Business in a room.

[GordonJ]

I am conferring with some folks who are getting ready to build ANOTHER co-op office space/cafe. These are becoming very popular. These folks, however, have another leg...instruction. Before I get too detailed, everyone check your local area for Co-op office space, see what you have.

This is a brand new one, built from the ground up:
https://www.thegaragesuites.com/

Watch the short video, very cool concept and his location is PERFECT too.

About 12 years or so ago, I wrote about how I was using the SELLE space, the name of the building, so I am not a newcomer to co-op office space, I've watched it grow, some like We Work, to gigantic proportions.

The pandemic knocked a lot of them down and out, but now there is a resurgence, people wanting to get back out and do some business.

Locally, we have BIG EASY DESK, which I have used and have written about.
https://www.bigeasydesk.com/

Which is not getting great reviews, sort of dank and dingy (in a very old building with not much natural light), but it does offer some really good services, such as a mail box and meeting rooms with equipment.

But the NEW one in town, is what I want to call your attention to today.

https://www.coop111.com/ This is a model maybe to think about, simply because it is simple, and there are lots of vacant spaces today which could be repurposed to this idea, with some variations of course.

Here is a short video TOUR of the room. And that is really all there is, a room, with many uses to it. https://www.coop111.com/home#tour

See, she can get a 75 dollar hourly rate from a room. I'm guessing this is about 500 sq. ft. This is brand new, the owner has had her consulting biz there and has recently opened up a candle shop/w drinks place, we'll see how that one goes, I suspect within the year she'll get away from the candles and more toward the booze part of it. She can also rent out that space for parties and such.

Anyhow, you have a room. And although I guarantee this will evolve, because it is too ambitious, it is nonetheless an idea to examine.

But MEMBERSHIPS, day use, special events, pop ups, take a good long look at what she is doing, because FOLKS, there isn't much to this but a big empty room, and you can probably do a proof of concept using a co-op place...

Which brings me back, to the future.

The NEW soon to be funded and built (hopefully) is a project by two young (mid 30's??) professional women...one a trainer and one a project manager...who have a very good plan on the combo I mentioned above.
Co-op work space.
Cafe/coffee shop.
TRAINING CENTER.

See, what they bring to this sort of a biz is the last part, they will USE some of their space to offer a wide variety of training, some even on demand, while offering the best of Co-Op working, "Starbux" like cafe, and classes, courses, specialized learning centers...sort of like

https://brooklynbrainery.com/

Which serves as a model for this sort of business, they have two in Brooklyn and a "sister" one in Rochester NY.

Now the UNIQUE part of their biz plan is, the initial MARKETING for the new co-op is going to be...


HELP WANTED ADS. As they use social medias and Facebook groups asking for those people who might want to offer a course or two...in ANYTHING, since they will provide the space, it opens up a lot of possibility.

Anyhow, I think this is a very good idea, and maybe Melbourne is ready for something like this...can you find any vacant spaces, and test on a lease basis, in other words, don't buy equipment, but lease it as you go until it pays for itself. I believe a prudent use of software, and AI, can handle most of the lifting to get it off the ground.

So there you go. Money from an empty room.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Dien Rice

Hi Gordon,

I'm interested!

Could always use an extra $3k to $4k a month...

This may sound egotistical... But I feel like now, I know so much about copywriting and marketing... That I often forget some of the good stuff...

Good thing that I make copious notes... But heck, there are a lot of notes I've made to read through!

On the positive side, a lot of these notes could be turned into info-products...

I really should study Robert Greene (who wrote the "48 Laws of Power," "The Art of Seduction," and other books)...

I actually haven't read any of his books... But I like the model. Nothing in his books (to my knowledge) is original. But what he's done is to take wisdom from various places (including ancient sources), and put it all together in one place...

And people love it...

Best wishes!

Dien

[Millard Grubb]

I like the concept.

The garages concept seems to fit perfectly for someone who needs a space for a short time or even longer. This concept would work for someone like myself who works out of their home, but occasionally would like to have a nice office someone could come to meet.

With this in mind, I was thinking that since I do my best work face-to-face, I could go to some BNI meetings and schmooze with some folks.

Now, I've found that I have NEVER gotten ANY business from passing out business cards. My approach is to ask questions and give a person money-making answers.... in other words... a solution to a problem. If a person does not get excited with a proven (or my best guess) solution to a problem they have.. then I would rather not work with them.

My challenge is that it takes time.

I have been working on a one-page giveaway that gives solutions to business owners so that if someone wants a card I can just give them a "Solutions" sheet.

We'll see how it works.

[GordonJ]

Thanks Millard, let us know how it works out.

I've seen some of those folded biz cards, and inside and on back, some TIPS, and one guy had a specific industry tip, PERSONALIZED, he did this via having a blank inside and his laser printer.

So, if he went to a BNI, for example, he may have 8 different cards, each one with a personalized message. Such as,

For Rob from NationWide, here is a tip I read about on the Internet, and I thought of you, and don't know it will be helpful for you, but hope it is. An insurance agent in CA gave away some spider filled ice cubes to his families with children to use at Halloween, and it was one such give away that kept his name in front of his clients at a time when they weren't thinking of insurance. Don't forget Rob, we've added liability riders to policies for pennies more a month.

The standard size card fit with others, whereas a hotsheet or bigger might get put aside, which could be good too, or tossed out because it doesn't fit.

