кейс лучшего коворкинга в России – Секреты создания стартап-сообщества в твоем городе

Привет! Мы (Михаил Корнеев и Ренат Гарипов) — команда, которая создала вместе с Фондом развития интернет-инициатив платформу для запуска стартапов #tceh. Сейчас #tceh это крутые образовательные курсы, трекшн-митинги для технологических предпринимателей, масштабные проекты с крупными партнерами и, конечно, коворкинг, который стал основой для всех наших активностей. Вот о коворкинге и поговорим. Во второй половине 2014-го мы запустили площадку в режиме «публичной» беты и хотим поделиться полученным за полтора года опытом.

Первое правило: не будьте коворкингом

Вбейте «коворкинг» в поиске на Хабрахабре и убедитесь – большинство запускавшихся площадок замолкли уже на второй год, если только не были частью чего-то большего. Причина — экономика подавляющего большинства коворкингов не сходится, очень сложно сделать коворкинг, генерирующий прибыль.
Бизнес должен быть модульным, и коворкинг — центральный блок, за счет которого вы сможете запуститься. К нему пристыковываются другие модули (как на МКС). Они будут поставлять ресурсы и расширять ваши возможности.

Для нас такими модулями стали:

1. Образовательные курсы #tceh_edu. С их помощью мы устраняем дефицит компетенций тех, кто запускает стартапы, и приводим на площадку новые проекты, которые иногда становятся резидентами коворкинга.
2. Мероприятия вроде Hack’n’roll – хакатона, на котором участники предлагают решения для конкретной отрасли. Такие проекты мы будем делать чаще — это создаёт мост между большими игроками традиционных индустрий и стартапами, и помогает нам рассказывать о #tceh.
3. Трекшн митинги – регулярные встречи с независимыми экспертами, которые за руку проведут от идеи до запуска, а потом до бизнеса и масштабирования. Конечно, если вы сами не похороните проект где-то по дороге. Методика аналогична той, что успешно применяет ФРИИ.

Каждый из этих модулей требует дополнительных усилий и ресурсов на вывод на орбиту. Широкая продуктовая линейка – пожалуй, единственный вариант выжить, если вы коворкинг.

Правило второе: занимайтесь тем, в чём разбираетесь

Мало у кого есть опыт управления коворкингом, кроме тех, кто уже запустил коворкинг или делает это во второй раз. Ни детальные планы, ни опыт ведения бизнеса не уберегут вас от кучи граблей и неожиданностей.

Разумно сфокусироваться на аудитории, в отрасли которой вы свободно разбираетесь. У #tceh это IT-проекты. У кого-то (посмотрите истории других) – дизайнеры одежды, социальные предприниматели, биотех-компании… Гораздо проще начинать с аудитории, потребности которой вы хорошо понимаете.

Правило третье: пишите письма

Одно из открытий после запуска: именно посещение площадки (даже без цели сесть в коворкинг) будет главным, что повлияет на спонтанное решение о покупке. Но визиты нужно уметь конвертировать в продажи.

Создавая мероприятия для целевой аудитории, вы получаете канал привлечения клиентов. А мероприятия с бесплатной регистрацией – еще и самый простой и понятный способ набрать базу подписчиков.

Чтобы превратить подписчика в покупателя, разработайте цепочку писем. Заведите автописьма с благодарностью за регистрацию. Напоминайте людям по-человечески о конкретном событии, на которое они записывались, – чтобы повышать конверсию в реально пришедших.

Высылайте после мероприятия письма с фото, видео, презентациями и анонсами следующих полезных мероприятий – люди будут привыкать к вам, конвертироваться в подписчиков Youtube и соцсетей. Вообще есть 30+ вариантов типов писем, которые можно использовать в зависимости от ваших нужд.

Правило четвертое: установите ограничения

Однажды мы провели опрос среди резидентов на тему, что они ценят в #tceh.

В топ-3 вошли:

• сообщество
• местоположение
• обстановка

С двумя последними пунктами все просто: центр города и интерьер, в который не стыдно привести клиентов или партнеров, делают свое дело.

А вот пункт №1 – сообщество – стал приятным моментом. Наш опыт говорит: «всех впускать – никого не выпускать» — плохая стратегия. Когда мы только планировали #tceh, то решили, что брать к себе будем не каждого. Нет, конечно, когда кто-то заходил в гости, сначала мы показывали площадку, поили вкусным кофе и отвечали на вопросы. А потом начинали задавать вопросы сами: что за проект, зачем они его делают, что с командой, каков опыт и т.д.

