It seems to go against everything I think about freelancing but I’ve heard from a few people that renting office space separate from your home can be a great move for freelancers. I work entirely out of my home, but if I ever made enough money for office space, it’s something I would consider.
The first time someone mentioned the possibility to me was in the Douglas College Print Futures: Professional Writing Program. One of the instructors brought it up and I instantly dismissed the idea. After all, one of the benefits of being a freelance writer is not having to commute. Why put yourself in the position of commuting when you don’t have to? The arguments he, and others since him, gave are enlightening and may cause you to consider possibly having office space. I know they’ve made me reconsider things.
1. Location, location, location
One of the main rules for real estate also applies to freelance writers. The Douglas College instructor, a graphic designer, said he rents office space even though he is a freelancer. The reason? Office space in the right building can result in automatic referrals. The key is to be in an office with other businesses that offer writing-related services. For example, as a freelancer if you share a building with a graphic designer and a small print shop, those businesses are likely to send their clients to you if their clients need writing services. Those are leads that you don’t have to generate on your own and can result in a lot more business.
2. Someone to talk to
One writer I met rents shared office space with two other writers. They don’t have set hours and they can work from home if they want. But, they can also go to the shared office space where they get to be around other human beings. That can be a big deal for writers, who sometimes get lonely just sitting at their computer screen and talking to their cats. Not that I’d know anything about that.
Anyhow, the writers who share office space can discuss ideas for projects and toss business to their co-renters if they’re too busy or have an offer for work that they’re not interested in. Again, there’s the potential for generating business without having to do much marketing.
3. It can feel more professional
You don’t have to go to your office every single day. But, even going a few times a week can help maintain a professional business feel, if that’s something you struggle with at home. Having an office separate from your home can also help with some separation between work and personal life. Maybe you enact a policy in which on the days you go to the office, you don’t do any work once you’re at home. I’m not saying you have to, but it might help.
4. You have a space to meet clients
Rather than having to meet clients at coffee shops (where the tables are too small for your portfolio), you can have clients come to your office. That gives them a sense of how you run your business and can result in a more favourable impression of your business.
5. It gives you variety
Now you have two places to work instead of one. Don’t feel like going to the office today? Work from home. Feel like getting out in the world? Go to the office. Depending on your mood, or what’s going on in the home around you, you have options about where you can work. The best thing is, you get to decide.
Having an office isn’t for everyone. It can be expensive and, if you rent with others, they’d better be people you like, respect and trust. But, if you have the financial resources to rent an office, it’s worth considering. It might make a big difference in your business.
There is a third option, one I haven’t mentioned yet because I’m still researching it. That option is going through a business that rents desk space and offers phone answering services. I’ll post more about it in the next week or two, when I’ve done more research.
In the meantime, have a wonderful May long weekend.
