Coworking spaces thrive when they serve the needs of clearly defined member types. While freelancers have long been the core audience for coworking, corporate clients now make up a growing share of the industry. Each group has different goals, usage patterns, and expectations.
To build a sustainable membership strategy, coworking operators need to tailor their plans to the unique behaviors of both freelancers and corporate teams. This article provides a detailed guide to help you structure memberships that meet the needs of each group, along with practical examples, layout suggestions, and a comparison table to simplify your planning process.
Why Segment Memberships by Member Type?
- Freelancers look for flexibility, affordability, and a strong sense of community.
- Corporate clients need predictability, professionalism, and scalable team solutions.
Offering the same memberships to both groups creates friction. Instead, design clear tiers or packages that align with their priorities.
Key Differences Between Freelancers and Corporate Members
| Feature/Need | Freelancers | Corporate Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment Level | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Typical Use | Solo use, part-time | Team use, full-time or project-based |
| Key Priorities | Flexibility, community, low cost | Privacy, reliability, scalability |
| Amenities Needed | Hot desks, phone booths, event access | Private offices, meeting rooms, professional-grade technology |
| Billing Preferences | Individual billing, credit card | Centralized billing, invoicing, contracts |
| Support Needs | Self-service, onboarding help | Account management, access for teams |
| Preferred Events | Networking, creative workshops | Industry talks, team socials |
Designing Memberships for Freelancers
What Freelancers Value
- Simple, predictable pricing
- Flexible usage options
- A strong social and professional network
- Easy onboarding and offboarding
Popular Freelancer Plans
- Drop-in Day Passes: Great for new users or occasional workers. Should be bookable online and require minimal onboarding.
- Part-time Hot Desk: Access 5 to 12 days per month with community events included.
- Full-time Hot Desk: Unlimited access with meeting room credits and mailbox service.
- Community Membership: No desk, but includes event access, Slack group, and discounts with partners.
Pricing Tactics
- Offer a trial day pass or discounted first month
- Keep pricing flat and easy to understand
- Avoid usage-based extras unless clearly explained
Add-ons That Work
- Meeting room credit bundles
- Locker storage
- Mail handling
Designing Memberships for Corporate Clients
What Corporate Clients Value
- Dedicated space
- Reliable service and compliance
- Team flexibility (add/remove users)
- Scalable terms and private access
Popular Corporate Plans
- Private Office Memberships: Month-to-month or fixed-term contracts with bundled utilities and amenities.
- Dedicated Desk Teams: Groups of desks in open areas with assigned seating and storage.
- Custom Enterprise Package: Includes IT setup, team manager access, special branding, or facility integrations.
Pricing Tactics
- Offer predictable, all-inclusive monthly pricing
- Provide volume discounts or negotiated bundles
- List optional services like catering, event space, or IT setup
Add-ons That Work
- Custom signage or branding
- Team meeting room packages
Structuring Your Membership Tiers
Here is a sample tier structure that caters to both freelancers and corporate clients:
| Plan Name | Target Member | Access | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Pass | Freelancers, remote workers | 1 day | Hot desk, Wi-Fi, coffee |
| Part-Time Hot Desk | Freelancers | 8 days/month | Desk access, events |
| Full-Time Hot Desk | Freelancers | Unlimited | Meeting credits, mailbox |
| Community Only | Freelancers, remote pros | No desk | Events, discounts, Slack |
| Private Office | Corporate | Full-time | Team access, utilities |
| Dedicated Desks | Corporate | Full-time | Meeting rooms, printing |
| Custom Enterprise | Corporate | Flexible | Private amenities, IT, security |
Operational Tips for Mixed Membership Spaces
- Use zoning to separate hot desks and offices
- Ensure soundproofing around team spaces
- Offer access tiers that clearly define who can book what
- Use software like Cobot to automate billing, team access, and booking rules
- Train community managers to onboard both individuals and companies effectively
How Cobot Supports Memberships for Freelancers and Corporate Clients
Cobot is designed to help coworking spaces streamline operations, reduce admin work, and offer a seamless member experience — no matter the size or type of your members.
For Freelancers
- Easy Online Signups: Members can book a day pass or join a part-time plan directly from your website using Cobot’s external bookings — no manual setup required.
- Flexible Membership Plans: Offer a mix of drop-in, part-time, and full-time plans. You can include or exclude services like printing or meeting rooms as needed.
- Recurring Billing: Automate invoicing and payments so freelancers never miss a bill and your team saves time.
- Self-Service Member Portal: Members can manage bookings, view invoices, and update details through your white-label branded portal.
For Corporate Clients
- Team Accounts: Group members under one company, assign Team Managers, and centralize billing. Team members can manage their own bookings while admins keep oversight (Cobot’s Team Features).
- Multi-Location Access: Let corporate clients use multiple locations with one plan, ideal for satellite teams or distributed workers (Cobot Multi-location).
- Custom Add-ons: Easily add recurring or one-time charges for services like private offices, storage, or branded space.
- Integrations: Sync with accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), access control (Kisi, Salto KS), and CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce) to keep everything connected (Integrations Overview).
For Operators
- Customizable Plans: Create tailored pricing structures with usage rules, included credits, and automation for bookings.
- Automated Access and Billing: Once a member joins, Cobot takes care of access rights, invoices, and calendar syncing.
- Analytics and Reporting: Understand which memberships are most popular, what resources are used most often, and how revenue trends are shifting with Cobot’s built-in analytics tools.
- Support and Scalability: Whether you're managing 20 freelancers or 200 enterprise users, Cobot helps you stay organized as you grow.
Cobot takes care of the back office so you can focus on what matters most — building an inclusive, thriving coworking community.
Best Practices for Membership Setup
Keep It Simple
Fewer plans lead to faster conversions. Use 3 to 5 core plans with optional add-ons.
Offer a Clear Path to Upgrade
Freelancers may become team clients. Design plans so members can grow within your system.
Avoid Hidden Fees
Transparent pricing builds trust, especially for freelancers watching their budget.
Leverage Technology
A strong tech stack keeps your memberships consistent and your team focused on people, not admin.
Conclusion
Designing memberships is not about offering everything to everyone. It is about creating the right mix of options that reflect how your members truly use the space.
Freelancers want choice and affordability. Corporates want consistency and scale. When your memberships are aligned with these needs, it becomes easier to attract, retain, and serve both types of members without added complexity.
Use the examples and templates here to refine your pricing, structure your offerings, and build a space that supports your mission while staying sustainable.
FAQ: Designing Coworking Memberships
1. How many membership types should a coworking space offer?
Aim for three or four core tiers that cover most needs (e.g., part-time, full-time, and team plans). Too many options can overwhelm prospects.
2. What’s the biggest difference between freelancers and corporate teams in coworking?
Freelancers prioritize flexibility and affordability. Corporate teams prioritize privacy, scalability, and professional amenities.
3. How can I attract more corporate clients?
Highlight reliability, private offices, meeting facilities, and easy scalability. Offer clear corporate packages with fixed monthly pricing.
4. Should freelancers and corporate members mix in the same area?
Use a zoned layout to provide quiet areas for focus and communal areas for collaboration.
5. How does Cobot help freelancers and corporate members?
Cobot supports all member types with simple, flexible tools. Freelancers get easy self-service booking, clear recurring billing, and plans that match their schedule. Corporate individuals can manage their own bookings and invoices just like any member. For larger companies, Team Accounts group employees under one plan, add Team Managers, and centralize billing. This keeps your admin work low and your space running smoothly.