I've been meeting clients at Starbucks which is fine but I'm getting a lot of clients now that want to meet with parents. I am trying to find a new location and someone mentioned meeting clients at a hotel. I've never done it before so not sure if I should just show up at a hotel lobby and meet clients? I would love to meet at home but that's not possible at the moment.
If not hotels, would you guys like to make some suggestions on meeting locations that's worked for you?
I use a hotel because it's less noisy, more professional, easier to park and guaranteed a table - I've never understood why people use coffee shops. I've never asked and just walked in, it's no different to a coffee shop in that respect. You might want to make sure it's not a hotel that does weddings though...
Edit: depending on the wedding venue, I often meet clients there because if it's somewhere I've not worked before I get to see it and it helps them envision the day a bit more.
Mark_L wrote:
I use a hotel because it's less noisy, more professional, easier to park and guaranteed a table - I've never understood why people use coffee shops. I've never asked and just walked in, it's no different to a coffee shop in that respect. You might want to make sure it's not a hotel that does weddings though...
The Starbucks I usually go to is a very nice one, quiet. But meeing 4 people can be tough. Meeting just B&G wasn't an issue there since they have isolated seats there. But I think it's time to make a change to a hotel. There are many hotels around here to meet.
It's probably different here, most coffee shops are on busy high streets and usually you'll end up with crumbs all over the table if you can even get one. Parking means expensive city centre car parks and a walk.
I've avoided hotels that do weddings just to be sure of no surprises if they see me conducting business with couples that have not booked there or if they have any relationships with photographers. The more expensive hotels where I am can be really stroppy and haughty.
as long as it's a big enough lobby I think it's a great idea. You'd just have to scope them out first to see what the seating arrangements are like. I personally prefer a table over couches and chairs.
The down side (at least for me) is that I meet a lot of clients in the burbs and the hotels out there aren't classy enough to meet clients in (like Best Westerns, Days Inn, etc). The nice ones downtown would be great, but then you have to pay for parking and it's overall less convenient.
I tried Regis one time and it was great!!!!. You select an office location, time of the appointment, etc and you get quotes on offices. You are basically renting boardrooms. http://www.regus.com/meetingrooms/default.aspx
