Visit client or have them over to your place?

Nick Weeks · March 13th, 2008, 05:57 PM

You might want to check with whoever you have your homeowners insurance with... its called personal liability protection I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this should protect guests that come to your house, and fall and break their back or whatever may happen.

They may have restrictions on it because you're running a business... you might have to purchase some kind of business rider or something on your homeowners policy to have liability protection.

Philip Gioja · March 13th, 2008, 09:16 PM

I recently met with an insurance agent and he had plans offering coverage for business operations on my personal premises, because we do portrait photography here as well. I have a 3 car garage and divided off half of it as office, editing, and studio space.

That said, I actually do a lot of my contracts through email or phone, after mailing out samples -- I've had very few people come to my location, and I don't usually drive to meet them either. I do make sure to send them a letter with the samples, email them, and call them, and most people I've worked with seem very comfortable with that.

John Moon · March 14th, 2008, 08:32 AM

Most always we meet clients at our studio. I think clients want to see your set up. It makes for a better environment to show our work on the flat screen and to access other videos we may have done. As a matter of preference our studio is located away from our home. Personally we do this to try and seperate business life and work life. Homeowners insurance will not cover you for any liability or premises medical situations that may arise as a result of your business pursuits. Liability insurance for this type of business is fairly low and you should have it.

David Mathew Bonner · March 17th, 2008, 06:49 PM

I learnt early on that it was a waste of time and a nightmare to visit couples.
We have never had a 'showcase home' and with kids, it was tidy at best, but never really clean. In spite of that, I managed to sell myself and my product for who I am and what I do. I think there is added security for a client dropping 3000- 5000 dollars on you if they know where you live.

meanwhile, this never worked with corporate clients and I always go to them.
This may change now that I have a 1500 sq foot office and staff, but for the most part, It's best for me to go to them.

One of my most recent clients, who sell Cultured Stone http://www.featherstonerock.com is a sample. I visited them once and I am able to do the rest of our business by e-mail. I doubt they would of given me a chance had they seen this upside down chaos of a home.

March 14th, 2008, 08:32 AM	#18
John Moon Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 446	Most always we meet clients at our studio. I think clients want to see your set up. It makes for a better environment to show our work on the flat screen and to access other videos we may have done. As a matter of preference our studio is located away from our home. Personally we do this to try and seperate business life and work life. Homeowners insurance will not cover you for any liability or premises medical situations that may arise as a result of your business pursuits. Liability insurance for this type of business is fairly low and you should have it. __________________ John J. Moon www.northernlightfilmworks.com - Event DV Top 25 Recipient

March 17th, 2008, 06:49 PM	#19
David Mathew Bonner Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 163	I learnt early on that it was a waste of time and a nightmare to visit couples. We have never had a 'showcase home' and with kids, it was tidy at best, but never really clean. In spite of that, I managed to sell myself and my product for who I am and what I do. I think there is added security for a client dropping 3000- 5000 dollars on you if they know where you live. meanwhile, this never worked with corporate clients and I always go to them. This may change now that I have a 1500 sq foot office and staff, but for the most part, It's best for me to go to them. One of my most recent clients, who sell Cultured Stone http://www.featherstonerock.com is a sample. I visited them once and I am able to do the rest of our business by e-mail. I doubt they would of given me a chance had they seen this upside down chaos of a home. __________________ www.dmbvideo.com

March 13th, 2008, 05:57 PM	#16
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	You might want to check with whoever you have your homeowners insurance with... its called personal liability protection I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this should protect guests that come to your house, and fall and break their back or whatever may happen. They may have restrictions on it because you're running a business... you might have to purchase some kind of business rider or something on your homeowners policy to have liability protection.

March 13th, 2008, 09:16 PM	#17
Philip Gioja Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Piper City, IL Posts: 350	I recently met with an insurance agent and he had plans offering coverage for business operations on my personal premises, because we do portrait photography here as well. I have a 3 car garage and divided off half of it as office, editing, and studio space. That said, I actually do a lot of my contracts through email or phone, after mailing out samples -- I've had very few people come to my location, and I don't usually drive to meet them either. I do make sure to send them a letter with the samples, email them, and call them, and most people I've worked with seem very comfortable with that.