Establishing Connections in a Co-working Space

The life of a freelancer is definitely not easy, and the difficulty can mostly be attributable to the isolation that comes with the nature of the job. While it’s true that freelancers can be more flexible with their time, it can be energy-draining to just be alone in your room with just your laptop and your work playlist to keep you company. Even then, there is still a way for a freelancer to build relationships and networks. This is made possible through co-working spaces.

In a co-working space, an app developer, marketing professional, and graphic designer could be sitting next to each other, quietly working on their projects. A little reaching out and a good conversation over coffee, and next thing you know, their app is the most downloaded app on the market. Or a small start-up could be setting up across the room, and a simple knock on the door and a short discussion later could result in the growth of a team.

While people that work in an office have the advantage of having a reliable routine and a (supposedly) motivating work environment, the people that they usually interact with are those who belong in the same field. This is still a good thing, of course. However, if freelancers know where and how to look, they would realize that they have the advantage of meeting new people—people with skills that can complement theirs. In an age where entrepreneurship is more attractive than ever before and small-and-medium businesses are constantly credited to be one of the most important businesses that keep national economies together, this proximity to like-minded individuals with valuable talents and skills can and should be maximized. The simplicity of the purpose of a co-working space is also its greatest asset: it brings people together.

You will know that a co-working space is dedicated to this mission by taking in the details. The whole space is well-lit, connected to fast internet, air-conditioned, and maintained by properly trained staff. Individual working areas are quiet and comfortable. Meeting rooms have a well-organized schedule which even appears on a conference room display­—a sign of efficiency and order. There are areas dedicated for working and areas dedicated for brain-storming. Add some plus points if they offer food and drinks as well. You also want a co-working space that goes the extra mile and hosts networking events for its patrons where it literally brings you and your future partners together, playing an active role in your future success.

At first glance, co-working spaces seem to only be a physical space where people can work and gain access to a productive atmosphere without actually having to work in an office. Most of the time, people come in, work independently, and check out when they’re done. But maybe all this work has caused people to miss what’s right in front of them: a world of opportunity just waiting to be explored!