How To Get Bookkeeping Clients Using LinkedIn 3 Easy Steps

It’s probably not a huge shock that people are more likely to trust the word of a family member or close friend over advertisements. That’s because many finance-related keywords will trigger a spam filter to kick in. That email you worked so hard to craft never even made it to your client’s inbox. As soon as you meet a potential client, you need to add their contact information to your CRM and get them started on a drip campaign. Most people will gladly give you their online handle if there’s an incentive on the other end (like a discount or a freebie). If you start by volunteering for smaller guest-speaking opportunities, you can gradually grow your presentation skills until you feel ready to attend larger-scale conferences.

You can look at freelance sites, such as Upwork, to see what others are charging for bookkeeping services, but you can also learn a lot by asking around. Talk to businesses in your area to see what they are currently paying for bookkeeping services. Talk to people in your network who are also bookkeepers and ask what they are charging. In doing so, you can get a good idea as to the range bookkeepers charge for services. Some bookkeepers choose to obtain certifications for their business. Bookkeepers can be certified in various financial platforms, such as QuickBooks, or via training programs.

Establishing your rates & payments as a bookkeeper

For example, if you primarily work with small businesses or business startups, you’d target your marketing to them to get bookkeeping client leads. But, if you work with larger businesses or prefer self-employed individuals, you’d focus your digital marketing on where they spend the most time. Another way to get valuable bookkeeping experience and on-the-job training is through an internship.

• Bookkeepers might also help with financial statement and financial report preparation.
• When securing new bookkeeping clients, it’s essential to understand how to build and activate your referral base.
• Through these social media accounts, you can message old co-workers, mentors, and acquaintances about any opportunities that are available for you.
• Becoming a certified bookkeeper enhances your credibility and increases your earning potential.
• Bookkeepers are administrators first and foremost and are responsible for updating and maintaining financial transactions and reports.
• If you meet in person or are heading to a networking event, bring your business cards and ask for others’ cards so you can follow up after the event.

I’ve met a lot of great people while answering questions on forums. A prospective client might be posting a question or looking for bookkeeping tips. Providing helpful answers could be a great way to attract clients. If you know enough to do good work but just can’t find bookkeeping clients, you should start by offering your services for free or at least highly discounted. Explain that you’re trying to gain experience and that you’d like to prove your value by working for the first three months for free. They’re getting free bookkeeping as long as they don’t «get what they paid for.» This first client is your advertising, so spend the time to do your best work.

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As someone who has done this poorly at various points in my life, I can confirm that just sharing out links to what you do is far less effective than helping other people solve their problems. If you show them you provide small businesses with real value, they’ll look to you when they need more help. Second, you’ll get volunteer experience on your resume as well, which looks great to potential clients. In this post, we’re going to assume you have some bookkeeping knowledge but just no job experience. Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures.

This can help you keep your own business expenses organized and separate. If you plan to hire employees, such as an administrative assistant, you may also want to seek a small business loan. If you seek funding from a bank or investor, your business plan will be especially important because it is how potential lenders and investors will understand your business.

Develop a Content Strategy

Just like you included a referral ask in your sales process, you should always ask your customers to give you a rating or review online. Whether you write a book, post regularly on social media, or host webinars on topics that are helpful to potential customers, you’re getting your name out there. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool for any business, especially for a trust-based business like accounting and bookkeeping. The great thing about blogs and social media is that while it takes time and consistency, it’s absolutely free and in your control. You don’t need to get a publisher’s attention or have anyone’s permission to become a thought leader. Accounting professionals who have found success as thought leaders stress the importance of sharing knowledge freely.

There are plenty of clients and job postings for those looking for a virtual bookkeeper. Help accounting clients find you by interacting on posts and in relevant groups, or take the first step and reach out to potential clients to introduce yourself. If you’re having trouble getting started, Hootsuite has a great guide to help you create an attractive page. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to pricing your bookkeeping services. It’s about finding a balance between what’s fair to your clients and what’s sustainable for your business.

Partner with local businesses

For the purposes of this article, let’s define a successful bookkeeper as someone who gets lots and lots of referrals. Let’s explore various options for client acquisition and retention. If you’re running your accounting business and are looking to attract https://www.bookstime.com/articles/what-is-encumbrance-accounting more clients, you probably noticed that the landscape has changed vastly. The increased client turnover and growing demand for additional services, in particular business advisory ones, call for a different approach to client acquisition and retention.

Follow up with the old, “Tell your friends,” and you’ll be surprised at how well this works. The goal is to give your leads and clients something educational or entertaining that they’re willing to click on and skim through. But don’t How do bookkeepers get clients let this prevent you from trying to expand your current bookkeeping business or from pursuing bookkeeping as a side hustle when work slows down. You must compute all the factors when determining how many clients you should have.

Take advantage of opportunities to speak at business-focused seminars and industry groups where you can get in front of many business owners. Use the opportunity to show the value of what you offer without selling. Provide sneak peeks of your services while providing your audience with valuable bookkeeping tips. You can also use this strategy online and offer a webinar to reach a larger audience. If you’re interested in being a freelance virtual bookkeeper, you can sign up for freelance marketplace websites to connect with potential clients. Freelance jobs can range from quick temporary projects to long-term employment.