Hello, I am a new member and I am starting my own bookkeeping service. I will be working from home and have started to advertise my services. I have ordered some business cards and also done some leaflets which I havent given out yet because I dont know where to start!!!!!
I signed up to michrome.com which gives you addresses of new start up businesses in your area which you receive on a monthly basis. I have sent out my leaflets to these companies, but apart from that, I havent sent any more.
I have sorted out an advertisement on yell.com which is just a small free advertisement for now until I can get some funds in to advertise at a higher standard.
Could anyone please advice me on any other ways of how I could advertise my new business and who where I could give out my leaflets??
Firstly, I would say save some money and don't increase your yell ad.
Secondly, some advertising ideas. I use a combination of the following:
Postcards in shops - These can cost between free and £1 so are pretty low cost, but ideally need to be designed to ensure they stand out.
Letters to small businesses - It is reported that people need to see your name 7 times before they react to your message. I would suggest then having at least 7 different letters which you can send every 6-8 weeks. Follow up with a phone call. It is also worth trying to create a warm lead from letters before you phone them. I do this by offering a free guide, but they need to provide a few details in a web form to get it. I know then that that person is open to my ideas.
Postcards to small businesses - A bit like the letter but you can be a bit more creative and it also removes the decision to open.
Advert in Local newspaper - These can be costly, and personally I've not seen a good return
Networking - There are a few networking groups that have breakfast meetings or evening meetings. 4N is good and in Scotland Business Gateway run free networking events.
Car - If you drive a car consider having it sign written, I didn't take the huge jump but I did have sunscreens printed and have a few on my car, and my sisters, and my mums and I will give them to anyone else who will use it locally.
Website - A website can be a good way to attract clients, or a way to give them more information about you once they have found you without the need to call. Though I believe that a poor website is worse than none at all. Do incorporate some good analytics on your website. Googles are good and free, it will give you a good idea of who your visitors are, where they come from and what they look at.
Gumtree - Gumtree is good because it is free advertising. I've not had any clients from it yet, but am noticing an increase in website visitors coming from it.
There are a few others which have been suggested here that I haven't tried.
School newsletters was a good one that I will look at soon.
The one thing about advertising is that you can easily monitor and adapt it. What works for one person may not work for another, and what doesn't work for you today may work tomorrow, so don't write it off straight away.
Good Luck
Kris
-- Edited by kjmcculloch on Wednesday 10th of November 2010 09:55:25 AM
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.
What about local parish mags or if you have a community mag or something in your area. We have a local glossy one which gets delivered to 5000 houses, so worth having a look to see if theres anything local around. Adverts in local shops windows, our local tesco express did it for 10 days FREE, I know 10 days isn't much but I intend to go back there soon and do another 10 days.
I don't advertise on yell.com as I don't think it is where people look for a bookkeeper, eveyone I know always uses the internet and also its word of mouth.
I updated my post rather than reposting. We have this question so often I am thinking about putting together a definitive marketing and publicity guide for bookkeepers.
Kris
-- Edited by kjmcculloch on Wednesday 10th of November 2010 09:58:23 AM
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.
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.
Thank you Kris you reply was a massive help to me. I struugle when it comes to advertising but that has treally opened a lot of windows of gave me some brilliant ideas. really appreciate you taking your time to help me.
The marketing and publicity guide for bookkeepers would be a great idea would be very interested to know how that comes along so keep me updated on it :)
