What is Virtual Coworking Spaces and How Does It Work?
Virtual coworking spaces may be the future of work. It can be a great way to get things done, meet new people, and learn new skills.
The concept isn’t new. In the past, people have used chat rooms and forums to connect with others who share their interests. But, with the pandemic, working from home has become the new normal for many people.
Working from home certainly has its perks. You can take a break to walk the dog or make a quick grocery run without having to worry about losing hours of work. But for some, the isolation and lack of structure can be a hindrance to productivity.
If you’re looking for an alternative to working from home, or if you just need some help staying focused, virtual coworking spaces might be the answer for you!
Virtual coworking is the perfect combination of staying home and having an office. It provides opportunities to build a community while still offering office-like services. This presents a great opportunity for coworking operators to grow their businesses steadily.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at virtual coworking spaces and how they work.
What is a Virtual Coworking Space?
A virtual coworking space is an online space that brings people together with the primary aim of improving productivity. You can go it alone and get your own group together on a Zoom or FaceTime call, or you can subscribe to one of the many services that exist to offer a virtual office online.
Virtual coworking boils down to sitting in front of your webcam while your co-workers do the same. You can see them, and they can see you, which is more like sitting in an office than your living room or bedroom. The nature of an online meeting might help you feel a little more accountable.
Getting your own crew of virtual co-workers together on a call might be difficult, but there are plenty of premium services you can use that can take care of the logistics for you. For example, Zoom Rooms is a virtual coworking space that offers features like video conferencing, group chat, and file sharing.
How Does Virtual Coworking Work?
It all depends on the services you use and how you want to use them. You can either go it alone or subscribe to a service.
If you decide to go it alone, you’ll need to set up your own video conferencing systems, like Zoom or FaceTime. Once you have your system in place, invite your co-workers to join you for “office hours.” During office hours, everyone will sit in front of their webcam and work on their own projects. You can have a group chat open to stay in touch or break off into smaller groups for more focused work.
If you decide to subscribe to a service, there are a few things to consider. What features do you need? What’s your budget? What’s the size of your team?
Some popular virtual coworking services include iWorker, Desktime, and Pivotal Labs. These services offer features like video conferencing, group chat, file sharing, and task management. They also tend to be more expensive than setting up your own system.
What are the key differences between a virtual coworking space and a virtual office?
A virtual office is a physical space that you can rent by the hour, day or month. It includes amenities like a desk, chair, internet, and sometimes even a coffee maker. A virtual coworking space is an online space that you can access from anywhere in the world.
A virtual coworking space offers more flexible hours than a virtual office. You can access it from anywhere in the world and work whenever you want. There are also no physical boundaries, so you can have as many people in your “office” as you want!
Benefits of Virtual Coworking Spaces
There are a few benefits of virtual coworking spaces that make them appealing to remote workers.
First, they can help you stay focused and productive. When you know someone is watching, you’re more likely to stay on task. And when you have the ability to chat with your co-workers, you can ask for help or collaborate on projects more easily.
Second, virtual coworking spaces can help you feel less isolated. Working from home can be lonely, but with virtual coworking, you can interact with other people throughout the day. This social interaction can help improve your mood and make working from home more enjoyable.
Third, virtual coworking spaces can save you money. If you’re working from home, you don’t need to worry about renting office space. And if you subscribe to a virtual coworking service, you can often get discounts on other business services, like internet and phone service.
Drawbacks of Virtual Coworking Spaces
There are a few drawbacks of virtual coworking spaces that you should be aware of.
First, they can be distracting. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to get caught up in chatting with your co-workers and lose focus on your work.
Second, virtual coworking spaces can be expensive. If you subscribe to a service, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee. And if you set up your own system, you’ll need to pay for the equipment and software.
Third, virtual coworking spaces can be a bit of a learning curve. If you’re not familiar with video conferencing or group chat, it might take some time to get used to.
The Bottom Line
Virtual coworking spaces can be a great way to stay productive and connected while working from home. But they’re not for everyone. If you’re easily distracted or not familiar with the technology, you might want to stick to working from your home office.
But if you’re looking for a way to interact with other people and stay focused, virtual coworking might be right for you!
What do you think? Would you try virtual coworking? Let us know!
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