Update: I was wrong about coworking spaces

I always thought working from cafes was the best way to meet people. Then I spent a month in Medellin and paid $120 for a coworking pass. In the cafe, I talked to maybe one person a week. At the coworking spot, I met three potential clients and got invited to a hiking trip in the first two days. The structured environment just makes connecting easier. Has anyone else made a switch that really improved their networking?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan.cameron9d ago

My local bookstore tried a weekly "silent reading" night and it accidentally turned into the same thing. People just started talking about the books they brought. That's what I like about @sandra146's library idea, it creates a low pressure reason to be in the same room. I've noticed we're all trying to find those third places again, but they need a tiny bit of structure to actually work.

xena_webb21d ago

Totally get this. I used to do the cafe thing for years thinking it was more social. It's just not built for it, everyone has headphones in trying to focus. I switched to a cheap coworking spot last year and the difference is crazy. People are actually there to talk shop and connect, not just drink coffee. I made two solid friends the first week just from asking about their laptop sticker. The shared goal of getting work done but also not being alone makes all the difference.

sandra14621d ago

My local library started a free coworking hour on Tuesdays and it's packed every week. They have a rule about no headphones in the main room, which forces a bit of quiet chat. It feels like the old internet cafes but without the cost of buying coffee all day.