Venue suggestions 15 posts

Hi Von -- have you tried the local libraries? They often have rooms that you can reserve for little to no cost. Anything else you've tried?

We've also had success with local coffee shops -- they love it, because it brings customers into their locations, and generates vibrancy. Of course, depending on the type of class you teach, you may need a little bit more privacy. But, these have been perfect for many of our classes!

Hi Von,

I did some sleuthing for you. New York is a little trickier than the Bay Area or Seattle to find reasonably priced venue options for teaching, that's for sure! I looked around and couldn't find anything free, but I just got off the phone with Jessie Berrios from the YMCA-NYC and she was excited to help support TeachStreeters.

She's a manager at the Westside YMCA, but she could plug you in to many others as well. She told me it was okay to share her contact information with you and let you know that if you mention TeachStreet, she will give you the $80/hr private classroom space for $50/hr for one hour and $80 for two. Does that sound good? This offer is open to all TeachStreet members in the NYC area. Just email Jessie directly and let her know you talked to Salar: jberrios@ymcanyc.org.

Sinc eyou are doing knitting and such... have you checked with your local knitting stores. Many of them around here have coffee shops in them and some have meeting rooms. They generally love to have someone holding meetings or classes there. I would think it would be a boon to their business to have someone using the space and bringing people into their store when the space is otherwise not being used. Especially if you are recommending things that are on their shelves.

Last night at a presentation in Seattle, a new internet startup called eVenues (www.evenues.com) presented -- they're trying to create a service where you can find real-life venues, and pay any applicable rental fees right online -- in essence, trying to make it as easy as buying a book from Amazon. Let us know if you find that works, or if you find any other similar services.

Dave, that sounds like a cool service! Von, have you tried inquiring at local churches, schools or parks/rec offices? The school I work at here holds karate classes in the gym on the weekends and a church even has services in our cafeteria on the weekends. At your parks/rec office, they will even advertise your class for you. I know other classes around here meet in church halls. Good luck!

Try joining your local Elks Lodge. Most of them are thrilled to see members using the space for things and will let you use it for things like this cheap to free.