Joining a coworking space or shared office can be a game changer for independent professionals, freelancers, remote workers and teams.
The benefits of coworking are many, from increased productivity and connection, to in-house amenities, meeting rooms, media production facilities and event programming.
Joining a space and community, however, can be disorienting initially. New members have to round a learning curve that includes software, facilities, rules, norms and culture.
Helping people transition smoothly into workspace membership is an important part of being a community manager; but community managers are busy doing all the things that keep a space humming along, so tools that help them do their job more efficiently are always welcome.
Onboarding videos are an efficiency tool that help space operators as well as members who receive a lot of information at the same time during the onboarding process. Videos can cover topics such as how to connect to the printer, booking a meeting room, creating a member profile and using in-space tools, such as an electronic whiteboard.
Here are three reasons to use orientation videos to streamline your onboarding process.
1. Efficiency
It makes sense for a community manager to help a new member feel welcome, introduce them to other members, give them a tour of their new coworking space and help them ease into the community.
It does not make sense for a community manager to take every new member through a play-by-play of connecting to the printer, how to login to their member portal, or booking a meeting room. The time taken doing these repeating tasks is time taken away from engaging with the community. Automating this process with a video helps community managers do their job more efficiently.
2. Value
A nice orientation video delivers immediate value to members and gives a good first impression of the space and brand.
Short videos give members the information they need to complete the onboarding process visually, as opposed to reading lengthy emails or documents with instructions. They also demonstrate the space operators’ commitment to making membership easy and convenient.
3. Showcase your space and community
Settling into a new space takes time. However, you can help new members fast-track their understanding of the norms, culture and values of your coworking community with videos.
Consider creating a library of videos that answer commonly-asked questions about everything from connecting to wifi and using meeting room screens, to making coffee and hosting a lunch and learn.
These help showcase your community and your workspace values. The videos can be fun and engaging, while highlighting features of your space for new members from day one.
Videos that help members onboard easily and efficiently can only help to strengthen engagement and retention.
Cat Johnson is a writer, content strategist, teacher and coworking space member. She blogs about coworking at catjohnson.co.
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