> > So, while I do think your low population density in Dallas is likely > an issue, I think you need to look at that as a factor to take into > consideration than as a reason why it can't work. >
Right on. Low population density also probably means that people are used to driving further distances to do stuff. So it might not be such a stretch to widen the geographical reach (is there ample parking nearby? Do you promote as such?). On Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 12:31 PM, Dave Troy <[email protected]> wrote: > > Matthew, > > I would also submit that population density and potential population > near your space have a lot to do with participation and growth. > > Our experience in Baltimore has been that we have a consistent > population that shows up regularly. > > Baltimore City has about 637,000 people, and the surrounding counties > add another 1.3M people, for a total of about 2M in the immediate > metro area. > > Philadelphia, by contrast, has about 1.45M people in the city alone, > and its metropolitan area might be considered to be 3-6M people. New > York, of course, is both huge and dense, and has had a good experience > also. > > So, while I do think your low population density in Dallas is likely > an issue, I think you need to look at that as a factor to take into > consideration than as a reason why it can't work. > > As Alex and Tony have said, figure out who your constituency is and > then figure out how to love them. If they have special needs and/or > intrinsic motivators, find them and hammer on them. Things may go > slower for you there because of low population density, etc, but > that's not an excuse not to start on your growth trajectory. > > I like to imagine that we are on the same path as IndyHall and NWC > here at Beehive Baltimore, with the realization that a) it's a > different growth curve, due to the uniqueness of our location and > population, b) we got started later. That all said I feel that we are > 100% on track and what's most important is that we be the best space > we can be for *Baltimore* and not necessarily try to replicate exact > strategies that others have used elsewhere. > > The New York Times recently published an article by Steven Strogatz > that discusses city sizes and densities, and what effects variations > in these numbers mean for a variety of internal design factors -- I > found it fascinating: > http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/math-and-the-city/ > > Best, > Dave > > -- > Dave Troy > blog: www.davetroy.com (@davetroy) > community: www.beehivebaltimore.org (@bhivebmore) > investing: www.baltimoreangels.org (@baltimoreangels) > events: @barcampbmore, @socialdevcamp > projects: www.twittervision.com, www.flickrvision.com > Partner, Roundhouse Technologies > > On Jun 2, 12:18 pm, Tony Bacigalupo <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I thought it would be better to admit to what is probably a consistent > > > problem (even for those well established places) and get some help than > to > > > remain stoic and let the problem continue without new eyes. > > > > +1 agreed. > > > > it seemed as if asking the question could be taken as a sign of weakness, > > > > > and that approaching people in such a direct manner might be > alienating. > > > Given that I'm already in a lack of people, that would be bad. Then > again, > > > it's not like it can hurt anything. > > > > Weakness = human = something people can connect with. > > > > Obviously you don't want to seem too needy; one thing you have to do as > the > > leader of your space is to engage people well. You will have to find ways > to > > get people psyched to help without it seeming like a charity case. > > > > Coworking naturally gets people fired up. Rely on that! Cubicles suck. > > Working in Starbucks sucks. Talking to your cat sucks. There must be > > something better! > > > > > The thing I'm having trouble is that there are more groups I've talked > to, > > > and plenty of people who want to use us as a free space for meetings, > but > > > after that initial "Hey, this would be a great idea" they go silent. > > > > If they need the space, they need the space. When someone does host an > event > > at your space, don't be shy about telling people about your space and > > encouraging people to join. > > > > At this stage, your goals are actually pretty narrow: one person. One > person > > who will totally get what you're doing and is insanely excited about it. > > That's all you're looking for right now, but to find them you have to > really > > get to know people one at a time. When you find that one person, get them > on > > board however appropriate. Then go from there. > > > > > I've been pushing hard to help promote not only my space, but the > events > > > and what not around here, but the reciprocation has not been exactly > what I > > > would like it to be. > > > Maybe I should be more hard nosed about that? > > > > I vote no on that. This is the tricky part about building your social > > capital... you make lots of deposits without necessarily being able to > > withdraw for a long time, and you can't necessarily force it. > > > > Just keep at it, and keep genuinely going good for people. It will come > back > > around. > > > > T > > > > > > > > > > > > > Matthew > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