Бывало, что после таких интервью мы отказывали проекту в резидентстве, если он не попадал в наш формат или выглядел откровенно слабым.

Казалось бы – зачем терять потенциальных клиентов, когда уже потратился на их привлечение? Возможно, «всеядность» и принесла бы нам чуть больше легких денег поначалу, но точно помешала бы сформировать сильное сообщество.

Помните: сильным командам интересно работать рядом с другими сильными командами.

Изучая каждого потенциального резидента, мы лучше понимали, насколько он впишется в существующую в коворкинге культуру, насколько этот проект комплиментарен тем, что уже сидят на площадке. Это было (и остается) очень важной частью ценностного предложения #tceh.

Правило пятое: длительные тарифы помогают строить сплочённое сообщество

С первого дня важным отличием #tceh было отсутствие однодневных и почасовых тарифов. Мы исходили из того, что тем, кто действительно строит бизнес, нужно работать на площадке постоянно – или хотя бы регулярно появляться тут (провести собрание, переговоры, трекшн и т.п.).

Это был риск – вдруг клиенты не захотят заключать договор сразу на месяц? Но по итогам года оказалось, что помесячный тариф – это наиболее востребованное предложение.

Более того, мы смогли обеспечить высокий срок жизни команд на площадке. А в меру низкая ротация – то, что нужно для формирования сообщества. Согласитесь, что для знакомства и начала общения, людям надо привыкнуть друг к другу.

Правило шестое: делегируйте

Со временем подход «сделаем всё сами» начинает сдерживать вас в росте и отнимать то время, которое можно было бы потратить на развитие бизнеса. Вряд ли вы сможете позволить себе большую команду, поэтому утонув в операционных задачах, вы будете топтаться на одном месте. Несколько моментов из нашего опыта:

• Когда мы научились запускать по несколько курсов #tceh_edu в месяц и зарабатывать на них – отдали разработку лендингов на сторону. Но гайдлайны по их созданию прописал и контролировал наш дизайнер. Тогда это расшило нам очень серьезную проблему со сроками запуска каждого нового курса. Потом, правда, мы вернули разработку страниц самостоятельно, но только после того, как типизировали и шаблонизировали все процессы.
• Другой пример: когда мероприятий стало ну очень много, стали приглашать стажеров по бартеру — с нас навыки и знания, с них полноценный труд. Позже стажеры появились и в маркетинге. Несколько стажеров по итогам их практики мы взяли в штат.
• Чтобы быстро вводить новых людей в курс дела, мы ввели процедуры и шаблоны, а также настроили процесс, когда более опытный сотрудник обучает новичка.
• Когда мы автоматизировали часть работы ресепшна, у девочек появилось время на освоение вопросов бухгалтерии и других более важных задач. А это – и удержание хороших сотрудников (вы им доверяете, они растут), и разгрузка других членов команды от части будничных обязанностей.

Правило седьмое: будьте пользователем своего продукта

Если вы проводите образовательные мероприятия – пусть ваши сотрудники сами посещают их. Они расскажут о проблемах и недоработках, которые ваши клиенты, возможно, не заметят, подумав, что так и должно быть.

Будьте сами резидентами своего коворкинга: пользуйтесь тем же WiFi, пейте тот же кофе, работайте в том же пространстве, что и ваши клиенты — так вы сможете замечать все проблемы, до того, как они действительно станут проблемами.

Кстати, о кофе, чае, печеньках — это правило хорошего тона в любом офисе. А то, что предназначаются они для клиентов, делает вопрос своевременного завоза продуктов еще более чувствительным. Уделите ему внимание.

Про то, почему важно самому использовать продукт, который создаешь, написано множество статей. Когда мы только запускали #tceh – мы практически жили на площадке. Те у кого была возможность, даже переехали ближе к Курской (как фанаты считать всё, что считается, мы быстро поняли, во сколько обходится время на дорогу).

Правило восьмое: уют не должен доминировать

Уже после запуска мы почувствовали очень важную штуку — мы создали близкий к идеальному баланс между комфортом и рабочей обстановкой. Впоследствии, когда мы стали изучать международный опыт и обратную связь от резидентов европейских и американских коворкингов, пришло понимание — чрезмерный уют снижает продуктивность. Все эти лесопарковые зоны, пледы, какао, брус в интерьерах, камины вызывают какие угодно желания, кроме работы.

