I have been trading for 2-3 months and would like to ask how many clients I should expect to take on per week, month and year! I have spoken to an accountant friend of mine and he states that one client per week is his firms target, but that another accountant he knows claims to take on at least 10 per month! I figured that 1-2 new clients for my book-keeping business would be good. What does everybody think?
Personally I think the question you have asked is one of these how long is a piece of string questions.
There are so many variables when it comes to setting targets for new clients. The geographical area, the demographics, your target market, the services you offer and your marketing budget to mention a few.
I see from your other post that you are involved in networking, this is arguably one of the best ways to gain clients. What other marketing do you currently do?
How many clients have you achieved in the months you have been operating?
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.
In terms of marketing, I read prior to starting my practice that a business should have at least five different forms of acquiring new clients. To date these are my chosen methods:
1.) I attend several Networking Groups per week for Breakfasts and one networking group on an evening. Cards given out and business links formed.
2.) Flyers posted to local targeted small business owners, followed up with telephone calls - I have read your previous posts regarding this.
3.) Small adverts in local shops and businesses - usually on a weekly basis.
4.) Letters to local accountants and larger businesses asking if they or their clients require any onsite assistance with book-keeping, office admin or payroll services.
5.) Local parish and village magazines in multiple locations.
My marketing budget is very small so I have concentrated on the cheaper forms of local advertising. However, having attended a social networking seminar, I am currently working on my web presence; which will include a website, facebook etc.
So far, new clients per month is 2-3 which I think is a sensible rate of growth, but it does depend on how many hours and which services each client requires.
I think if you can sustain a growth rate of 2-3 per month then you are doing something right.
From reading the posts you will notice that many bookkeepers have been finding it an uphill struggle in the currently climate to maintain a status quo or have been finding a relatively small growth in their client base.
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.
How do you find the networking groups? I've been thinking of doing that - it sounds like a good idea. My most effective way of getting new clients is at the moment by using Google Adwords. I think having a good web presence is certainly a good idea but you do need to keep an eye on the costs of course. How has your response been from posting flyers locally and from having small ads in local shops, etc?
