Why Offer Subscriptions in Your Third-Place?

In the dynamic landscape of third-places, where collaboration and innovation are at the core of every initiative, the question of economic viability poses a significant challenge for many managers. Indeed, to sustain their operations and continue to provide quality services to their community, some third-places must find ways to generate revenue. Among the various options available, implementing subscriptions for members is a popular strategy.

Operation of Third-Places

The operation and economic model of third-places, whether they are fablabs, medialabs, makerspaces, etc., vary depending on several factors, such as their mission, target audience, and geographical context.

There is a wide diversity of third-places, each with its own characteristics and specific operation. Some are entirely free and open to everyone, while others offer only paid activities. Some also adopt a mixed economic model, combining free activities with paid services.

• Free Third-Places: These spaces often operate on the principle of free access. They are open to all members of the community and provide an inclusive and accessible environment where people can gather, collaborate, and share ideas without any financial constraints.

• Paid Third-Places: Other third-places offer paid activities or services in addition to their free offerings. These activities may include workshops, training sessions, coworking services, or the rental of specialized equipment. The revenue generated by these activities helps fund the operation of the third-place and ensure its sustainability.

Why Offer Subscriptions?

Subscriptions are an attractive option for many third-places, offering benefits for both managers and members. Let's explore these benefits in detail:

Benefits for Third-Places

• Financial Stability: Subscriptions ensure a steady income stream, allowing third-places to better plan their budget and activities. By knowing in advance the amount of monthly revenue from subscriptions, managers can make informed decisions regarding future investments, expenses, and projects to undertake. This financial stability is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the third-place.
• Member Loyalty: By offering exclusive benefits to subscribers, such as preferential rates, exclusive events, or special privileges, third-places can build loyalty among their membership base. Subscriptions create a sense of belonging to the third-place community and encourage members to renew their membership year after year. This loyalty is essential for maintaining a high level of engagement within the community and fostering a collaborative and dynamic atmosphere.
• Priority Access: Subscribers may enjoy priority access to resources and spaces, which can be a significant selling point for some members.
  

Benefits for Members

• Financial Savings: Subscriptions can offer members reduced rates on paid activities or free access to certain resources. This financial saving is particularly attractive for regular members of the third-place who frequently use its services or equipment. By benefiting from preferential rates through their subscription, members can make substantial savings in the long run.
• Comfort and Flexibility: Subscribers typically have unlimited access to the resources and spaces of the third-place, providing them with greater flexibility in their use. They can work at their own pace, according to their own schedule, without worrying about reservation constraints or additional fees. This comfort and flexibility are appreciated by members seeking a flexible work or creative environment tailored to their individual needs.
• Sense of Belonging: Subscribers often feel more invested in the third-place community and tend to participate more actively in activities and events. By enjoying exclusive benefits and being part of a group of members, they develop a sense of belonging that strengthens their attachment to the third-place. This sense of belonging is valuable for the third-place as it fosters a friendly atmosphere and encourages collaboration and exchange among members.

The Different Subscription Models

When it comes to offering subscriptions, third-places have several options available to them. Here are some of the most common approaches:

• Mandatory Subscriptions

In some third-places, subscribing to a membership is mandatory. The subscription gives members full access to the third-place as well as all its resources, whether it's workspace, specialized equipment, or other facilities.

• Non-Mandatory Subscriptions

In other cases, subscriptions are not mandatory, and members have the option to choose between pay-as-you-go or subscribing to a membership. Members can choose to pay only for the services or resources they use, without having to subscribe to a membership. This is particularly suitable for occasional users or those who do not need regular access to the third-place. Conversely, regular members will opt for a subscription that will be more suitable for their usage of the place.

Subscription Options in Third-Places: Two Diverse Examples

Third-places often offer a variety of subscription options to meet the needs and preferences of their community. Here are two examples that illustrate the diversity of subscription models offered in these spaces.

Flexible Subscriptions at Batiment 7

At Batiment 7, a third-place located in Quebec, members can choose whether or not to subscribe to a membership. Subscriptions offer members unlimited access to the numerous workshops offered by Batiment 7. Whether it's participating in woodworking, sewing, welding, or 3D printing classes, members can take advantage of their subscription to explore various areas of creation and learning, unlimitedly. In addition to subscription-based access to workshops, Batiment 7 also offers an hourly reservation option for members who prefer to come occasionally. These reservations allow members to book a specific time slot to use the equipment and spaces of the third-place.

Learn more about Batiment 7's offerings: https://www.batiment7.org/ateliersb7/

Varied Subscriptions at Techshop Lille

At Techshop Lille, another third-place located in France, in Lille, members must subscribe to one of the proposed subscriptions. Members of Techshop Lille can choose from several subscription offers based on their needs and preferences. Whether for occasional or regular use, there is a subscription option suitable for every user. Members can select the subscription that best suits their frequency of use, interests, and budget.

Depending on the chosen subscription, members benefit from various options in terms of access hours to the place, number of reservation hours per type of equipment and per day, as well as reservation deadlines. For example, there is the Classic subscription without an option, which allows booking up to 48 hours in advance for a maximum of 2 hours per type of equipment during standard opening hours. For those who want expanded access to the place, the Classic subscription is available with the Evening and Saturday option.

Discover the various subscriptions offered at Techshop: https://techshop-lille.fr/membres/

Offering subscriptions in a third-place brings numerous advantages for both managers and members. By providing flexible options tailored to the community's needs, third-places can ensure their financial stability, foster member loyalty, and create a collaborative and inclusive working environment. Whether through mandatory or optional subscriptions, these models provide a viable solution to support the growth and development of third-places while meeting the expectations and needs of users.

FAQ

• Can we create subscriptions with Fab-Manager? Yes, Fab-Manager offers advanced features for managing subscriptions in third-places. Managers can create different types of subscriptions, set their prices and benefits, and track member subscriptions with ease.
• What are the advantages of a mandatory subscription compared to a non-mandatory subscription? A mandatory subscription ensures full and unlimited access to the third-place's resources for all members, which can be advantageous for those who frequently use the facilities. Conversely, a non-mandatory subscription offers greater flexibility to occasional users or those who prefer to pay per use.
• How can I convince my members to subscribe to a subscription? Offer exclusive benefits to subscribers, such as reduced rates, exclusive events, or priority access to resources. Highlight the added value of the subscription and demonstrate how it can benefit your members in the long run.
• What tools are available for managing subscriptions in a third-place? Fab-Manager offers comprehensive features for subscription management, including creating and customizing subscription plans, tracking memberships and payments, and communicating with members. These tools facilitate subscription management and enable third-places to provide quality service to their community.