Space open..now what?
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turbo2ltr
Feb 20, 2009, 11:26:57 AM2/20/09
to Coworking
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
Alex Hillman
Feb 20, 2009, 11:33:05 AM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Mike,
Why not go to where the people are first instead of insisting that they come to you?
Go out into the field, find people at their own events, user groups, meetups, happy hours...and make use of that opportunity to make connections with potential users. Find out what they do first. Where they work. How they work.
Just remember that you're on their turf, so avoid pitching.
When they ask what you do, there's a natural chance to let them know about coworking and your space, and invite them to come by for a day!
-Alex, IndyHall
--
-----
--
-----
Alex Hillman
Build a something that the community needs, not a something that needs the community.
digital: al...@weknowhtml.com
helpful: www.unstick.me
visual: www.dangerouslyawesome.com
local: www.indyhall.org
Why not go to where the people are first instead of insisting that they come to you?
Go out into the field, find people at their own events, user groups, meetups, happy hours...and make use of that opportunity to make connections with potential users. Find out what they do first. Where they work. How they work.
Just remember that you're on their turf, so avoid pitching.
When they ask what you do, there's a natural chance to let them know about coworking and your space, and invite them to come by for a day!
-Alex, IndyHall
--
-----
--
-----
Alex Hillman
Build a something that the community needs, not a something that needs the community.
digital: al...@weknowhtml.com
helpful: www.unstick.me
visual: www.dangerouslyawesome.com
local: www.indyhall.org
David Doolin
Feb 20, 2009, 11:44:47 AM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Along with Alex's great advice, start building your own social
circle. Whether it overlaps directly with collablab or not, your ability
to connect with people will help you build collablab as well.
This can be as simple as inviting a few people over for potluck
dinner once a month, which everyone can do.
-d
--
http://tinobox.com/wordpress/
http://twitter.com/doolin
circle. Whether it overlaps directly with collablab or not, your ability
to connect with people will help you build collablab as well.
This can be as simple as inviting a few people over for potluck
dinner once a month, which everyone can do.
-d
http://tinobox.com/wordpress/
http://twitter.com/doolin
Brian Del Vecchio
Feb 20, 2009, 12:04:50 PM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Mike,
Before betahouse came into existence, we had been socializing the
Coworking idea in our community of web entrepreneurs. We went to every
meetup and local event where potential coworkers could be found, and
told everyone we met about what we were doing. Many of the people who
joined us heard about us second hand from these people.
You can reach out to local user groups and meetups--they're always
looking for places to host events, and socializing the ideas behind
coworking in these groups will help bring you regulars.
You might also try hosting events in the space to build your
relationship with the local community. Here's some inspiration from
my friend Sooz: http://bit.ly/14C0ya
Just don't rip off the name of her event--that would be tacky.
Another way to win regulars is to invite the interested people you
meet to come hang out for a day and see how they like it. Ask visitors
to "beta test" the furniture arrangement and wifi, and in exchange for
a free day in the space, ask them what they like and what you can do
to make it perfect for them. You don't have to go implement all the
suggestions, but this is a great way to get people to buy into the
concept and feel some ownership.
--
Brian Del Vecchio | hybernaut.com | b...@hybernaut.com |
617-899-0798 | @hybernaut
Before betahouse came into existence, we had been socializing the
Coworking idea in our community of web entrepreneurs. We went to every
meetup and local event where potential coworkers could be found, and
told everyone we met about what we were doing. Many of the people who
joined us heard about us second hand from these people.
You can reach out to local user groups and meetups--they're always
looking for places to host events, and socializing the ideas behind
coworking in these groups will help bring you regulars.
You might also try hosting events in the space to build your
relationship with the local community. Here's some inspiration from
my friend Sooz: http://bit.ly/14C0ya
Just don't rip off the name of her event--that would be tacky.
Another way to win regulars is to invite the interested people you
meet to come hang out for a day and see how they like it. Ask visitors
to "beta test" the furniture arrangement and wifi, and in exchange for
a free day in the space, ask them what they like and what you can do
to make it perfect for them. You don't have to go implement all the
suggestions, but this is a great way to get people to buy into the
concept and feel some ownership.
--
Brian Del Vecchio | hybernaut.com | b...@hybernaut.com |
617-899-0798 | @hybernaut
Bradley Neuberg
Feb 20, 2009, 12:39:46 PM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike, where is CollabLab based? I might be able to tap into my personal network to get you speakers/presenters depending on where you are located.
