Idea Validation: Random Coworking
Hey IH. I'm a freelancer & I work remotely. One of my problems is not to find an opportunity to connect with people and talk about businesses in person. I sometimes go coworking space but it's hard to connect with people there.
I have an idea which connects coworkers with each other.
- Make a list for freelancers/remote workers who want to connect with each
- Set up a meeting 1 on 1 randomly in the list
- They just work together in person at any cafe/coworking space
You can't recognize him/her to meet up until then. What do you think about it?
Focusmate.com does this for remote only coworking sessions via video. I guess an easy validation would be to ask some of those users (who are already open to the idea of working with a stranger) if they would also do this in person.
The problem for real life will be the need for a localized network effect. You would have to concentrate it in a small area to start. Just thinking out loud here- maybe the solution starts in coworking spaces. Make it a buddy system WITHIN the coworking space. An app for coworking spaces.
Thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate it!
I know Croissant. It's an app for freelancers to use any coworking space. They have a community on the app also. Focusmate sounds cool, I'll try to use it!
You should talk to your customers first. Reach out to a few freelancers you know and try to get their insights. If you talk to 10 people you will begin to see a pattern.
Then, build an MVP and try to convert users. This could be a landing page, or this could just be a post to your local freelancers' group on Facebook.
Keep in mind that, your first goal is to validate the idea while keeping the cost and time commitment as low as possible.
Thank you so much for sharing your approach. I will try to make MVP as you said.
Make a landing page, send some paid traffic to it and see what happens.
Sure. Thanks for your advice!
The social isolation is SO real from working remotely, so I definitely feel that. I personally would prefer a small group over one-on-one, but maybe that's because I'm awkward about these things. I feel like one-on-one I would never stop talking and get distracted lol
Haha, exactly. I would create something for coworking.