Meeting Clients Safely

Writing online can be a little like online dating. You’re dealing with people primarily through email and instance messages, and occasionally you’ll have a phone conversation. Sometimes, a client may want to have a meeting with you to talk face-to-face, and when that’s the case, it is important to do so safely. You may also have online writer friends that want to meet you for a drink while in town. Writing is your business, and the issue of safety may not cross your mind as readily as it would with online dating, but the risks are still there. People can sometimes be just…creepy.

This is my one of my bffs. We met online years ago, and to be honest, it wasn't a safe situation. Luckily, he's not a creeper, but don't leave that to chance when you meet online friends.

Creepers, no creeping!

That client who wants to meet you in person, they likely really do just want to talk to you about the project, and when you meet writer friends, you’ll probably have a great time hanging out together. Likely. Probably.

Be on the safe side. This is a stranger, no matter how long you’ve been communicating via email. Use these tips to stay safe:

• Meet in a public place. Have a business lunch together or find another place where there are people around. Your home office might be most conducive for work, but it just isn’t a safe idea.
• Limit your alcohol intake. You might want to have a few drinks with a friend when you both happen to be in the same town, but if you get drunk, your judgment will be compromised.
• Take someone with you if you can. This may not be a good idea on a business meeting, but it is if you’re meeting online writer friends for pleasure purposes.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Call that person when you get home.
• Remember, this person likely knows where you live. Lock your doors, close your windows, and make sure that your house is secure. They know that you won’t be home, and there’s always the chance they’ll take advantage of that knowledge.

Your clients will understand when you want to meet safely. In fact, they’ll probably appreciate your good common sense. Just because you’re friends on Twitter doesn’t mean that your offline meeting will be safe.

A version of this post, written by me, was first published on b5media’s Bizzia website. It is reposted here with permission.