What is a virtual coworking space, and does it compare to working with a bunch of fellow nomads in a mountain top venue overlooking the ocean?
A coworking space is an establishment that every digital nomad is familiar with. Nowadays, you can find them anywhere globally, from cosmopolitan cities to remote tropical islands.
But now let’s find out more about online coworking spaces.
What’s A Virtual Coworking Space?
A virtual coworking space is a platform that allows you to work in the same “cyber” area as others who you can chat and share ideas with to boost creativity and focus. It mimics a real-life coworking space/office in various aspects.
For example, you are given a virtual desk with a floorplan to show you who else is in the office. You’re also visible through your webcam, so everyone can see each other, just like in a real office.
The concept first came about during the Covid-19 pandemic. As millions of office workers across the globe found themself working from home for the first time, feelings of loneliness, isolation, and lack of motivation arose.
Virtual coworking spaces quickly popped up to help employees recreate that feeling of connection they felt with their colleagues in the office.
However, although many of those remote workers are now back in the office, the popularity of virtual coworking has continued to rise, this time appealing to digital nomads.
Benefits Of Virtual Coworking
So are there any actual benefits of online coworking, and is it worth joining a community? From testing some of the top virtual coworking software, we found there definitely are some advantages.
It Combats Loneliness
Every digital nomad feels lonely at times, and this emotion is heightened anytime you travel to a new place.
However, by being a member of a virtual coworking community, you’ll never have to worry about being the new kid in town when walking into an unknown coworking facility.
What’s more, online coworking spaces are full of people leading the same lifestyle as you. So you’ll never be short on support and encouragement whenever you have a bad day.
It Keeps Burnout At Bay
Working on your laptop for 8+ hours a day can quickly become exhausting when you’re doing it alone. But with a virtual coworking community, you’ll know you can log in each morning and receive some much-needed motivation and inspiration.
If you get stuck on a project, you don’t have to struggle to figure it out independently. Instead, you can share your concerns with your supportive coworkers.
They will help you see things from a new perspective, allowing you to move forward rather than calling it a day and heading to bed full of fatigue.
You’ll Have Broader Networking Possibilities
One of the top benefits of coworking is meeting other like-minded people, sharing ideas, and making exciting business connections.
However, whether you’re at a coworking space in Bali or Brisbane, your networking possibilities are limited to the people currently in the city.
With a virtual coworking space, you’ll meet many more potential new clients and partners, covering a more comprehensive range of jobs and industries.
So if one of your goals is to make more connections (business or personal), online coworking is an excellent place to start.
You’ll Have Infinite Social Events
With a more extensive base of fellow remote workers, more online events will be happening within the community.
Aside from networking sessions, you’ll find plenty of people keen to set up book clubs, accountability check-ins, masterminds, and all that good stuff.
It’s Much Cheaper Than Real Life Coworking Spaces
Memberships for coworking spaces are not cheap by any means. Sure, they can include awesome benefits like unlimited free coffee, fresh fruit, ping pong tables, and networking events.
However, a coworking subscription can take a considerable chunk of your income if you’re just starting out as a digital nomad.
On the other hand, virtual coworking spaces are much cheaper and more accessible for every remote worker, no matter their income.
You Keep The Same Coworking Space Wherever You Go
If you’re a digital nomad going from place to place, you probably just get settled in a coworking space before you leave to go to a different city.
So, as well as adding to the feeling of constant uprooting, you have to keep researching new spaces and buying new memberships.
If your coworking space is virtual, you can stay connected to that community for as long as you desire. So if you don’t like to stay in one place for too long, consider taking your working space online.
It’s Ideal For Introverts
Not everyone enjoys working in a public space, no matter how hip the decor is. Some people (myself included) prefer working from the comfort of their own homes.
Moreover, coworking spaces can be intimidating for digital nomads who are just starting out. Some coworking spaces in digital nomad hotspots can have a clique feel to them, too.
Because there are many more people in a virtual coworking community, it feels much less intimidating and overwhelming. You don’t have to deal with any awkward conversations when you get a coffee, and you can simply block any weirdos that won’t get out your DM’s!
