Social media cafe as flash mob

Last year fellow blogger and social media expert Lloyd Davis came up with an idea for something called a “social media cafe” where people working in social media (bloggers, marketing people, technologists etc) could get together in the same space and work. Sort of ‘vertical co-working’. He’s been looking for potential venues - I’m talking physical space here - in London. But this requires cash investment. However, it strikes me that a mashup of co-working and a flash mob might work better - or at least be a way of starting the idea without investment. What you need is a cluster of about two or three cafes within walking distance of each other, all offering free WiFi. Then simply flash-mob (all turn up at the same time) those places on one particular day, with people who are signed-up to the project. At lunchtime, try to gather in one of them to meet your fellow “workers”. Then do whatever you need to do that day from your allotted cafe. Crazy?

15 Responses to “Social media cafe as flash mob”


  1. 1 Jonathan

    Like the idea but I’d like
    Like the idea but I’d like to see it happen for real so everyone can feel properly at home somewhere. I’ve been chatting to Lloyd about the potential for one of our (Bite) clients to get on board. Am keeping my eye on Lloyd!

  2. 2 Lloyd Davis

    Mike, thanks, another great
    Mike, thanks, another great idea!

    I’m pressing on with the “get cash investment” route, but in the meantime I think we could do with as many attempts at prototyping as possible - let’s see what works.

    I’m struggling immediately to find “a cluster of about two or three cafes within walking distance of each other, all offering free WiFi.” erm… Breakfast Club & McDonalds Oxford St??? but won’t let that stop me - suggestions anyone?

  3. 3 Mike Butcher

    Breakfast Club, one opposite
    Breakfast Club, one opposite Libertyes (forget name), and, er……..

  4. 4 John

    I agree it’s a great idea,
    I agree it’s a great idea, but I also think one location is best.

  5. 5 Lloyd Davis
  6. 6 James Whatley

    The 5th floor cafe on
    The 5th floor cafe on Picadilly (above Waterstones) doubles as a satellite office for me whenever I’m in London…

    …and the more friendlier meetings I have are in a place called The Couch, which is off Oxford St.

    Both offer free Wi-Fi and come highly recommended.

  7. 7 Charlie

    Hey all,
    Nice idea. One of
    Hey all,
    Nice idea. One of my clients is Office Nomads (officenomads.com), a coworking space in Seattle, WA, USA which is how I came across this post. Just wanted to let you know of a few coworking sites in London (since ours is probably a bit far for you to travel. You can find them at http://coworking.pbwiki.com/CoworkingLondon

    cheers!
    c

  8. 8 Charles Frith

    I’m not sure that
    I’m not sure that flashmobbing other peoples business would be all that welcome. The mob word sums it up. Go careful because social media folk have a good reputation both off and online.

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  15. 15 Ian

    This sounds fantastic! I am
    This sounds fantastic! I am hoping to move to London within the next few months and would welcome something like this. Most hot desk office space services cost over a hundred pounds a month which is expensive for most sole traders who can just as easily work from home.

    What I suggest is using a service such as Meetup: http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/cities/gb/london/

    However instead of meeting infrequently, perhaps it can be once a day for an hour or so when both we and the venues are least busy, of course nobody needs to arrive or leave at certain time, just so long as people aim to be there around a certain time. To avoid flashmobbing, meetups should be about ten people or less or unless it is a social event with a meal.

    This way ,venues win through extra custom, we win through networking, and it doesn’t cost more than a drink or two each day. There are free alternatives to Meetup which itself costs about $20 per month and members can be charged to share the cost, but as with all things, you get what you pay for and Meetup.com is the best.

    Note: I’m not affiliated with Meetup besides being a regular standard member.

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