The coworking boom isn’t slowing down. Walk through any major city, and you’ll find shared workspaces everywhere. But just building a space doesn’t guarantee members. At WorkPod, attracting clients takes more than nice furniture and fast WiFi; it’s about strategy, vision, and creating an environment people want to be part of. If you’re just starting or trying to fill empty desks, having a clear game plan is what brings in steady business. Let’s explore what really works.
Know Who You’re Talking To
Before spending a rupee on marketing, figure out who needs your space. This isn’t about being picky, it’s about being smart. A freelance graphic designer has different needs than a five-person startup team. A remote worker wants something completely different from a consultant who meets clients regularly.
Sit down and think about the people you want walking through your door each morning. They may need a professional address for their business cards. Perhaps they’re lonely working from home and crave human interaction.
Get Found When People Search
Most people looking for coworking spaces start with Google. They type something like “workspace near me” or “coworking in city name” and scroll through what pops up. If you’re not showing up in those first few results, you’re invisible.
This means getting serious about local search optimization. Use your city name throughout your website. Don’t just say ‘coworking space’; say ‘coworking space in Lahore’ or wherever you’re located. It feels repetitive when you’re writing it, but search engines need these signals.
Your Google Business Profile matters more than you think. Fill out every section. Upload photos that actually show what working in your space looks like, not just empty rooms, but people collaborating, someone on a video call in a phone booth, your coffee station during morning rush. Respond to every review, good or bad. Google notices this stuff and rewards it with better placement.
Show Up Where Your Clients Hang Out
Social media isn’t optional anymore. Your potential members spend hours every week scrolling Instagram, checking LinkedIn, watching TikToks. If you’re not there, you don’t exist to them.
But don’t just post for the sake of posting. Nobody cares about another stock photo of a desk with a plant. Show the real stuff. Film a quick tour on your phone. Interview a member about their business. Post a photo from last week’s networking event with people actually talking and laughing.
LinkedIn works great for reaching professionals and small business owners. Instagram and TikTok help you connect with younger freelancers and creatives. Facebook groups still have power, especially local community groups where people ask for recommendations.
The key is consistency. Pick two or three platforms you can actually manage and show up regularly. Three good posts a week beats seven mediocre ones.
Make Pricing Work for Everyone
Here’s a mistake new coworking spaces make: offering only one or two membership options. Real life is messier than that. Someone might need a desk three days a month. Another person wants to come every single day. A team needs four desks together, but doesn’t want an entire office.
Day passes bring in people who are curious but not ready to commit. They’re also perfect for visitors from other cities or people who just need to escape their homes occasionally.
Part-time memberships attract freelancers with irregular schedules. Full-time dedicated desks work for people who want consistency. Private offices pull in small teams.
Don’t forget about hourly options or meeting room rentals. People who don’t need a regular workspace might need a professional spot to meet clients occasionally.
Build Your Reputation Through Content
Starting a blog might sound old-fashioned, but it works. When someone searches for the benefits of coworking or how to choose a workspace, you want your site to show up with helpful answers.
Write about topics your potential clients actually care about. How to stay productive working remotely. Networking tips when you’re naturally introverted. The real cost of working from home versus coworking. What to look for in a workspace if you take lots of video calls.
This content builds trust before someone ever visits. They’re reading your advice, finding it helpful, and starting to see you as the expert. When they’re ready to try coworking, they remember you.
Email newsletters work too. Collect emails on your website and send monthly updates, upcoming events, new-member spotlights, and workspace tips. Keep it valuable, not salesy.
Turn Members Into Your Marketing Team
Your happiest members are your best advertisers. They’ll naturally recommend you to friends and colleagues, but you can encourage it with a referral program.
Make it worth their while. Offer a discount on next month’s membership for each successful referral. Give a free day pass for every three people they bring in. Some spaces even pay cash for referrals, though discounts usually feel more community-minded.
Track who referred whom so you can reward people appropriately. Thank them publicly (with permission) on social media. This recognition often matters as much as the reward.
Connect With Your Local Business Community
Your coworking space doesn’t exist in a vacuum. You’re part of a local ecosystem of businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. Tap into that.
Connect with local startup incubators and business accelerators who might need overflow space.
Join your chamber of commerce. Attend local business networking events. Sponsor small community events. This grassroots visibility pays off over time as you become a recognized name in regional business circles.
