Ok. Bit cheeky I know but i'm about to start marketing my bookkeeping business locally and hopefully starting to talk to clients... What words of wisdom would you share, if there's one thing you wish you had known before you had started out?
My biggest mistake was I used to give a lot of of my knowledge and advice free. I found I didn't get the business, because it would go to the person who charged them for it.
The reason for this was - by not charging for it, I was telling potential clients that my work had no value, so they would give it to someone whose work had a value.
When a potential client phones me because they've become self-employed and want someone to do their bookkeeping, we arrange for them to come and see me usually for about 30 minutes, I never charge for this whether they use me or not. I usually end up having to reply to their questions by email etc as well.
Does everybody else charge for this? I have been thinking about starting to charge but not really sure how to for this firs meeting - I only want to charge the people that don't use me, I'm quite happy to do it for free for the ones that do. I probably only have 2 or 3 a year that don't end up using me after coming to see me and asking all their questions.
We don't charge for new client meetings and provide as much info up front as we can. It depends what questions they ask but when I follow up I usually say 'Once you've signed up as a client I will give you the information on x,y, z'. Otherwise you can fall into the trap of giving your advice (and time) for free.
To Wellbalanced
My advice is get clients to pay you monthly by standing order. It's far better for your cash flow and gets them into the habit of paying on time. HTH
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Accountancy services for contractors, freelancers and the self-employed.
Hi EstherG you are right,I trapped by one clever potential client.he called me and get advice and the disappear.after six months he called again ask for the price quote,get advice n disappear again.
Thanks everyone! I always find it helps to try to learn from other people's experiences! Pricing is another minefield but I'm sure that one has been debated a few times already! :)