Для работы нужен драйв, динамика и функциональность. Интерьер должен быть полезным — розетки в диванах, маркерные доски на стенах, климат-контроль с большим количеством зон.

***

И, пожалуй, главное наше открытие — коворкинг как сложный музыкальный инструмент. Если хочешь создать лучшее предложение на рынке и в дальнейшем масштабироваться, то будь готов к постоянному файн-тюнингу — тонкой настройке десятков параметров.

P.S. Большое спасибо Алексею Корнееву, без которого эта статья бы не появилась.

90000 Coworking Space Business Plan Template + PDF Download 90001 90002 The coworking industry is becoming a lucrative worldwide phenomenon, so now is the perfect time to break into the business. We’ve put together a checklist to help you envision, assemble, and scale your own unique space. Whether you’re brand new to the industry or you already know the ropes, you can use these tips to improve efficiency, define your brand and strengthen your space’s community. 90003 90004 Looking for our full coworking space business plan? 90005 90002 We offer a comprehensive guide to operating a coworking space.Download it free here. 90003 90008 1. Define Your Vision 90009 90002 Why do you want to open the new space? To make a living? To cross-finance your own startup? To create a national coworking chain? To help your local community? 90003 90002 All are valid answers, but this important work will help define your entire strategy. You will have to adapt your strategy over time, but your vision should stay intact to make sure your brand is consistent and your members feel valued. For example, read WeWork’s original pitch deck — their initial vision still has not changed, even as their business has scaled up.90003 90008 2. Solve a Specific Problem 90009 90002 There needs to be a niche for your new coworking business, and thankfully there are plenty. Maybe your area has a high demand for coworking spaces beyond coffee shops and libraries. Maybe the existing spaces in your area are too focused on one type of worker. On the other hand, maybe the other spaces are too broad. 90003 90002 You’re now in the business of problem-solving, and starting with a focus and expanding from there should be your main goal.For example, Google started out as a simple search engine that used links to determine the importance of individual pages on the internet. Today, they still dominate their niche, but they also offer dozens of services on top of that-mail, calendars, maps, even phones. To move on to something bigger, you first need to start on one thing. Start by analyzing your competitors and planning out a competitive analysis. 90003 90008 3. Define Your Space 90009 90002 Envision your target market’s dream coworking environment.Is your space a premium facility for companies or an affordable solution for freelancers? Is your primary audience big business or small teams? Will you facility integrate with your city’s business environment through events and partnerships or will it be an independent space open to anyone? 90003 90002 Deciding these will help you more easily plan out your membership pricing, amenities, marketing and even location. Being generic does not cut it. Think deeply about how to stand out against the rest and add value.90003 90008 4. List Your Business Goals 90009 90002 This is the tough work that will help you the most in the long run. If your space is fully leased, plan out the number of desks you can offer and monetize. Shoot for using 30 to 40 percent of your total space as desk space. Use this figure to calculate how much revenue your space can generate, including comparing the number of hot desks against the number of permanent desks. 90003 90002 Start to formulate a financial plan for your vision. Use our very own free 90031 financial ramp up calculator 90032 to get started.Now think about goals further down the line. When will you break even? How much revenue will you generate? How much turnover do you expect? Which amenities and cosmetic choices can you afford? 90003 90002 Now think about the investment you’ll need. This includes set up cost, like furniture and internet service; opening cost, like a launch event; and ongoing operations, like maintenance and salaries. There are more costs than you might initially imagine, so research more with coworking guru Alex Hillman’s online guide.90003 90002 Define your value proposition, cost structure, revenue streams, customer segments, key channels and marketing strategy. You’ll need to know these answers inside and out. 90003 90038 Preview of our coworking 90039 90038 revenue forecast tool 90039 90008 5. Pick Your Team 90009 90002 Every great business starts with a great team. Consider every side of the plan; a technology expert, operations manager, and a marketing person are essential, whether you hire them, do those jobs yourself or outsource to freelancers.90003 90002 Look into real estate partners, investors, and other day-to-day employees to round out your core group. A solid team will increase your space’s value and pave the way for future growth. 90003 90008 6. Coworking Business Model 90009 90050 What is your unique selling point? What value do you bring? 