[Anonymous]

Hey guys!

I’ve been working on setting up a small work from home bookkeeping practice on the side. I set up a website, sent out about 100 direct mailer letters to local start-ups, and reached out to local business owners in my LinkedIn account……During tax season I hooked a few and did a few tax returns, but I really want to get a few monthly write-up clients.

Any tips? I’m not really one to go to social events and glad hand people, and was wondering if anyone knew a better way to scrounge up a small handful of initial clients.

[StephAV]

If I were trying to do this, I'd first start with people I know… I think in the beginning networking would be essential. Maybe join or attend local chamber of commerce meetings? Or small business assoc. type meetings? Place an ad on craigslist? Word of mouth will help to grow your business. Maybe reach out to your tax clients with some kind of referral reward program?

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

If I were trying to do this, I'd first start with people I know… I think in the beginning networking would be essential. Maybe join or attend local chamber of commerce meetings? Or small business assoc. type meetings? Place an ad on craigslist? Word of mouth will help to grow your business. Maybe reach out to your tax clients with some kind of referral reward program?

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to not have to join or go to those types of gatherings…..I'm quite awkward when it comes to just drumming up a conversation, and besides how would I start that? Hey, I want your money! Sounds like a mugging!

Okay, I wouldn't approach it like that, but you get what I am saying, I don't want to come off as hey hire me, hey hire me, hey hire me…….

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to not have to join or go to those types of gatherings…..I'm quite awkward when it comes to just drumming up a conversation, and besides how would I start that? Hey, I want your money! Sounds like a mugging!

Okay, I wouldn't approach it like that, but you get what I am saying, I don't want to come off as hey hire me, hey hire me, hey hire me…….

[Anonymous]

🙂 Nobody will hire you if they don't know that you would like to be hired.

You may not want to start the conversation with “hire me” but if you're going to be successful, you're going to have to network. Make sure you have business cards with you at all times. Make sure you always look like an accountant, i.e. not wearing shorts and Hawaiian shirts with a three day beard. Don't be a pushy Ahole but don't be afraid to tell people what you do and give them a business card.

[Anonymous]

🙂 Nobody will hire you if they don't know that you would like to be hired.

You may not want to start the conversation with “hire me” but if you're going to be successful, you're going to have to network. Make sure you have business cards with you at all times. Make sure you always look like an accountant, i.e. not wearing shorts and Hawaiian shirts with a three day beard. Don't be a pushy Ahole but don't be afraid to tell people what you do and give them a business card.

[Anonymous]

I have business cards, so I guess I am part of the way there…..how would you start the convo?

[Anonymous]

I have business cards, so I guess I am part of the way there…..how would you start the convo?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of any non-traditional methods to get some clients? Social media? Email lists of small businesses? Elance? Blah, blah, blah?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of any non-traditional methods to get some clients? Social media? Email lists of small businesses? Elance? Blah, blah, blah?

[StephAV]

I'd say think of those groups less as sales and more as small business owners (you included) trying to help each other out. I'd start the conversation as “Hi I'm Bernhardt, CPA (of course wait until that is official). I have just opened my own bookkeeping practice. What sort of business are you in? Oh you own a store, well that is awesome. How's that going? Stores, so do you use a periodic or systematic inventory method? Oh yeah, you don't say, well, you know…” Give them a little taste of your knowledge so they can see how great you are. Close the conversation with “it was really nice meeting you, here's my card, give me a call if there is ever anything I can do for you.” It might take some practice but I think as a small business owner you are going to have to network one way or another.

Think about it from their point of view, who would you trust to handle your books? Would you go with some random person who sent you a mailer? Or would you ask around, think of who you know, ask other small business owners who they use.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

I'd say think of those groups less as sales and more as small business owners (you included) trying to help each other out. I'd start the conversation as “Hi I'm Bernhardt, CPA (of course wait until that is official). I have just opened my own bookkeeping practice. What sort of business are you in? Oh you own a store, well that is awesome. How's that going? Stores, so do you use a periodic or systematic inventory method? Oh yeah, you don't say, well, you know…” Give them a little taste of your knowledge so they can see how great you are. Close the conversation with “it was really nice meeting you, here's my card, give me a call if there is ever anything I can do for you.” It might take some practice but I think as a small business owner you are going to have to network one way or another.

Think about it from their point of view, who would you trust to handle your books? Would you go with some random person who sent you a mailer? Or would you ask around, think of who you know, ask other small business owners who they use.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[tomq04]

I tried and (somewhat) failed, and ended up taking a “real” job after 6 months. I went to a weekly networking group, and sweated bullets, not tons came of it, but it was enjoyable and I got to meet lots of real life small business folks.

To do it all over again, I would hit craigslist, both with my own postings, and replying to bookkeeping ads to offer services. I would once again attend at the very least a weekly meeting, preferably two.

I would also have the website finished, polished and tested, with regards to being able to submit documents electronically to hopefully make their life easier. Finally I would be hitting Facebook and Twitter and trying to connect with local businesses.

This is NOT an easy route, particularly when you are relying on it for income, it is a lot more casual if you are picking up 2ndary income with it.

Hope this helps, and not discourages!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

I tried and (somewhat) failed, and ended up taking a “real” job after 6 months. I went to a weekly networking group, and sweated bullets, not tons came of it, but it was enjoyable and I got to meet lots of real life small business folks.

To do it all over again, I would hit craigslist, both with my own postings, and replying to bookkeeping ads to offer services. I would once again attend at the very least a weekly meeting, preferably two.

I would also have the website finished, polished and tested, with regards to being able to submit documents electronically to hopefully make their life easier. Finally I would be hitting Facebook and Twitter and trying to connect with local businesses.

This is NOT an easy route, particularly when you are relying on it for income, it is a lot more casual if you are picking up 2ndary income with it.

Hope this helps, and not discourages!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

That makes sense, I currently work full time, so this would be a secondary income stream. I feel like once I get a few clients then things can grow at a small pace if need be……it's just like pulling teeth to get those couple initial monthly clients.

[Author]

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