Carina
Feb 20, 2009, 1:15:59 PM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike,
I'm from Pto de Contato, a coworking space in São Paulo - Brazil, and we started with our first clients in November. The best thing, better than any marketing you can do (and I'm from the marketing area myself!), is getting the word out through the people. Word of mouth is the best advertising there is, because people feel they can trust. So try to find out where your target audience is and go to them.
And all the advice everyone here has given you is gold!
I wish you all the luck!
Carina
2009/2/20 Bradley Neuberg <bradn...@gmail.com>
Sooz
Feb 20, 2009, 3:57:51 PM2/20/09
to Coworking
Thanks for the shout-out about my Free Agent Jungle project, Brian.
Mike/CollabLab: I am interested in collaborating with people in cities
beyond Boston about hosting Free Agent Jungle events. If you (or
anyone else) is interested in talking about this, let me know.
The Boston lunch happens once a month and I'm also hosting Free Agent
Jungle Office Hours -- a Friday afternoon coworking meetup that's
starting out at Blue Shirt Cafe in Somerville/Davis Square. There's
more info about that here: http://freeagentjungle-officehours.eventbrite.com/
Cheers,
Sooz
www.sooz.com + www.freeagentjungle.com
On Feb 20, 12:04 pm, Brian Del Vecchio <hybern...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike,
>
> Before betahouse came into existence, we had been socializing the
> Coworking idea in our community of web entrepreneurs. We went to every
> meetup and local event where potential coworkers could be found, and
> told everyone we met about what we were doing. Many of the people who
> joined us heard about us second hand from these people.
>
> You can reach out to local user groups and meetups--they're always
> looking for places to host events, and socializing the ideas behind
> coworking in these groups will help bring you regulars.
>
> You might also try hosting events in the space to build your
> relationship with the local community. Here's some inspiration from
> my friend Sooz:http://bit.ly/14C0ya
>
> Just don't rip off the name of her event--that would be tacky.
>
> Another way to win regulars is to invite the interested people you
> meet to come hang out for a day and see how they like it. Ask visitors
> to "beta test" the furniture arrangement and wifi, and in exchange for
> a free day in the space, ask them what they like and what you can do
> to make it perfect for them. You don't have to go implement all the
> suggestions, but this is a great way to get people to buy into the
> concept and feel some ownership.
>
> --
> Brian Del Vecchio | hybernaut.com | b...@hybernaut.com |
Mike/CollabLab: I am interested in collaborating with people in cities
beyond Boston about hosting Free Agent Jungle events. If you (or
anyone else) is interested in talking about this, let me know.
The Boston lunch happens once a month and I'm also hosting Free Agent
Jungle Office Hours -- a Friday afternoon coworking meetup that's
starting out at Blue Shirt Cafe in Somerville/Davis Square. There's
more info about that here: http://freeagentjungle-officehours.eventbrite.com/
Cheers,
Sooz
www.sooz.com + www.freeagentjungle.com
On Feb 20, 12:04 pm, Brian Del Vecchio <hybern...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike,
>
> Before betahouse came into existence, we had been socializing the
> Coworking idea in our community of web entrepreneurs. We went to every
> meetup and local event where potential coworkers could be found, and
> told everyone we met about what we were doing. Many of the people who
> joined us heard about us second hand from these people.
>
> You can reach out to local user groups and meetups--they're always
> looking for places to host events, and socializing the ideas behind
> coworking in these groups will help bring you regulars.
>
> You might also try hosting events in the space to build your
> relationship with the local community. Here's some inspiration from
> my friend Sooz:http://bit.ly/14C0ya
>
> Just don't rip off the name of her event--that would be tacky.
>
> Another way to win regulars is to invite the interested people you
> meet to come hang out for a day and see how they like it. Ask visitors
> to "beta test" the furniture arrangement and wifi, and in exchange for
> a free day in the space, ask them what they like and what you can do
> to make it perfect for them. You don't have to go implement all the
> suggestions, but this is a great way to get people to buy into the
> concept and feel some ownership.
>
> --
> Brian Del Vecchio | hybernaut.com | b...@hybernaut.com |
turbo2ltr
Feb 20, 2009, 5:47:00 PM2/20/09
to Coworking
Thank you everyone for your most valuable input! I definitely have my
work cut out for me...
-Mike
David Doolin
Feb 20, 2009, 5:48:35 PM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
A couple of friends and I started a monthly weekend intensive
web/entreprenuerial workshop we're calling "Stirfry Startups."
