I have a question about meeting clients

[G Designz]

I advertise my services online mostly locally on craigslist. There are a few times I get asked to meet. I always do business thru email and over the phone. I rarely do meets unless its someone I know. I don't feel comfortable.

What is the best way to tell the client that I don't meet in person without sounding like a scam. Im sure they will think I am a scam or something if I don't like to meet in person. Or you think I should consider meeting in person?

Any advice?

Thanks in advance

[jimking]

If you are advertising for business I would think you'd want to meet them if they so choose. Meet in a public place like a resturant and or bring a friend.

[DesignVHL]

Yes you should meet them, being personal is part of the business...if they are local, it def. is good to meet with them in person! I often meet clients at starbucks or somewhere public.....

*tho i wouldn't bring a friend - this is business not a pleasure outing! :P You'll be fine.... :)

[morea]

I'd bring someone. They don't have to sit in on the meeting, but I would have them nearby, for safety.

I've had two years of kung fu classes, but you can never be too cautious. Besides, I'm a lover, not a fighter. :p

[Virgo Nightingale]

I'm similar in that meeting new people is not my favorite thing in the world. However, there are many people who are not only comfortable with that, but prefer meeting people face to face, and some of those people could be potential clients.

If you tell them you don't want to meet them in person, you might not only come across sounding like a scam – you might also sound inconsiderate and insecure. I would not want any of those qualities in someone I was considering working with, and thus I'd take my business elsewhere.

Suck it up, consider meeting in person. It's part of the job, really.

Edit: If you're uncomfortable with meeting new people for safety reasons (ALWAYS a concern when meeting people you've contacted through the internet), morea's suggestion is a good one. Either way, a public place is the best way to go.

[DesignVHL]

It really is part of the job...anytime I work w/ a local client I initiate a meeting with THEM!

I really doubt you'll be in any danger, i mean they contacted you for design work, not to stalk you! I would hope!

If you wanted to bring a friend its not a big deal of course, just make it look like your solo while in the meeting! :)

[mojoprime]

yeah, i think everyone's right though i don't run into the security issue -- i'm a big guy, but i know that doesn't apply to everybody. but i ran into this just the other day with a client of mine -- we'd been conducting business via email, fax and phone, but ran into an issue over a PMS color. my inkjets are definitely not spot-on, and neither is his monitor, so i did have to break down and meet him. turns out it was a great thing because we managed to smooth over some other issues we were having.

this time, i went to his office but i'm with everybody else -- typically, i pick a coffee house, though some of the starbucks around here tend to be on the smallish size so it's hard to find a somewhat quiet area and a seat.

[jimking]

I advertise my services online mostly locally on craigslist. There are a few times I get asked to meet. I always do business thru email and over the phone. I rarely do meets unless its someone I know. I don't feel comfortable.

What is the best way to tell the client that I don't meet in person without sounding like a scam. Im sure they will think I am a scam or something if I don't like to meet in person. Or you think I should consider meeting in person?

Any advice?

Thanks in advance
I see that you live in Virginia. You can avoid bringing a friend to watch over you by carrying a piece keeper, if you are so inclined. :D

[G Designz]

I see that you live in Virginia. You can avoid bringing a friend to watch over you by carrying a piece keeper, if you are so inclined. :D

lol..it's not that serious

[G Designz]

Ok thanks everybody for the advice...Any other place I could take them other than starbucks?

[DesignVHL]

the library
a quiet restaurant
a public park outside
the beach

whats near you?

Maybe see what THEY suggest even...

[jimking]

If they suggest the public park, bring the piece keeper! ;)

[G Designz]

lol..your funny...

[hood]

i think a good spot would be a book store...

not a library. otherwise u will be talking to much and then people will look in and listen to you all.

u guys can even goto a mc donalds or something like that..

[DesignVHL]

good point hood :) nice idea! I may have to make my next client meeting at one!

[CkretAjint]

If the person doesn't have a place of business to meet at, I often try to meet them at the book store. That way if they aren't to clear on an idea or what way they want to go with the project , I can bust out some books at the store and thumb through them quickly with the person to get a sense of what catches their eye.

DO NOT SKETCH ANYTHING WHILE YOU ARE THERE!!! Only notes. If you start to draw in front of them you will be there for hours!!!!! haha...

[G Designz]

^^^good idea!