Proximity: This ties into awareness, point 3. I'm already working with at least one person in Philadelphia in another neighborhood from IndyHall to help them get a coworking space set up. Sure, thats only 2 compared to 18 starbucks and countless cafes. But its a start. If you're catalizing or running a space, don't be afraid of competition. Different spaces will fill different needs, be it location or actual resources.
Free: Not many cafes will let you stay for free, and if they do, then you're susceptible to the guilt of having not bought anything anyway. The cost of coffee and snacks over a day is easily $10-15, depending on what you're drinking and where the cafe is. Coworking DOESNT need to cost hundreds of dollars per month...in fact, our basic membership is designed for occasional use and the price model is based on the daily cost of cafe life: $25 for the first day within a monthly basic membership, $15 for additional days after that. We have a LOT of people who pay $25/month just to know they have a spot to go if and when they need it. Oh, and coffee is free, here. Also, its a matter of resources. I was grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to the office this morning and a business-man looking guy asked the barista if they had a printer. When she said no, I said, "right around the corner I run a coworking office, I'm on my way to open it, if you'd like to check it out I'll give you a free print of the travel itinerary you're trying to get...just tell your friends about coworking". A simple gesture, didn't take me out of my way, and we may have one more evangelist saying good things about us. Right time right place? Sure. But thats what a lot of life is. Awareness: that's why we're all here, right? Evangelizing, spreading the word, talking to everyone. And I do mean everyone. And Commitment: for the gabillionth time, thats another reason why community is important. Community is emotional, and emotions drive commitment. Its simple, basic, and the truth. Some great points you brought up, James! -Alex, IndyHall in Philadelphia On 10/16/07, James Bentley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Tara wrote: > > "We should start looking at coffee shops closer. What is it about them > that > serves people so well?" > > 1) Proximity -- One coworking space in a city vs. hundreds of coffee > shops. Isn't part of the telecommuting experience the need of not > having to drive somewhere to work? > > 2) Free -- Even though drop-ins are encouraged, there is the reality > that $100s per month will be required to join a coworking space. > > 3) Awareness -- "I didn't know anything like that existed" is probably > the most popular response when talking to people about coworking who > use coffeeshops/cafes. > > I also think commitment is part of it too, but these three probably > are the main reasons why coworking spaces have vacancy. > > We all desire to have our ideas/projects/businesses accepted, > appreciated, and utilized by the masses (or even just a fair number of > people). However, it all comes down to cost/benefit and marketing/ > promotions, regardless of whether you are for-profit, non-profit, or > free to all. > > So Tara, I would encourage you to keep your head up, keep promoting > your love of coworking, and even when no one shows up... just be > thankful that there is a place that is available to those that "need" > coworking. It will be just a matter of time before this catches on > and you will be able to see the fruits of your labor. > > James Bentley > > P.S. I write this as I sit in a library with no one to socialize > with, no one to share my ideas with or just to ramble on with... > (which actually might be a good thing) but all alone (even though > there are a dozen others in the building). > > > > > -- ----- -- ----- Alex Hillman web.developer.innovation.consultant vocal: 484.597.6256 digital: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | skype: dangerouslyawesome visual: www.weknowhtml.com | www.dangerouslyawesome.com local: www.indyhall.org --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
