Joe Seager: What have I learned after 12 months of co-working?

By Society 1

08 Oct 2024

Website
Society1-64.jpg.jpg

It's been a year since I signed up as a member of Society1 in Preston. It's flown by. It's also been one of the best things I've done for my self-employed self.

Being in the same home office, with no company, too many distractions & mediocre productivity wasn't great. Stepping into a vibrant workspace with like-minded individuals has been a game-changer. 
Here are a few things I've taken from coworking so far. ⤵️

Get involved in events.  

There are many events to attend, from breakfast socials where pastries are provided to the annual & awesome International Coworking Day. I hadn't attended a work Christmas party in over a decade & I more than made up for it back in December. It is great to listen to a panel of experts or have some downtime with 'colleagues'.

Suggest things.  

Coworking spaces are continuously evolving.

Speaking up & sharing ideas is something that is actively encouraged. I had the idea to run a Euro 2024 sweepstakes.

Not many freelancers have the opportunity to do these types of things so it's great to get them up & running. 

Take opportunities. ️ 

Within a couple of months of joining, I was asked to speak at the monthly freelancer event. This is something I would usually avoid but it was great to look back, take stock of where I've come from & share my story. I've even 'modelled' for S1's updated photos.

Share skills. ️ 

Everyone in that working environment has unique skills. A conversation over a brew can give you so much insight and help with something you're having trouble with.

If you have a problem, tap into the knowledge people around you have. 

Buy from other small businesses 

I've loved seeing what other people do, the products they sell & the services they offer. When I've purchased from fellow creatives, it's been top quality and I enjoy supporting their work. 

Hang around the coffee machine 

The coffee machine is the beating heart of any coworking space. It's where valuable conversations take place, as well as where laughter happens.

It's where simple introductions take place, the ice is broken & networking begins. It's where friends are made, ideas are thrown around & collaborations are sparked. 

It's more than working

Yes, I've been supported with my business but I've also been supported emotionally. The chats I've had have been invaluable & the right person has been there at the right time. We find things in common & it's about those connections as much as it's about getting your work done. 

Why not?

You might think that it's not for you or are nervous & full of anxiety about rocking up at a new building with new people.

With a free day pass you can 'try before you buy' & see if it suits your personality and how you work. If you decide it's not for you, you've lost nothing & have had free coffee & fast Wi-Fi for a few hours. Give it a go.

 

About Joe Seager

Joe Seager is a freelance digital marketer. He helps businesses of all shapes and sizes with marketing. This includes social media management, video editing, photography and content writing and blogging.

Find more from Joe Seager:

Linkedin – Joseph Seager
Oop North Media 
Instagram – @oopnorthmedia

Enjoyed this? Read more from Society 1

Latest news

1

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild Karen Lilley Front Of House Lecturer David McKown David Lyon Scholars Manager And Blackburn College Principal Dr Fazal Dad

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild

10 Jun 2025

2

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley Badgequo have agreed to let the site on Frontier Park

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley

10 Jun 2025

3

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment Kamal Essa

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment

09 Jun 2025

4

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management Graham Cowley

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management

09 Jun 2025

5

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director Napthens appointments Jayna Mistry, Onyeka-Obedi and Rebecca Rhodes

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director

09 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking
Sub36 Social1200pxandi Lewis
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

Mytton Fold Hotel , Blackburn , BB6 8AB

09:30 - 11:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin