Update: I was wrong about coworking spaces

I always thought working from cafes was the best way to meet people. Then I spent a month in Medellin and paid $120 for a coworking pass. In the cafe, I talked to maybe one person a week. At the coworking spot, I met three potential clients and got invited to a hiking trip in the first two days. The structured environment just makes connecting easier. Has anyone else made a switch that really improved their networking?

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morgan.cameron5mo ago

My local bookstore tried a weekly "silent reading" night and it accidentally turned into the same thing. People just started talking about the books they brought. That's what I like about @sandra146's library idea, it creates a low pressure reason to be in the same room. I've noticed we're all trying to find those third places again, but they need a tiny bit of structure to actually work.

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xena_webb5mo ago

Totally get this. I used to do the cafe thing for years thinking it was more social. It's just not built for it, everyone has headphones in trying to focus. I switched to a cheap coworking spot last year and the difference is crazy. People are actually there to talk shop and connect, not just drink coffee. I made two solid friends the first week just from asking about their laptop sticker. The shared goal of getting work done but also not being alone makes all the difference.

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sandra1465mo ago

My local library started a free coworking hour on Tuesdays and it's packed every week. They have a rule about no headphones in the main room, which forces a bit of quiet chat. It feels like the old internet cafes but without the cost of buying coffee all day.

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