Virtual offices are being used more and more by companies of all sizes. Some of these companies are setting up international headquarters and use a virtual office to test the waters. Other companies are experiencing growth and want to see if a virtual office will help provide the support they need during a transition to something bigger. Interestingly enough, many freelancers are finding that a virtual office helps support them – and it’s often the only support they really need.
If you are a freelancer, consider this: if you could get the support you need without moving from your home office to a leased facility, would you?
1. Virtual Offices Offer a Solution for Freelancers
Getting into a lease is scary, especially when you’re a freelancer. If a freelancer sees that their company is growing and expansion is unavoidable, they might feel like the only solution is to lease a dedicated office and hire on-site support staff. The truth is that this could kill their business, simply because the overhead would be too much. Freelancers typically try to keep their overhead low, so even if there is massive growth, getting a new facility could be a stake to the heart. That’s where virtual offices come in.
2. Freelancers Can Convey a More Professional Appearance with a Virtual Office
Freelancers often start out working from home, and while running a business from home can have many benefits, it can also pose some disadvantages. For instance, when a client wants a meeting, locations can be limited to coffee shops or the home office. For many freelancers, this feels unprofessional, and it likewise seems that way to clients at times. With a virtual office, freelancers can convey the professional appearance their clients want.
In addition, a virtual office offers other benefits for freelancers. Some of these include a dedicated address and phone number, both of which increase credibility. Specialized virtual offices like RubyReceptionist.com.au come with receptionist services, and having a professional receptionist takes calls further exudes professionalism.
3. Freelancers Can Outsource Important Tasks that Slow Them Down
There’s no doubt that communication is an integral part of any business’ success. Freelancers know this, but the truth is that they often don’t have the time they’d like to focus on communication. When a freelancer uses a virtual office, they can rest assured that they have someone to answer calls, reply to e-mails, schedule appointments, and even conduct light marketing such as social media management and ad posting. For freelancers, using a virtual office means that essential tasks are being taken care of, but freelancers get more time to focus on their work.
4. Virtual Offices Help Freelancers Spend Less Money While Doing More
Freelancers are discovering that virtual offices are a cost-effective way to have their receptionist needs taken care of while having a physical location and admin support. In turn, having these aspects taken care of at a lower cost actually helps freelancers make more money because they are able to do more. Since freelancers don’t have to juggle as many aspects as when they are on their own, virtual offices are helping freelancers do and make more while actually keeping their overheads low.
5. Freelancers are Drawing in More Leads with Virtual Offices
Virtual offices offer such excellent support for freelancers that freelancers often find that they are getting even more leads before. Virtual offices help promote authority, which is something all clients look for when they are hiring a freelancer. Virtual office staff offer light marketing services, and this further boosts traffic. Since there is a receptionist to handle communications, customer service is higher, and that brings in more new leads. Since a virtual office can help build a company’s authority and thus increase image branding, freelancers are finding that virtual offices are helping grow their companies.
6. Freelancers Can Still Work on Their Terms
Most freelancers enjoy the flexibility that comes with their roles, and switching to a brick and mortar, dedicated office space isn’t something they want to consider. With a virtual office, freelancers are finding that they still get the best of both worlds. They enjoy connectivity with the outside world and clients, but they can choose when they visit the virtual office. Outside of that, freelancers are still able to work from home, in their pajamas, at the beach, or at their son’s soccer game. Virtual offices are making freelancers happier because it gives them the ability to keep their flexibility while getting the support they need.
A Virtual Office Can Poise a Freelancer for Growth
Many freelancers find that their companies transform over time, perhaps leading to a bigger operation down the line. For instance, many freelancers end up in the role of a consultant or simply growing their freelance career into a full-fledged company. The benefit of a virtual office is that it’s a perfect segway for growth. If a freelancer wants to take their company to the next level, a virtual office is a cost-effective way to see if a bigger brick and mortar presence could be in the future. Virtual offices are often scalable, offering numerous packages and add-ons. Since they come with easy lease terms, a virtual office can be a short-term solution when growth is on the horizon.
Freelancers know the struggle of balancing it all, but a virtual office can mean that a freelancer can still enjoy the flexibility they love while eliminating a lot of stress. Being a freelancer is an exciting journey, and with the rise of virtual offices, freelancers get an entirely new avenue in the freedom they enjoy. It gives them the ability to enjoy the best of both worlds: the freedom of working on their terms with the support and structure of an office, admin and marketing support, and a receptionist available to offer customer support.