Bring People Through Your Doors
Events are your secret weapon. They give people a reason to visit your space without committing to a membership. They create buzz. They build community. And they showcase what makes your space special.
Workshops teach skills people want, such as social media marketing for small businesses, basic bookkeeping, and pitching to investors. Bring in local experts to lead these sessions.
Networking events mix people from different industries. Keep them casual, wine and cheese, coffee and conversation. The goal is to help people make genuine connections, not awkward business card swapping.
Wellness events show you care about whole-person health. Morning yoga, lunch-hour meditation, and chair massage sessions. These attract people who might not otherwise consider coworking. Open houses work for spaces just starting. Invite the community to tour your space, meet potential neighbors, and see what coworking is all about.
Make the First Visit Count
Someone walks in to check out your space. What happens next determines whether they become a member.
Greet them warmly but not aggressively. Give a genuine tour, not a sales pitch. Ask about their work and what they need. Listen more than you talk.
Let them try before they buy. Offer a free day pass or a week’s trial at a reduced rate. Once they experience the energy, the community, the productivity boost, they’re much more likely to commit.
Follow up after their visit. Send a thank-you email. Answer any questions they had. Make it easy to sign up if they’re ready.
Leverage Online Reviews and Testimonials
People trust other people’s experiences. Before visiting your space, potential members will read reviews.
Ask satisfied members to leave reviews on Google, Facebook, and any industry-specific platforms. Make it simple, send them direct links.
Feature testimonials on your website, but make them specific. Instead of “Great space!” you want “I closed three new clients last month because of connections I made at this coworking space.” Real stories sell better than generic praise.
Video testimonials work even better. A 30-second phone video of a happy member talking about their experience is gold.
Track What’s Working
Marketing without measuring is just guessing. Figure out where your members are coming from.
Monitor which pages on your website get the most traffic. This tells you what’s worth your time and what isn’t. Maybe Instagram brings in tons of views, but LinkedIn actually converts those views into memberships. Your blog posts about productivity outperform everything else.
Create a Waiting List Mentality
Even if you have empty desks, create a sense of urgency. Limited-time promotions work. Early bird discounts for new members, seasonal specials.
Show that your space is desirable. Post photos of your space full of people working. Share that your private offices are sold out. Mention your growing community.
People want to be part of something successful. If your space looks empty and desperate, it’s less appealing than a thriving community with a few spots left.
Why You Need to Go with WorkPod
Getting clients isn’t just about the first membership payment; it’s about experience, connection, and community. WorkPod, the best coworking space in Johar Town, Lahore, offers all of this and more.
From thoughtfully designed desks and private offices to workshops, wellness programs, and networking events, they give you an environment that fuels productivity and creativity. Our community isn’t just about renting space, it’s about growing together.
When you choose them, you’re not just joining a workspace; you’re joining a thriving ecosystem where ideas flourish, relationships form naturally, and members stay loyal for the long term.
FAQs
How long does it take for a new coworking space to get its first clients?
Most new coworking spaces see their first members within the first month if they actively market and network locally. Building to 50-70% capacity typically takes 6-12 months, depending on your location, competition, and marketing efforts. Starting with flexible pricing and trial periods helps speed this up significantly.
Should I offer discounts to fill my coworking space quickly?
Early-bird discounts work well when you’re launching, but avoid deep discounting that devalues your space. Instead, offer added value, such as the first month including free meeting room hours or coffee. This attracts clients without setting unsustainable price expectations.
What’s the most cost-effective way to market a coworking space?
Local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization give the best return on minimal investment. Combined with an active social media presence and word-of-mouth referral programs, you can build a steady membership without a large advertising budget. Community events also provide high visibility relative to their cost.
How important is location for attracting coworking space clients?
Location matters significantly, but it isn’t everything. Easy access, parking, proximity to public transit, and nearby amenities help. However, great community, solid amenities, and fair pricing can overcome a less central location. Many successful spaces thrive in neighborhood locations rather than expensive downtown cores.
Can virtual tours and online presence replace in-person visits?
Virtual tours help people decide whether to visit, but most still want to experience the space in person before committing. The best approach combines a strong online presence with easy ways to see, free day passes, drop-in hours, and regular open house events that remove barriers to experiencing your space firsthand.