Your First 90 Days: A Member Onboarding Plan That Builds Loyalty for Your Coworking Space

The day a new member signs up for your coworking space is a win. But the real work, the work that turns that initial sale into a long-term, high-value relationship, starts now. The first 90 days of a membership are the most critical period. This is when a new member decides whether they’ve just rented a desk or found a professional home. It's your window to transform them from a transient tenant into a loyal, integrated community member.

A well-executed onboarding plan isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it's a core retention strategy. It’s about systematically embedding each new person into the fabric of your community, making your space indispensable to their professional life. Here’s a blueprint for a 90-day onboarding plan that builds that kind of loyalty.

The Goal: From Tenant to Community Advocate

Anyone can provide Wi-Fi and a desk. Your unique selling proposition is your community and the value-added services you provide. The goal of onboarding is to ensure every new member experiences that value from day one. When done right, they stop thinking about your monthly fee as a cost and start seeing it as an investment in their success.

A Phased Onboarding Blueprint

Phase 1: The First Week – The Welcome & The Basics

The first week is about making your new member feel welcome, comfortable, and confident in their new environment.

• Before Day One: The experience starts before they even arrive. Send a comprehensive welcome email with all the practical information they need: how to access the building, the Wi-Fi code, where to make coffee, and the name of the community manager who will greet them.

  
  

• The Day One Tour: This is non-negotiable and must be personal. Don’t just point things out; use it as an opportunity to connect. Introduce them by name to at least two or three other members. End the tour at their clean, ready-to-use workspace with a small, branded welcome gift – a quality notebook, a reusable coffee cup, or a bag of local coffee beans.

  
  

• The End-of-Week Check-in: A simple, informal email or chat on Friday morning goes a long way. "How was your first week? Have you got everything you need?" This five-minute interaction shows you care and catches any minor issues before they become frustrations.

Phase 2: The First Month – Integration & Connection

With the basics covered, the focus shifts to integrating your new member into the community's social and professional life.

• Facilitate Introductions: This is your most powerful tool. As you learn more about their business, actively look for opportunities to connect them with others. "Sarah, you mentioned you’re a freelance writer. You should meet James; his marketing agency is often looking for content support." These curated connections provide immense value.

  
  

• Event Invitations: Don't just rely on a general newsletter. Personally invite new members to their first community event, whether it's Friday drinks, a 'lunch and learn', or a member breakfast. A direct invitation makes it far more likely they'll attend.

  
  

• Highlight Your Amenities: Gently remind them of the resources available. "Just a reminder, your membership includes two hours of free meeting room use each month. Let me know if you'd like a hand booking a room for your next client meeting."

Phase 3: The First 90 Days – Feedback & Added Value

This is where you solidify the relationship and demonstrate your commitment to their long-term success.

• The 90-Day Review: Schedule a brief, 15-minute chat. This is your chance to gather feedback. What do they love about the space? Is there anything that could be improved? This makes them feel heard and valued.

  
  

• Introduce Deeper Value: This is the perfect moment to move beyond the internal community and show them how their membership benefits them outside your four walls. This means building a local perks programme.

The Ultimate Loyalty Tool: A Digital Perks Programme to Build Loyalty for Your Coworking Space

Imagine telling your new member at their 90-day review: "We've partnered with some of our favourite local businesses to give you some great perks." This elevates your value proposition instantly.

This is where a platform like meed becomes an essential part of your onboarding strategy.

meed allows you to create a seamless, digital perks programme for your members without any hassle. You can partner with the coffee shop downstairs, the sandwich bar around the corner, or the gym across the street. Using meed, you can offer your members exclusive digital vouchers for these businesses, all managed through a straightforward system.

• Effortless for Members: Your members don't need another app. They scan a QR code once and are instantly part of your perks programme. When they visit the partner coffee shop, they show their digital pass to redeem their "10% Off" voucher.

  
  

• Builds a Local Ecosystem: This strategy turns your coworking space into a hub for the local business community. You support other local businesses, who, in turn, offer value back to your members. It's a powerful network effect in practice.

  
  

• Manage Events & More: You can also use meed to issue digital passes for your events, or vouchers for a free guest pass or a discount on meeting room bookings.

  
  

A strategic 90-day onboarding plan is your best defence against churn and to build loyalty for your coworking space. By focusing on welcome, integration, and feedback—and capping it off with a high-value, easy-to-use digital perks programme—you create a "sticky" membership experience that members won't want to leave.