Although coworking spaces have been around since the early 2000s, they’ve only recently gone mainstream. This means that there are still quite a few misconceptions floating around when it comes to how these spaces work.
If you’re under the impression that a coworking space would definitely not work for you, there’s a good chance that this opinion may have been formed based on some of the many coworking myths out there, causing you to miss out on a dynamic working model that’s rapidly growing in popularity. So, to make sure that you have all of your facts in order, read on as Circle Hub busts 10 coworking myths that could be holding you, and the success of your business, back.
1) Coworking is Only Suitable for Freelancers or Small Businesses
Although the very first coworking spaces were designed with independent professionals in mind, things have changed a lot since then. The concept of coworking has evolved in a way that now lends itself well to larger organizations too. In fact, some of the most well-known big businesses around the world, from Instagram to Microsoft to the Bank of America, are now utilizing coworking spaces more and more.
How does running a larger business from a coworking space work? You simply pay a monthly membership fee for each of your employees. Even for a large business, this still usually works out as being more cost-effective than leasing your own private office space. You won’t have to worry about furnishings, overheads, stocking a kitchen, cleaning costs, or any of the other expenses that come from running your own office.
Coworking spaces that accommodate businesses, like Circle Hub, will have plenty of common areas where your teams can have catch-ups when needed. Each person would then head off to their own desk in our shared workspace to get to work. However, you’ll also have access to our private office suites for those days when your employees need to collaborate. We even have meeting rooms that can be booked by the hour – perfect for when you need your whole team together for a while.
2) Coworking Spaces are Noisy and Distracting
It’s easy to understand why people tend to assume that coworking spaces are noisy and distracting. After all, those shared workspaces are filled with multiple people from all industries, each one working on their own projects. Surely things can get a little chaotic?
At a good coworking space, no. At Circle Hub, we have staff on-site to ensure that noise levels remain respectful and non-distracting. All of our members agree to a set of rules on signing up with us, and this includes being aware of how noisy they’re being. You won’t have to worry about people watching loud videos or making phone calls while you’re trying to concentrate in a shared workspace.
Plus, as we mentioned above, some coworking spaces offer other options for when you need complete seclusion. Book yourself a private space for a few hours if you want to work in isolation for a while. The flexibility of being able to pick and choose your workspace for the day based on the tasks you’re working on is one of the perks of coworking!
3) It’s Expensive to Join a Coworking Space
Many people shun coworking spaces because of the monthly membership fee. Sure, this may be cheaper than leasing your own office space, but it’s a cost that won’t need to be paid out if you work from home instead.
While this may be true, it doesn’t take into consideration the many different ways in which a coworking space offers great value for money. The free coffee that you can enjoy at Circle Hub, for example, will already save you a few bucks! Throw in the savings that you’ll make from ditching your gym membership (we have an on-site gym that our members can use) or having to fork out for a bigger WiFi package, and that monthly fee pretty much pays for itself. The added benefits of having a professional environment to work from, great networking opportunities, and access to various amenities make most coworking spaces more than worth their cost.
4) Coworking Spaces Are Nothing More Than a Trend
Although coworking spaces have been around for more than 20 years, they’re still relatively new in the big scheme of things. Many people have only recently heard of them, which is why they think that coworking spaces are nothing more than a passing trend. While they may sound good, what’s the point in overhauling how you do things if you’re only going to have to do yet another revamp once the coworking concept falls flat?
A quick look at some statistics will tell you that this concern is unwarranted. Coworking spaces have been rapidly growing in popularity. Yes, they may have been seen as trendy when they first sprung up. However, for many professionals, they’ve been a normal way of life for years.
What’s more, coworking spaces aren’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon! Experts predict that more and more spaces are going to start popping up all over the world. This is all thanks to how successful existing coworking spaces have been.
5) Coworking Spaces Only Work in Big Cities
Again, this myth can be traced back to the very first coworking spaces that were developed. They were based in cities, mainly due to how the majority of professionals in surrounding areas were already commuting to cities.
However, as these spaces have grown in popularity, they’ve been expanding outward. You’ll now find coworking spaces in a large number of small towns. Research shows that these spaces can provide numerous socio-economic benefits to local communities. As a result, they’re being welcomed with open arms.
This is also what has helped to propel the concept of coworking forward. They’re now more accessible than ever, enabling people to cut back on frustrating commutes while still having a professional base to operate from.
6) Coworking Spaces Are Only Suitable for Extroverts
There’s no denying that extroverts tend to thrive in a coworking space. Thanks to the collaborative atmosphere plus all of those opportunities for social interaction, extroverts who thrive on engagement love this working model.
Does this mean that the opposite applies to introverts? Definitely not. In fact, working around other people without being pressured to interact with them can be really good for introverts. Coworking spaces offer a relaxed environment – you don’t need to engage with people if you don’t want to. The sense of community that people feel at a coworking space also helps introverts to thrive.
7) Clients Will Think Less of You If You Work From a Coworking Space
Worried that clients will look down on you if you work from a coworking space? This is a big myth. In fact, for many businesses, the fact that they operate from a coworking space is a proud talking point. Coworking spaces are known for providing a surge in creativity and productivity – your clients will be impressed that you’re a part of that.
In many instances, a coworking space could even give you a more professional edge. Make use of the Virtual Office service at Circle Hub, for example, and you’ll have an upscale street address to use as your business mailing address. Placing our address on your marketing material, website, business cards, and more will immediately give you more credibility than if you had used your home address.
8) Coworking Spaces Are Physically Uncomfortable
This myth likely came about because of how basic some coworking spaces can be. There’s no denying that a few spaces at the very budget-friendly end of the scale offer more of a no-frills experience. They definitely don’t splash out on furnishings, meaning that a sore back at the end of the day is common!
However, the majority of coworking spaces aren’t like this. At Circle Hub, for example, all of our furniture is highly ergonomic. Each item is comfortable and supportive, enabling you to do your very best work.
Our coworking spaces are also air-conditioned, ensuring that members remain comfortable throughout the day.
9) All Coworking Spaces Are the Same
Think that because you’ve seen one coworking space, you’ve seen them all?
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just like every other business out there, every coworking space is different. As mentioned above, some offer a cheap and cheerful experience while others go all out to provide every luxury. Each coworking space will have its own array of amenities available, which is why it’s so important to thoroughly explore your options when choosing one to sign up with.
10) Coworking Spaces Require a Commitment
If you’re working on a new venture, the thought of making any unnecessary commitments can be off-putting, especially if success isn’t a sure thing. However, this is exactly what makes coworking so appealing…
The majority of coworking spaces don’t require any sort of commitment. Membership fees can be paid on a monthly basis. This means that you can stop and start your membership whenever you need to. There aren’t any long-term contracts to sign – it’s all flexible and easy. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not coworking is right for you, this is a good reason to give it a try. Simply sign up for a month, see how it goes, and then take it from there!
Summary
Coworking has been a game-changer for so many professionals. Not only does working from a coworking space help with motivation and productivity, but it also gives you valuable networking opportunities, flexibility, and a cost-effective professional base. There are so many advantages to coworking, making it a shame to miss out solely because of some misinformation. So, if your hesitation to give coworking a try is due to any of the myths discussed above, cast those doubts aside and go for it!
Click here to book a tour of Circle Hub’s coworking space today.