Virtual Offices

[WinoBlues]

I've had a virtual office for five years, but without the phone. It's my professional address and I get a lobby listing. I've had a potential client drop by the building see view my listing to confirm I'm legit (meh, Craigslist shopper).

I can't imagine putting my home address, or a po box on my card.

I have had my PO box on my card for about 15- 20 years. Even for the 5 years I had an outside office. Never been a problem. If someone ask me where my office is I say I have an office in my home. I of course do not see anyone there.

I am looking at office space now. Will probably keep the PO Box. That, my 800#, Toll free Fax, and email address never change.

Just my two cents.

 

[Kicker]

I looked into renting a small office, that would allow me to have a larger image. Clients walk into the building and are greeted by a receptionist, then I come out and walk them to my office.

I decided not to go this route. I prefer to work from my home and save as much as possible.

My attorney allows me to use his conference room if I need it, and my banker has allowed me to use their conference room.

I also use ring central for faxes, and love the email they send for incoming faxes to my black berry.

I use, don't laugh, Magic Jack for my phone. I can take that sucker anywhere I go. My wife and I took a trip to Tenn a few weeks ago. I plugged the computer in, got online and was using my Magic jack in seconds. No one even knew I wasn't in my office. Magic Jack will also forward calls to you cell, and send you an email when you have a voice mail.

I saw somewhere on this board a comment that I liked, and I have used it with the only person who asked why I don't have an office. That person by the way was my father in law.

In this economy, it just makes better sense for me to work from my home office instead of being worried about 1000-2000 a month in overhead. I want my main focus to be on how I am going to take care of my clients.

Again, I have only been asked once about an office. Most people are so busy that you coming to them is actually refreshing.

 

[Frank Stastny]

Re: Vitual Offices

Where do you live?

Where Jesus lost his sandals.

 

[DHK]

Re: Vitual Offices

I can't have my DSL without the landline (Yes I've asked the carrier multiple times about this one) Time Warner tells me in my area they do not offer high speed service without the Cable TV (I prefer my Dish) I haven't looked at Satelite options.

You can search in your area for "Naked DSL". This is DSL service without an active home phone line.

 

[vegas1ne]

I decided to go with the automated phone and fax service through Ringcentral. Not a bad deal; my old IP phone works with it as well. On top of that there is an app for my iPhone and one I can use on the PC on the go with my 4g isp.

I never thought of the receptionist screwing up the greeting, but it makes sense to consider it highly possible. I think I may use the virtual office service, but just the address service and mail. Will call some places in the morning. Thanks for all the input everyone.

 

[arnguy]

Frank, who is doing the peeing in your driveway, the goats?

 

[bree4479]

Try it without at first see how it goes and then make a decision. If I'm calling my agent I want to speak to him not a CSR.

 

[vegas1ne]

The way I set it up they call in get a warm greeting and then they can enter my extension and get me or my voice mail. I think its pretty cool, we'll see how it goes.

 

[669comche]

You will need some sort of call screening once you get busy, but to begin with its an unnecessary expense.

Eventually you will have too many clients: Its appropriate to let a CSR answer the calls, especially if they are trained well enough to answer your clients questions.

 

[padthaiforlunch]

The other nice thing about a virtual office is package delivery. Receptionist is there from 9-5 to sign, or just call me when a policy comes in.