Starting my own bookkeeping business

[Lee Harris]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post on here so forgive me if this is posted on the incorrect thread.

I am about to start up my own bookkeeping business and was wondering if anyone knew the best ways of advertising the company. I have very little knowledge of advertising, i guess local papers, a few flyers etc after that im pretty clueless on the advertising side.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Lee

[DFL]

Try local trade mags, low cost and good returns.

Get a website, SEO it an use online marketing.

Try approaching introducers such as local bank managers.

Join a local networking group.

Use linked in, Facebook, Twitter etc.

Don't advertise unless confident that your advert will be seen and taken up by your target market otherwise you could end up throwing money away.

Monitor what is working and what is not.

Good luck!

[Alison Jones]

Hi

Firstly would say beneficial to have a website so it can be included on all your advertising (people often want to know more about a business then what you can fit on advertising)

Secondly don't spend all your available advertising budget on one form of advertising because what works advertising wise can vary form Town to Town.

This website http://www.michrome.com/ if you register will email you each month a list of businesses opened 3 months previously (if you pay membership get them as they right up to date) but you can send speculative letters asking them if they require bookkeeping services.

In my area I found what has worked best for me is advert in newsagent window.

Also another way to gain clients but very tough because a lot of competition and you pay commission from your earnings is www.peopleperhour.com (http://www.peopleperhour.com).

Another way is to contact local accountants, sometimes they require a bookkeeper to work on self employed basis to do the bookkeeping (so they can concentrate on year end accounts) and the client pays them and accountants pay you, other accountants may just pass on your business card (sometimes they will get you to work inhouse on a couple of jobs to make sure you meet their requirements before passing on your business card.

Also don't forget you need to register for Money Laundering if you get a client, this is either through Inland Revenue or through a exam body like IAB or ICB but there are quite a few bodies that are registered.

Since the recession would say it is much harder gaining clients as a bookkeeper because so many bookkeepers started up so lot of competition.

Good luck

Alison

[David Griffiths]

Another way is to contact local accountants,

We've been through this before, several times. Nobody is going to recommend a bookkeeper just because they write a letter. Frankly it's going to end up in the bin.

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post on here so forgive me if this is posted on the incorrect thread.

I am about to start up my own bookkeeping business and was wondering if anyone knew the best ways of advertising the company. I have very little knowledge of advertising, i guess local papers, a few flyers etc after that im pretty clueless on the advertising side.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Lee


Lee - I think it is very difficult to give advise on how to advertise or market your business without knowing for example:



Who are your target clients?
How do you know that they are interested in your services?
How will future customers be attracted?
Why would someone buy from you as opposed to another accountant or bookkeeper?
What makes you unique?
What is the pricing policy?

Suggestions can be made as to the 'normal routes' used. But IMO it is necessary to get a marketing strategy together so as to use valuable time effectively.

[Alison Jones]

We've been through this before, several times. Nobody is going to recommend a bookkeeper just because they write a letter. Frankly it's going to end up in the bin.

You might throw in the bin but there are accountants who don't. 3/4 of my client base has come from being referred by accountants. Normally the letter triggers a meeting, then one referral client then they wait to see the quality of work, or working in house for them so they can check the quality of work before then referring any more.

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

Normally the letter triggers a meeting,

Alison - it would be great to hear about your success stories with letters to accountants.

I know that I, like David, do throw them in the bin. So any feedback on:



what to include
what makes yours stand out from others
how many letters sent result in meetings & work

Would be great to hear - thanks

[Lee Harris]

Thank you all for your help.

I will be creating a website shortly and starting it up, and thanks for the advice Elaine/Alison i will look into this and come up with a business and marketing plan.