If you run a business from home, you might enjoy the convenience of having no commute and the reduced costs of not having to run a separate commercial space. But there are some downsides as well. While working from home is far more common than it once was, it can be hard to have a professional appearance when speaking to clients and other business contacts. This is even more true if you work on the move as a digital nomad.
Why is professionalism so important when you run a business, and how can you continue to be professional no matter where you work?
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What Professionalism Is and Why It Matters
Professionalism is a word used often when it comes to employment and running a business, but it does have a tangible meaning.
Often, professionalism is synonymous with competence, which immediately shows why it’s an important quality to practice and make obvious to clients. A professional is a skilled worker who will complete a job properly and within a deadline. They might have specialist training and tools that a layperson doesn’t have access to.
Professionalism can also be related to your attitude to work. Someone with a good work ethic displays more professionalism than someone who very obviously would rather be doing anything else but work.
Does this mean that that you have to be very formal with your clients and people who work with your business? Not necessarily. While professionalism might involve a certain code of conduct and even style of clothing, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t human.
However, different people have different preferences. Also, you need to consider what’s appropriate for the job. While a dress shirt and smart trousers might be appropriate for the office, they wouldn’t be professional for someone working as a gardener.
When speaking to clients, customers, and other people while working, it’s best to be polite and to the point. Obviously, you also want to be friendly, especially if you’re making a sale. As you develop a relationship with that person, it might be more appropriate to relax and let your human side show, as long as your professional attitude doesn’t slip.
Home Office
When working from home, the first challenge to your professionalism has to be your surroundings. Many people start off at the kitchen table or in the living room on a laptop, but this has its flaws.
You can be easily interrupted and distracted during the workday, which is rarely a good look when talking to a client. Similarly, if you use video conferencing, your clients can see your surroundings. An office looks much better than a random room in your home.
Not only this, but a professional workspace benefits you and your workflow. People work better when associating a place with one thing, rather than getting distracted by other aspects of each room. If you have a desk in your bedroom, switching from work mode to relax or sleep mode is hard.
Also, your comfort matters. If you’re working in an inappropriate area, your back and neck will soon suffer. Desks and office chairs are designed to be used for hours at a time, so you’re less likely to get distracted by sore muscles.
If possible, use a spare room as a dedicated office or workspace. One good option if you have a large backyard is to build a garden room, as this can be an ideal place to work. But if you don’t have enough room in your home, find a quiet corner of a room that can be easily separated from everything else. Keep it tidy and ensure that it’s a professional and productive environment.
Your Online Presence
Most home businesses operate primarily online. This is made possible by social media, business websites, online marketplaces, and online job boards that connect clients with freelancers.
Understandably, you must make sure your online presence is as professional as possible. A social media account is a good place to start because it’s free and only costs the time you invest in it. Yes, advertising on social media has some added costs, but you can start by simply creating relevant content and keeping up with the social media account.
Another important aspect of your business is a website. While business websites once were the domain of large corporations, they are incredibly common for smaller businesses as well. If you want an online shop, a website is a great place to start. You can also use your website to advertise your business, make it easy for clients to learn about and contact you, and share testimonials.
You can even create a blog that provides helpful and relevant advice and information for your niche.
It’s also a good idea to design landing pages. A landing page is the first impression someone will get from your website, so it should be attractive, informative, and easy to navigate and read. Landing pages are used in promotional campaigns, but your front page can also be considered a landing page, so it should have everything a client needs at a glance.
Be Contactable
Your attitude is the most important thing to consider when trying to be professional. A great work ethic and a productive workflow are important steps, but how do you treat clients and customers?
You are the first and only port of call for clients when you run a business yourself. Even if you have a few people working with you, the chances are that people will want to speak with you. So, ensure that you’re easy to contact and communicate with. Instant messaging systems and emails are a great first step, and emails can be especially helpful when you want a paper trail. A virtual phone system can also make it easier for people to contact you or your team, and even better, you can be contacted anywhere and with a business number that suits your company.
