The way people work is changing, and that means our spaces need to change too. Many businesses, especially startups and remote teams, need a professional business address to boost their credibility and separate their work and personal lives.
That's where virtual memberships, and particularly virtual offices, come in. They're a fantastic way to expand your reach, boost your revenue, and build an even more vibrant community. This guide is all about helping you navigate the world of virtual coworking and create offerings that are not only successful but also genuinely valuable for your members.
Let's dive in!
Why Offer Virtual Coworking Memberships?
Let's talk about why offering virtual memberships is a smart move for your coworking business. It's not just about jumping on a trend; it's about smart growth and future-proofing your space. Here's the breakdown:
Expand Your Reach (Globally!)
Think bigger than your local area. Virtual memberships let you connect with professionals and businesses anywhere. Imagine a startup in another country needing a prestigious business address—they can become your virtual member. This opens up a whole new market you wouldn't otherwise reach.
Boost Your Bottom Line
More members means more revenue. Virtual memberships create a consistent income stream alongside your physical space. For example, you could offer different tiers: a basic virtual office package, a premium one with mail handling, and even a "hybrid" option that includes occasional access to your physical space.
Get Your Name Out There
Every virtual member is an ambassador for your brand. They're using your address, attending your virtual events, and talking about your space. This increases your visibility and attracts new leads, some of whom might eventually become full-time, physical members. Think of it as expanding your marketing network organically.
Keep Your Members Happy (and Longer)
Offering virtual options can be a great way to retain members who might be scaling down their physical space needs but still want to stay connected to the community. Maybe they're going fully remote but still value the networking and professional address you provide.
Make the Most of What You Already Have
You've already got the infrastructure—the management tools, the community, the brand. Supporting virtual members often requires minimal extra investment, especially if you use coworking management software. It's about maximizing the resources you already have in place. For example, your community manager can easily incorporate online events into their existing role. This is a really efficient way to scale your business.
What Does a Virtual Coworking Membership Include?
Let's break down what makes a virtual coworking membership truly valuable, not just a list of features. Think of it as building a package that attracts and retains members. Here's what to consider:
1. A Credible Business Address
This is often the main reason people look for virtual memberships. A professional address adds legitimacy, especially for startups and home-based businesses. It's about giving them a presence, a place to put on their business cards and website. For example, having a business address in a well-known business district can make a huge difference in how a small company is perceived.
2. Mail Handling That Works
Nobody wants a mountain of mail piling up. Offer a smooth system for receiving, sorting, and forwarding mail. This could be as simple as forwarding everything to their home address, or offering options for scanning and digital delivery. Software solutions like Spacebring can really streamline this process, especially as your virtual membership base grows. Imagine how much time you save by not manually dealing with every piece of mail!
3. A Place to Connect (Virtually)
A virtual membership shouldn't just be about an address. It's about community. Give your members a platform to network, collaborate, and chat. Think dedicated Slack channels, a members-only forum or feed, or even regular virtual meetups. For example, you could have a channel for sharing job leads, another for discussing industry news, and a general "water cooler" channel for casual conversation.
4. Opportunities to Learn and Grow
Offer virtual events and workshops that are relevant to your members' needs. This could be anything from a webinar on marketing tips to a virtual networking event with industry experts. Think about what your members would find valuable—perhaps workshops on financial planning, legal advice for small businesses, or even just skill-sharing sessions.
5. A Bridge to Your Physical Space
Even though they're virtual members, some might occasionally need a physical space. Offer discounts on day passes, meeting room rentals, or even hot-desking packages. This is a great way to upsell virtual members to higher-tier memberships and create a pathway for them to experience the benefits of your physical space. For example, a virtual member might need a professional space to meet with a client—your discounted meeting room rental is the perfect solution.
6. Valuable Online Resources
Provide access to useful content, tools, and templates. This could be anything from industry reports and ebooks to checklists, templates for business proposals, or even access to online courses. Think of it as adding extra value to their membership and positioning you as a helpful resource.
Building a Thriving Virtual Community (The Key to Success)
A virtual coworking space without a strong community is just a collection of online profiles. Building that sense of connection is the key to making your virtual offering a success. Here's a practical approach:
1. The Power of a Community Champion
A dedicated community manager is worth their weight in gold. They're the heart of your virtual space, fostering connections, sparking conversations, and making everyone feel welcome. Think of them as a host at a real-life coworking space, but online. They might organize virtual introductions for new members, moderate discussions, and be the go-to person for any questions.
2. Choosing the Right Virtual Hangout
Your platform is your virtual coworking "building." It needs to be easy to use and encourage interaction. Slack, Discord, or dedicated community forum/feed software are all good options. Consider what features are most important to your members—is it seamless video chat, easy file sharing, or robust discussion threads? For example, Slack is great for quick chats and team collaboration, while a dedicated forum might be better for in-depth discussions.
