As an entrepreneur in today’s remote-friendly work climate, you’ve likely considered how to best meet with clients when you work from home? This question does not have a standard answer because it’s not just about where you work but also based on how you work from home.
Of course, the “how” in this scenario brings to question whether you literally work out of a ‘home office’. Or do you rent space at a co-working loft? Maybe you just rotate between your favorite coffee shops throughout your neighborhood, several days a week at each shop…
But if you do work from home, is your office one that’s easily accessible to the public by way of a private entrance? Or do your walk important clients through your front door, where your dog may jump on them and your toddler invites them to a tea party!
I’ve put together four different options for the best places to meet with clients (yes, including your home office). Also, a few things to consider about meeting clients when you work from home.
How To Best Meet With Clients
When You Work From Home
It’s Time For Some Home (Office) Improvement
Your first thought might be to meet clients somewhere else, but this isn’t always possible. If you’ve got a full day you might not be able to take time away from your business for much else than the meeting. Traveling to a different location for your meeting might just max out your day!
But what if the person that you’re meeting needs to see products or processes that you can only show in your office. This is why it was vital that you created and consistently keep a professional home office. So you have nothing to worry about!
Maybe so… it’s tempting to let things get messy when you work alone, especially at home. But keeping things tidy is just as important for you as it helps you stay focused and productive. It also means that you are always ready to welcome people in.
One more thing, don’t forget any other areas on your property that clients may see. Like if they have to walk through a small garden to walk through the side door, you should maintain the area with some nice plants or succulents.
It’s a great idea to keep up the entire front of your home, yard. You might even throw some blacktop sealing onto your driveway to give it that “valet parking here” feel! And try to arrange your client meetings when no one else is home, to avoid the risk of disruption.
Rent Co-Working Space & Use the Conference Room
If you meet clients on a regular basis, you might want to consider renting an office or co-working space. A co-working membership should grant you access to a conference room, on the premises or meeting room if you ever need to use it.
Since the popularity of co-working spaces became such a huge hit over the past decade, it’s hard to imagine an entrepreneur or very small business taking up residence at any other type of rental.
Co-working spaces charge a monthly rental fee that includes primarily, a private deck, chair, access to conference rooms, access to kitchens, office supplies such as copiers/fax machines, etc.
Find a Cozy Little Coffee Shop
Pardon the heading of this section as it reads “cozy little coffee shop“, while it should read “cozy little coffee shop”. The first of conjures memories of old 1950’s diners and the second – the one that I’m making an example of, should have you thinking of Starbucks or a more mellow coffee house.
Most coffee shops today have free wifi, so it’s not uncommon to see people typing away, working on their laptops as they sip a beverage. This idea is a good one if your meeting is relatively informal or if you happen to have a personal or just a friendly working relationship with your client.
Ask your client to point out a coffee house that’s local to their businesses location. Coffee houses aren’t like your more ‘commercial’ coffee shops like Starbucks. They’re a little quieter and less likely to be rowdy or very messy. And during the day, they’re the perfect place to have a quiet conversation.
Fine Dining Is Always a Winner
This particular option is today’s default option, especially if the client is more formal or is comprised of a small team. A business lunch or dinner is a great way to meet clients and probably one of the oldest traditions in the “Meeting Clients” handbook.
Of course, one of the main standards about 60 years ago was to meet up with a client for drinks. This is back when everybody drank because it was just ‘the thing to do’. Since you’re being served at a restaurant, this gives you extra time to discuss whatever you met up to discuss.
If you can find a restaurant that opens late morning (just before the lunch rush) during the week, they’re most likely to be empty! You’ll have the wait staff practically all to yourselves and you might even be able to spread out any project papers on a nearby table. Either way, remember dining etiquette since you’re literally ‘breaking bread’ your client.
Jessica Rose Adams
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