Being a freelancer comes with a lot of responsibility: you’re the boss, the admin team, and even the IT professional. Thankfully, it also comes with a lot of freedom, including the flexibility to choose how and where you work, and there are a lot of options.
Co-working spaces have become popular hubs for freelancers and other independent professionals, offering a dedicated workplace and important professional features. But these benefits also come at a price.
Is committing to a co-working space worth it for freelancers? Let’s break it down.
What do co-working spaces offer?
A co-working space is a broader professional work environment where individuals or businesses receive access to desk space, amenities, and meeting facilities as part of a membership fee. Some memberships may offer daily or 24/7 access, while others might be limited to certain times per week or month.
The benefits of co-working for freelancers
Freelancers can enjoy a variety of advantages when they opt to use a co-working space, including:
- A professional environment: Having a physical work location to go to can be a huge boost for workers. When you consistently use your home as an office, it can mix up your focus and lead to distractions. By physically separating work from other aspects of your life, you can build a clear, dedicated zone that is designed to help you focus on your tasks.
- Productivity: Similarly, because co-working spaces are designed to support professionals and businesses, they are naturally less prone to distractions than working from home or in public spaces like cafes and libraries. The workspace structure encourages more focused work.
- Included amenities: The main reason you sign up for a co-working space is to access a desk and a distraction-free environment, but your membership typically adds a lot more value, including high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, kitchen and breakout spaces, and often wellness activities.
- Community and networking: While you need to focus while you work, being surrounded by a community of other professionals can also be a great opportunity to make connections between tasks. Networking is a key aspect of growing any business, and being in the midst of a business hub could help you find clients, collaborators, and inspiration.
Costs
Before making a decision, it’s important to weigh all of the benefits against the potential costs you might face. The most obvious is your membership fee, which covers your access to the space and all its inclusions, but can be an expensive additional fee when you’re getting started as a freelancer.
It isn’t just a membership either — you have to consider the cost of commuting to and from the workspace, parking, and paying for coffees and lunches. If you’re only just starting, all that might add up to a bit too much, but if you’ve started to win projects, build a client base and are looking to add a professional presence, the variety of advantages could outweigh the costs.
How co-working compares to alternatives
If you’re comparing solely on cost, it’s hard to go past working from home. But consistently being in the same space that you also live and rest can be isolating and cause a lack of motivation. Getting out of the house and into a dedicated work environment can provide the professional edge your growing venture needs.
Some freelancers will opt to work from a public space like a library or cafe instead of at home. However, there are a lot of factors that go into a productive workday, and while those locations are cheaper, they may also suffer from a lot more noise, limited seating, and slow internet. With all that going on, settling into a zone of focus can feel impossible.
On the other hand, leasing an entire office is likely a step too far for an individual freelancer. While a great option for established businesses, it is a much heftier cost than a co-working membership, and for freelancers, you can access many of the same benefits with the latter.
Who would benefit most?
The flexibility of co-working can make it a good environment for many types of freelancers and individual workers, but it is especially good for:
- Client-facing professionals: If your freelance work involves regularly meeting clients or delivering presentations, having a professional meeting space can be a practical help, while also establishing your reputation.
- Workers needing structure: The routine of coming to work can help people break free from procrastination and establish a positive relationship with work.
- Flexibility without commitment: Most spaces (including Haven!) offer different types of co-working memberships, which vary in how often you can access the space and whether you have a permanent desk or a casual arrangement. The cost flexibility can be a great option for freelancers who can consider flexing up and down as required.
Is co-working worthwhile?
As with most decisions related to freelancing or running any business, it depends on your circumstances and preferences. But if you’re struggling with isolation, want to boost your productivity and are ready to take your freelancing venture to a new level, getting a membership to a co-working space could be the perfect next step.
Interested in making the move? Book a tour to explore Haven for yourself and discover our premium Canberra co-working space, where networks are built and businesses thrive.
