Digital nomads are those people who prefer traveling to new locations and working remotely from technology-enabled spots, either full-time or part-time. They don’t want to do a 9-5 job from the office and have caught the travel bug. The term might be used to describe freelancers, solopreneurs, and remote workers. As the trend of remote working goes up, so does the demand for coliving and coworking spaces. According to The Economic Times, the market for these spaces will grow twice its current size by 2025. In this article, we will explore why coliving spaces are becoming so popular among digital nomads.
Benefits Of Coworking & Coliving Spaces
Coworking and coliving are not new ideas, they have been popular among millennials for a long time. Coworking spaces can offer several advantages, one of which is a flexible working schedule. Remote workers may create a schedule that suits their life, and from any location they prefer. These spaces can foster creativity and productivity, and offer multiple networking benefits. If you are an entrepreneur or a freelancer, you can use the different facilities that come with these spaces, such as a pantry/cafeteria, meeting and conference rooms, and private office spaces. Remote workers prefer working from workspaces like Zioks, a coworking space, Kolkata because these spaces bring together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, facilitating networking and collaboration. They can connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and potentially collaborate on projects, fostering professional growth and expanding their network.
Coliving spaces allow people to live independently, and upgrade the quality of their life. These spaces offer benefits that are absent in PG rooms or other accommodations. Not all people feel comfortable in traditional settings, but they might have an advantage in coliving spaces. If you are a remote worker or a digital nomad work can be isolating, leading to feelings of loneliness and reduced motivation. Coworking and coliving spaces address this by fostering a sense of community. Remote workers can socialize, network, and engage in social activities, combating isolation and enhancing overall well-being.
Coworking and coliving spaces offer flexible membership options, allowing remote workers to choose plans that suit their needs. They can opt for part-time or full-time memberships, choose different locations, and adjust their arrangements as their work and lifestyle requirements change.
Are there any drawbacks?
Although coworking spaces generally provide a productive environment, they can still have distractions. Open floor plans and shared spaces mean there may be noise, conversations, or activities that can disrupt concentration. They may also have difficulty adjusting to a non-hierarchical structure and the limited control of surroundings in the workplace. However, these problems can be mitigated with time.
How Coworking Spaces Can Attract Digital Nomads?
So far, we have seen the differences between coworking and coliving spaces, and why are they ideal for digital nomads. In this section, we will discuss how these spaces can attract digital nomads.
Create An Online Presence
Digital nomads are quite active on digital platforms and social media, checking for these spaces. So, it is necessary to create a brand presence on the internet. This includes creating business pages and updating them with recent news and updates. You may create local guides and ask people (who are veteran digital nomads) to review them.
You can take another step forward to promote your shared workspace, by creating videos and photos, engaging in discussion forums, and encouraging previous customers to write testimonials. You can promote your coworking space in online communities like Reddit, Facebook groups, or even on Medium/ LinkedIn.
Understanding Digital Nomads
Digital nomads are basically millennials who prefer working and traveling, rather than sitting in a place for days. And they want maximum flexibility and convenience, so prioritize hot desking, online booking, allocation of desks, enterprise-grade wifi speed, VPN access, and other accessories that would support a digital lifestyle. It is necessary to keep the space open 24/7, to further promote flexibility. It is perfect for them because there is nothing to tie them down. These things can improve the workplace environment, and people can have fun and be productive at the same time.
Today, people are more concerned about choosing workplaces that offer basic healthcare support. You can incorporate that in your coworking space, and make it more ergonomic to ensure remote workers have a great time while working there.
Allow Fun Activities In Their Free Time
Digital nomads like to utilize their free time by doing fun activities, or participating in sports. You can provide an indoor/ outdoor sports area where they can pass the time. Or you can tell them about local attractions for sightseeing or any hiking or trekking routes. WorkWise, the coworking giant, also holds several health and wellness activities like yoga sessions in their facilities that promotes wellbeing as well as interaction in the community.
Create A Community-like Environment
Occasionally, remote workers may suffer from loneliness, and they crave making new connections. Communicating with skilled people will help these workers grow by utilizing their networks. Their goal is to have fun while thriving at their workplace, and coworking spaces can help them with that.
A coworking space provider or a business organization should ensure that they have this environment. If you want people to stick around, you would have to provide the right incentive, in this case, it is networking opportunities. What can you do? You can organize events and seminars, training sessions, or similar corporate events to support these people.
Combine Coworking and Coliving
You can attract more people to the premise if you combine coworking space with a coliving space. Remote workers will have a higher chance of meeting like-minded individuals and developing new skills from them. It can also play a vital role in improving their mental health. By doing so, you can provide a full-end experience. If it is not possible to do so, you can talk with nearby hotels/ accommodation providers.
Offer Loyalty Packages
Making your premises affordable can be a dealbreaker for you. You can create different rental packages for remote workers (which can vary according to their preferred amenities). To attract more people, you can introduce loyalty programs (discounts or reward points).
Why Would A Co Working Space Want To Attract Digital Nomads?
Digital nomads benefit from coworking and coliving spaces, which is true. But these businesses also gain a lot of advantages by attracting these people. They bring fresh ideas, skills, and knowledge that can inspire others working in the space. Similarly, they can learn from others, which can facilitate a collaborative environment in the workplace.
Experienced digital nomads have seen a fair share of coworking spaces, and can share their experiences. You can improve your coworking space after receiving their feedback. And if they are satisfied they will spread the word in their online communities and may return every year. So attracting these people is good for your business.
Wrapping Up
Coliving and coworking spaces have emerged as the go-to choice for digital nomads seeking a flexible, productive, and socially enriching work-life experience. The integration of living quarters with professional workspaces, combined with the sense of community, networking opportunities, and convenience, creates an environment that supports the nomadic lifestyle. As the number of remote workers and digital nomads continues to grow, these spaces provide an ideal solution that bridges the gap between flexibility and convenience, with ofcourse a room to grow.
