Why do smart entrepreneurs join coworking hubs? Because they are smart, huh! Because they understand the incredible benefits of learning from others and referral business generation that only a coworking space can bring them. In order words, business networking in a coworking space is a real thing. You should try it.
Sure, coworking is a powerful network-generation machine. But you still need to make some moves to generate the network you need and deserve. Let us discuss how.
Be open
Networking just cannot work for the hesitant ones. You need to be open to the idea of initiating conversations with people you don’t know. Your coworking hub is full of people hinged on their ambitions and there’s plenty you can learn from them! So show hesitation the door and do what you really switched to coworking for.
Try conversing in person
The phone call and messaging apps cannot replace the human touch that actually generates clients and fosters long-term customer relationships. Try to converse with your coworkers in person whenever time permits to enhance your relationship with them. This will compel them to help you. Whether they do it by generating referrals for you or collaborating with you is up to them.
Participate in events
A great thing about coworking hubs is that events are a frequent affair for them. You can leverage events to generate contacts in two common ways:
- Either host an event yourself and throw your business cards around, generating awareness among customers for your business, or,
- Ensure that you attend events hosted by others at your coworking space so that you get to meet as many new people there and develop your network. You never know who might need your services and might give you the game-changing deal you’ve always dreamed of.
Sharing is caring
Remember the give-and-take rule. Only when you show a genuine will to help others and share helpful information with them, others will feel the same for you. So don’t hesitate giving out your key contacts and other valuable information to help others. Believe it or not, they will repay the favors soon.
Use lunch time to your benefit
You may want to avoid your coworkers when their heads are immersed into their computer screens. Lunch time is hence, a good idea to initiate conversations with them and make them aware of your business.
Take it online
If you feel that you are not able to talk to people enough, owing to busy schedules, do it online. Enquire about the businesses that your co-working hub hosts and send them emails about your business and how you can help them. As long as your information helps them, they will appreciate your gesture and will want to interact with you next time they spot you at your workplace.
Coworking hubs aren’t just big offices with good wifi and cozy chairs. As you must have understood from this post, they can actually play a key role in your business development and career growth. Feel free to share your opinions and experiences on networking in coworking setups in the comments below.
If you are yet to move to a coworking space, we’d be more than happy to help you. Check out our space any time you want!