90051 90002 Do you offer lots of space for large teams to rent out, or individual desks to pay for by the hour? Do you offer bare-bones facilities like wifi and a seat at a desk, or cold brew on tap and gym access? You should always aim to offer the work necessities that are not available in free spaces like coffee shops: printers, reliable high-speed internet, writing utensils, scanners, and other office supplies.You may want to cater to a specific industry, like offering a space where entrepreneurs can network and bounce ideas off of each other. Are you geared towards providing networking opportunities, or a quiet space for optimal productivity? Or do you cater to bigger clients who want more private meeting spaces or long term rentals? The answer to all of these questions will begin to define how you sell your space. 90003 90050 Who is your audience 90051 90002 Are you catering to individuals, businesses, or both? How will you accommodate those will stop in sporadically versus members who need a steady 9-5 workspace? Will you lease specific desks and offices or just grant people entry? Are there entire floors that companies can rent out, or private meeting spaces for remote teams? Or maybe you do not exist in a physical place but are more of a club? These parameters will help you think about what type of space you should occupy.90003 90002 If you’re offering a space for people to meet outside of the 9-5 to work on their side hustles, maybe you operate out of a building that is in use only outside of normal business hours, like a restaurant or church. If you’re catering more to the 9-5 crowd, think about how you can utilize your space outside of business hours. Perhaps you’ll host nighttime events like book readings or networking cocktail hours. Maybe you cater to parents by offering childcare or irregular hours. 90003 90050 Revenue streams 90051 90002 Most revenue will come from membership fees, but those can take several forms.You can have members pay monthly or by year, or hourly for the use of work space. You can offer both hot desks, which can be rented out for specific times, and dedicated desks, where a member can leave their things and return to at their leisure. A mix of both will ensure you’re filled to maximum capacity. Consider offering corporate memberships, which can be a great way to get tons of people in the door and allow companies to extend perks to remote teams. 90003 90002 You can also bring in revenue through amenities like a cafe, and build different levels of membership which include these smaller perks.For example, a higher tier member might get unlimited coffee, free guests, or free access to events. 90003 90002 Another popular revenue stream for coworking space is something called a «virtual office,» in which startups or remote teams pay for a business address at which they can send and receive packages, even while working remotely. 90003 90050 Marketing Strategies 90051 90002 A good marketing strategy is key to getting your coworking space off the ground. It’s also highly connected with who your audience is.You may run advertisements on local news or in niche magazines that cater to your audience. You should definitely have an attractive website and a strong social media presence. Many places find success in offering perks to existing members for referring friends. 90003 90002 But try and get creative. Can you work with influencers that your audience might follow? Should you have a booth at industry fairs, or offer freebies to those passing by at a local farmers market or on a busy street? 90003 90050 Partnerships 90051 90002 To get off the ground, many coworking spaces rely on investors.They provide an initial revenue stream and source of capital and provide a networking tool than can be sold to members. If your coworking space hosts a number of entrepreneurs or start-ups, you may want to consider offering to connect them with your investor for a small fee. 90003 90002 Think about smaller scale partnerships as well, such as different local businesses and entrepreneurs you can collaborate with. Perhaps a local coffee shop would be interested in opening a cafe in your space, or a local restaurant would offer customers special discounts.You could offer members discounts at a nearby gym, or host instructors for fitness classes right in your coworking space. 90003 90002 If you plan on hosting events, begin to compile a shortlist of people who would make a good fit. Are there local entrepreneurs who could give an inspiring talk, or authors who might draw a crowd? Perhaps artists would be interested in having their work on display, or a local library could sponsor a small lending library of your own. 90003 90008 7. Coworking Business Model Template 90009 90002 There are tons of helpful coworking business model canvases out there one can use to start estimating your startup costs, brainstorming partnerships, catering towards your target audience and building your business.You can save this one to start planning your space. 90003 90002 90031 Target Audience 90032: Who is your dream client? Who do you wish to attract? 90003 90002 90031 Partners: 90032 Will you be looking for investors? You’ll definitely need an internet service providor. Will you partner with local businesses, or bring in local experts for events? 90003 90002 90031 Added Value: 90032 What’s your selling point? A quiet space for remote workers to use instead of a home office? Networking opportunities? Speakers and events? 90003 90002 90031 Key Resources: 90032 What do you need to be successful? An entire building or just an open floor? Wifi? Cold brew? Fax machines? 90003 90002 90031 Advertising: 90032 How will you spread the word? Through local businesses, social media, billboards or word of mouth? 90003 90002 90031 Key Activities: 90032 What will your space be used for? Workspace for startups? Collaboration for entrepreneurs? Events open to the whole community? 