22 Tips for Coworking Space Operators

Everything I know about building community I've learned from my predecessors and the communities they built.

Five coworking spaces later, I've learned what to do and what not to do.

I produce Coworking , power  marketing club, run the Park City Marketing Club, and am active in several other communities. I've learned some things you may find useful.

Here are 22 coworking community-building ideas. These tips should help you build community.

1. Be honest: BS can't build community. Be yourself, encourage others to be themselves, and set a real tone.

2.Best communities are diverse and multifaceted. They don't try to please everyone. Know your purpose. 'Everyone' isn't a community.

3.Be proactive in inviting people into your community. who's missing? Who should join? No? Invite others in.

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4.Everyone wants a sense of belonging. Everyone. You're not renting offices, desks, and WiFi—you're giving people a place to belong... and work.

5.Share your community's wins publicly. Share them internally and externally to give your community a sense of your vibe and space.

6. Create a culture of support and friendship: One Lab member said she noticed how generous, supportive, and friendly other members were when she joined. "Oh, that's how it is here," she thought. "We do" She was kind, encouraging, and sociable. In your community, do the same.

7.Coworking space isn't all work. It's about in-between chats, social events, watercooler conversations, and fun inside and outside your space. Schedule recurring member lunches, go paddle boarding, visit a museum, or attend a park concert. Not all members will join, but the bonds formed are priceless.

8. Model and celebrate generosity with your time, expertise, connections, personality, experience, and resources.

9.You can't make a community thrive. That's your community. Let your community define what you're about, how you help, and who you're for. People generally bring their best selves when trusted.

10.If everything in your community goes through you, you're a single point of failure. The community flounders without you. You don't want this. Allow people to connect without your help.

11.Your members aren't one-dimensional, and neither are you. Build community around books, food, fun, music, kids, outings, humor, and hobbies.

12.You can't build community from above or outside the circle. Not community. Hierarchy. Show up as yourself, learn from members, ask questions, and let them support your humanity. You're a community builder, not a receptionist.

13.You may be overthinking community building and hindering yourself. Human, open, simple.

14. Highlight members in blog posts, newsletters, social media, lunch-and-learns, workshops, and presentations. You'll get good UGC.

15.Being a new member of a coworking community is difficult. You're in a sea of new faces and don't know the norms or vibe. It's stressful. Introduce new members immediately to shorten and soften this experience. Your members will handle the rest, and you'll spark conversations, connections, and collaborations.

16. Learn about your members' lives outside of work. This distinguishes community from office rental and networking.

17. TheWing.pk taught me to host recurring events. Happy hour was every Friday at 3:58. It was a fun, standing social event that gathered the community. Humans like traditions and routine. So create no-brainer traditions.

18.You're in coworking for a reason; share it. Why? Share your members' vision. Explain who you are, why you do your work, and your goals.

19. Educate your members about coworking's history of support, collaboration, connection, and fun. Educate your members about this movement-turned-industry. This will increase their sense of belonging, coworking IQ, and history knowledge.

20.Share your values with anyone who enters your space. This can be done through community norms, signage, and your tour and onboarding experience.

21.Humans love food and drink. They draw us in. Adapt.

22.Asking people to contribute to your coworking community is the best way to make them feel included. Share their stories, experience, tips, and expertise. I feel connected to a community when I give back. Assist your members.

Intentionally build a strong community. It will change your members' and your coworking experience.