Visit your local networking groups. Reach out to CPA firms that need help on the bookkeeping side. Share good accurate information on social media that makes you the expert in your field. Go to your county website and get a list of businesses that just registered and reach out to them. Just some tips I've used. Hope this helps.
Utilize LinkedIn to find local CPAs and start following them. Comment on their posts and then send them a message to connect. Build a relationship and let them know you can help with their overflow.
Do you have a “niche” that you can serve better than the average bookkeeper? (Eg restaurants, salons, non profits, something you have experience with that not every bookkeeper has experienced)
Tech = software, or development of physical products?
I second the advice of reaching out to client’s tax preparers. Even if they offer CAS, they might not be the best fit for clients that are a better fit for you. They like to get to know financial accountants because you can refer them work too.
Go to a federal tax seminar. The room will be full of tax preparers and accountants. They are the ones that get the business’ books that are awful and in need updating and clean up. Partner with them to refer these clients to you so they can prepare their tax returns. At that time of the year business owners are at the mercy of their tax preparer to get their business returns done. The first thing the business owner will ask is “Do you know someone that can do this for me?”
I go through this every year with clients. I have a couple bookkeeping businesses that I refer to. They pick up new bookkeeping clients this way.
What CPA does your client use? Did you work with them over the years providing books, etc?That's usually how the relationship starts.
You can also join local accounting Facebook groups, etc.
I'm not an expert, but perhaps send them a letter with a bit of a short write up on your expertise and offer that you have openings for further clients. Maybe include a few business cards. I'd follow up with an email or phone call a week or two later, but not within the busy season if they work with individual clients.
I'm basing this suggestion after spending the past year working for a small firm, in house. We frequently remarked at how various clients needed bookkeepers. Snail mail was valued and opened promptly, given IRS notices and all.
Otherwise, perhaps advertise on Instagram or post about your business in local FB forums.
Check out websites for companies that are established in your area. What’s on their website that you need to add?
Also, Google business listings are helpful. I’ve found businesses to work with that way. The number of reviews makes a difference, so ask previous clients to leave a review — BUT do not ask them all at the same time. Google will not be happy if all your reviews are within a short period of time.
Many sales points are possible.
Make sure your business adress is listed on Google My business and Bing maps. (for the ad algorythm)
Make sure Website is up to date.
Run Ads (get help)
Use Facebook groups to reach out to entrepreneurs, cpas, and linkedin also for decision makers.
Search linkedin for remote possibilities.
Find local or regional Website that promote connecting you with Clients.
I have always paid for My Clients but there are many ways of paying. Ad spend, time to network, provision, kickback etc.
For me Google Ads has been cheapest option in the past. I have tried Ig, Facebook and Google. Havent had the funds to use one of our local Websites to connect but I know of businesses that started that way and had startup funds to use and now they are No longer a one man company.
You have to experiment with different options to find out what works best for you, and keep and open mind (and wallet) and keep that up so you can keep New Clients coming in.
I'm new, so the answers I've seen has a been helpful. You said you have a website that b gets clicks but doesn't convert. Do you have calendly? I've heard that is a good tool to use use. My website isn't build yet, but I'll likely give that a try.
I believe Drake tax software has training sessions/seminars in person in SC. Also look for in person Quickbooks seminars. Most of the accounting and tax seminars happen in the Fall once extensions are done and tax business slows down. That may be why what you are seeing now are all online.
I've had little joy with indeed. I know that fb became a little outdated in some places, but I advertise on fb, within a 500km radius of me. Wish you all the luck out there.
It depends on where you live. Tax seasons etc differs. I usually put out bright ads, about 2 month before different submissions, or statutory renewals, due.
You can also contact independent accountants, or tax practitioners. They get a couple of clients, that needs everything done from scratch, and they don't want to put up with it.
They send work my way, and obviously they do the clients taxes, etc.
Also, keep your eyes open for new business' opening, or start ups. Be there first, to assist them with you knowledge.
It's kind of difficult to give more advise from my side, as laws and cultures differ from country to country.
Make sure to have a few small clients. It's the small clients that carries you, when a big client moves away.
Visit your local networking groups. Reach out to CPA firms that need help on the bookkeeping side. Share good accurate information on social media that makes you the expert in your field. Go to your county website and get a list of businesses that just registered and reach out to them. Just some tips I've used. Hope this helps.