We're getting a lot done: http://stirfrystartups.com/
Not really ready to "public" yet, but it's very organic, so
why not?
web/entreprenuerial workshop we're calling "Stirfry Startups."
We're getting a lot done: http://stirfrystartups.com/
Not really ready to "public" yet, but it's very organic, so
why not?
I'm not sure if my neighborhood will support a coworking space,
so between Stirfry and the ~biweekly Jelly I am committed to,
I should be able to find out.
Lot's of very cool activity in this space. Momentum continues
to grow.
-d
On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 12:57 PM, Sooz <so...@sooz.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the shout-out about my Free Agent Jungle project, Brian.
>
> Mike/CollabLab: I am interested in collaborating with people in cities
> beyond Boston about hosting Free Agent Jungle events. If you (or
> anyone else) is interested in talking about this, let me know.
>
> The Boston lunch happens once a month and I'm also hosting Free Agent
> Jungle Office Hours -- a Friday afternoon coworking meetup that's
> starting out at Blue Shirt Cafe in Somerville/Davis Square. There's
> more info about that here: http://freeagentjungle-officehours.eventbrite.com/
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sooz
> www.sooz.com + www.freeagentjungle.com
HeatherO
Feb 20, 2009, 7:13:42 PM2/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Mike,
I can completely empathize! We were exactly where you are a month ago! We still have a long way to go, but I will offer a few lessons that i have very recently learned!
We know that coworking is cool. THEY DON'T! Most of them don't even know how to spell it! Much less "why should i pay to work there when i can work in my jammies or the coffee shop for free!" which leads me to...
Packaging is everything...add value!
We offer at least 1 class/wk, 1 evening social event/mo at present.
We are getting ready to launch:
"Get Motivated Mondays"
which will be kind of like the Monday morning sales mtg many had in their corp life w/o the boring/negative stuff! It will be a 30min "get motivated" pep rally if you will followed by 30 min of coffee/conversation to jump start your week!
Weds. Workshops
Weekly workshops geared toward (but not exclusive to) the new entrepreneur/those considering entrepreneurship post layoff! Anything related to what folks need to know to run a biz.
We have a Life Coach, Marketing Coach, and are working on an acct., atty., and someone who can speak abt how to build a consulting biz
Free Fridays! Come on down, it's free! (we have had NO ONE come for this yet! just fyi - ppl don't value what they don't pay for perhaps?)
Our BIGGEST, BEST group of supporters is a local social networking group called inside919.com. i have been in mktg and networking grps for 15yrs as a realtor and this is the BEST group that i have ever been a part of! Pat (the founder) just launched ALL 268 area codes in the US! So yours should be up. It'll be new & small, but jump in, reach out and be a promoter! The one here had 1200 members in 6mos! I would encourage everyone to join the one in their area code!
go to www.insideareacodes.com!
Marketing is TOTALLY my thing! so, please feel free to email me directly. I'll be happy to help however I can! I will gladly share whatever we are doing, etc.
Remember: A strong, consistent brand will greatly reduce the need/cost of a lot of marketing! (my specialty-marketing on a budget! :)
Lastly (sorry to be so long winded!) i know we all need "local" folks, but it can't hurt if you reach out to all of us on twitter. I can't speak for everyone, but if you will send @heathero and @socostudio (so I'll be sure to see it!) I will be happy to RT you and I'm sure others will too! In fact, we could all be doing that for each other!
good luck, and keep the faith! if it was easy, everybody would be doing it:)
At your service,
Heather O'
Heather O'Sullivan Canney, BA, CSP, CGG ("Chief Goal Getter!")
Heather O' Inc. Coaching and Consulting
Specializing in Small Business, Real Estate, PR/Marketing/Social Media Organizational Systems
"Creating the Mindset, Marketing, Systems & Surroundings that support your goals"
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.com
www.twitter.com/heathero
www.socostudio.biz
www.twitter.com/socostudio
Other Sites & Blogs:
www.apexgoodliving.com
www.westwakeliving.com
www.westwakewomenpreneurs.ning.com
www.livejuiced.blogspot.com
www.Heatheroapex.blogspot.com
www.activerain.com/HeatherO
I can completely empathize! We were exactly where you are a month ago! We still have a long way to go, but I will offer a few lessons that i have very recently learned!
We know that coworking is cool. THEY DON'T! Most of them don't even know how to spell it! Much less "why should i pay to work there when i can work in my jammies or the coffee shop for free!" which leads me to...