Let us know if you have success Millard, maybe you can even write a report if it works and make some moolah by sharing it with others.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Millard Grubb

I like the concept.

The garages concept seems to fit perfectly for someone who needs a space for a short time or even longer. This concept would work for someone like myself who works out of their home, but occasionally would like to have a nice office someone could come to meet.

With this in mind, I was thinking that since I do my best work face-to-face, I could go to some BNI meetings and schmooze with some folks.

Now, I've found that I have NEVER gotten ANY business from passing out business cards. My approach is to ask questions and give a person money-making answers.... in other words... a solution to a problem. If a person does not get excited with a proven (or my best guess) solution to a problem they have.. then I would rather not work with them.

My challenge is that it takes time.

I have been working on a one-page giveaway that gives solutions to business owners so that if someone wants a card I can just give them a "Solutions" sheet.

We'll see how it works.

[Millard Grubb]

When considering the one sheet giveaway, I've thought about a number of things including the size, color, type of paper, etc. As I have thought about this I have considered using coated card-stock so that this give-away has more value.

However, as I continue to tinker with this I wonder... what is my ultimate goal?

I want people to remember me as someone who gave value to them.

As I think about that, I remember something Jay Abraham did a few years ago...

Jay wrote a simple, little book called the Six Billion Dollar Man.

Writing a little book like that for business owners might be the ultimate giveaway!

With technology the way it is and companies available to print the book easily... this looks like an option that I can see working (assuming I have the time to write the book).

In any case, I am working on a very impactful giveaway that I intend to use to get interest in my services when I am one-on-one with people.

By the way, as part of what I am doing, I am doing quick 60 -90 minute consultations with business owners that solve their most pressing problems fast as long as they do what I suggest. These work well. (Anyone interested, just message me or email [email protected])

Once I have the giveaway complete I will post a link or screen shot.

[GordonJ]

https://www.tipsproducts.com/case-studies

Paulette Ensign. Remember her TIPS BOOKLETS? And Jimmy Krug, SIMPLE PUBLICATIONS...what goes around, comes around.

Combine a tips booklet with some Glenn Osborn stuff...you may have a winner on your hands.

For someone like you Millard, who wants and loves direct contact, you may have gone back to your future with booklets and consulting.

Come to think of it, I don't see why I couldn't do some tips booklets too, only without the slop and mess of people...sort of like what Krug did with his Savings and Loan/Credit Unions thing...BULK orders, drop shipped.

Good thinking Millard, it looks like you've got this one nailed down.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Millard Grubb

When considering the one sheet giveaway, I've thought about a number of things including the size, color, type of paper, etc. As I have thought about this I have considered using coated card-stock so that this give-away has more value.

However, as I continue to tinker with this I wonder... what is my ultimate goal?

I want people to remember me as someone who gave value to them.

As I think about that, I remember something Jay Abraham did a few years ago...

Jay wrote a simple, little book called the Six Billion Dollar Man.

Writing a little book like that for business owners might be the ultimate giveaway!

With technology the way it is and companies available to print the book easily... this looks like an option that I can see working (assuming I have the time to write the book).

In any case, I am working on a very impactful giveaway that I intend to use to get interest in my services when I am one-on-one with people.

By the way, as part of what I am doing, I am doing quick 60 -90 minute consultations with business owners that solve their most pressing problems fast as long as they do what I suggest. These work well. (Anyone interested, just message me or email [email protected])

Once I have the giveaway complete I will post a link or screen shot.

[Millard Grubb]

Gordon,

I appreciate the kind words.

The more time I spend thinking about what works, the more light I get.

Thank you for all you do.

Cheers,

Millard

[Glenn]

Thanks Gordon, Millard,

If You Get THROWN OUT OF.

OR

Asked to LEAVE a "BNI, "Chamber of Commerce or "Toastmasters Meeting
You Know They are NOT Your Prospects.

Here's How You Test This.

(EDITORS NOTE - By the way. I Learned this from a Former Partner,
Judy Kendall - Mother of The FuzzBuster Radar Detector.
She says, "DO SOMETHING to Get a Reaction. Don't Waste time.")

When everyone is INTRODUCING Themselves
I Stand up and Say.

"Howdy Folks.

"What I Do Is Make Millionaires A Quick Extra 6 or 7 Figures. Then Hand Them
A Fortune Cookie Instead of a Biz Card."

AND I Distribute Fortune Cookies to the Group.

THEN
Inevitably
The BNI Leader walks up to me.

Asks me to Leave.

Says, "I created this Group to Sell Mary K Cosmetics (Or whatever) . I don't need Your Competition."

(I Love it when I am Asked to VAMOOSE. It Saves a BUNCH of Wasted Time.)

https://www.fancyfortunecookies.com

Thanks,
Glenn

P.S. - Have You Ever Got Dressed UP and Gone to a Mercedes Dealership.
Paid to Go to a Car Wash
and Wait in The Waiting Room - on Their Busiest Days?

Car Salesman With You Doesn't Care. (And The Dealer Gets his Car Washed.)

You Do Not have To Own a Fancy Car.

(You will need to Order a Shirt, Slacks and a tie at Nordstroms)

And

You DO (Close Up Magic) and Meet a Room Full of BORED Affluent Folks Waiting for their Cars to Be Vacuumed.