It's a good time to be a solopreneur. Those entrepreneurs making a go of it on their own rather than with employees are gaining in popularity, and it's easy to see why. Solopreneurships are ultra-lean and cost-efficient, and they can be as agile and flexible as they want to be.
In 2015 there were more than 35,000 such "nonemployer firms" in the U.S. "that brought in $1 million to $2.49 million" in revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a jump of 33 percent over 2011 numbers.
Whether you're just starting your own journey as a solopreneur or have been at the endeavor from your home office for some time now, you could probably use a hand now and again. Unfortunately, the cost of some traditional perks -- phone-answering and mail services -- usually comes with a hefty price tag. The good news is, that doesn't have to be the case. At Metro Offices, our virtual office solutions start at a manageable $75 a month. Three reasons solopreneurs should seriously consider the phone and mail services of a top virtual-office-services provider are outlined below.
Professionalism
It may be easy and free to use your home address to register your new business and receive mail, but it doesn't always look incredibly professional. Plus, it places your privacy at risk. When prospective clients receive your business card, you want them to be familiar with the address on it and be impressed. If you're a Metro Offices member and use one of our nine DC-area locations, that will most likely be the case. We have spots in Dupont Circle, Metro Center, the Farragut Park area, and more.
Lest you think business cards have gone the way of the rotary phone, consider the words of Entrepreneur.com contributor Jonathan Long: "When I make a connection via my business card, I don’t want my brand associated with the word cheap. A retail store trying to make a great first impression wouldn’t create a storefront sign with a piece of cardboard and a Sharpie. I have that same mentality when it comes to my business cards."
Time and effort
Besides just sounding a lot better, using the receptionist and phone services of a virtual offices provider can take a heck of a lot of work off your plate. When you're a Metro Offices member and your dedicated line rings during business hours, rest assured it will always be answered by a live, highly trained professional with your personalized greeting. Thus you and your new business get the appearance of being located in a large, traditional office setting, but at a fraction of the cost.
What about all that business-related mail you're sure to start getting? Do you really want it mixed in with your catalogs, magazines, and subscription of multivitamins from Amazon? You'd have a lot less to wade through if you have us handle your business mail so you can keep getting only personal mail at home.
Cost
Consider how much more productive you might be if you had no longer had to handle some of the administrative tasks that come with running any business. Supplies, maintenance, building weather issues, etc. How much time and concentration could be reclaimed if you weren't interrupted repeatedly with phone calls, for example? It could add up to hours each month, and that's time you might have spent winning new business -- and revenue -- for your business.
Where's a solopreneur to find the best in virtual-office services in and around the nation's capital? At Metro Offices, of course. Browse our locations today.