90003 90002 90031 Revenue Streams: 90032 Will membership fees be fixed or will there be different plans? Will you recruit investors? How many hot desks versus conference rooms? Will you charge a fee for events? 90003 90002 90031 Customer Segments 90032: What different customers do you hope to attract? Freelancers or remote workers or entire companies? 90003 90002 Download this Coworking Space Business Model Canvas today and start planning! 90003 90002 Remember: this is a broad overview.While these are some of the main questions you’ll need to address when shaping your business plan, there will be plenty of other things to evaluate more in-depth. We’ve collected a more extensive overview of how to launch and run a coworking space in 2019 with our updated guide, which you can download for free. 90003 90002 And get excited-coworking is showing signs of massive growth, and this is your chance to improve the world of business while setting yourself up for success. 90003.90000 Coworking Space Layout and Floor Plan 90001 90002 When setting up a coworking space, you’re probably expecting that it should be anything but dull. Here’s the thing: You’re right. Coworking is often associated with collaboration, fresh coffee and striking design. However, the crucial things to keep in mind are the people who will work there and their expectations of the workplace layout. 90003 90002 Knowing your audience will help you create an environment that boosts productivity, inspiration and motivation, with the added benefit of helping you retain clients.By the time you’re deciding on organization, you should already have your space zoned and know your cost per desk, so go back and figure out those aspects first if you have not already. Now it’s time to get creative. 90003 90006 Collaboration and Privacy 90007 90002 Considering your clientele, their work style, and privacy needs, the layout of each coworking space will and should differ. Individual freelancers and digital nomads cherish flexibility and usually work in shared areas, while startups, teams, and clients seeking a quiet environment will opt for private offices.There’s also a category of professionals who want to collaborate, but occasionally hold client meetings and negotiations-they need private resources like conference rooms on top of communal areas. 90003 90002 If you’re not 100 percent sure about your audience’s needs, the safest option would be offering various work environments across your floor plan, including hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices and meeting rooms. This way, you can cater to people with different requirements and expectations.90003 90006 Scaling and Social Interactions 90007 90002 You’ll need about 40 square feet for each desk. Keep in mind that the number of users you have now might significantly increase in a few years, or even in a few months. Consider if you’ll be able to fit additional furniture to accommodate more clients without compromising their comfort. You can add flexibility to your space by installing retractable walls, purchasing modular furniture and fitting plenty of electrical outlets throughout the building.90003 90002 Do not forget that many people opt for coworking because they want networking possibilities and a chance to hang out with like-minded people; therefore, the importance of communal areas can not be overstated. Whether they take the form of a cafeteria, a lounge or a backyard with bean bag chairs, allow about 60 square feet per person for common spaces. 90003 90006 Personality and Visual Interest 90007 90002 Make your shared office looks inviting and modern-your clients are looking for something exciting.You might need to bring in a designer who will make the place look and feel like home rather than a traditional office, which freelancers are trying to escape. Although hiring a professional requires a bigger investment, it will pay dividends. From wall color to ergonomic furniture, from private cubicles to open kitchens, every detail in your space makes a difference. 90003 90002 The look should be consistent throughout every area, from the first greeting at the reception area to the conference rooms available for rent.This does not mean everything should look the same, but you should have the same sensibility in each space. You can achieve this through the use of a certain color palette, a repeating font or even something more adventurous, like the use of tile or a certain pattern. 90003 90006 Silence and Noise 90007 90002 In both an open office and a private workstation, sound privacy should be taken seriously. Noise distraction hampers productivity and causes frustration, so make sure that you’re cognizant of how sound travels in your space.If customers can not focus, they’ll be much less likely to return. 90003 90002 But you can get around this problem relatively easily. Install amenities that cut down on ambient noise, including soundproofed telephone booths and conference rooms. Make sure that your walls have sufficient insulation, which will make them less likely to transmit noise. Even tiny fixes like installing partitions in an open areas can help without sacrificing their communal nature. 90003 90006 Finishing Touches 90007 90002 Above all, your space should be a reflection of your values ​​and those of your clients.No two spaces are alike, so do not be afraid to experiment with your design. Strategic boldness pays off in the long run, especially if clients are drawn to your space over another because of your amenities. You’re re-imagining the future of business, so a little experimentation is par for the course. 