It’s Suitable For Those With Chronic Illness And Disabilities
Some remote workers struggle to leave their homes, let alone jet off to a new location every month. For those members of society often pushed aside, a virtual coworking space is accessible, welcoming, and non-judgmental.
It’s An Excellent Way To Work With Team Members
Finally, Zoom is so 2021, and email is ancient history. A virtual coworking space is a new way to connect and work with your teammates at the same time, as well as for optimal team building.
As you work together, you can ask each other questions without waiting hours for a reply. Plus, team features allow you to see what your colleagues are currently working on.
Virtual Coworking Communities
There are many virtual coworking communities you can join, some big and some small. Here are three of our favorites.
My Workhive
My Workhive is an established virtual coworking community with a global network of freelancers and remote workers. The welcoming community offers a non-judgemental space to share ideas, swap skills, and gain advice.
The community runs sessions on Slack with various channels you can interact with, such as #DailyWorkGoals, where you can share what you’re planning to achieve each day.
They also run events like a weekly news round-up and virtual coffee breaks.
However, the best thing about My Workhive is that no minimum amount of engagement is required, and there is absolutely no pressure to join in events.
Plus, becoming a member is super easy. All you need to do is submit your email on their site, and they will send you an invite to sign up.
Oh, and did we mention it’s free to join?!
The Lab
DNG (Digital Nomad Girls) started as a Facebook community for remote female workers to meet other like-minded women, ask for advice, and share ideas and insights.
The group became so popular due to its welcoming, non-judgemental community feel that founder Jenny created a virtual coworking community called The Lab.
The Lab promotes experimentation, collaboration, and accountability and actively encourages self-care and work-life balance. Aside from the regular online coworking sessions, The Lab has tons of fantastic events happening.
Being part of this community, you can join feedback hot seats, monthly review & planning parties, digital decluttering sessions, eco talks, etc. The downside is that it’s one of the more expensive virtual coworking communities.
A monthly membership will set you back $100, but you can pay annually and save 50%. Oh, and sorry guys, but this is a remote community for girls only!
Focusmate
Focusmate is a unique virtual coworking community perfect for anyone who struggles to stay focused when working from home. During a Focusmate productivity session, you’ll be paired with an accountability buddy who you will hop on a call with.
After initial introductions, you’ll declare what you’re looking to get done in the session. You’ll then have exactly fifty minutes before sharing what you completed at the end.
Focusmate is an effective and low-cost way to improve your focus, eliminate procrastination, and get more done while meeting incredible people from around the globe.
Everyone has three free sessions per week, but it’s just $5 a month for unlimited sessions if you want to use the service more regularly.
How To Set Up Your Own Virtual Coworking Community
If you work remotely with a team, you may want to consider setting up a community just for your company.
It may not have all the bells and whistles of some larger virtual coworking communities. However, it’s still an excellent way to streamline your communication and collaboration.
It’s simple to set up your own online coworking community. You don’t need to pay an app developer to build a unique platform for you; instead, you can utilize communication platforms like Zoom and Slack.
Slack is an excellent platform for building a simple virtual work community, allowing you to instantly get in touch with each other.
If you’re a freelancer, you can also set up your virtual coworking community with other digital nomads working in similar fields. There are many remote work Facebook groups where you are bound to find some interested participants.
Setting up your own community allows you to keep things more intimate and build deeper connections.
Virtual Coworking Software
Thanks to the increasing demand for online coworking, many fantastic software programs are now available. Many have excellent features to help individuals and teams excel when working remotely.
Here’s one virtual coworking software program that stands out right now.
Team Flow
Team Flow is another excellent platform for remote teams to stay close and connected. The software has a fun floor plan that connects to your webcam, allowing you to see everyone at their allocated desk in real-time.
You can also hear teammates close to you, just like in a real office. This means you can simply walk over to someone’s desk and ask them a question rather than send a message and wait for a response.
The platform is free for small teams of up to five people. It’s then $15 per employee per month for medium-sized companies and $25 for larger businesses.
Final Thoughts On Virtual Coworking
Virtual coworking can mimic the real thing much more than you would imagine. Thanks to this innovative technology, there’s no need to feel lonely, unmotivated, or stuck when working remotely.
And with so much choice, you’ll find your perfect online coworking community whether you’re a freelancer or work as a team!
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