The majority of people I meet in coworking spaces have had to decide whether to work from home or set up shop in a coworking space.
Typically they have to make this decision at the early stages of their business which is usually when the business is either losing money or just about breaking even. So any additional expense can be a very scary thing.
To help you make this decision, here are some slightly unexpected benefits coworking spaces.
Business Growth
Credibility
- Imagine you need a website or app built. You organise meetings with two potential web development companies. One company has no office address and invites you to meet in a café. The other has a city central address and invites to a trendy office building with a receptionist who welcomes you upon arrival.
- If budget is their primary concern, clients may prefer the café option. Clients who depend quite highly on your service will prefer to see stability, reliability and organisation.
Surrounded by potential new clients
- Depending on which coworking space you choose, you’ll be sitting next to lots of other businesses. Typically small businesses of around 1 to 5 people. If these small businesses see that you’re reliable and trustworthy, they’ll eventually come to you when they need your services. This presents an amazing opportunity to grow your client base.
Inspiration and Support
- One of the best ways to become what you want to be is to surround yourself with people who are whatever that is. Coworking spaces are filled with business owners and freelancers. Regardless of what industry they’re in, the problems that we all encounter are similar and it’s inspiring to see other people who are getting through them. The mindset, conversations and support will help you stay the course and persevere.
- It would be much harder to run a marathon if you weren’t surrounded by other people doing the same thing.
Work
Productivity
- Being in a totally professional environment will naturally make you more likely to work. You’re less likely to watch that Youtube video and WhatsApp your friends when you’re surrounded by people who are all hustling pretty hard.
- People often say that they were far more likely to get distracted during the day when working at home. The newspaper may be on the table with a catchy headline or you may get a sudden urge to do some spring cleaning.
Accountability
- An odd thing begins to happen when you’ve been in a coworking space for a couple of months. Everyone around you begins to know your routine. Thus, people will know if you’re late. You’ll be made aware of this by just catching eyes with them as you walk in the door. Although you have no professional connection to this person, you still want to be perceived as a hard-working professional in their eyes.
- To avoid those eyes, you might resist hitting snooze the next morning.
Friends
Human Interaction
- I worked from home for four consecutive months earlier this year. Something I noticed was that I began to yearn for more human interaction. Getting lunch would be the first time I’d speak to someone each day. And then I probably wouldn’t meet anyone until later that evening. The simple fact that you’re interacting with people on a daily basis is a big draw of coworking spaces for otherwise solo online workers.
Friends
- These people will gradually become your friends. Or faux colleagues. Now you have people to celebrate with on a Friday evening rather than hoping a friend will invite you along to their workplace’s drinks (special thank you to my friends who did that!).
Due of all the benefits I’ve experienced above, I view joining a coworking space as a smart investment in the business rather than a mere expense.
Most coworking spaces will offer some type of trial day or a one month subscription. This is a nice, low-risk way to see if it’s for you.
As always, thanks for reading!
P.s. the picture above is of the workspace where I currently am in WeWork, Iveagh Court, D2. Big ups.
