The great thing about being a freelancer or self-employed is that you can have your office wherever you want it to be. You can work from the dining room table, living room, sunny back porch, coffee shop, a picnic table in the park or you can set up a workspace in your garage. The options are virtually limitless when it comes to where you can work. However, this freedom does have its drawbacks and the major drawback is the ability to focus.
Being able to focus on your work can be hard to do if you are in a high-traffic area in the home, at a coffee shop that blasts music or you are freezing your behind off in your garage. Also, working in these areas sometimes doesn’t garner you the respect you deserve from family and friends. If you are working from home, the chances are high someone will call you or come by to visit. If you try to work in a café or at your local library, someone you know will probably see you there and stop and talk to you.
No matter what type of freelancing or small business you may be doing, you need a space that is professional and quiet. However, renting a building and setting up a personal office is generally out of the question for freelancers and the self-employed, especially in the beginning when you are just getting your new line of work up and running. The cost of rent, utilities, desk furniture, internet connection, insurance and all those other things that an office needs are expenses most freelances can’t pay. However, there is another option that should be considered: shared office spaces.
Shared Offices
Shared office spaces goes by many different names such as co-work spaces, business centers and executive or business suites. In a nutshell, these are places where freelancers, the self-employed and independent business owners can go to rent the office services and spaces they need. General available services include things such as having a cubicle or a private office, a work desk, a telephone, telephone number and voicemail services, fax services, internet, a receptionist and more. Most shared office spaces are open 24/7 and some even offer a kitchen and conference room. You pick and choose what type of space and services you want. Yet, keep in mind that leases and services offered will vary among companies and locations. However, most leases can be obtained for a minimum three month commitment.
Benefits of Shared Offices
The number one benefit of renting out a space in a shared office is, of course, being able to focus on your work. No longer will you be tempted to do laundry or other chores when you should be working. Yet, there are other benefits to be considered, too. If you are the type of person who goes batty working at home alone and the isolation is starting to get to you, shared office spaces will enable you to be among other working adults. Being around other professionals also opens the door for networking and new prospects for your business.
Another benefit of renting out a small office space is that it will make you look and feel more formal - not just to yourself, but to others. You’d be surprised at how quickly the phone calls and drop-in visits stop when your family and friends learn you are working in an actual business office. You’ll also be surprised at how quickly you can get your work done and how much your production increases when you are free of distractions.
Working from a remote office can also greatly impact your personal appearance and attire. While it’s easy to work from home in your pajamas with ratty hair, getting up, putting on makeup and getting dressed to go to your office goes a long way in making you ‘feel’ more like a professional.
If you are a freelancer, self-employed or an independent business owner and you have found that working from home or the local library or coffee shop is getting in the way of work, consider renting out an office. It’s a viable solution and it won’t break the bank. Take a couple of days to research, visit and compare the available shared office options in your area. No doubt you’ll be impressed with what you find.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on leasing an office, take a look at the book, ’The Tenant’s Guerilla Guide To Office Leasing: For Tenants Large and Small Control the leasing process and outwit the Landlord
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