Packaging is everything...add value!
We offer at least 1 class/wk, 1 evening social event/mo at present.
We are getting ready to launch:
"Get Motivated Mondays"
which will be kind of like the Monday morning sales mtg many had in their corp life w/o the boring/negative stuff! It will be a 30min "get motivated" pep rally if you will followed by 30 min of coffee/conversation to jump start your week!
Weds. Workshops
Weekly workshops geared toward (but not exclusive to) the new entrepreneur/those considering entrepreneurship post layoff! Anything related to what folks need to know to run a biz.
We have a Life Coach, Marketing Coach, and are working on an acct., atty., and someone who can speak abt how to build a consulting biz
Free Fridays! Come on down, it's free! (we have had NO ONE come for this yet! just fyi - ppl don't value what they don't pay for perhaps?)
Our BIGGEST, BEST group of supporters is a local social networking group called inside919.com. i have been in mktg and networking grps for 15yrs as a realtor and this is the BEST group that i have ever been a part of! Pat (the founder) just launched ALL 268 area codes in the US! So yours should be up. It'll be new & small, but jump in, reach out and be a promoter! The one here had 1200 members in 6mos! I would encourage everyone to join the one in their area code!
go to www.insideareacodes.com!
Marketing is TOTALLY my thing! so, please feel free to email me directly. I'll be happy to help however I can! I will gladly share whatever we are doing, etc.
Remember: A strong, consistent brand will greatly reduce the need/cost of a lot of marketing! (my specialty-marketing on a budget! :)
Lastly (sorry to be so long winded!) i know we all need "local" folks, but it can't hurt if you reach out to all of us on twitter. I can't speak for everyone, but if you will send @heathero and @socostudio (so I'll be sure to see it!) I will be happy to RT you and I'm sure others will too! In fact, we could all be doing that for each other!
good luck, and keep the faith! if it was easy, everybody would be doing it:)
At your service,
Heather O'
Heather O'Sullivan Canney, BA, CSP, CGG ("Chief Goal Getter!")
Heather O' Inc. Coaching and Consulting
Specializing in Small Business, Real Estate, PR/Marketing/Social Media Organizational Systems
"Creating the Mindset, Marketing, Systems & Surroundings that support your goals"
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.com
www.twitter.com/heathero
www.socostudio.biz
www.twitter.com/socostudio
Other Sites & Blogs:
www.apexgoodliving.com
www.westwakeliving.com
www.westwakewomenpreneurs.ning.com
www.livejuiced.blogspot.com
www.Heatheroapex.blogspot.com
www.activerain.com/HeatherO
inevernu
Feb 21, 2009, 1:03:56 PM2/21/09
to Coworking
Hi,
Alex, David and Brian jumped in first and they are all correct, embed
yourself in as many communities as you can and don't pitch. Even
before you follow their advice though, I'd say DON"T call it marketing
and don't see it as marketing. You are meeting people and communities
to make yourself and your space available as a cool place to work, not
selling something.
A coworking space has to be the place where you want to go to work, to
get more things done, meet people to get and lend a hand. Even though
technically you are providing a service because you do need to pay the
bills, in practice you have to see it as assembling a group of great
people to work with, it's more effective and more fun. Show up
everywhere so they know it exists, give people opportunities to build
a community in your space and to try out that space and then let it
happen. You can't make it feel like a service and an expense for an
office because that's not what coworkers look for (even if they don't
know it yet). If you market the place and sell too much, you will push
people away and/or get the "wrong" people, you'll end up more business
center than coworking.
Possible idea : when you happen on someone who seems super plugged in
to communities and a good fit for you, maybe try co-hosting a Jelly /
Cream Cheese session with that person in your space, tap in to that
network (nicely, politely and honestly).
Props on starting this without the safety net of pre-signed members,
now go forth and meet cool people! ;)
Patrick
station-c.com
Alex, David and Brian jumped in first and they are all correct, embed
yourself in as many communities as you can and don't pitch. Even
before you follow their advice though, I'd say DON"T call it marketing
and don't see it as marketing. You are meeting people and communities
to make yourself and your space available as a cool place to work, not
selling something.
A coworking space has to be the place where you want to go to work, to
get more things done, meet people to get and lend a hand. Even though
technically you are providing a service because you do need to pay the
bills, in practice you have to see it as assembling a group of great
people to work with, it's more effective and more fun. Show up
everywhere so they know it exists, give people opportunities to build
a community in your space and to try out that space and then let it
happen. You can't make it feel like a service and an expense for an
office because that's not what coworkers look for (even if they don't
know it yet). If you market the place and sell too much, you will push
people away and/or get the "wrong" people, you'll end up more business
center than coworking.
