I am another newbie. I used to run my own wedding dress shop but my partner became very ill and I had to give up my shop to look after him. I couldn't just do nothing so I started studying from home for a degree in business studies with accounts finishing this October. I became a member of the IAB and have just got my first job doing books for a plumber - I haven't even started my advertising campain! No doubt I will find this forum very useful because I'm worried that I will find it very different working as a book-keeper (lacking real experience) rather that studying business and accounts. Now is the time I should put what I have learnt into practice. Any advice will be helpful, thanks.
Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your new venture.
The only advice I would give you is that the phone is your best friend. Don't stick posters up or send leeters or put an advert in the paper and leave it at that. Speak to small business owners. The one thing I found is that clients don't come to you, you need to go and find them.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
Congratulations on setting up your business and getting your first client. Don't underestimate the value of referrals. Give your client the best service you can and don't be afraid to ask him to refer you to other self employed traders he may know - you could even offer him a reduced rate on his bookkeeping for every client you gain through him.
If you get stuck on the bookkeeping side of things there are plenty of people on this forum with the knowledge to help you out so just ask.
