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Coworking Space Amenities

Why your coworking space needs a digital sign (or 5)


Coworking spaces and flex offices thrive on two things: community and efficiency. Members want to feel connected, informed, and inspired. Operators want smooth workflows and fewer distractions. A digital sign can quietly deliver both.

Instead of a corkboard with faded flyers or a whiteboard full of smudged updates, a digital sign gives you a professional, dynamic way to share information in real time. It’s like a living bulletin board that can flex with your space.

How digital signs work

At its core, digital signage is simple: a screen plus software. But that is only the beginning.

  • The screen: This can be a consumer TV, but many operators invest in commercial displays. They’re brighter, built for long hours, and last longer.

  • The player: Some screens have built-in players. Others need a small device (like a stick or box) to connect them to the internet.

  • The software: This is where the magic happens. You log into a content management system (CMS), upload images, videos, or text, and decide when and where to show it. You can manage everything remotely.

  • The content: What you choose to display—announcements, events, dashboards, art—turns the hardware and software into a community tool.

The benefit is that you can update your space’s content instantly, from anywhere, without reprinting posters or scribbling new notes.

Practical uses for coworking spaces

Digital signs shine brightest when they save you time and reduce friction for members. Here are the most practical use cases:

  • Meeting room availability: Show which rooms are booked, how long until the next meeting, or where free space is available. Tie into your calendar or space management software.

  • Wayfinding: Larger or multi-floor spaces can use screens to guide members to rooms, kitchens, parties, or even exits.

  • Community announcements: Post upcoming events, your holiday hours, or maintenance notices. Even share news from the local community at large!

  • Amenity updates: Let members know when the barista bar opens, the podcast studio is free, or the yoga class is about to start.

All of these can help reduce questions at the front desk and give your members a smoother daily experience.

Creative uses for digital signs

Digital signs are not just functional! They can also inject personality into your space when you update them mindfully and regularly.

  • Member spotlights: Rotate short bios and photos of your members to build connections.

  • Live dashboards: Show fun stats—like “cups of coffee poured today” or “hours of focus logged.”

  • Social media walls: Pull in your community’s Instagram posts or Slack shoutouts.

  • Local art displays: Feature work from community artists or rotating exhibitions.

  • Interactive polls: Use QR codes to let members vote on what snack to stock or which event to host next.

  • Revenue opportunities: Offer ad space to local businesses or sponsors, or highlight your own premium membership packages.

These ideas turn your screens into something members actually look forward to, instead of background noise.

Vendors to consider

There are plenty of platforms out there, but five worth considering for coworking operators are Bulletin.io, NoviSign, Navori, OptiSigns, and Mango Display. Here’s how they stack up.

Bulletin.io

What it is: A simple “digital bulletin board” designed for buildings and community spaces. Works on smart TVs or inexpensive devices like Amazon Fire Sticks.

Pricing: Often free for operators, because Bulletin.io supports itself with ad networks. You get content management at no cost, but some of the screen space may display ads.

Best for: Spaces on a tight budget, or those willing to trade ad space for free signage.

Bulletin.io IRL: The Shop

Digital sign at The ShopAnne Olsen, Director of  The Shop Workspace (with locations in Salt Lake City, New Orleans, and Brooklyn), has made Bulletin.io central to how her team communicates and even markets the brand. 

After struggling with unreliable signage software, The Shop switched to Bulletin because of its simplicity and cost—zero. Bulletin ships a Chromecast-style device that connects quickly to Wi-Fi, and content is managed remotely with minimal effort.

Here’s how The Shop uses it:

In-house communication: Thirteen screens across three locations display rotating slides with weekly calendars, welcome messages for new members, sponsored events, and community updates. Smaller freestanding nine-by-sixteen displays at the front desk keep information front and center for members as they walk in.

Advertising channel: Because Bulletin is ad-supported, The Shop team can approve which ads appear on their screens. This keeps promotions relevant—like AWS campaigns or local farmers markets—without requiring staff time. The ads help subsidize the platform while still keeping the experience community-focused.

Local reach beyond their walls: Bulletin’s ad network also allows The Shop managers to push their own promotions, like upcoming events or special offers, onto other local Bulletin-enabled screens in their local market. This extends their visibility in the community and turns signage into a two-way marketing channel.

Anne OlsonAnne’s takeaway: simplicity matters, but placement matters just as much. A well-placed Bulletin screen doubles as a communication hub for members and a revenue generator for the operator.

NoviSign

What it is: A user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop templates, social media integrations, and remote management.

Pricing: Starts around $18/screen/month (Business plan), billed annually. Higher tiers add features like advanced admin controls and integrations.

Best for: Small to midsize spaces that want flexibility without heavy technical lift.

NoviSign IRL: FireWorks Coworking

Digital sign at FireWorks Coworking ShopCourtney Schwartz, Community Manager at FireWorks Coworking, has turned digital signage into one of her team’s most effective communication tools. Her space inherited professional-grade digital screens originally used for food and beverage marketing campaigns. Instead of letting them sit idle, she repurposed them into always-on community displays.

 

Here’s her playbook:

Pro hardware, pro results: The screens are menu-board style displays that run 24/7 without burn-in. They cost more than TVs, but they last for years. Each screen is paired with a media player from Liberty AV, and everything is managed through NoviSign software.

Templates that save time: Most graphics are built in Canva (sometimes Adobe InDesign), using branded templates. Each month, Courtney creates a new set of slides: a monthly calendar, invitations for events, and a blog feature. Seasonal colors and light design tweaks keep content fresh but consistent.

Custom playlists per screen: With NoviSign, each display can have its own playlist. The lobby screen might feature member spotlights, while the kitchen screen promotes events or shares the Wi-Fi password update.

