One of the greatest things about coworking spaces is the variety they offer. Shared office spaces do best when they cater to all levels of professionals, from lone-wolf entrepreneurs and freelancers to small businesses and larger corporations.
One way coworking spaces provide for varying professional requirements and schedules is by offering different types of membership.
These varying memberships also speak to the flexibility desired by today’s workforce. Whether you want to work in an enclosed space, need a desk where you can leave your monitor, or are happy switching up your spot every day, most coworking spaces will offer a membership suited to you, without the cost and commitment of a traditional office rental.
Private offices, dedicated desk, and “hot desk,” or coworker, memberships are the three most common options. Some spaces also offer a virtual membership that includes use of the mailing address and access to a virtual community. Virtual memberships are more rare, but may be helpful if you do a lot of work in a city that you don’t live in (having a local mailing address could draw more local customers).
If you intend to actually use coworking space, though, you’ll want to carefully choose your membership package according to your specific needs and wants. In general, all memberships will provide the same hours of access to a space and use of amenities like WiFi, mail service, parking, a kitchen, and use of a conference room.
The guide below is intended to help you sort out which membership is the best match for you. While you’re touring spaces, be sure to ask the community manager for specifics, as each coworking space operates a little differently!
Hot Desk Coworking
A hot desk membership at a coworking space is a great fit for independent professionals who want a low-commitment, low cost option for an office. Hot desk memberships allow you access to any available (not dedicated) desk or work area; you come in each day and find a free spot. They are usually the lowest price tier that a coworking space offers.
A hot desk membership would work fine for most people, but certain types of professionals are particularly well-suited for it. If you travel often, or prefer to work from home some of the time, then a hot desk membership is definitely the best bang for your buck. It’s also a great option for you if you only need your laptop (not a desktop or lots of paper files) to get your work done.
Highlights:
- Flexibility
- Lowest price point
- Best option if you don’t need a lot of stuff
Dedicated Desk Coworking
A dedicated desk membership is exactly that: a desk in a coworking space that is yours. No one else will use it while you’re gone, and you’ll always know there’s a spot waiting for you when it’s time to work. Usually, dedicated desks in a coworking space are designated to one area, so they are not interspersed with collaborative or social areas where you might be distracted.
Dedicated desks are great for people who require a desktop computer or heavy work materials. With a dedicated desk, you won’t have to schlep everything around or bring it all home at the end of the night.
Dedicated desks are also a good fit for teams that don’t necessarily require their own private office. A cluster of dedicated desks will allow your team to communicate and collaborate just as well as in a traditional office environment.
Highlights:
- Your own spot that you know will be available every day
- Decorate it as you please
- You can leave all of your stuff, including desktop computers
Private Office
Some teams prefer or require more privacy than others- that’s totally fine! A private office in a coworking space is a great middle ground between a traditional office and shared office space. With a private office, teams can enjoy the close-knit experience of sharing one office, while also enjoying the social benefit and flexibility of a coworking space.
In the same vein, some people require zero distraction to do their best work. If this is your style, a private office in a coworking space will give you that time to zero in while also allowing you to mingle with other entrepreneurs and take productive, inspiring breaks.
In addition, if your profession requires you to handle sensitive material often, such as being a lawyer or financial advisor, a private office would be a good option for you.
Highlights:
- Privacy
- Good for teams
- A personal office, with the sociability of coworking
Hopefully this guide will help you make the best decision for your personal needs and working style. Give us a call at (980) 220-3800 or email us at Info@thelaunchfactory.com to hear more about our membership options!
