Before I took up the position of content specialist, I’d been keeping an ear out while trying to figure out just how lucrative freelance writing can be. Even now that I’ve been in my position here at the office, my ears are still trained to pick up on certain things about the job market and freelance work. When I heard a spot on the radio about one of the newer co-working spaces in Manhattan, I couldn’t help but turn up the volume and was pretty surprised to hear that in order to occupy space, an application is necessary.

Is this what freelance work is coming to – pretty boutique office space with an air of exclusivity where you can look out a window at the thriving city and share a gourmet cup of coffee with your fellow freelancers?

What do workspaces for co-working have to offer? Is it the cost-effective nature of not having to rent out your own office? Is it that even those who wish to work alone don’t wish to be by themselves?

After doing some digging and some introspective contemplation, I came to a few conclusions: Co-working spaces are also networking spaces – in fact the exclusive office space I’d heard about earlier today has a network on which its members can exchange information and barter services and is working on developing a network that allows their members to tap into their fellow freelancers skills. After all, when you’re not in a salary-based position, water cooler talk is more than just simply chatting – it could be a way of forging a relationship that helps you get your next paycheck.

As someone in the business of marketing and social media, I understand how valuable it is to be able to connect, network and create a feeling of community to do better business. So perhaps these more exclusive co-working spaces, that I’ve come to understand will be becoming increasingly prevalent very soon, offer that same essential sense of business networking for those who freelance.