We tell our children that there is no such thing as a dumb question, we encourage people to let us know if they have any questions or concerns when it comes to our home businesses, but let’s be completely honest here—do we really believe that there is no such thing as a dumb question? Admit it, doesn’t it irk you just a bit when your time gets taken up by a really, really, dumb question?
Now I don’t want you to think that I am advocating eye-rolling or any other sort of disrespectful behavior toward our customers or clients, but I thought it might be good to have some place to vent. Even if we tell ourselves the customer is always right, the truth is, sometimes, they make us crazy with their questions, requests and complaints! I know I’m taking the ball here and speaking for us home business owners as a collective, but I’ve chatted with enough other people to know that I’m not making this up. In reality, there are dumb questions…and annoying ones, unreasonable requests, petty complaints, you name it, and as conscientious business owners we learn how to smile and treat them as if they were the most reasonable things in the world.
What is the dumbest question you were ever asked in your home business? I once had someone ask if they could come and tour my printing facilities. Now, I am a writer and I have done the copy editing and creation for some publications, but I work out of a little desk in my home and I’m very open about that. I tell everyone I work with that I work from my home office. I don’t even have a copier unless you count my fax/copy/computer printer machine. I very sweetly explained this reality and wondered at the image this person must have of a freelance writer…
Also: Are You Offering Professional or Personal Advice?
Too Much “Home” In Your Home Business?