I've had pretty good results posting flyers at coffee shops.  Some of the 
coffee shop owners are also helping me market - because they don't want people 
hanging out all day using their wifi and not buying anything.  It's good if you 
establish a relationship w/ the owner, for example if you  buy coffee from them.

Cheers,

Anca.


-=-=-=-=-
Anca Mosoiu  | Tech Liminal
[email protected]
M: (510) 220-6660
W: http://techliminal.com  | T: @techliminal | F: facebook.com/techliminal

On Apr 13, 2012, at 10:15 AM, Mike Pihlman wrote:

> See the growth at AltamontCowork attached....FYI.  
> 
> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 10:09 AM, Mike Pihlman <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> I know the pain.  and I did AltamontCowork the same way "open it and they 
> will come".  Three years later...I'm am still getting the word out, and still 
> hoping to bring in enough to break even (hmmm, a bank account with $$ in it 
> is helpful!):
> 
> 1. Craigslist ad every time you can renew it.
> 2. The chamber sort of helps....if you are great at face-to-face 
> networking...even better.  Go to ALL the mixers...coffee's, evening mixers, 
> dances, socials, trade show,....etc.
> 3. Join a local BNI chapter (it is expensive, but, they help other members 
> find business).
> 4. Offer your one member an incentive to bring in others :-)
> 5. Facebook (your personal page PLUS your business page)
> 6. Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc etc and keep at it.
> 7. Blog about coworking and put links to that blog on everything in 5 and 6.
> 8. Talk to your local chamber....I have done that a few times.
> 9. TIME.....in a normal economy (at least out here in depressed land) it 
> takes TWO years for people to get to know you, trust you, etc.  I am at three 
> years, but, I have long-time Tracy resident status which is helping (since 
> 1985).
> 10. Put a magnetic sign on your car and go get Starbucks!  Then leave your 
> cards on the table...ooops.  :-)
> 11. The BEST thing I ever did was talk to the building owner to let me put a 
> sign (actually two on the corner of the building).  I have gotten over the 
> years 8 or 9 members from those $50 signs.  (Our town made us take down the A 
> frame signs....arrrghhh...)
> 12. We did this too:  On a quarter, we put a small label on one side with our 
> info on it...then dropped the quarters around town.  Similar with 
> pens....just drop them everywhere....
> 13. I did TweetUps, DonutUP's, Pizza on the Patios...truthfully....all those 
> did was cost me money when people only showed up for free food.  But your 
> town might be different...
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 9:25 AM, Franki Lindstrom <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> Thanks so much! We own the building and thought this would be a great 
> opportunity to use it. I will be getting in touch with all your 
> recommendations!
> 
> 
> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM, Alex Hillman <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> I don't need to chime in when you beat me to it, Joshua :)
> 
> All good stuff in here already, just a few additional reminders to make the 
> most of Joshua's great advice:
> 
> The goal here isn't to get any members butts in seats, but to focus on a 
> group of ~10 people who are attracted to each other and can use your space as 
> a clubhouse. They'll become the main attraction moving forward (as opposed to 
> the space itself).
> 
> As Joshua suggests, you can jump-start this process by finding clubs (or 
> other groups) who need a clubhouse. 
> 
> Also important is to realize that once you find this group, you may have to 
> change your business model to make more sense. You've got a bunch of options 
> on your website for membership, you might benefit from simplifying. Giving 
> people too many options confuses them into making zero choices. 
> 
> Remember, though, that it's not necessarily the first 10 people you can 
> convince to walk in the door, but their interest in each other instead of the 
> office itself that changes the game you're playing.
> 
> -Alex
> 
> 
> -- 
> /ah
> indyhall.org
> coworking in philadelphia
> On Friday, April 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM, Joshua Marpet wrote:
> 
>> Alex Hillman will probably chime in that you did it backwards.  And he's 
>> probably right. I mean, hell, like I know what I'm talking about?  :)
>> 
>> Alex has written some great stuff, and his premise was basically, "Get a 
>> group together who want to be part of the community you want to build."  
>> Then build the community and space to encompass them.
>> 
>> I bastardized it.  Don't kill me, Alex.  :)
>> 
>> ok, enough recrimination.  Let's talk positively.  
>> 
>> You have a space, with awesome stuff.  No members.  Now what?
>> 
>> Have you located the local Linux Users Group?
>> 
>> OWASP?
>> ISSA
>> ISACA?
>> Chamber of Commerce?
>> Rotary Club
>> etc.
>> 
>> Invite them to meet inyour space.  Hey, free coffee!!!
>> 
>> Free meeting space.
>> 
>> Network the hell out of those meetings.
>> 
>> After one or two, go and tell them, "Hey, your group should meet this other 
>> group.  Similar people, differing aims, but wow, I think you all will get 
>> along.  How about I set up a mixer, meet your counterpart type of event?  
>> Free coffee!!!"
>> 
>> Infragard
>> ECTF
>> Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
>> Certified Fraud Examiners
>> Society of Professional Investigators
>> Do a meetup for freelancers
>> 
>> Sorry for rambling, this is off the cuff.
>> 
>> Hope this helps.
>> 
>> Oh!!! Anybody live in the local starbucks/mickeyD's, etc?  As in work live, 
>> not homeless living.  Walk in, hand them a coupon for a free day pass.  Free 
>> Coffee!!!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 10:24 AM, Franki7225 <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> We opened 7225CoWorking in North Canton, Ohio in January. We have a
>>> beautiful open space, cool whiteboard furniture, and 1 member. Being
>>> the first space to open in our county,people just don't seem to be
>>> "getting" it. We need suggestions,please! We have advertised in the
>>> local paper and mailed out a hundred free day passes. We have the
>>> space, the coffee, the wi-fi... Now we need members! Our website is
>>> www.7225coworking.com    Thanks so much for your comments.
>>> 
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>>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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> 
> -- 
> Mike Pihlman
> AltamontCowork / ForCarol.com, Inc.
> 95 W. 11th Street, Suite 203
> Tracy, CA 95376
> Phone: 209-757-8862
> Web: http://AltamontCowork.com
> Twitter: @AltamontCowork
> Facebook: http://Facebook.com/AltamontCowork
> Drive Safe! Never Forget  http://ForCarol.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Mike Pihlman
> AltamontCowork / ForCarol.com, Inc.
> 95 W. 11th Street, Suite 203
> Tracy, CA 95376
> Phone: 209-757-8862
> Web: http://AltamontCowork.com
> Twitter: @AltamontCowork
> Facebook: http://Facebook.com/AltamontCowork
> Drive Safe! Never Forget  http://ForCarol.com
> 
> 
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