Learn how to fast-track your success with BOMA
Running your own accounting firm is exciting — you get to be your own boss, set your own hours and offer services to a wide range of clients. But how can you fast-track growth in this highly competitive field while building a solid reputation? Once you’ve nailed your processes, it comes down to good marketing. Identifying, attracting and retaining clients through good old-fashioned communication. Here are the top five most effective techniques to market your accounting firm:
1. Maximise referrals
When your customers feel supported, not only are they more likely to stick around, but they’ll refer you to friends and family — the most organic form of marketing there is. As an accountant, it’s all about being proactive with your guidance and always staying responsive. Don’t wait for clients to nag you — treat everyone like they’re your number one priority, and always go the extra mile. It can be a challenge to manage everyone’s needs, but it’s crucial to building a loyal client base who want to refer your services.
2. Leverage your network
From clients and vendors to professionals in every field, start building strong relationships with as many people as possible and watch new opportunities land on your lap. Get out to industry events and conferences, and don’t forget to exchange business cards — you’ll get a lot more traction if you follow up. You can also join professional accounting organisations and attend those meetings and events. Check out the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), or visit your local organisations to get started. The more you get out there, the more chance you’ll be top of mind when someone needs an accountant.
3. Get online
When as many as 80% of referrals look at the company website before contacting you, every accounting firm needs a great website — that’s the bare minimum. Just remember, when creating an effective website for your firm you’ll need to define your target audience, write content to match, use simple design, make it usable and watch it’s performance. But to continually improve its effectiveness — be consistent with content. And that brings us to our next point:
4. Offer valuable content
Establishing your firm as a go-to resource for all things accounting-related is a great marketing pull. You’ve got the knowledge to inform everyday people on how to better handle their finances, and that is incredibly valuable. Here are a few great ways to start:
- Use social media. Your reach on social media is huge. By signing up to platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you can create a whole new network of people interested in the advice you have to offer. Learn more.
- Send a weekly newsletter. By emailing out industry updates, accounting tips and expert advice, you’ll keep your client base engaged and put yourself in a position to expand your reach with shared content. Learn more.
- Host seminars (or webinars). Creating and marketing a seminar is a great way to pull in a new audience and meet potential clients.
- Start a blog. Reuse content from your socials, newsletters and seminars and create a blog for your website. Not only will fresh content optimise your webpage when people are searching for accountants on Google, but it will make your website more engaging. Learn more.
5. Invest in BOMA
Wondering how you’re going to find the time to create all this content? It might be time to check out BOMA. Designed as a marketing tool for Business Advisors, BOMA provides expertly written business advisory and compliance articles and high impact imagery so you can create emails, newsletters and social posts in minutes. By partnering with thought leaders like The Gap, Wolters Kluwer and Xero, BOMA has an up-to-date library of valuable articles ready to make your own. Beyond content, the platform drives all your marketing from one easy place.
Boost your firm’s success
By focusing on great service, networking, and lots of great content, your accounting business has no choice but to thrive. But it can be hard to find the time to create consistent content when trying to focus on doing an excellent job for your clients. That’s why it’s better to take the pressure off and invest in a tool that does all the time-consuming marketing for you. Find out how BOMA can help your firm today.