QR codes everywhere: FireWorks makes heavy use of QR codes for:

  • Connecting with “Member of the Month” via LinkedIn
  • Linking directly to blog posts
  • RSVP’ing for events
  • Collecting Google reviews
  • Even fundraising for member-led charity projects

Omnichannel reinforcement: Every graphic on a screen also appears in email. For example, event invites are emailed first, then shown on screens 24 hours later. That second touchpoint often drives members to RSVP or engage.

Courtney ScwartzCommunity-first approach: Screens don’t just share staff messages. Members can promote moves, sell items, or showcase personal projects. One member even used signage to raise money for a marathon charity.

Courtney’s takeaway: digital signage is “one of our main forms of communication” and a flexible canvas that adapts to what her community needs most.

Navori

What it is: An enterprise-grade platform used by airports, retailers, and large networks. Offers both cloud and on-premise options, with advanced analytics and reliability features.

Pricing: Entry cloud plans start near $14/screen/month, but enterprise deployments usually require custom quotes.

Best for: Larger coworking spaces or operators running multiple locations who need scale and uptime guarantees.

OptiSigns

What it is: A highly flexible platform with tiers from free up to enterprise. Offers templates, integrations, proof-of-play, and analytics.

Pricing:

Free plan (limited screens, watermark)

Standard: ~$10/screen/month

Pro Plus: ~$15/screen/month

Engage: ~$30/screen/month with interactive features

Best for: Operators who want to start small and scale up, without breaking the bank.

Optisigns IRL:  Burbity Coworking

Digital sign at BurbityAnn Long, founder of Burbity Coworking, uses OptiSigns to power two screens in her space. 

One sits in the lobby, displaying a directory and a map of the building. The other is in the kitchen, where she mixes information with community spirit: funny memes, jokes, videos of upcoming rConnect networking events, member-led seminars, and welcome slides introducing new members by name and business. The result is signage that’s both practical and personal.

Mango Display

What it is: A cloud-based digital display app that runs on tablets, smart TVs, or Fire Sticks. Known for being simple, lightweight, and focused on customizable widgets like calendars, weather, and health data.

Pricing: Starts around $5/device/month for the Basic plan. Pro plans go up to $15/device/month, with added features like unlimited playlists, advanced scheduling, and integrations. Annual plans offer small discounts.

Best for: Small coworking spaces that want an affordable, plug-and-play solution with clean templates and minimal setup hassle.

Mango Display IRL: Pursuit Coworking

Digital sign at Pursuit CoworkingCody Wanner, Community Manager at Pursuit Coworking, set up a vertical events calendar display using Mango Display. He mounted a TV in portrait mode to showcase upcoming events synced directly from Google Calendar. 

The challenge? An Amazon Fire TV can’t natively rotate orientation. Mango Display solved it instantly.

Cody explained that you manage layouts through your browser, and any change you make is pushed instantly to the TV—as long as Cody Wanner Pursuit Coworkingyou’re connected to the internet. This means he can tweak what’s on the screen from anywhere. The result is a dynamic, always-up-to-date events calendar that keeps members informed without hours spent rewriting a whiteboard.

What to budget beyond software

The subscription cost is only part of the story. Here’s what else to consider if you are thinking about adding some digital signage to your space:

  • Screens: A commercial display may run $700–$1,500. Consumer TVs are cheaper but wear out faster.

  • Players: $50–$500 depending on whether you use a Fire Stick, Android device, or dedicated signage player.

  • Mounting & installation: $200–$500 per screen, more for complex setups.

  • Content creation: You’ll need someone to design and schedule content. Budget staff time or outsourcing.

  • Maintenance: Replacing hardware, cleaning, and keeping software up to date.

A single well-placed screen can pay for itself in saved staff hours and smoother member communication.

Choosing the best digital sign solution for your space

When deciding what combination of hardware,software, and subscription, start with some data. Ask yourself:

How many screens do I need now—and in two years?
Do I want full control (custom branding, interactivity) or just basic updates?
Who on my team will own the content schedule?
How important is reliability? (Lobby signage needs near-constant uptime.)
Do I want to monetize screens with ads or keep them member-focused?

For most coworking spaces, starting with one screen and a flexible SaaS platform like OptiSigns, Mango Display, or NoviSign is a smart move. If you scale to multiple locations, enterprise options like Navori may be worth exploring. And if budget is tight, Bulletin.io can get you started essentially for free.

Digital signage is more than a shiny screen. It’s a tool that helps coworking operators communicate better, build stronger communities, and present a polished brand to members and visitors alike.

Don’t be afraid to start small. Place a screen where everyone sees it—like the lobby or kitchen. Use it for both the practical (room schedules, hours, safety) and the fun (member spotlights, art, social feeds). Refresh content often, and let the signage become part of your community’s daily rhythm.

For the cost of a single monthly membership, you can transform how your space feels and functions.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between using a TV and a commercial digital signage screen?

Consumer TVs are cheaper but not built for 24/7 use. Commercial screens are brighter, designed for continuous operation, and last longer without issues like burn-in.

How much does digital signage software typically cost?

Most coworking-friendly platforms charge per screen, starting at around $5–$20 per month. Advanced features or enterprise tools can cost $30+ per screen.

Can I manage my digital sign remotely?

Yes. Most platforms (like OptiSigns, NoviSign, Mango Display) let you update content from any browser. Changes appear on your screens almost instantly.

What kind of content works best on digital signs in an office?

Quick, visual updates: event reminders, calendars, wayfinding maps, member spotlights, safety alerts, or branded community content. Keep it short and eye-catching.

Do digital signs really improve member engagement?

Yes. When combined with email or in-app updates, screens reinforce the message. Members see reminders in multiple places, which increases attendance, awareness, and overall connection to the community.

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