This is a light-hearted look at going out for meetings when you are a self-employed web person who works from home (that’s a lot of us).
Despite our businesses being online and the popularity of Zoom and Google Meet, it’s often a good idea to meet your clients in person. Leaving the house, going outside in the big, wide world where the grown-ups work can be invigorating. You get to feel the fresh air on your face, interact with other people, and remember what a daily commute was like. Then you get to enjoy the fact that you don’t have to deal with office politics or mind-numbing internal meetings.
A real-life meeting is your chance to shine, build rapport, and demonstrate that you are a highly competent professional and a friendly, helpful person. Meetings with multiple people can have some interesting dynamics (especially if it’s a couple). Pay close attention to who is actually calling the shots. You may think you know who the decision-maker is (they may even think they are the decision-maker), but often it turns out that there’s someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes. You, of course, want that person in the meeting.
Dealing with Couples in Business
Over the years, I’ve had clients who have run their businesses with their spouse. Often, it hasn’t been a problem, and they’ve both been a delight to work with. However, I’ve sometimes found that couples in business can often contradict each other, interrupt and talk over one another, or start brainstorming or making new decisions during the meeting. Things can get tense quickly with couples.
Let’s talk about getting ready for an IRL meeting…when you work from home
- Step one: get out of your pyjamas. Just joking I know you’re not still in your pyjamas. At least take off your slippers or Ugg boots (I’m wearing my Ugg boots as I write this).
- Put on your acceptable ‘leaving the house’ clothing. I have ‘meeting’ clothes set aside in my wardrobe – so I can make a quick change and be confident that I’m ready for anything.
- Brush your hair for what might be the first time that day
- Check for crumbs, dandruff, stains, spilled food and those unfortunate split seams.
- Pretend to leave the house with 5 minutes to spare – it’s amazing what you notice about your attire when you are outside in real light for the first time in an entire day
- Give your shoes a quick buff
- Charge up the laptop if you don’t use it every day
- Have your internet connection available (usually mobile data). Most people don’t know their office Wi-Fi, and it’s probably best you don’t connect to it anyway. If you do connect to it, use a VPN.
- Have at least some kind of agenda – unless it’s a ‘get to know you’ type of meeting.
- Know where you are going… Google Maps is your friend, so check your destination at least 2 hours before leaving the house.
- Ask about the parking situation at your meeting location – driving around for 15 minutes looking for a parking spot is a terrible way to arrive at a meeting.
- Turn off Google Maps before you enter the office. Announcing to the office that you have arrived at your destination is a tad embarrassing.
- If offered a hot beverage (a common social custom in many countries), be aware that accepting the offer can have some downsides. Unless you are desperate for tea or coffee, it’s safer to ask for a glass of water or say you’re fine. This saves you from a) potentially drinking out of a mug that has never seen the inside of a dishwasher, coffee that tastes like they ground some of the local dirt into it, and the potential embarrassment of knocking a hot drink over your own or your client’s laptop. Nope, never done that.
The Sweet Return Home
After successfully navigating the outside world and human interaction, you’ll return to your home office with renewed appreciation for:
- Your perfect coffee/tea setup
- No commute time
- Complete control over your environment
- The freedom to wear whatever makes you comfortable
Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. You’re living the dream that many aspire to, but few achieve. Running a successful business from home isn’t easy, but you’re making it work.
Can they come to you? I Say No…
Finally, should you invite clients to your home office? My advice: don’t. Consider these factors:
- Legal obligations – Health and safety requirements vary by location, but in New Zealand, they are pretty strict, so I’d rather not deal with them.
- Privacy concerns – Do you want clients knowing where you live?
- Professional boundaries – Your home is your sanctuary
- Judgment factors – Not everyone will appreciate your home setup, and some might be a bit judgmental, especially if there is a significant difference in your standard of living.
Better alternative: If they can’t host, book a professional meeting space. Many coworking spaces offer hourly room rentals, giving you the best of both worlds.
Remember: Every in-person meeting is an opportunity to strengthen client relationships and showcase your professionalism. With the right preparation, you can confidently represent both yourself and your business while maintaining the work-from-home lifestyle you’ve worked hard to achieve.
