It’s not that I don’t have a “physical office” - I do, but I pay far too much for far too little, and I'm tired of working crazy hours just to pay my landlord. Once I close up my downtown, high-rent office, I can always see people in my home office. It’s just that, frankly, I don’t want to meet people in my home. And my little Jack Russell Eggs agrees. It’s all his little heart (and my ears) can take with his psychotic bark fest as the UPS guy merely drives by the house. God forbid the man in brown actually show up at my door. It’s like a bar fight, with only Eggie in the ring, as he struggles to get to the UPS guy’s toe for a good bite. No, no. Eggs and clients will not mix.
So, I decided I would use this transition time to explore the reaction I’d receive to my offer to meet virtually. I received a call from woman yesterday seeking a divorce. I decided before returning the call that I would use it as my test.
Once she was on the phone, I realized the potential client was an older woman, and I thought, “Great. Test run with someone who probably has no idea what the Internet is.” I went through the call and at the end, she said she was sorry that she sounded so flustered, but she had to leave town that evening and was disappointed because she wanted to move forward quickly. So, I gave it a shot. “Well, we can communicate by email, or meet by phone or video conference,” I said. “And, I can send you the retainer documents electronically and you can sign them right online.”
“That's exactly what I’m looking for,” she said, much to my surprise.
I still have clients who don’t even have email, so clearly it’s not going to work with every person. But I have to say, I was certainly encouraged by the conversation.