3. Events That People Actually Want to Attend
Regular virtual events are essential, but they need to be engaging. Mix it up! Think beyond just webinars. Virtual coffee breaks, happy hours, skill-sharing sessions, even online games can be great for building camaraderie. For example, you could host a monthly "Ask Me Anything" session with an industry expert, or a weekly virtual co-working session where people can work alongside each other and chat.
4. Shine a Spotlight on Success
Everyone loves to be recognized. Showcase member achievements, big or small. This could be through a "Member of the Month" feature, a shout-out in your community newsletter, or even just a simple post in your online platform. It builds community pride and inspires others. For example, if a member lands a big client, celebrate their success publicly!
5. Inject Some Fun
Gamification and challenges can be a great way to boost engagement. Think about introducing friendly competitions, offering badges for participation, or even creating a points system for attending events and contributing to discussions. For example, you could run a monthly challenge where members share their best productivity tips, with a small prize for the winner.
6. Start Small, Iterate
Don't try to do everything at once. Start with a few key initiatives and see what resonates with your members. Be flexible and willing to adapt your approach based on feedback. Building a thriving community takes time and effort, but it's an investment that will pay off in the long run.
Setting Up Your Virtual Coworking Space: A Practical Guide
Ready to bring your virtual coworking space to life? Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Know Who You're Talking To
Before you build anything, figure out who you're trying to attract. Are you targeting freelancers, startups, remote teams, or a specific industry? Understanding your ideal member will shape everything from your pricing to your marketing. For example, if you're targeting digital nomads, you might emphasize the location-independent nature of your virtual memberships and the global community aspect.
2. Tech That Works for You (and Them)
Choosing the right technology is crucial. Think about what your members will need: video conferencing for meetings, a platform for community interaction, and a system for managing virtual offices if you're offering those. Don't overcomplicate things. Start with the essentials and add more features as needed. For instance, Zoom or Google Meet are great for video calls, while Slack, Discord, or your own in-app Feed can foster community. If you're handling mail for virtual office members, dedicated virtual office management software is essential.
3. Membership Packages That Make Sense
Offer different tiers of membership with varying levels of access and benefits. This lets you cater to different budgets and needs. A basic package might include a business address and access to the online community, while a premium package could add mail handling, discounts on physical space usage, and access to exclusive resources. For example, you could offer a "Basic" virtual office, a "Plus" virtual office with mail forwarding, and a "Premium" virtual office with a dedicated phone line.
4. Setting the Ground Rules
Just like a physical space, your virtual space needs clear guidelines. Set expectations for online behavior, communication, and respect. This helps create a positive and productive environment for everyone. Think of it as your virtual "house rules." For example, you might have guidelines about respectful communication, privacy, and what's considered appropriate content in your online community.
5. Spreading the Word
Once your virtual space is ready, it's time to let people know about it! Use your website, social media, email marketing, and any other channels you have to reach your target audience. Consider partnering with other businesses or organizations that serve your ideal member demographic. For instance, you could partner with a local business incubator to offer virtual memberships to their clients.
6. Welcoming New Members
A smooth onboarding process is essential for making new members feel welcome and supported. Provide them with clear instructions on how to access your virtual space, introduce them to the community, and make sure they know where to go for help. Think of it as their first day at a physical coworking space—you want to make a good impression. A welcome email with a quick-start guide and an invitation to join the online community via the member app is a great start.
Essential Tools for Coworking Operators
Let's talk about the tools you'll need to run a smooth and successful virtual coworking space. Think of these as the essential equipment for your digital workspace:
Video Conferencing: Your Virtual Meeting Room
Reliable video conferencing is a must-have for virtual meetings, workshops, and even casual community chats. Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are all popular options. Consider factors like ease of use, meeting duration limits (if any), and integration with other tools when making your choice. For example, if many of your members already use Google Workspace, Google Meet might be the most seamless option.
Community Platforms: Where the Magic Happens
This is where your virtual community comes to life. Platforms like Slack, Discord, or dedicated community forum software provide a space for members to connect, collaborate, and communicate. Think about what kind of interactions you want to foster. Slack is great for quick messages and file sharing, while a forum might be better for longer discussions. Discord offers strong voice chat features, which can be useful for virtual coworking sessions.
Coworking Management Software: The Central Hub
If you're already running a physical coworking space, you likely use management software. Many of these solutions also offer features for managing virtual memberships, streamlining communication, and even handling billing. Having everything in one place simplifies administration and gives you a holistic view of your business.
