Ploymint

As a freelancer, it can sometimes become a problem working from home all the time. While it seems like an ideal situation for many, there is a certain drive and awareness that is accompanied by having to commute to work.

For many small start-ups this can also be an issue. With so many businesses starting online, the need for office space is sometimes an unnecessary initial cost. Cut to a few months or years later, and as the need for more personnel grows, the need for space to conduct your business becomes necessary. If you live in a major city, this can be a gigantic sunk cost. Not only do you need to rent office space, there is also initial overhead that is required in order to ensure that you are providing a healthy and stable work environment for your employees.

One option for the small business or a freelancer is a coworking space. These spaces provide a professional work environment for a number of individuals or businesses and allows employees to have a place to go and to sometimes work collaboratively. Because the spaces host a number of businesses in different industries, it’s important that you take your time and find the best fit for your organization before making the move. Below are some things to keep in mind if you are considering the utilization of a coworking space.

Cost: The first thing on your mind will likely be the overall cost of using a coworking space. Many of them have different options, like a monthly rental or pay-as-yo- go plan. Depending on the frequency in which you’ll need the space and the requirement for your industry, you’ll want to choose a place and a plan that fits your budget and goals.

Location is important: Obviously the location of the coworking space is important. You want to be geographically close so your commute isn’t far, but you also want it to be somewhere relevant. For instance, if you are looking at a coworking space in an area that is popular for a certain industry, you need to decide whether moving there would be good or bad for you. If you are starting a small business, maybe competition in such close proximity wouldn’t be good, but if you are a freelancer, you could potentially gain network connections and additional contracts. Ultimately it’s something you need to figure out for your own industry.

Culture is essential: If you are looking for a coworking spac,e the existing culture should be a crucial aspect when making your final decision. If you are a non-profit that is dedicated to improving the environment, you should move into a coworking space that is similar to your core values. You should also find a coworking space that has a similar marketing and branding plan. Typically cultural fit is an important aspect to any workplace, and this extends to different businesses or freelancers working in the same space. Works Progress is a progressive non-profit coworking space comprised of a community of independent workers, non profits and small businesses located in Seattle, Washington. Their members include software developers, graphic designers, editors, attorneys, and speech writers, and while it is a diverse range of industries, they are able to utilize their culture and abilities to collaborate on like-minded projects.

Amenities: This is one of those sunk costs that you would have to accrue if you opened your own office. Many coworking spaces already provide existing amenities that are relevant for your industry. Other than the basic coffee maker and office equipment, many coworking spaces provide tools that would otherwise be very costly. A coworking space for photographers, for instance, will provide many high-cost expenses like studio access, free of charge, because of the nature of the space. If you are an online advertiser maybe you would need a high-speed internet connection. If you were an accountant perhaps you would need more of the basics like an office printer and computer. Depending on your industry, amenities should be an important aspect in your search.

Support and Networking: Now that you have the basic essentials out of the way, it’s time to choose the very best space. Because coworking spaces are becoming more popular, many of them already provide additional support. Perhaps a coworking space participates in office events, or maybe it is tied to a local foundation or gets municipal support. You should certainly do your research on additional support and networking opportunities before you make your final decision. Impact Hub in Oakland, California, is a coworking space that provides additional support and means for collaboration. Rated as one of the best coworking spaces in the nation, it takes a unique approach and conducts events and other programs inside of the space.

Coworking spaces are great alternatives to creating your own office space. Not only do you curtail some essential costs, you also provide people with a collaborative environment. This collaboration is not only limited to professional work goals, but also to the social life and happiness of your employees. Before you invest and commit on opening an entirely new office, coworking spaces should definitely be something you investigate.