Running a home business is not without its challenges! Where to meet clients for face-to-face meetings is one of them. You must choose potential meeting places wisely, as your personal reputation and professional future depend on it! Right now, you may be wondering to yourself, ‘what are the best places to meet clients when you work from home?’
Choosing where to meet potential or existing clients when you work from home is very important. These places should be appropriate, convenient and (above all) safe. The 10 best (in my opinion) include coffee shops, restaurants, hotel conferences rooms, co-operative office centers, the park, city hall, banks, libraries, club houses and, of course, your own home office!
Now that you know the 10 best places to connect with clients when you work from home, let’s take a closer look at each in more detail below and explain why it’s a good option. We’ll also explore some related topics including how to properly ask for a meeting, how to impress potential clients at your first meeting and how to keep up with existing clients.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about where to meet clients when you work from home, then let’s get to it!
What are the Best Places to Meet Clients When You Work from Home?
The top 10 best places to meet clients when you work from home, in my opinion, include (but are in no way limited to) the following:
Coffee Shops
Local coffee shops are a great place to meet up with potential clients. Most places offer free wi-fi access which is very helpful, should you need to access vital information online during your meeting. As well, the atmosphere is often comfortable, relaxed and (fairly) quiet. This allows for easier conversation and better communication. And, it’s very affordable! All you need to do is purchase a beverage (or two) to ‘use’ the establishment.
Restaurants
A restaurant is another possible meeting place. Discussing potential business ventures over a good meal has success written all over it, especially if you allow your client to choose the restaurant! Breakfast or lunch meetings are good if you prefer a less formal, more relaxed atmosphere. If you’re meeting a high-profile client, a dinner meeting is likely better. And, since small business owners often qualify for deductions on work-related meals, keep and submit your receipts for an added ‘bonus’ at tax time.
Hotel Conference Rooms
While meeting a client in an actual hotel room is not recommended, booking a conference room at a hotel is a good idea, especially if you’re meeting more than one person. These facilities often come at a much higher cost ($200 to $300 on average per day)! However, they also provide everything you need to conduct a complete and professional in-service including wi-fi access, full use of audio/visual equipment such as TVs and DVDs, office supplies including pens and paper and even a catered meal.
Co-operative Office Centers
The new trend in conducting small business meetings involves the use of co-operative office centers. These facilities provide temporary use of a traditional office space (which often includes a room with desk and a couple of chairs) for as little as $15 per hour! You can even rent them on a weekly or monthly basis. These provide a great alternative to meeting clients in your home, which can be uncomfortable or possibly unsafe, especially if you’re meeting a ‘stranger’ for the first time.
The Park
If you’re lucky to live in a region with warm weather year-round and beautiful parks nearby, then why not meet clients in the great outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine are wonderful morale boosters. And, if your meeting doesn’t require you to use wi-fi or audio/visual aids, then agree to meet at a park bench near a stream or waterfall display for a casual, relaxed encounter. As well, if your client happens to enjoy physical activity, why not schedule the meeting on a golf course or hiking trail!
City Hall
Most city halls have community centers that allow members of the community to book space for private affairs such as wedding receptions and anniversary parties as well as public events or fundraisers. Small business owners are no exceptions and can inquire about booking a conference room or office space at their local city hall for client meetings. Fees, if any, will vary, unless only non-profit organizations are permitted to use the facility. In which case, you’ll likely need to find another outlet.
Public Libraries
So long as your client meeting doesn’t require loud audio/visual aids, meeting at a public library is another alternative. There, you have access to free wi-fi as well as photocopy machines and other tech devices. You don’t need to purchase anything to use the facility, which is a good if you’re on a tight working budget. Some experts even believe that being surrounded by books makes people feel smarter and subconsciously more willing to ‘get to work.’
Club Houses
If you live in an apartment or condominium, you may have access to a club house or activity room right on site. This makes a great meeting place for potential clients, especially if you can book the space in advance for your own private use. Club houses are often reserved for a minor fee or (if you’re lucky) no cost at all! Being close to home is great should you need to quickly grab any additional information or accidently forgotten documents.
Your Bank
Your current bank is yet another place to meet potential or existing clients. Depending on its size, most banks will allow small business owners (who have accounts or invest with them, that is) to use their conference room or community meeting space for professional engagements. A small fee may be incurred, or you might be allowed to use the area for free, if you ask the manager for permission and reserve it far enough in advance.
Your Home Office
If you feel comfortable and know your clients well enough, then why not use your own home office for meetings. If you’ve exhausted every other option or simply can’t conduct business anywhere else, then setting up a room in your home with a desk, a few chairs and a coffee machine will do nicely. Make sure the room has good lighting and access to wi-fi, a computer, a fax machine, a photocopier, a telephone and any other office equipment you need to conduct business without having to run back-and-forth to other rooms. This creates a more professional environment in which to work and meet.
Related Questions
How do you ask for a client meeting? It’s best to write a letter or email to your client requesting a face-to-face meeting at least 2 weeks in advance. Keep it brief. Explain that you’d like to get together to discuss business but don’t give too much information in your written request. Rather, state that the meeting is in your client’s best interest and highlight some of the benefits he/she will gain from the conversation. A written request is often better than simply a phone call or answering machine message, as it enables you to keep a record of your correspondence for future reference.
How do you impress a potential client at a first meeting? A smile and a handshake go a long way in making a good first impression on a potential client. A positive attitude and pleasant disposition make all the difference, and don’t forget to make eye contact. Listen attentively to your client and acknowledge him/her by nodding your head during the conversation. Bring along a copy of the meeting agenda for you and your client outlining the basic points you want to cover. This demonstrates that you are well-organized and professional.
How do you keep up with clients? It’s good to maintain regular contact with your clients after a meeting. Follow-up with an email or letter correspondence stating that you enjoyed getting together with him/her and that you welcome any further questions he/she may have regarding the meeting. Keep a copy off all sent emails/letters between you and your clients in a file folder for reference purposes. Continue to schedule regular appointments using an online calendar that both you and your clients can access. And, don’t hesitate to reach out and ‘touch base’ if you haven’t heard from a client in awhile.