Yes, the things we learn the hard way. Now, we will get involved with groups, hosting Everett Small Business Group, and our community, Everett, WA. We joined the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Everett Association and the Navy Affairs Committee. Hope it all helps, somewhat. Lois R. Hofmann Instant Office 2939 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201 www.instantoffice.us.com [email protected]
________________________________ From: Dave Troy <[email protected]> To: Coworking <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:01:32 PM Subject: [Coworking] Re: helpful hints on getting people to actually sign up!?! Yeah, the secret is getting embedded and involved in the community first. I've been involved in the local barcamp scene for a couple of years and helped organize SocialDevCamp East. It was at the second SocialDevCamp event that we did a session on coworking (again, as part of a barcamp the interest in the session helped prove the concept.) Anyway, we had our first "informal" coworking gathering the Thursday after the DevCamp, and since then we've been meeting every Tuesday and Thursday to help grow the community. We've also been plugged into our local Ignite event (Ignite Baltimore), as well as Refresh Baltimore, Bar Camps, etc. As we have done this over the last three months, our community and reach has grown, and now we're opening our "official" space on February 1 with commitments from enough folks to cover our nut. We also secured enough rent subsidy to give us a bit of a cushion as we ramp up. I think if we just tried to coldboot a space without having first gone through that incubation / inoculation process it would have been an order of magnitude harder if not impossible. That said, a coldboot space can probably work, but it would just take a lot longer to get ramped up. No substitute for community building and relationships, and that takes time; humans only do that stuff so fast. Best, Dave Dave Troy Beehive Baltimore LLC http://beehivebaltimore.org On Jan 23, 4:44 pm, Julie <[email protected]> wrote: > Heather, > > Just to be super pragmatic on the computer groups, search barcamp on > google and see where that gets you. The programmers come together via > "camp", which are "unconference" conferences. See if you have one > coming up in your area. For example, we have barcamp, wherecamp, etc. > > Any events you do have, post on upcoming.yahoo.com. > > Finally, it's best to be involved with a broad audience at first, but > within the first 1-2 years, you'll be able to identify your niche > membership. > > Good luck! It's not easy ;) > > Julie Duryea > owner, souk > Portland, Oregonhttp://www.soukllc.com > > On Jan 22, 12:28 pm, HeatherO <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Hi all, > > We have been open for a few weeks now. We have had 2 social events (another > > today at 4). We have gotten great feedback. We have a great location in our > > historic downtown just 20minutes from Research Triangle Park/Raleigh/Durham > > NC. > > Everyone thinks "it's a great idea' and "loves the space" but only 2 people > > have actually signed up! Neither are here much so it's a little "lifeless". > > Hardly the "energy and interactivity" I am promoting it to be! > > > Most have said "they can't afford it right now". I think our pricing is very > > competitive and we are the only space in the area (carrboro is in a nearby > > town, but not close enough to compete). > > > I know that we have a huge tech population here, and the demographics are > > right, etc. > > > I am torn over free drop in as we need to pay the rent!!! I am offering free > > drop ins on Fridays to see how that goes. > > > My hubby is struggling to get the website along. We decided to use joomla > > which is new to him so it just takes a lot of time. Feel free to visit it > > and comment!www.socostudio.biz > > > Any suggestions & feedback are appreciated! > > > At your service, > > > Heather O' > > > Heather O'Sullivan Canney, BA, CSP, CGG ("Chief Goal Getter!") > > Heather O' Inc. Coaching and Consulting > > > Soco Studio - A Place for Social Coworking (Seminars, Workshops & group > > meetings too!) > > > 104-B N. Salem St. > > Apex, NC 27502 > > 919-387-0408 > > 877-GoheatherO > > >www.HeatherO.comwww.twitter.com/heathero > > >www.socostudio.bizwww.twitter.com/socostudio > > > Other Sites & > > Blogs:www.apexgoodliving.comwww.westwakeliving.comwww.westwakewomenpreneurs... --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
