How to Market Coworking Space

[antropy]

I've been asked to help with the marketing for some coworking space in Reigate, Surrey - we have a few ideas such as:

- the facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/reigatehub
- an email campaign
- posters and signs in the windows
- a local leaflet drop
- direct mail

What would be most effective to get local freelance web designers and developers in to the building, using the desk space and working together?

 

[Faevilangel]

Networking - I found my local co-working venue by meeting the owners at a local business networking group. You will be in front of the business owners, with many who work from home so it's the perfect place to get people interested.

Most networking is free or relatively cheap so someone from the group could easily use the networking group for their own business while recommending the co-working.

 

[antropy]

Great answer, thank you - in fact I found this place by meeting one of the owners at a networking event. There are quite a few of those around here, thank you.

 

[justbought.it]

To expand on Faevilangel's answer, how about starting your own networking meeting with free beer and pizza. Then approach web designers / developers via linkedin, twitter, facebook etc and invite them along.

You could use either Eventbrite or Meetup.

It might take a few tries to get the numbers up but your venue will be central to the event and will therefore be an ideal way of promoting the services of your hub.

I hope that helps.

Glen.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

As well as trying to reach out to people, also make sure that you're in the right place when people reach out to you. Figure out exactly where someone might look if they're seeking office space and then make sure your business has a proper sales message in those places.

 

[RedEvo]

You could also stick it on here.

d

 

[antropy]

Great link, thank you Red Evo - I tried to create an account and log in but it didn't seem to let me. I've contacted the administrator so hopefully they'll sort that out.

 

[RedEvo]

It came to me Paul. Sorry you're having an issue. No problems at the site end

d

 

[antropy]

I thought I recognised the name of the support email

Definitely a bug - I registered and got the confirmation email, then tried to login with the box on the left, it didn't give any feedback about whether my login was successful or not but it says "Login to add an entry". "Add an entry" is a hyperlink but clicking it does nothing. I'm using the latest Chrome.

 

[RedEvo]

Several entries today from people registering and adding new office space so not sure what the issue is. Email me your username and password.

d

 

[antropy]

Ahh, I've managed to log in, I was using my email address instead of my username. Oops!

 

[RedEvo]

Nice one Paul. Your advert's live.

d

 

[antropy]

Great stuff, thank you!

 

[garyk]

Why not put it on meetup.com? There's lots of co-working events that happen on there as well as meetings around specific subjects.

 

[garyk]

You could also stick it on here.

d

That's promising once it gets more sites on it.

Nothing near me, no cambridge, peterborough, northampton but I'm sure it will come!

 

[antropy]

Why not put it on meetup.com?

I think there's a cost to putting it on meetup.com - do you think it would pay off?

 

[Rachael]

I've just started to get in to co-working, I can be totally honest and say I wish that I'd got involved sooner. It's fantastic. I'd join twitter, find people in that area and people who do that sort of work, also keep an eye out for people who are travelling to your area. I got involved because I had a meeting in Birmingham that was only going to be 30 minutes, I didn't want to waste the day and travel straight back so I went to a co-working space and got things done.

Start selling the benefits too!

 

[garyk]

I think there's a cost to putting it on meetup.com - do you think it would pay off?

Wasnt aware of that, I know theres a ton of events on there which is what I use to find out whats going on.

 

[RedEvo]

That's promising once it gets more sites on it.

Nothing near me, no cambridge, peterborough, northampton but I'm sure it will come!

Yeah. Zero marketing but it's growing organically and brings in a few bob.

d

 

[The CoClub]

Some fantastic comments. Will try a few

Thecoclub.com

 

[ethical PR]

I think there's a cost to putting it on meetup.com - do you think it would pay off?

Surely when your 'client' decided to set up a co-working space, s/he set aside a marketing budget to promote it.?

If s/he can't afford a few pounds to set up a Meet Up group, they will struggle to build brand awareness of the concept and encourage people to book the space.

Marketing always has a cost attached, whether it's buying advertising, paying for events, designing and printing materials, or investing time in managing social media.

Some great ideas here. I agree firstly develop buy in for the concept, then invest in your website, advertising, promotions and events to get people booking and using the space.

 

[garyk]

three year old thread resurrected....

 

[ethical PR]

Thanks @garyk - so annoying when idiots resurrect old threads, and then people waste time replying to them.

 

[billmccallum1957]

Some fantastic comments. Will try a few

Thecoclub.com

You actually have a nice place and what looks like a good offer, but, you spoiled it by spamming this thread just to promote yourself.

 

[BDLtd]

I literally just ran a campaign in this niche! Get a website, subscribe to affiliates like Hubble HQ