Home Office or Virtual Office????

[k1ngtut]

How many of you guys work out of your home or have a virtual office?

I realize there are obvious disadvantages to doing this but this is the road I will have to go down starting out.

Are certain types of business easier to sell from home? From what I am gathering AUTO is far more labor intensive than life but may be an easier sell. AUTO may require an office that people can just drop by?!

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[nyc2phi]

I've been looking at shared space. Regus has something of the sort called executive suites. You get your own office but all the common areas, conference rooms, kitchen, are shared with other offices in the building. There is a recpitionist that answeres in your business name as well. Cheapist I have seen is about $495 a month and it comes with furniture.

 

[Rich Eddy]

I went from working at home to taking an office at a local "executive suites" place near me, to renting regular office space in the same building I had the executive suite. It really all depends on how you sell and what you want.

For me, working from home was tough, distractions and all, plus, I had no real choice but to meet clients at their home/office or at a public place. Sometimes it is nice to control the environment, but again, it all depends on what you are doing and how you go about conducting business.

 

[nyc2phi]

MElanie are u life or p&c ? I think this makes a difference, life can be done for most with a virtual office, p&c only a select few would be good doing a virtual office

 

[lucifer0993]

Whether you're expanding into new markets and need a new place to work or just need someone to answer your phone and handle your mail.

 

[anthonywilliams]

I will be prefer to a virtual office rather than home office because there are so many disturbances and difficulties in home office and virtual office is must cheaper and effective compare to home office and for this I just need the mailing address.

 

[tiamat]

I think the biggest challenge is how you work your book.

If you are going to do it from home have a specific room for an office away from everything and ideally on the main floor.

Also sit down with your family and explain that beyond those doors you are at work. No trips to the store, no household chors, you are working.

Otherwise if you or your family cant make it work youll have to shell the $400 to $500 and just have to sell a bit more to make it work.

All in all remember, this isnt a job or a career, you are a owner and must treat it as your own business.

Good luck

 

[Norwayguy]

I found I had to make my point with my wife ... I waited till she was at work and then called and left a bunch of voicemails all begining with I know you are at work but could you.... She came home and said why would I think I could do that she was at work, and I said so am I when I am in my office if you don't want me escelating to calling your work # then you need to get that point.

 

[Reign]

I found I had to make my point with my wife ... I waited till she was at work and then called and left a bunch of voicemails all begining with I know you are at work but could you.... She came home and said why would I think I could do that she was at work, and I said so am I when I am in my office if you don't want me escelating to calling your work # then you need to get that point.

Working from home can old real fast. I still try one day a week but find myself begrudging it.

 

[tiamat]

I found I had to make my point with my wife ... I waited till she was at work and then called and left a bunch of voicemails all begining with I know you are at work but could you.... She came home and said why would I think I could do that she was at work, and I said so am I when I am in my office if you don't want me escelating to calling your work # then you need to get that point.

That is a great way to get your point accross. Anyway you can avoid the "honey since your home more now can you...." Is a sign you need to make a point or find a space.

If you really need a space and cant afford a whole lot talk to a librarian or your local college. my brother rented an office from a college when he had a online buziness for about $50 a month.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Don't always think you have to do everything like the rest, but don't try and reinvent the wheel either. That can get you burned aswell.

Good luck and keep us posted!