Things to Think About When Choosing a Coworking Space That's Right for You.
We all need a little space from time to time. Perhaps it’s space to relax, space to focus or space to connect with your friends and family. You may have seen or heard of the coworking spaces popping up all over Madison and the world around. These places have private offices, meeting rooms and public spaces that can be utilized for either professional or personal needs. Each space is designed to provide users the room and capacity to work how they want to while also offering unique memberships, providing various benefits and perks.
With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while looking for the space that’s best for you. Here are some things you might want to think about when choosing a coworking space:
Choose a Community
There’s an old saying that states “You’re most like the five people you surround yourself with.” In fact, the Harvard Business Review recently published an article Why People Thrive in Coworking Spaces, stating that coworking is more about connecting with others, than it is about actual workspace. Take the time to try out different spaces in order to get to know their members. Afterall, how many folks move in with roommates having never met them? Besides freshman year in college, that is. Trying out different kinds of spaces allows you the opportunity to discover which which interests or work habits, best align with your, making your time there more enjoyable and productive.
Program Options
Almost every coworking space provides events and programming that provide networking opportunities for members to meet other like-minded people. What types of programs and events are you most interested in? Perhaps one that connects local business owners or that focus more on tech startups and investors? Why not start an event or meetup of your own? If you’re one of those crazies that like to run outside in the bitter cold (you know who you are), you can organize and host a group to run with and cowork with after!
Membership Perks
You may be wondering what kind of perks a coworking space can offer. Turns out, there’s a lot to choose from. Besides the benefits of connecting with fellow members and finding space to be productive, coworking memberships often come with discounts for local businesses or products and services you need to run your business.
Physical Environment/Real Estate
Working downtown certainly has a different vibe than when you’re working in the suburbs. Think about the type of space and location best resonates with your needs and the type of work you’re looking to do. You might opt for a city location, outfitted with high end amenities or a more professional atmosphere for which to make a good impression with executives. Perhaps you’re looking for a more comfortable suburban space, attractive to artists and creatives or one that has easy access to parking.
Networked spaces
Maybe there’s a few different spaces that have caught your eye? Whether you’re considering multiple locations because you have clients spread out in different parts of town or are looking to utilize different amenities, that’s ok! Many coworking space members work in multiple spaces for a ride variety of reasons. If you’re looking at a space with multiple locations, don’t limit yourself to just chains. Plenty of independent spaces participate in city, state and even global affiliate membership programs that allow you to use different locations. You’d be surprised how many of the “little” spaces have a larger footprint.