> CollabLab is open, we had our grand opening on wednesday.  Two people
> showed up, which is fine. It was great to have them and both were
> happy to see a coworking space in the area. I didn't expect to have a
> full house by any means, and one of the reasons I did this was simply
> to see if there was a market in this particular area.  I still think
> there is a market, but the word needs to get out.

> Obviously the biggest draw to a coworking space is the people. But if
> there are no people to start with, the people won't come.  It's a
> catch 22. Now I remember someone here saying that "if you build it,
> they will come - in time" so it wasn't completely unexpected.

> My biggest issue right now is (and, I'll admit, has always been) that
> I suck at marketing. Twitter has been the biggest marketing channel
> I've used so far (Thanks Curtis!), I have a craigslist ad up (which
> isn't doing anything), and I plan to do a flier campaign at the local
> starbucks among other marketing ideas.  But I feel what is really
> going to draw the crowds (8 will make me happy, lol) are events.  From
> what I can see, a lot of the presentation type events that happen in
> coworking spaces are presented by people in the coworking space
> itself.  Well, again, need people to get people.

> I feel like quite the idiot, but I wouldn't even know where to start
> to try and arrange a presentation by someone. I guess I feel a little
> "out of the loop", which again, even in my other companies, has been a
> problem, and one of the prime reasons I wanted to open a coworking
> space!  I've been working in isolation for 8 years..my personal
> network is dismal.

> So any input or ideas on where to go from here would be much
> appreciated.

> -Mike
> www.collablab.net