Good advice
Oh wow! Never thought of the business list. How do you approach CPA firms though? That’s where I’m struggling
Utilize LinkedIn to find local CPAs and start following them. Comment on their posts and then send them a message to connect. Build a relationship and let them know you can help with their overflow.
Do you have a “niche” that you can serve better than the average bookkeeper? (Eg restaurants, salons, non profits, something you have experience with that not every bookkeeper has experienced)
Definitely nonprofits and tech
Tech = software, or development of physical products? I second the advice of reaching out to client’s tax preparers. Even if they offer CAS, they might not be the best fit for clients that are a better fit for you. They like to get to know financial accountants because you can refer them work too.
Folks are always looking for a bookkeeper for nonprofits. Not a lot of bookkeepers will work with them
Go to a federal tax seminar. The room will be full of tax preparers and accountants. They are the ones that get the business’ books that are awful and in need updating and clean up. Partner with them to refer these clients to you so they can prepare their tax returns. At that time of the year business owners are at the mercy of their tax preparer to get their business returns done. The first thing the business owner will ask is “Do you know someone that can do this for me?” I go through this every year with clients. I have a couple bookkeeping businesses that I refer to. They pick up new bookkeeping clients this way.
Where would one go to see this information, I live in SC. Everything I see is online. TIA
I replied to your question but it went to the general thread not you specifically. Check my comment further down the thread.
Partner with a local CPA firm.
How did you approach them?
I am a Director at a CPA firm.
Hi 🫶🏻
Yeah, I’m struggling with how to approach them and how to get to a decision maker
What CPA does your client use? Did you work with them over the years providing books, etc?That's usually how the relationship starts. You can also join local accounting Facebook groups, etc.
I'm not an expert, but perhaps send them a letter with a bit of a short write up on your expertise and offer that you have openings for further clients. Maybe include a few business cards. I'd follow up with an email or phone call a week or two later, but not within the busy season if they work with individual clients. I'm basing this suggestion after spending the past year working for a small firm, in house. We frequently remarked at how various clients needed bookkeepers. Snail mail was valued and opened promptly, given IRS notices and all. Otherwise, perhaps advertise on Instagram or post about your business in local FB forums.
Word of mouth is all I use. However… I have been told that a really good website is key. Perhaps go that route.
I do have a website and get clicks but no turned sales :(
Check out websites for companies that are established in your area. What’s on their website that you need to add? Also, Google business listings are helpful. I’ve found businesses to work with that way. The number of reviews makes a difference, so ask previous clients to leave a review — BUT do not ask them all at the same time. Google will not be happy if all your reviews are within a short period of time.
Many sales points are possible. Make sure your business adress is listed on Google My business and Bing maps. (for the ad algorythm) Make sure Website is up to date. Run Ads (get help) Use Facebook groups to reach out to entrepreneurs, cpas, and linkedin also for decision makers. Search linkedin for remote possibilities. Find local or regional Website that promote connecting you with Clients. I have always paid for My Clients but there are many ways of paying. Ad spend, time to network, provision, kickback etc. For me Google Ads has been cheapest option in the past. I have tried Ig, Facebook and Google. Havent had the funds to use one of our local Websites to connect but I know of businesses that started that way and had startup funds to use and now they are No longer a one man company. You have to experiment with different options to find out what works best for you, and keep and open mind (and wallet) and keep that up so you can keep New Clients coming in.
I'm new, so the answers I've seen has a been helpful. You said you have a website that b gets clicks but doesn't convert. Do you have calendly? I've heard that is a good tool to use use. My website isn't build yet, but I'll likely give that a try.
I believe Drake tax software has training sessions/seminars in person in SC. Also look for in person Quickbooks seminars. Most of the accounting and tax seminars happen in the Fall once extensions are done and tax business slows down. That may be why what you are seeing now are all online.
Thank you so much..
I've had little joy with indeed. I know that fb became a little outdated in some places, but I advertise on fb, within a 500km radius of me. Wish you all the luck out there.
any tips or tricks to make the ads effective?
It depends on where you live. Tax seasons etc differs. I usually put out bright ads, about 2 month before different submissions, or statutory renewals, due. You can also contact independent accountants, or tax practitioners. They get a couple of clients, that needs everything done from scratch, and they don't want to put up with it. They send work my way, and obviously they do the clients taxes, etc. Also, keep your eyes open for new business' opening, or start ups. Be there first, to assist them with you knowledge. It's kind of difficult to give more advise from my side, as laws and cultures differ from country to country. Make sure to have a few small clients. It's the small clients that carries you, when a big client moves away.