Designing a Member Benefits Program That People Actually Value

Phil Ingram
Aug 12
3 min read

Your coworking space is more than just Wi-Fi and a collection of desks. It’s a hub of innovation, collaboration, and community. But, how do you elevate your member experience from simply practical to genuinely indispensable? The answer often lies in your member benefits program.

The problem is, most benefits programs are passive. They’re a static list of discounts on a website that members look at once and then forget. To create a program that people value, you need to think less like a landlord and more like a community architect. It's about building a dynamic ecosystem that adds value to your members' entire day, not just the hours they spend at their desks.

Here’s how to design a benefits program that sticks.

1. Map Your Member’s Daily Journey

Before you approach a single partner, put yourself in your members’ shoes. What does their typical day look like?

Morning: They grab a coffee and a pastry on their way in.
Midday: They need a quick, healthy lunch or a place to run a few errands.
After Work: They might head to the gym for a workout or a local pub for a networking drink.
Business Needs: They require printing services, IT support, or perhaps even a discount on accounting software.

Your most valuable benefits will be the ones that solve these daily needs. The gym two blocks away, the coffee shop in the lobby, and the sandwich bar around the corner are your most powerful potential partners.

2. Build a Hyper-Local Partner Ecosystem

Instead of a random collection of online discounts, focus on building a network of local businesses around your physical location. This is where you create what we at meed call “The meed Effect” —a web of interconnected value where everyone wins.

Approach these local businesses with a simple proposition: "We want to send our members—dozens of professionals—to you every single day." By using a unified digital platform, you can create a seamless experience.

Members get a single digital pass on their phone.
They show this pass for 10% off at the cafe, 15% off at the print shop, and their first pint is free at the pub.
The partner businesses get a steady stream of new customers, driven directly by you.

This transforms your benefits program from a simple list into a powerful local economic engine, with your coworking space at the very centre.

3. Gamify Engagement and Reward Participation

A great program encourages interaction. Use simple, fun mechanics to get your members actively participating in the community.

The Daily Checkin: Place a QR code at your front desk. Members can perform a DIY checkin with their phone each morning. This simple act can be tied to a reward. For example: "Checkin 15 times this month to earn a 50% discount on your next meeting room booking." It rewards presence and consistency.
The In-House Coffee Card: If you have an in-house cafe, a digital stamp card is a must. Your community manager can use the STAMP method—a quick, staff-driven tap on their app—to give members a digital stamp for every coffee they buy. No more flimsy paper cards!
Event-Based Perks: Hosting a networking night or a workshop? Use digital
Event Passes. When members check in at the event, they could automatically unlock a reward, like a voucher for a free coffee the next morning or a special offer from one of your partners.

4. Make It Stupidly Simple to Access

The single biggest reason benefits programs fail is friction. If a member has to remember a discount code, carry a separate card, or search for a specific webpage, they will likely not bother.

The entire program must live on their phone in a single, easy-to-access place. The goal is an "app-less" experience where a QR code scan or NFC tap is all that's needed to join and participate. When accessing a world of benefits is as easy as buying a coffee, you'll see engagement skyrocket.

Building a Member Benefits Program

By moving beyond a static list of perks and building a living, interconnected member benefits program, you create immense value. You’re not just providing a service; you’re curating an experience that makes your members’ lives easier, more connected, and more rewarding, making your space the only one they’ll ever want to work from.