a set of habits that guide you through your workday in a coworking space. One such routine may be that you arrive 30 minutes early to have a cup of coffee, plan or review your plan for the day, greet your fellow coworking entrepreneurs, choose your music playlist, and set up your workspace (if you aren’t using a private office). A good routine will help you be productive at the start of each day.
Get Involved Immediately. As a member of a coworking community, find ways to get involved. If your coworking space has a profile page for members, complete it so others can get to know you faster. Be sure to engage on the coworking space’s social media platforms as well. Another great way to get involved is to participate in and host educational classes at the facility or social events on-site. When people show a high level of commitment and invest in making the coworking space fun, energized, and useful for everyone, it makes for a greater work experience.
Coworking can take your business to the next level if you plan purposefully. If you follow the tips in this post, you can figure out the best way for you to make the most of your coworking space. If you’re on the fence about coworking, contact us for a tour of our space. We’d love to show you around and introduce you to your next office.
