Introduced myself a couple of weeks ago and wondered if I could pick a few brains...
I have recently started my own bookkeeping business after completing my ICB levels I and II manual and computerised. I am also, touch wood, seven-eighths of the way to my level III. Problem is I still feel wholly unready for taking on clients, which is a worry!
Any advice would be gratefully recieved, does everybody feel like this at first?!
Catherine
(Any absolutely fantastic and free marketing tips would also be very appreciated )
What is your practical experience? Quite an important question.
I run a bookkeeping company and of course we do bookkeeping however more importantly we support them in growing their business. Which involves a heck of a lot more than bookkeeping. I see bookkeeping as end result but it is a very small part of what I offer. Although I'm not a trained sales person, marketeer, social media expert, I have done a heck of a lot professional development in those areas which has not only helped me but allows me to pass this knowledge onto my clients and they benefit. I have also helped other bookkeepers too with this knowledge and sub contract work to them. I am developing this further in the near future.
My immediate advice without knowing your practical experience would be to develop your knowledge of other areas in running a business. You are going to need it to succeed with your business. If not outsource it but you need to get some business coaching and/or mentoring. It has been invaluable to me and I am finally coming through the other side of my "pains" in my business and I think coming out the other side. It has taken me 2 1/2 to 3 years to get where I am which. For example my business ran without me over the Christmas period, I had my staff working but I didn't which meant I had time with my family but I was still earning money!
My absolute biggest advice would be to ask yourself a few questions:
What kind of bookkeeping business do I want? Do I want to work ON my business or IN it? ie Do you want to do the bookkeeping forever? What is your ideal client? Have you done a business plan? What is your sales strategy/Marketing plan? How are you going to price, by the hour? fixed? packages?
There are many more but those are a few. These are important questions to answer and figure out because how can you sell your services and attract clients if you don't even know what you are looking for?
If you want to chat on the phone or skype I am more than happy to do. If so let me know your email address and I will send you my details.
All the best and good luck, Mel Dowie Crunchers West Herts
Hi Catherine, please see my links below. The first one should help you with the confidence thing you need to overcome.
When I go and see any client I look at them from the point of view that if they do not treat me nicely (for whatever reason) then I probably don't want their business anyway. That way I can deal with people on my terms and not theirs. You will find that in practice, this will also gain you more respect than giving in to every demand you will find that they will make.
By the above I don't mean treat clients as the enemy, I just mean tell them what you do and how that will benefit them. If they are interested, then go on to tell them what you charge. Stick to your guns on pricing if you can. And above all Good Luck with your business :)
many thanks, first off, for your full answer. i really appreciate the time and thought.
Practical experience. Yep. Very little. I have come to the bookkeeping as a way to work around my little girl and be at home for her much of the time. i already run a (very) small gardening business and have done for six years. This is great, but obviously all my work is done away from home, I have an interest in business, am fairly bright and meticulous and know several people who are already bookkeepers themselves, hence the step.
I am lucky to be able to do some work with a very good friend who has also been a bookkeeper for nigh on thirty years, she is very generous with her time and we plan on working together should the right opportunity presents itself.
Too much detail?! And no, I haven't done a business plan which is shocking. I am, however, booked into some of the free hmrc courses running in my area.
I would be very happy to chat in some form or another, my e-mal is;
catherine@ferndalebooks.co.uk
and this is a pretty good way to talk to me to be honest. Again, many thanks,
many thanks for your answer. i am starting the twelve week course as we speak Also will look in more detail at the 'Accountz' software (and, more importantly get someone who really knows what she's talking about to look at it too!)
I really appreciate people taking the time and trouble to reply, watch out for me tweeting very soon!
As you have no practical experience, I suggest you get some. Ask at local accountants for some work experience or your friends who are bookkeepers for some work. Offer your time to them for free if needs be. There is a massive difference between theoretical bookkeeping and the books of real life companies and the more experience you can gain before you take on clients, the better.
)
Also will look in more detail at the 'Accountz' software (and, more importantly get someone who really knows what she's talking about to look at it too!)
very soon!
