Hi everyone
I've been looking into starting up as a self employed bookkeeper for the past few months after completeing my BAcc in accounting and had some advice from this forum. I have just completed some voluntary work for the past few month doing bookkeeping to ensure this is the route I want to take, and I have finally taken the plunge and applied for my MLR and fit and proper test from hmrc I am also in the process of getting insurance put in place.
I'm looking to get some advice especially from the lovely gentlemen from the Ayrshire, Scotland area that shamus has mentioned about pricing, advertising and services ect and is there anything else i should do before i start actively looking for clients any help and advice would be greatly appreciated by everyone.
Regards Kim x
Advertise as much as possible, have a website, network as much as possible, get in with some accountants and generally make yourself known. There are networking events that you can book into, personally I haven't done any as they are normally breakfast ones which doesn't suit me with kids going to school etc.
Postcards in shop windows, I had mine done on Vista print, and I must say after alot of fiddling they really do look good and professional, even my techy son couldn't believe I had done them!
Pricing is a tricky one, there are hourly rates or fixed pricing, theat is really up to you.
I have a friend of a friend who is a a tech geek so I'm going to see him about website, I'm quite good at design so going to design my own business cards and postcards. Is it worth while doing a mailshot to local businesses to get my name out there or does this approach not really generate any business?
With accountants would it be best to make an appointment to see them or is a phone call/letter the best way to advise of services you will be offering?
I've seen a lot on here about pricing and I think I would like to go with a fixed pricing method after seeing the discussions on here about it, but I'm not sure what to charge for this as I know it will differ for each client. Just looking for some ball park figures really to see what others are charging for their services.
Just had a read of the introduction post you put up. I feel terrible but I tend not to read those
Unfortunately the Ayrshire market is absolutely flooded with bookkeepers, there's no work for anyone. I'd suggest you move to the Midlands
In all seriousness, the Ayrshire market is ripe for the picking (as long as you're not close to me). There are a handful of bookkeepers in the area, with the main competition being from accountants.
Fixed pricing can be difficult to get right, it's often only through trial and error that you'll get your optimum price. I vary my prices a bit depending on how busy I am. I saw that Bannatyne gyms use a system of removing the joining fee when members are low, I do likewise when I want to build my client base and cut my prices slightly. One thing I would say though is I never compete on price. It's the quickest way for everyone to lose. I did once negotiate and it was a mistake. Now I tell a potential client my price, if they want to go elsewhere thats fine.
I wrote to and spoke to most of the local accountants when I started up and got little response and certainly nothing meaningful. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time again.
I agree with your first bit though, that you really just need to get your name out there. Whether it's letters, leaflets or business cards in the local area, you just need to get known.
Thanks for the reply, i was thinking about moving to the midlands but I'm a Scottish lass at heart I'm in Kilmarnock so hopefully far enough away from you not to tread on you toes so to speak. I think personally the pricing is going to be my main concern, I have some good ideas about advertising and I have a few business contacts locally so hopefully I can get my name out there by word of mouth as well as advertising. But I don't want to over price myself and I also don't want to underprice myself either and I'm really struggling to understand how to go about setting up some sort of pricing structure so any advice or tips would be greatfully received.
Regards Kim x
Im looking for some flexibility in my working hours as I have a young family but I also know this route is going to be hard work and will take time to get myself established, Im also aware that I won't see huge returns in way of income but hopefully this will level its self out when I establish a client bases to allow me to have a steady income.
You'll be about 5 miles away from me. Not to worry, the competition can be good. There's really not too much of it locally. If you want to have a coffee and chat let me know.
@Kim - I'd need more specifics like how many hours you want to work a week and what level of income you are after.
What I would say is that positioning yourself as a typical bookkeeper is not the best option. The more ambitious you are the more you'll need to think about your strategy and value proposition. Feel to elaborate here or call me 0844 567 4321 for a chat.