Possible idea : when you happen on someone who seems super plugged in
to communities and a good fit for you, maybe try co-hosting a Jelly /
Cream Cheese session with that person in your space, tap in to that
network (nicely, politely and honestly).
Props on starting this without the safety net of pre-signed members,
now go forth and meet cool people! ;)
Patrick
station-c.com
Wendy S.
Feb 21, 2009, 4:33:03 PM2/21/09
to Coworking
Mike,
So many great ideas out there for you - this is such a great forum.
I notice that you're in Phoenix, so I've copied the link to the
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Events page:
http://phoenixazcoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/External/WCPages2/WCEvents/EventsCalStartPage.aspx?OE=True
It may be of benefit to check out a couple of these events to see how
large the audience is and then, if your space is large enough, you may
be able to volunteer to host one of the events (small business
roundtable??). You may have to join the chamber first, of course, but
you may also be able to attend a couple of these events at a non-
member rate, meet some of the small business people and invite them
directly to such at event - asking them to bring 1 other small
business colleague as the "price of admission".
If there are any tech-based associations out there, the same technique
may apply to those groups. Women's Business Groups? Believe it or
not, many are open to males in the membership roster if the majority
business owner is female.
Best of luck to you
Wendy S
So many great ideas out there for you - this is such a great forum.
I notice that you're in Phoenix, so I've copied the link to the
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Events page:
http://phoenixazcoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/External/WCPages2/WCEvents/EventsCalStartPage.aspx?OE=True
It may be of benefit to check out a couple of these events to see how
large the audience is and then, if your space is large enough, you may
be able to volunteer to host one of the events (small business
roundtable??). You may have to join the chamber first, of course, but
you may also be able to attend a couple of these events at a non-
member rate, meet some of the small business people and invite them
directly to such at event - asking them to bring 1 other small
business colleague as the "price of admission".
If there are any tech-based associations out there, the same technique
may apply to those groups. Women's Business Groups? Believe it or
not, many are open to males in the membership roster if the majority
business owner is female.
Best of luck to you
Wendy S
su...@acropolisproperties.com
Feb 21, 2009, 2:05:57 AM2/21/09
to Coworking
Hi Mike,
Well I am currently setting up a coworking space in the Champaign-
Urbana area (college town, so slightly different market to yours) and
while we haven't opened yet, we have arranged for a Freelancing Meetup
to be hosted at our space (we got the keys to the space today and the
lease starts on March 1st) in about 1 months time and we have gotten a
couple of people emailing us back about it (it was only posted on one
site last night).
Also tonight there was the launch of a local graphic designer meetup
in town (Champaign), which I went to with my [coworking] partner. My
partner is actually a technical graphic designer (AutoCAD, SketchUp,
etc.) in the landscape architecture field, so it wasn't totally off-
base for us to attend. We talked to a few people about our coworking
venture (like Alex said, we didn't want to do a full sales pitch just
let them know what we are hoping to create and where it will be,
etc.). My next meetups will be technical SIGs that I would be a good
fit to attend since I am a software engineer (at least sometimes when
I don't decide to start new business up).
Our online marketing plans are Twitter (@CUCoworking - not terribly
exciting right now but hopefully that will change when we can post
some TwitPics of the place and transformation), Flickr (not launched
yet, but coming soon), YouTube/Vimeo, finally a real website with blog
utilizing some SEO strategies (coming soon) and the usual suspects
(listing sites like Craigslist, Facebook events/groups, other local
online calendars, etc.).
Our offline marketing plans include flyers in various coffeeshops,
going to any other meetups where members could be a natural fit for
coworking (although so far we don't know of any other than tonight's
yet) and telling everyone we know about what we are up to - so far
everyone has been supportive (ok, perhaps 1 didn't really get the
concept, but that is ok). We are also writing a press release and
distributing it to the local daily newspapers and weeklys, but we
don't have direct contacts ATM so we will need to think about how to
grab their attention somehow.
For the last 3 weeks I have been meaning to put together a marketing
tips/strategies blog post for startups (very general - for all types
of businesses) since I am currently helping three different people get
started up (two in freelancing and another one in a niche B2B
business). Not all strategies will work for all types of businesses
and since I am only just ramping up in my coworking venture I don't
know for sure what works for coworking and what doesn't.