90003.90000 Breakdown of Coworking Costs by Stages 90001 90002 90003 This is the fourth installment of our ‘Can Coworking Spaces Be Profitable?’ Blog post series, where we discuss topics like how to find industry statistics, determine revenue streams, conduct competitor analysis and more. Scroll down for past and future installments-we have seven in total! 90004 90005 90006 Setting Up Costs 90007 90002 In this blog post, we break down the costs you can anticipate to incur at the various phases of a coworking space.90005 90002 The first stage of running a coworking space includes costs for rent, desks, and chairs, an insurance policy, wireless routers, as well as operating costs for utilities-water, electricity, and a reliable and strong internet connection. In the beginning, you also need to budget for basic pantry and cleaning supplies, such as a water cooler, coffee, toilet necessities and various small operating costs, such as trash cans, light bulbs, and a coat rack, to name a few. 90005 90002 Depending on how far you go with revamping your space, make sure that your basic refurbishment costs include fees for: 90005 90014 90015 Interior design 90016 90015 Painting 90016 90015 Carpentry 90016 90015 Plumbing 90016 90015 Electrician’s work 90016 90025 90002 Plus, there are various health and safety requirements for different office sizes, so make sure that you have everyone covered.You might want to consider consulting a legal expert for this aspect, so check the market fees for that and add them accordingly. 90005 90002 For instance, you may need to replace or enhance the current air conditioning system if you intend to host more people at once. Some spaces need to be redesigned security-wise. Check if you need to build additional exits, install new fire alarms or buy extra fire extinguishers. 90005 90006 General Operating Costs 90007 90002 Operating costs can also include a telephone line or one of the multiple communication options, such as VoIP telephony, a coworking software, security, health and safety requirements.Advanced communication or administrative tools are not mandatory, but it’s wise to consider all your options in advance because many providers have turned to the «as-a-service» model and provide multiple software services for a fraction of the cost that you would have incurred in other business models. 90005 90014 90015 Coworking software can help you manage your bookings and appointments. 90016 90015 Access control software can simplify your security procedure. 90016 90015 Customer relationship management software can help you connect with potential customers 90016 90015 Marketing software can help you reach out to a new customer base.90016 90025 90002 This stage includes costs for conference room equipment, workstation furniture, additional chairs and desks, projectors, as well as whiteboards and markers. In this stage, you can also calculate any extra kitchen supplies and costs for various small furniture, such as lockers, portable small chairs, cabling, extra routers, audio and video equipment, such as speakers and headphones, as well as office supplies. 90005 How many desks, chairs and workstations will you get? 90006 Operating Costs: Overheads and Miscellaneous 90007 90002 The third stage must include costs for staffing.How many people will be enough to run the place? Will you be open 24/7? Do you need to think of hiring a security staff? Can you make a self-serviced coworking space and save on front desk staff? Sometimes, long-term members of the coworking community can assist in servicing the place in exchange for free services or discounts. 90005 90002 The final stage includes costs for various extra perks, special services and design improvements that do not require immediate attention. These can include partitions and noise-blocking devices for adding another layer of privacy and increased productivity.If the place comes with a garage or a basement, consider how much you need to invest to remodel the spaces into something that can bring additional income, such as a fitness center or a small movie theater. If you plan to host large events, you need to include costs for extra chairs or tables and any additional equipment you may need if you are the main event organizer, such as food and beverage storage, decorations, and sponsorship equipment. 90005.90000 5 Reasons a Coworking Space Makes Sense for Your Startup 90001 90002 90003 So, you’ve started your business-where are you going to work? 90004 90002 About half of U.S. startups choose to run their business from home, but your home office may not be a suitable environment if your startup is growing and you want to bring more people on board or meet with clients. It can also be difficult to separate home and work life, which actually increases your risk of burnout.90004 90002 When I first set up as a freelance writer, my home office worked out pretty well. But, as my business grew, I started to stagnate at home. It was too quiet. I missed real human contact and I needed a space where I could meet my clients that looked a little more professional. 