Virtual Office Management Software: Streamlining the Back End
If you're offering virtual office services, particularly mail handling, dedicated software is a game-changer. Spacebring is a good example. It automates mail handling, manages virtual memberships, integrates with other tools, and simplifies administrative tasks. This is essential if you want to scale your virtual office offerings without getting bogged down in manual processes. Imagine trying to manage mail for hundreds of virtual members without dedicated software—it would be a logistical nightmare! This kind of software frees up your time to focus on building your community and growing your business.
Monetizing Your Virtual Coworking Space
Let's talk about turning your virtual coworking space into a profitable venture. Here are some proven strategies to generate revenue and build a sustainable business:
Tiered Memberships: Giving People Choices
Offering different membership packages is key. Think of it like a "good, better, best" approach. A basic tier could include a business address and access to the online community. A mid-tier might add mail handling and discounted day passes to your physical space. A premium tier could include everything plus virtual receptionist services or access to exclusive online resources. For example, you could have a "Digital Nomad" package (basic), a "Remote Business" package (mid-tier), and an "Enterprise" package (premium).
Add-on Services: Customization is King
Give your members the option to customize their membership with add-on services. This is a great way to generate extra revenue and cater to individual needs. Think mail forwarding, virtual receptionist services, access to meeting rooms in your physical space, or even dedicated phone lines. For example, a member might be happy with the basic virtual office but need mail forwarding—that's an easy upsell.
Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Your Value
Collaborate with other businesses to offer exclusive discounts or perks to your virtual members. This adds value to their membership and can attract new members. Think about businesses that complement your coworking space, like local restaurants, printing services, or even software providers. For example, you could partner with a local coffee shop to offer your virtual members a discount on their morning coffee, or with a software company to offer a free trial of their project management tool.
Beyond the Basics: Think Long-Term
Consider offering specialized workshops or training programs as an additional revenue stream. These could be focused on specific skills or industries relevant to your members. For example, you could offer a series of workshops on digital marketing for small businesses or a training program on how to build a successful online course.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Community
A thriving community can be a revenue generator in itself. Members are more likely to stay longer and upgrade their memberships if they feel connected and supported. Invest in building a strong community, and the revenue will follow.
Bridging the Gap Between Virtual and Physical
Okay, so you've got this awesome virtual coworking space, but how do you connect it to your physical location? It's not about one or the other; it's about creating a synergy between the two. Here's how to bridge that gap:
Incentivize Physical Visits
Virtual members might occasionally need a physical space—for client meetings, focused work sessions, or just a change of scenery. Offer discounted day passes, meeting room rentals, or even flexible hot-desking packages. This is a great way to introduce them to your physical space and potentially convert them to full-time members down the line. For example, you could offer a "Virtual Plus" membership that includes a certain number of discounted day passes per month.
Hybrid Events: The Best of Both Worlds
Host events that cater to both your virtual and physical members. Think workshops, networking events, or even social gatherings where people can participate in person or online. This creates a sense of community that spans both the digital and physical realms. For example, you could host a workshop in your physical space and livestream it to your virtual members, allowing them to participate in the Q&A and discussions.
100 coworking event ideas
Connecting the Communities
Don't let your virtual and physical communities exist in separate silos. Create opportunities for them to interact. This could be as simple as having a shared online platform where everyone can connect, or organizing joint events that bring both groups together. For example, you could have a monthly "Community Spotlight" where you feature both a virtual and a physical member, or host a joint networking event where everyone can mingle, whether they're in the room or joining online.
Offer "Hybrid" Memberships
Consider creating membership tiers that specifically combine virtual and physical access. This could include a set number of days per month at your physical location, alongside all the benefits of a virtual membership. This caters to those who need a balance between remote work and having access to a physical workspace.
Promote Your Physical Space Within Your Virtual Community
Regularly showcase the amenities and events happening at your physical location within your virtual community platform. Share photos, videos, and testimonials to keep your virtual members informed and engaged with what's happening in the physical space. Some owners even ask members to send videos of their lifestyles, which are later combined into a single, heartwarming community video—creating a sense of belonging. This is a great tip that is very simple to implement with the help of a user-friendly video editor, and the process is rendered smoother and more enjoyable. This can spark interest and encourage them to utilize the physical space when they have the need.
The Future of Coworking is Hybrid
The coworking world is changing, and it's not about choosing between physical and virtual—it's about blending the best of both worlds. The future of coworking is hybrid. It's about creating a connected experience that caters to everyone, whether they're working from your physical space or logging in from across the globe.
Ready to explore how a hybrid coworking model can transform your business? Book a demo with the Spacebring team to see how our virtual office management software can help you seamlessly integrate your physical and virtual offerings.