The blog post I wrote might be helpful for some people here who do not
have any marketing background, so I thought I would share the link
(Mike you finally inspired me to write it today, but it is a little
rough around the edges, hey it is after midnight here:)):
http://startup.susanpotter.net/2009/02/starup-marketing-strategies.html
Also a podcast that is quite dear to my heart is "Help My Business
Sucks!":
http://helpmybusinesssucks.com
Again it is more general and not specific to coworking, but still a
hoot and offers useful advice.
I would like to ask space owners who are up and running to let us know
what other things worked for them if any? What are we missing? And
what doesn't really work in your experiences for this specific type of
business?
Thanks,
Susan
> *go towww.insideareacodes.com!*
Well I am currently setting up a coworking space in the Champaign-
Urbana area (college town, so slightly different market to yours) and
while we haven't opened yet, we have arranged for a Freelancing Meetup
to be hosted at our space (we got the keys to the space today and the
lease starts on March 1st) in about 1 months time and we have gotten a
couple of people emailing us back about it (it was only posted on one
site last night).
Also tonight there was the launch of a local graphic designer meetup
in town (Champaign), which I went to with my [coworking] partner. My
partner is actually a technical graphic designer (AutoCAD, SketchUp,
etc.) in the landscape architecture field, so it wasn't totally off-
base for us to attend. We talked to a few people about our coworking
venture (like Alex said, we didn't want to do a full sales pitch just
let them know what we are hoping to create and where it will be,
etc.). My next meetups will be technical SIGs that I would be a good
fit to attend since I am a software engineer (at least sometimes when
I don't decide to start new business up).
Our online marketing plans are Twitter (@CUCoworking - not terribly
exciting right now but hopefully that will change when we can post
some TwitPics of the place and transformation), Flickr (not launched
yet, but coming soon), YouTube/Vimeo, finally a real website with blog
utilizing some SEO strategies (coming soon) and the usual suspects
(listing sites like Craigslist, Facebook events/groups, other local
online calendars, etc.).
Our offline marketing plans include flyers in various coffeeshops,
going to any other meetups where members could be a natural fit for
coworking (although so far we don't know of any other than tonight's
yet) and telling everyone we know about what we are up to - so far
everyone has been supportive (ok, perhaps 1 didn't really get the
concept, but that is ok). We are also writing a press release and
distributing it to the local daily newspapers and weeklys, but we
don't have direct contacts ATM so we will need to think about how to
grab their attention somehow.
For the last 3 weeks I have been meaning to put together a marketing
tips/strategies blog post for startups (very general - for all types
of businesses) since I am currently helping three different people get
started up (two in freelancing and another one in a niche B2B
business). Not all strategies will work for all types of businesses
and since I am only just ramping up in my coworking venture I don't
know for sure what works for coworking and what doesn't.
The blog post I wrote might be helpful for some people here who do not
have any marketing background, so I thought I would share the link
(Mike you finally inspired me to write it today, but it is a little
rough around the edges, hey it is after midnight here:)):
http://startup.susanpotter.net/2009/02/starup-marketing-strategies.html
Also a podcast that is quite dear to my heart is "Help My Business
Sucks!":
http://helpmybusinesssucks.com
Again it is more general and not specific to coworking, but still a
hoot and offers useful advice.
I would like to ask space owners who are up and running to let us know
what other things worked for them if any? What are we missing? And
what doesn't really work in your experiences for this specific type of
business?
Thanks,
Susan
ATusler
Feb 21, 2009, 8:25:35 PM2/21/09
to Coworking
Whew! It's not easy, but then it's not that hard either. It takes work
and bodies. If you're not great at marketing, then it wouldn't hurt to
find some coworkingish people, either in CollabLab or out, to help. We
opened with ten, which was our target number. Since we've been up and
down. Right now we could use a couple of more people.
We found the best way to get the word out was through progressive/
green/community-minded email newsletters and websites. Don't give up
on Craigslist, it's still working for us, but it takes time.
Good luck!
Anthonh
and bodies. If you're not great at marketing, then it wouldn't hurt to
find some coworkingish people, either in CollabLab or out, to help. We
opened with ten, which was our target number. Since we've been up and
down. Right now we could use a couple of more people.
We found the best way to get the word out was through progressive/
green/community-minded email newsletters and websites. Don't give up
on Craigslist, it's still working for us, but it takes time.
Good luck!
Anthonh
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