90004 90002 Trouble was, I did not have the cash to pay for a dedicated office space-and my local coffee shop was too noisy to take calls and really focus on more complicated pieces of work. 90004 90002 Then, I found a better way: coworking.90004 90002 A coworking space brings together remote workers, small business owners and staff, and freelancers in a shared work environment. Big names such as Indiegogo, Instagram, Timehop, Uber, and Wanderfly have even used them. 90004 90002 The key benefit to coworking spaces is flexibility. Each coworking space has a different layout, like an open office with lines of desks and breakout areas, or a more enclosed setup (with private offices and meeting rooms). 90004 90002 You can choose to «hot desk,» (use whatever desk is available) or pay a little more for your own desk.You can also reserve meeting rooms or use a coworking space as a virtual office. Whatever the setup, you will be sharing office amenities and communal areas (such as the kitchen) with your fellow coworkers. It’s important to find a coworking space that’s a match for your startup both in terms of your business requirements and ethos. 90004 90002 Coworking spaces are flexible in their pricing structure and commitment level. The majority will let you rent a space on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis.90004 90002 You can also seek out a coworking community that’s been carefully cultivated to boost your chances of success. For example, some coworking spaces are run alongside incubators (where you are provided with a variety of resources and services to accelerate your business development) -but you may have to apply to work in such spaces. Other spaces target specific industries, like technology or creative pursuits. However, the majority of coworking spaces will accept anyone and everyone. 90004 90002 Of course, there are plenty of pros and cons for startups using coworking spaces.For example, if your startup needs privacy or you would like to design and change your own office layout at will, a traditional office space may be a better option. 90004 90002 But if you do not mind sharing a few office amenities with other startups and entrepreneurs, a coworking space could be a solid option for your business. 90004 90027 90002 The Farm, a coworking space based in NYC. 90004 90002 Here are five key reasons to consider coworking: 90004 90032 1. Improved facilities over your local coffee shop or home office 90033 90002 Let’s face it, a coffee shop or your home office can present some challenges to professionalism-namely noise and non-business interruptions.90004 90002 Coworking spaces come with everything you need to get your work done. An abundance of power sockets, functional furniture, plenty of desk space, and high-speed Wi-Fi connections come standard in most facilities 90037. 90037 Dossey Richards, CEO at dev-shop Lotus Technologies, runs his business from the NYC-based The Farm Coworking. He said: «The decision to move from my local coffee shop and work inside a coworking space has been a decision that has dramatically changed my life as well as my quality of living.I’d recommend it to all freelancers, employees, and entrepreneurs looking for a new work experience. » 90004 90002 You also have more control over your work environment compared to a coffee shop. You can choose to plug in your laptop and work in a shared environment if you prefer to work surrounded by like-minded souls, or use a private office space if you need some peace and quiet. Many facilities also rent out meeting rooms for when you need to talk to your clients, and some also have additional areas (such as nap pods or breakout areas) to give you access to a wide variety of working spaces.90004 90002 Plus, free tea, coffee, and snacks are often thrown into the deal at a coworking space, which could be the final nail in the coffin for working at your local coffee shop. 90004 90032 2. Coworking gives you a flexible and cost-effective solution 90033 90002 A traditional office space rental can be the solution your startup needs, but they generally require a long-term financial commitment. 90004 90002 However, coworking frees your startup to be nimble as it grows and changes. 90004 90002 You can use the space as and when you need to on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis.You can rent meeting rooms as and when you need to. You will not be tied into paying rent for months at a time. 90004 90002 Coworking is also generally a cheaper option than an office rental. For example, if you wanted to work in the Manhattan area of ​​New York, you could rent a shared desk for just $ 25 / day or $ 250 / month; or a dedicated desk is $ 400 / month at a coworking space. Office rents come in at least $ 1,000 / month (depending on the size of office and amenities you need) and come with fixed terms of at least six months in the same area.90004 90032 3. You will network on a whole new level 90033 90002 Coworking spaces are used by a community of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, so there are plenty of networking opportunities with people who are also trying to build a business. 