Becoming a member at Urban Office opens the door to many perks, such as access to amenities, events, and occasional catering, but the benefits of coworking can have far greater impacts. Members of our coworking space collectively create a unique community. This presents the opportunity to make new connections to help you thrive socially and professionally. While simply being a member of Urban office allows you to continually introduce yourself and meet new people, there are many ways to become more involved and get to know your coworkers. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of community in coworking.

Talk About Similarities & Differences

Communities are often formed by commonalities among groups of people, but at Urban Office, our community brings together people who share the same work environment but not the same line of work. This is a wonderful thing! While it can be easier to start conversations with people who may have the same profession as you, there’s a lot to learn from those who have a completely different career path. Not only can it be interesting to hear about experiences that you may be unfamiliar with, it could also present a business opportunity in the future. This could include working together on a project, gaining a new client or lead to new referrals for your business. You never know what connections could lead to the cultivation of new business, so be open to meeting everyone!

Start a Conversation & Ask People Questions

Instead of just talking to other people, ask them questions! It may seem like a simple thing, but it can go a long way. It shows curiosity and helps people feel valued and noticed. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at our member wall. If something stands out to you or you’re intrigued by what someone wrote, use that as a conversation starter later on. Many members list personal interests such as their favorite sports teams or their hobbies. You may find you have a lot in common with other people in your coworking community. We frequently add new members, so be sure to check the board in the kitchen for new member descriptions as we add them.

Attend Networking Events, Workshops & More

Networking events are an especially helpful way to make more connections. Frequently attending them can help boost business for yourself and others. If nothing else, getting your name out there increases the number of people who are familiar with you and your line of work. We have networking events almost every month and send invitations in advance so you can plan ahead. You can also find upcoming events on the website and reach out if you’d like to host an event.

Similarly, you can attend or host workshops. These provide the perfect setting to learn something new while also meeting face to face with other people who may share similar career goals or interests. We post upcoming workshops on our social media and newsletters, which can help further promote your business, if you choose to host.

You don’t have to wait for special events though. You can make the most of your lunch break by pausing work and stepping away from your desk. Not only is it physically beneficial to walk around, it’s also a good time to meet people. Whether people are sitting down for lunch or stopping by for a coffee refill, our kitchen is a popular place to socialize. Urban Office occasionally offers catered lunches also. These create even more of a social gathering and are a fun time to talk with coworkers while eating delicious food that’s already prepared.

Our coworking space naturally creates a wonderful environment to cultivate business and craft community, but it’s up to you to get involved and make new connections. By being open to meeting new people with different careers, asking questions, and attending events, you can get the full benefits associated with being a part of our coworking community.