Coworking Spaces and Networking
As coworking spaces gain popularity among freelancers, remote workers, small business owners, non-profits, start-ups, and even large enterprises, more and more benefits of working in a shared space are surfacing.
A coworking space is one in which people gather in a neutral place to work independently. Usually, individuals or small teams in coworking communities work on their own projects for their own businesses.
Coworking offices are much like traditional offices with many of the same resources like WiFi, printers, conference rooms, coffee service, and a variety of separate work areas with varying degrees of privacy. Unlike conventional company offices, coworking community members don't have to commit to a long-term lease. Instead, they pay membership fees or per-use rates, creating a flexible and affordable way to secure a professional place to work outside of a home office.
Coworkers report the energy and motivation in their shared workspace community can increase their productivity. Surrounding yourself with hardworking, driven people can be inspirational, and being in a professional workplace can reduce the distractions some struggle with if working in a home office.
But among all the benefits of coworking, the most valuable could be the opportunity to network with others. After all, even if several different roles and industry fields are represented in a single shared office, those in the coworking community have a lot in common.
As you settle into your coworking community, it's natural that you'll soon recognize the regulars' familiar faces. Over time, authentic conversations and relationships form and deepen. And as a result, your circle of connections will expand, which can organically open up new business opportunities for you.
Here are some things to consider regarding networking in your coworking community.
1. Authenticity
Perhaps the most valuable lesson to learn when working in a shared office is to be authentic. If you're self-employed, you are representing your brand. If you work for someone else, you represent your employer. Either way, if this is to be the home base for your business, be yourself with the people you meet there.
There's no advantage in exaggerating your experience or success, and everything to be gained by showing up as an entrepreneur looking for a productive working environment, a supportive and connected community, and networking opportunities with like-minded individuals.
Strike up conversations, especially around the coffee pot or copier where you're not interrupting concentration or workflow. Get to know people by listening, not to respond with a sales pitch, but with the intent to hear them and build genuine rapport and relationship with them.
You'll encounter peers, competitors, potential clients, experts and rookies in your field, and lots of self-employed sole proprietors seeking a workspace that meets their business needs. Having them as part of your professional network can expand both your personal and professional world in a positive and long-lasting way.
2. Respect
Whether you work in a traditional company office or a coworking space, one of the best things you can do to foster a healthy, happy working environment for yourself and others is to be respectful.
Be respectful of the individuality of others and their work practices and needs. Honor the boundaries of that coworker hunkered in the corner with his head buried in a laptop and headphones covering his ears. Don't invade his space while he's in the zone.
Be warm and welcoming to newbies, answering their questions and offering help when you can. Respect the space itself and the owners or managers that work hard to make it a professional, productive, and inviting place to work. Always leave your work area better than you found it, and take care of the technology and equipment you use as part of your community membership or fees.
Earning a reputation as a respectful coworker will go a long way in establishing positive, collaborative networking relationships.
3. Collaboration, referrals, and bartering
Everyone brings particular strengths to the table, and in coworking environments where masters of many different trades share space, be open to collaboration with fellow coworking community members. As you begin to meet others and share conversations with them, don't be shy about asking others to collaborate with you on ideas or projects, and don't hesitate to reciprocate when it's a good move for you both.
There are times you'll recognize that someone in your coworking space is a perfect fit for a client you're working with. For example, you might be a ghostwriter helping a client finish a non-fiction workbook in the health and wellness space. Your client might be looking for a graphic designer to create illustrations for the workbook, and someone in your coworking community would be perfect for the job.
You might need the graphic designer's services for your own logo, business cards, and website. The two of you might decide to barter or swap service for service, with you providing copywriting and content for the designer and the designer providing a logo for you.
Since so many people in coworking spaces are entrepreneurs, working alongside each other as collaborators and promoting one another internally and externally can benefit all involved and strengthen your networking communities.
4. Mentoring
You've probably heard that you should always work with a mentor who can share experiences and expertise with you. You should also always be mentoring someone else who would benefit from your experiences and expertise. A coworking space can be an ideal place to do that.
Observe and become a student of those veterans in your field who demonstrate characteristics and traits you admire. If you find someone in your coworking community that would be an ideal mentor, invite them to join you over a cup of coffee and ask questions that will encourage them to share. You're not looking for their deep, dark trade secrets, but general knowledge and expertise that helped contribute to their success.
Likewise, openly share your knowledge and expertise with others just getting started in a role like yours or an industry in which you have a lot of experience. Whether these mentor and mentee relationships are formal or informal, professional or personal, paid or volunteer, they add a layer of depth and value to your network and keep you connected with people at all levels within your field.
5. Marketing
One organic benefit of working in a shared space is that you get countless opportunities to practice and perfect your elevator pitch. Your elevator pitch is a very brief introduction to you and your business. With each new conversation you have within your coworking community, you'll be sharing who you are and what your business is about in just a few sentences.
That alone serves as the first step of subtly marketing yourself to the group. Having pens, note pads, Post-it sticky notes with your logo and business name out on your desk can help your name, face, and business stick in the minds of those that share your space. Keep enough to share generously so over time, more people in your workspace are carrying pens and note pads promoting your business.
No one likes an aggressive hard-sell, especially in a place they consider a haven for productive work. So don't push too hard or come on too strong. Be friendly, be openly passionate about what you're doing, and share your business name, logo, and purpose both indirectly and directly as opportunities present themselves. And let the relationship-building process unfold naturally and authentically.
While networking isn't the only benefit of joining a coworking community, it's undoubtedly a big one. When you find the coworking space that's right for you and your business needs, jump in fully and become part of the supportive community by being yourself, collaborating, respecting, and promoting others. Learn from the mentors you meet in your shared space, and become a mentor to others. All of this opens the door to positive networking experiences and represents your brand in the best possible way.