90004 90002 Dossey said: «What I love about coworking is the access to all the experiences other companies are having. Being an entrepreneur is a learning curve and the speed of your success is limited to the speed you can learn about starting and running a successful venture.Having access to other people to communicate my day-to-day challenges with has been vital to our growth. » 90004 90002 Coworking spaces often encourage inter-community relationships where chats over the water cooler can quickly turn into work exchanges or budding partnerships. If, for example, you’re a tech startup and need someone to help you write a killer press release, you’ll probably find a writer at a coworking space who’ll fit the bill. 90004 90002 «The Farm [coworking space] has and always will be a life changing-experience for me,» says Dossey.»Being in the space with all the other entrepreneurs has given me a level of exposure and insight that would have normally taken years to develop. Through my conversations with other members about topics like sales strategies and hiring, I have been able to grow my company into a profitable and rapidly-growing venture. » 90004 90002 Some coworking spaces double up as event venues and offer their communities a range of ways to meet fellow coworkers and the wider business community. Whether it’s a few free beers on a Friday, a yoga class, a simple lunch and learn session, a high-profile product launch, or a symposium offering training on a new range of skills for your business, you may get the chance to learn something new and meet new people.90004 90002 Many spaces also encourage their members to host events to showcase skills and market their business. Such events are often promoted by the space, and in some cases, you’ll have experienced community managers on hand to help you with everything you’ll need to run a successful event. 90004 90032 4. There’s plenty of business-based advice available 90033 90002 A coworking space can present a perfect opportunity to get advice on your startup. First, you have access to a community of coworkers with varied experiences and skills that can help you frame a particularly tricky problem.Second, many spaces are run by a team of enthusiastic managers who can point you in the right direction, offer some advice, or help you think through logistics. 90004 90002 Some coworking spaces are also set up as accelerators and incubators; an incubator specializes in growing new and early-stage business and an accelerator offers rapid-growth tools for more established businesses. Both can be resources for information on how to grow your business, depending on your startup’s development stage and needs-whether it’s applying for funding or finding a mentor.90004 90032 5. A coworking space will grow as your business grows 90033 90002 Another benefit of the flexibility of a coworking space is that you can scale up as and when you need to. 90004 90002 Whether you suddenly need more facilities to match a peak in demand or to employ more staff to help you during busy times, it’s likely that a coworking space can be more nimble and flexible than a traditional office rental situation. 90004 90002 Plus, your employees will thrive in a coworking environment.Research reveals that coworkers feel they have more control over their work, that their work is more meaningful, and they value the community element of coworking. 90004 90032 How can I find a coworking space? 90033 90002 If you are considering a coworking space, make sure you pick the right one for your business. 90004 90002 Here’s a quick checklist to help you out: 90004 90088 1. Get the right location 90089 90002 Do you want to work near your home or your clients? If you want to use your coworking space as a place to meet clients, then it makes sense to be in a location that’s convenient to them.Also, factor in how long you’re prepared to commute. 90004 90088 2. Get the right level of support 90089 90002 Once you have a shortlist of spaces based on location, look at what each one offers. There are two basic options for startups. You could choose an incubator (which will probably offer more mentorship and higher levels of support) or you could choose a more autonomous shared office space that’s open to anyone. 90004 90088 3. Figure out how much dedicated space you need 90089 90002 Do you want to hot desk, a permanent desk, or a dedicated office? Figure out exactly how much space you’ll need access to on a regular basis.90004 90088 4. Find out more about features and resources 90089 90002 You may need specific equipment or amenities for your startup. For example, if you’re working in the creative sector, you may need a workshop or specific pieces of kit to do your work. 90004 90088 5. Get the right vibe 90089 90002 Every coworking space is different in terms of its atmosphere and community. You may want a highly professional environment, or something a bit more relaxed. It’s important to visit a space before you sign up.Go on a tour and ask the community (as well as your guide) all about the space and what it’s really like to work there. 90004 90002 Also, try and find out if the space is well-managed. Ask questions about what happens when something goes wrong or needs to be repaired and how long it usually takes to be resolved. And, if you do decide a space is not for you at some point, the flexibility of the coworking world means it’s easy to try out a different space. 90004 90088 6. Check the events schedule 90089 90002 This is a great way to see if a space will offer networking opportunities and chances to improve your knowledge.A good space should have plenty of events on tap to help the startup community and also encourage startups to host their own events. 90004 90002 If you’re thinking about coworking, keep an open mind and visit a few coworking spaces before you sign up. The true beauty of coworking for startups is the flexibility to pick and choose what you need and when you need it. What have you got to lose? 90004 90116 Gemma Church 90117 90002 Gemma Church is «the freelance writer who gets tech.»She is a specialist journalist, blogger, and copywriter for the science and technology sectors, and editor at NYC-based The Farm Coworking. 90004 90120 90121 90122 90123 .