No work - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Lisa Jo · Senior Member

No work

RobH · Expert

Hi Lisa, sorry to hear things are quiet for you. I know I do go on a bit about this but my advice is network,network and a bit more network. I wouldn't spend too much on advertising personally but maybe get some half decent business cards. Practise your 'elevator pitch', i.e. be able to tell clients what you can do for them in 60 seconds flat. This is not a list of stuff like 'I do bookkeeping and vat returns and payroll', but 'I save business people time and headaches by getting their books in order'. It is about selling the benefits rather than the actual service. I had a new client come in this week who did his own payroll and was quite prepared to continue doing this until I asked him when he got time to do it and he said at 3 in the morning and he hasn't printed a payslip for his staff for over a year! I offered to take that problem away and his face lit up. Again the benefit to him was not having to do a boring job at 3 in the morning.

Anyway I'm sure this all stuff you already know but sometimes the things that we know work aren't always done! Good luck.

Amy8n · Veteran Member

In addition to networking, a good, optimised website is something to consider. Most of my new business comes via my website and I have taken on two new clients this week. I do agree with Rob about not spending too much money on advertising. I used to have an ad on Yell.com. It cost about £500 and produced 1 prospect which didn't lead to any work.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Lisa,

stay with it. There is work out there! Admittedly non of mine is from the immediate vicinity but I just put that down to the fact that I don't really advertise yet.

Like yourself my studies are taking up a lot of my time so I don't want to take too much on at the moment.

If I get any payroll enquiries (which is a service that I don't offer yet) I'll send them over your side of the bridge.

The final accounts that I'm, not allowed by the ACCA to handle already go to Rugeley so afraid they're spoken for.

Good luck,

Shaun.

BobHarper · Guru

Amy...two questions:

1) Can you tell me what you have optimised your Website for?

2) Do you think you are winning business because you offer year-end accounts as well as bookkeeping?

RobH · Expert

Hi Bob,

always like your contributions, direct and to the point, but I do not understand your first one to Amy, so I'd be interested in a slightly more detailed question as I'm sure you have good reason for asking it. On the second point, from my point of view, I do believe offering year end accounts helps to bring more business in, and it can be offered even if you don't do it yourself.

cheers, Rob

Lisa Jo · Senior Member

Good advice, I probably admit that I should push myself more tbf. I do a construction accounts and he's asked if I can do his subby's year end stuff. I will take some cards as he wouldn't mind passing them around. I must push myself more perhaps. It's not as if I don't know what I'm doing, I can do the whole package. Yes shaun, certainly pass my number on. Just think when you've passed, the world is your oyster and I can come and work for you over the bridge.

RobH · Expert

Lisa, I have quite afew subbies. Generally do do their tax return takes less than an hour in year two (after setting everything up) and I charge between £150 to £250 for that. Nice and easy work, but of course it may dry up since the 'False Employment' consultation (see one of Shaun's earler threads)...but make hay while the sun shines!

Jane · Veteran Member

Hi Amy

Just had a look at your web site, very fresh and informative - well done.

Can I ask a question on Corporation Tax. I'm also a full member with the ICB but have stayed away from final accounts and corporation tax as I'm not confident enough and don't think I know enough about this area. Do you complete them yourself or do you sub this work out to an accountant.

J

lor · Guru

My luck is turning again, I have been quiet since end jan, sustaining only one monthly client, but I now have more work from my client, which is great news and I feel it is starting to build up again, hopefully slowly and surely.

Lisa Jo, I can't wait for April also, hopefully more busy!

I also don't believe in advertising, I feel you will get alot of people who will look for services on a search engine, thats what I would do personally, all about SEO I know its been said already.

Also advertising is fairly expensive, where as if you have a website with good keywords and optimisation it will push your website up on search engines.

I was getting a bit of response before, but there is quite a bit of competition in Bristol and the South West.

I try to sell my self, as competitve as I only have limited o/heads, able to travel to cleints and drop off and collect, and also pro active and good customer service, help tjem save money and time also.

Hope my answer helps, although I think i have just warbled, well bk to work now, dinner break over!

-- Edited by lor on Thursday 18th of March 2010 01:05:34 PM

Lisa Jo · Senior Member

Yes know what you mean about that, Ive turned 2 clients down as they wanted me to work on site, thats the trouble when Im still on fixed hours at the accountants. Like I say may be the kick up the bum I need & just go fo it now.

lor · Guru

Although free ads are brill e.g. gumtree or free index as these rank well on search engines too!.

I did read in another post that someone does advertise and it works for them though, so it does work for some people!

BobHarper · Guru

@Rob the way we do SEO is to research keywords/phrases and target them - one per page.

We use on-page and off-page tactics and I did a little bit of research on Amy's site and wonder what keywords she was targeting because I didn't see the things I expected.

Year-end accounts - interesting. I am thinking of launching an accounts/tax centre so our bookkeepers can offer the whole package. We are looking at £200 for a Sole-Trader and £600 for a Ltd Co where our software is used to do the books - client or the bookkeeper.

-- Edited by BobHarper on Saturday 20th of March 2010 03:56:36 PM

RobH · Expert

Hi Bob,

Thanks for clearing that up, SEO not my strong point. I think the year end accounts/tax returns would attract many more clients. Out of interest how many franchisees do you have? I am looking at licensing (Rather than franchising) the telephone answering part of my business. Maybe we'll get Amigo's Accounting off the ground too, AA, the 4th emergency service!

Wella · Expert

Has it just started raining up country. Everyone seems to have gone online together.

Rob I've already worked for the AA, didn't like the uniform, so left. Can we have Sombrero's and Ponchos as our corporate wear?

Bill

RobH · Expert

and stables outside the offices Bill for the horses (junior staff on donkeys)....sun is shining, so I may get off here shortly and go take my bicycle out for a spin.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

I've just got children everywhere around the house at the moment so I've taken sanctuary in the office (the one place that all but my own boy fears to tread).

Right, just off to give them some more E numbers... I know, own worst enemy. Their parents are going to hate me when they pick up these hyperactive little bundles of joy!

So, Rob. We going to have some of those saloon swing doors in our offices as well?

Wella · Expert

Sounds like you are going through a trial by ordeal today

Hope it was as entertaining as it sounds

I quite like the idea of saloon swing doors on the office, would there also be a bar keep' sliding the mandatory shots of red eye down the bar?

Bill

Rhianrach · Expert

Shamus wrote:

I've just got children everywhere around the house at the moment so I've taken sanctuary in the office (the one place that all but my own boy fears to tread).

Right, just off to give them some more E numbers... I know, own worst enemy. Their parents are going to hate me when they pick up these hyperactive little bundles of joy!

So, Rob. We going to have some of those saloon swing doors in our offices as well?

Lol sounds like the time when I used to drop my step-daughter off ............ after a sleep and a half pint of coke biggrin

............. always used to amuse me when the dad would get on the phone wondering what I had done evileye

bevhall · Newbie

Hi Lisa,

My advice would be to go for it. I did exactly that 12 months ago and I'm totally booked with regular clients. I see so many companies who are in such a mess and can't consider the process of handing their affairs over to someone offsite, but they will gladly pay premium rates for highly qualified and experienced freelance onsite help.

All the best