The email that apologised was the best one

I had two emails arrive from coworking spaces this week.

One read like a PR statement from the founder. It was like they'd put every great speech they'd ever read into a blender with some TED Talks. And none of it was about the people in the coworking space.

The other was from a founder who said, "I don't mean to spam you, but," and then launched into how their coworking space and their community were contributing to the community, and all the great things that were happening in, and attached to, that coworking space.

I thought it was really weird, because the first one was the really spammy one, the PR stunt. And the second one, where the person was apologising for emailing me, was epic and full of heart and soul.

How are you presenting yourself, or telling your story, or having confidence in your gut about the good work you're doing in your coworking space?

Part of this, I think, is coworking space imposter syndrome, which is a whole other topic on its own. I struggle with self-concept, and I find people playing it down, even when they've done really good work.

Of course, it sounds cliché to say it's all about the people, but it is all about the people and all those little micro connections you make with people:

• the people inside your coworking space
• the people in your local area
• the people in your local community or neighbourhood

Whatever you like to think of it, the fabric of what is often referred to as social capital and social value, and putting a price on those things is really hard, and that's because they are priceless.