That should read the 'bad old yellow pages', quite honestly the only thing that yellow pages and yell are good at is selling small businesses bad advertising at over inflated fees.
There are loads and loads of really good posts about this if you are happy to have a trawl. Some of the methods which come up again and again are:
Cards in Shops and Post Offices Car Advertising (magnets, sun shades, or vinyl) Direct Advertising (letters, flyers or postcards) Websites (inc SEO) Networking Groups Newsletter (Community, School or Church)
I personally believe it depends who you are targeting and think that the biggest mistakes small businesses make (inc bookkeepers) is that they advertise with no strategy. They don't know who their clients are or how to reach them so they blanket everything in the hop of reaching them and end up costing themselves a fortune with a tiny ROI. The best thing you can do (I know it's boring) is sit down and do a marketing plan. It doesn't need to be 20 pages, or even 2 pages. Just to get clear in your mind what you are doing, otherwise you'll spend a fortune on poor advertising because it's there.
If I could just add to that though. if you are a member of a recognised supervisory body you will be bound by the IFAC rules of professional conduct for accountancy professionals. As such there are a few rules that you have to follow when marketing your professional services.
You're advertisments must be honest, legal and in good taste.
You should say nothing that might bring the profession into disrepute.
You must not be disparaiging about other member practices.
You must not make unfounded claims about the superiority of one's own services.
I would definetely say that word of mouth from happy clients is the best advertising medium.
Yellow pages has been covered several times on the site with the overall conclussion being that although this was once the advertising medium of choice, in the age of the internet the expenditure is now not worth the yellow paper that it's written on.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I have had a Yell rep calling me repeatedly and I have been putting her off! In the meantime I've been onto their site and added a free entry.I've listed on other free advertising sites too.
I'm going to leave it at that... as you say, with the internet now, who really picks up the Yellow pages 'directory' now?!
I have a magnetic sign on the back of my car... but I'll be honest, my car is old! so it's perhaps not the best advertisement!
I'm looking to target sole traders... plumbers, plasters, builders etc so I supose marketing them directly with a postcard/flyer and then following up with a phone call to get a meeting would be a start too.
Have any of you ever offer ''sweetners'' eg, fixed monthly cost... next years Tax Return completed at half price?
Is there a local business mag in your area? If so find out where it is distributed to ie how many households and start advertising in there. You will be surprised how many people keep them and then look through them when they need something. I used to advertise in one, but got alot of work from it, so I have now stopped it, as I'm over loaded with work.
What about local Accounts practices near you, send you CV in and start networking. It may take a while but it will pay off on the end.
Do you have any kids? If so what about offering your services on the PTA? Treasurer is always a job no one wants and at least it will get you know amongst parents. Local cards in shop windows, Vista print do some good postcards, even I managed to do some, my son was most impressed when they came through how professional they look. And yes I did get some business form them so they weren't a waste of money. I have still got some left, so if it ever goes quiet again I will use them again!
Bear in mind services like cfh docmail or imail if you are doing mailshots. They will merge your letter, print it and post it for about the price of a first class stamp.
May be you can try to offer company formation services to get clients for accounting. Because, company formation is one time dealing and potential clients more easy will hire you to form company. Potential clients will be bound only for one dealing. And if during company formation process your communication is ok, then they may become accounting clients
-- Edited by rigaconnect on Tuesday 17th of January 2012 09:07:45 AM
Bear in mind services like cfh docmail or imail if you are doing mailshots. They will merge your letter, print it and post it for about the price of a first class stamp.
May be you can try to offer company formation services to get clients for accounting. Because, company formation is one time dealing and potential clients more easy will hire you to form company. Potential clients will be bound only for one dealing. And if during company formation process your communication is ok, then they may become accounting clients
Great idea! I'm seeing someone tomorrow who wants to register with Companies House... but I thought the client had to do it directly?
-- Edited by rigaconnect on Tuesday 17th of January 2012 09:07:45 AM
May be you can try to offer company formation services to get clients for accounting. Because, company formation is one time dealing and potential clients more easy will hire you to form company. Potential clients will be bound only for one dealing. And if during company formation process your communication is ok, then they may become accounting clients
Great idea! I'm seeing someone tomorrow who wants to register with Companies House... but I thought the client had to do it directly?
-- Edited by rigaconnect on Tuesday 17th of January 2012 09:07:45 AM
No accounting firms commonly set up Limited Companies for potential clients and can charge up to £1k depending on what work is need. A nice little earner.
May be you can try to offer company formation services to get clients for accounting. Because, company formation is one time dealing and potential clients more easy will hire you to form company. Potential clients will be bound only for one dealing. And if during company formation process your communication is ok, then they may become accounting clients
Great idea! I'm seeing someone tomorrow who wants to register with Companies House... but I thought the client had to do it directly?
-- Edited by rigaconnect on Tuesday 17th of January 2012 09:07:45 AM
No accounting firms commonly set up Limited Companies for potential clients and can charge up to £1k depending on what work is need. A nice little earner.
Regards
MarkS
Really! Oh my goodness... although I've only just started out... I'm not really sure I'm up to doing this this yet?!
I think I need more detailed information before I offer this service... but thank you.
