Working from home

That's true. Business can be worked at home deal with lot of tools of communication

Someone once advised me not to talk about my own business for at least ten minutes when meeting a potential new client. This works.

Having the the first few meetings at a client's location focuses this nicely. Once they are signed up have future meetings in the pub

Just came across this thread and wanted to put in my two cents...

The fear of telling someone you "work from home" is just another excuse not to get started.

1337WuLF said:

None of my clients care at all that I work from home, if they ask I'm always honest and completely up front about it. No need to lie, and let's face it. I bet most of them would work from home too if they could.

Whenever clients want a meeting, I always ask if I can meet them at their business. If that is not okay (which it has never been a problem thus far) I would suggest meeting in a public place such as a park or coffee shop.

Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do also.

Most of the time, it's at their office, because most of them REALLY REALLY want me to understand their business, culture and how they operate, which I think it makes sense.

That's a misconception that clients don't find it professional. As long as you are maintaining a certain level of professionalism in your home in terms of cleanliness and tidiness very few clients will actually care. I would suggest allocating a certain area within your home that you can make into an office or at least have an area that can easily accommodate a meeting. Trust me when I tell you clients don't care.

Most clients won't care that you work from home... In fact most people will envy you for working from home. All you have to do in make sure your home is tidy and clean. Make sure your home reflects your professionalism and that's that!

the overhead cost cutting point is a very good and valid point.
the only hassle would be a liberal and like minded client

The fact that such a specific question like that comes up is unusual. If it does, it is a red flag that they somehow felt the need to ask, probably triggered by some impression they have.

You can be honest without murmuring in a low voice with eyes lowered, that you "work from home".

Point to your laptop and say "my office is wherever this and my cell phone are". Explain that you spend time between on the road meeting clients (existing and potential) and your office.

It is an entirely normal mode of operation - telecommuting.

Turn the conversation back to your value add. Now that should matter to them most.

Just be upfront about the reasons behind... which all boils down to cutting costs.

Yes I really work from home its better

I am not a businessman but i work from home. Because I always want to feel myself and don't want to take myself under anyone domination. So doing work from home it's enjoy and no pressure.

Interesting question,

As one who had started several businesses over the years, this is indeed a question many will have, how do you operate a traditional business from home. No doubt, many will not want strangers coming to their home, so it depends on your specific business. Many professional services are operated from home, accountants and lawyers are a couple examples who may have in home offices, at least mine do. But like anything, if you appear professional, have a seperate entrance to office, etc., then no problem.

I had a traditional travel agency which I started in a retail mall, but as lease costs continued to rise, it made no sense any longer, especially when industry was cutting commissions, so I made decision to move office to my home, again, seperate entrance and office, proper signage, parking, etc., and with the reduced cost of overhead working from home, plus tax write offes, it made perfect sense to me at the time. Since I had already established a client base, it was an easy transitition.

For a start up business, not as easy to start from home, but as many have done, who visit clients place of business, not an issue. Like any business, you have to appear to be a professional, so if your business requires clients to come to you, then you better have a professionally set up seperate office in your home, with proper signage, parking and office environment. I had converted space on opposite side on home on ground floor which was all business, no sign of typical home environment from street level, so as with everything, you have to be professional, and your place of business must look professional as first impressions are the most lasting.

Today with internet explosion, I have shifted my focus to online businesses and rarely have need to have anyone visit my office any longer. Retail type businesses are all struggling, malls are vacant, retail lease costs are through the roof, and consumers are more conditioned to shop online these days, so I would never have a high overhead retail business again. In my current business from home, it is show and tell, not sell, so as with all businesses, what was hot yesterday does not mean it will be hot today, never mind tomorrow.

Follow the trends, stay ahead of trends is my best advice. We all remember how hot video movie rental industry was with thousands of outlets, and then the big boys took over like BlockBuster, and now look, you can access hundreds of thousands of TV shows, Movies, even in the theater movies all with new FREE-StreamTV access, so as Netflix killed BlockBuster, along with RedBox vending machines, once again a retail overhead is no longer needed, and as I see it, we are now looking at a shift to streaming TV whereby cable and satellite companies will be next to fall. I always follow the trends, especially when it comes to latest technologies, so when you are working from home, it is so easy to transition to a new business category, and that has been the key to my success over the years. When you save money, you can offer more for less, better prices and better value, and we all want to save money in these difficult times. A business which saves the masses a ton of money on what they are already spending with cable or satellite access is the hottest new technology trend in todays market. Free-Businesses combined with saving your clients money is where you will find success.

Success to all,

I also don't have an office yet and am running my business from my apartment. I've never had anyone ask to come to my office, I've always met at local shops like Starbucks or another place that's convenient for them. Most of the time if you're offering to buy them a coffee or lunch, I'm sure they won't question to stop by your office, especially if the location is close to them. And buying coffee or lunch is definitely cheaper than an office! I think in this day, having an office isn't looked at as essential anymore so I'm sure a lot of people who own their own business or are working at a start up don't always have that luxury.

you can share office with another random person or get a virtual office. Working at home tend to be a little harder for me.

I live in Istanbul but my customers are in the UK. I have a London phone number from voxnumbers forward to my mobile. I never tell my customers that I am in Istanbul They call my London number, I answer from Istanbul and everything is sorted

I didn't get what's the problem in asking to meet on client's area and not yours one besides even an online conversation. If he refuses to then just ask to meet at some cafe/park. Dont think someone will insist on coming right to your office.

And if your revenue is high enough to afford an office rent then it will be the best choice.

I choose my home instead an office, its better for me, I can handle with free relax times, play with my son. Its true you work more in office, but I still prefer home work

Rent a mail receiving service box. Put that address on your website. Badabing...