Finding my client base

[Mark Bateman]

As you will see in my introduction I help people who are in financial difficulties and behind with their accounts, ie tax returns and VAT.

How can I target these people when the only people who know they are behind is the Inland Revenue?

Please help

Mark J Bateman

[manchesterhypnosis]

Mark,

Its a long shot, but I would be tempted to advertise - send out a mail-shot after the HMRC filing dates with words like "If you have not already sent in your self assesment, you could already have been fined £100, call me now for help!"

[mtw]

I'd agree with the above. I think your best bet is to take yourself to your potential client base.

Your local press might be a good bet. You're a bit different as an accountancy business so I reckon you have a good shot at getting a press release used in the business pages of the Mercury (you are in Leicester, aren't you?) if you get the pitch right. A press release might be a cost-effective way to start.

You might be advised to do it now too, to catch those people who are in a mess and need to get it straight before the filing deadline...

HTH
Mark

[Joyous]

Hi Mark

I got a call from my local Citizen’s Advice Bureau yesterday. The person calling told me that almost every morning they have people queuing “almost around the block” panicking and looking for advice as they’re behind on their accounts/self assessment. Because they can only give general advice they were looking for local firms of accountants that they could refer these people to – at a cost to you obviously.

Don’t know if they have a similar thing in your area but it might be worth a look. Welcome to the forum by the way.

Regards

Joy

[Mark Bateman]

Thanks very much - I did offer my services to them but they said to work for them it had to be on a voluntary basis, however I could put something up in their office - many thanks

Do you specalise in anything - maybe we could do some cross business

I deal in the real rubbish in TV boxes etc

[Antonia @limeone.com]

Consider doing some work of a voluntary basis ie general advice limited to certain areas and then ask them to contact you for the work if any is needed. Alternatively offering a free advice line during the time people are in panic mode can be a useful way of marketing.

You can get a 0800 number for the purpose and then hand out flyers to all small business owners, do it in a costume of some sort and get some free PR through the local press.

[garyk]

Mark, Yep I agree with Antonia, dont be put off by the 'voluntary' basis. In fact it could be a great way to acquire new clients that initially you wont make anything from but longer term could be quite valuable.

Just give up a little of your time (set a pre-determined period) after which you start charging. I would say any CAB referrals would be a great way of growing the business only if a small percentage you retain as clients the key thing is your acquisition cost is nothing. If you arent happy giving up time how about producing information booklets that the CAB give out that covers the most common questions and fears. Then if prospects need more information they call and they start paying!

Gary

[directmarketingadvice]

Again, I'd agree that the volutary basis could be very profitable.

It depends on whether the people you help voluntarily could still be prospects after they've had free advice.

If they could still benefit from your help, then I'd try it. If you could do it as "mini-seminars", it might be even better. That way, you'd get to present to more people without having to give individual help.

If you can do one of those a week (say, every Tuesday morning), you could find you get a lot of business out of it.

Steve

[Cornish Steve]

Go where such people are likely to hang out. If you were talking about personal debt, maybe it's thrift stores, pawn shops, etc. Where would business owners go if they are in debt? What about someone who is disorganised with taxes? Try to think how they think.