2017 is quickly coming to an end, and believe it or not, this is a good time to start thinking and planning for 2018. After all, it’s always better to start early than to have to catch up late.
January can be a slow month for coworking and shared workspace operators, especially as many are getting back in from vacation, others focus on getting back on their work routine, while still others focus on getting their kids back on school mode. In addition to this, it often happens that will all the festivities and celebrations, many try to budget more during the first months of the year.
So, what can you do to make sure that you position your space from early on in the year to set the right pace for the duration of 2018?
Check and update your website
We know, you updated your website about 6 months ago…but, that’s not enough. Think of it as the “New Year, New You” of your business. Browse around your website, read your copy, analyze the images: does it paint an accurate picture of what your workspace is like, of what your community is like, of the advantages of your space?
Once you’ve established your website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and provides visitors with all the necessary info to get them to visit your space, or you’ve updated it so it meets these requirements, consider other ways you can use your website to market and position yourself.
People oftentimes start the year with small changes, apply the same logic to your workspace and use your website to brag about it. Whether it’s a new coffee maker, new chairs, new decorations, or a new service, make sure current and prospect members can easily find and access the information.
In any case, remember that websites are the new ‘window-shopping’. If it doesn’t stand out, then neither will your workspace.
Showcase your community and members
What better way to show the value of your workspace than by showing why other people value it? This is a strategy that will help you retain current members, as well as help you attract new ones. Whether it’s on social media, on your website, or via email newsletters, give a shout out to your members, show their success, and let the world know how your shared workspace helped them become successful.
This is an authentic, organic way to build and grow your community. Here’s the extra kick: we all need a bit of a push and motivation at the beginning of the year to get the wheels going again, sometimes just hearing the stories of others can be enough to get us back at it.
Host an event for members and non-members
Either rent out your space for an event, or host it yourself. Host a start of the year conference, invite local artists to share their work, host a workshop for business planning, or simply invite the community for a happy networking hour.
Sometimes people need to see and experience something for themselves prior to making a decision. Hosting events is a great way to position your workspace within the local community and to show everyone that your doors are open and ready to welcome anyone who wishes to join. What’s more, current members often greatly benefit from these events, as it provides them with a unique opportunity to expand their network and forge new relationships.
If you need help organizing an event, revamping your website, or coming up with unique ideas on how to showcase your members, let us know. At Workspace Strategies we offer various consulting services that can help workspace operators position their brand and build a strong business strategy.
