Meeting up with a client, no office

[Olivier7t1]

I have no office and home is no option, so I was thinking about meeting my client at his business or at a random Starbucks. Opinions?

 

[infoasian]

Starbucks is better than McDonalds.

 

[FutureProofSeo]

Ask if you can "come and get to know there business", and have them walk you round and describe what they do.

Helps you adjust your pitch to their business goals making it an easier conversion.

 

[whynotmakeit]

Ask if you can "come and get to know there business", and have them walk you round and describe what they do.

Helps you adjust your pitch to their business goals making it an easier conversion.

Good advice. Otherwise be up front and accentuate the positive of this... you don't have high overheads so you don't pass those costs on to them...you get more done...and can work long hours when necessary bla bla....

 

[Conor]

I generally dislike meetings, because email is much more convenient in my opinion. However, I see nothing wrong with chatting over coffee at Starbucks, if the client insists on a face to face.

 

[Zwielicht]

I used to meet my clients in person, but I found it to be too time consuming and superfluous overall, so these days I keep conversations over email (sometimes I give out my phone number, although I prefer email since I can easily keep an accurate record of our conversations). I like what FutureProofSEO suggested about going to their business so that you can better understand what they do.

 

[Zekie]

Look for a 'virtual' office in your area, you generally get to use the conference room on a schedule, they are cheap and you can even have your mail sent to most of them

Hope this helps!

Peace,
E

 

[theRevolt]

Look at regus, often even has some free trial for the regular shared office which gives you better rate for their private office rentals. Good luck

 

[aaron kev]

Coffee and Business talks are always good. I also use to try this in my previous days

 

[koolkake]

One of my guys is flying in a few days from now to meet with me. A good afternoon at Starbucks is a great thing and an easy atmosphere to talk under.

 

[Leith]

I don't do many face to face meetings. Most of my communication is through Skype calls, or emails. Sometimes it's a phone call. And in the event that I do need to have a face to face meeting, I simply arrange it at Starbucks or Costa at a fairly quiet location. Seems to do the trick and it's free Wifi too.

 

[Leith]

Look at regus, often even has some free trial for the regular shared office which gives you better rate for their private office rentals. Good luck

Had some terrible with Regus for offices.

 

[Peanis]

Starbucks is a professional environment and has positive vibes flowing through it

 

[IotaInsanity]

coffee at starbucks or a similar enviroment shouldn't be a problem.

 

[onnelbro86]

starbucks is a great decission, but remember do not meet in starbucks on lunch time, you must meet in restaurant for that

 

[eledobleu]

I usually meet my clients at starbucks if meeting publicly

 

[surfrunner]

I am 100% mobile when I need to be. If I have to meet up with a client, I either go to them, or meet up at a local coffee shop. I try my best to avoid meetings whenever possible.

 

[chopster]

Local coffee shops or starbucks will do. If not, try looking for open share offices. They don't charge much per month and some places are actually free.

 

[srb888]

If you're really good at what you do, you will find that people, even the top officials of the top global companies will not even watch at the surroundings or at your outer appearance while you're giving them a business talk, or giving a live presentation or a demonstration, or are busy coding expertly, or are just having a positive time on how your skills can help them grow... although it helps to look presentable, looking well-groomed, having the best of formal wear on you, may be show-off a Rolex (.. nothing special, it just reminded me of some other member here. lol), park the latest Merc outside your or his plush office, or are meeting him at a 7-Star palace hotel... In real life, you meet real top people who want to interact on a higher plane and without those distractions, and judge your wisdom, expertise in that stream he is working in, how well you connect to him and his problems or whatever is on his mind, and the overall quality person that you are made of. They quickly understand that they are talking to a respectable and respectful expert/genius, or a genius in making, and you'll find that they are quick to get keenly absorbed in what you are offering them irrespective of the type of the surroundings, ambience, you both are in.

So build that confident "YOU" in yourself, and go ahead and make the meet successful, wherever it happens to be. You got to be real good at what your client is expecting from you, and that's the key though... Are you?

 

[Reeshua]

Good advice. Otherwise be up front and accentuate the positive of this... you don't have high overheads so you don't pass those costs on to them...you get more done...and can work long hours when necessary bla bla....

This. I usually meet with clients during business hours. Gives your prospect the feeling of "I really am interested" vibe. I don't really like doing it though because the clients are so comfortable with the place that they just keep on making stupid demands. I now prefer to chat with them over email or skype. That way, I can word my replies properly. If they want to meet in person I just charge them by the hour.