Does anyone have a sample marketing letter they would be willing to share. I am a CPA and looking for a letter a little more robust than the basic samples in the dbase. I'd like one that also mentions accounting services. Thanks so much.
I don't think letters are a very effective marketing method for accounting professionals. The response rates for direct mail are only 1-3% anyway.
I agree that letters aren't very effective. But, if you are intent on sending something how about trying a large postcard. Postcards do get noticed and read more than if someone has to open an envelope. A few days later try following up with a phone call. Also, don't forget to occasionally to follow up with a message by mail, email, or phone to remind them you are still an available resource.
If you are a new business and do not have a client base yet, how else are you going to receive attention? Even if you have a web page and are listed in FaceBook and/or LinkedIn. People will have to know you are there.
So, if you do not mail out, how will you get noticed?
Get out there and hussle :) I sent out a postcard mailing at the beginning and got not one response. All of my clients at the beginning came from relationships I had built.
I mean talk to people-didn't you join a bunch of organizations? When I develop relationships I am not focused on selling my services-I am being a human being. People start knowing you and trusting you, and suddenly they are refering you- I firmly believe that anyone can do what I do, I'm not hired for my skills, I am hired for me.
But, don't you have to pay for memberships and such out of the income from your business? So, when you start out, don't you want income to happen as soon as possible? I mean, is it true that one is in business to make money not for socializing. I socialize, but I want business just like the CPAs and Attorneys do. Networking is good and necessary, but at the beginning I got to get started and have people use my services. Complete strangers for that matter. References alone are not going to pay the office rent and utilities. Don't you think?
When I first started out I didn't belong to any memberships. I did however make an impression on my accounting teachers-to the point that one insisted I go into business and he sent me my first client.
You need to think outside the box-every person you come into contact with is a potential relationship. In my state there are also tons of free workshops put on for business owners-you have to look for them but every single workshop is a FREE spot to get your face and name in someone's head.
Thank you for this tip. I did not think about the workshops. Your comments have been very helpful. Thanks
Any new business start up has to spend money at first in order to make money. Stores don't open their doors and expect people to just walk in. The most effective way to gain clients is to build relationships. Networking is not for social gain -- if I wanted to be social I'd just hang out with Beth. Networking is to build relationships with people so that when they come across people who need you, they think of you. And yes, it may cost money to do this. But business doesn't just happen. A marketing budget is essential especially for new startups, and then it's still essential because change is a constant.
Financial services are very personal to people -- money and our relationship to it is very personal, and people don't want to hand over their financial info to someone they don't know or know nothing about, and CPA's etc don't want to work with bookkeepers when they have no idea if they're any good. Well, I get a lot of clients who do just hand it over, but they've heard of me, they've been referred to, other people have told them I'm okay, and/or they've read my reviews. But in the beginning I knew no one, and no one knew me. Build relationships, invest the time and money to become involved in whatever way will work best for you and your business.
Business doesn't just happen, and while of course we all want to start off with income and no expenses, it's rare that it happens just that way. You have make an investment in yourself and your business if you want it to succeed.
