wondering

[beverlyk@embarqmail.com]

I have been reading all your threads. Wondering where all business is. Do you all have web pages. Around here it takes so long to build a business. Any advice?

new on the block!

[oceanlovin'ea]

Referrals

Being on my own has been a challenge. BUt each year my clients send me new clients. So it grows but it is slowly.
A couple of ideas that I have heard that works is to do a mailing to people that have moved to your area. They are new in town and will need to find someone and mostly like will have special needs because of moving. I am going to try that soon.

If there are some groups that you can give presentations to in your town, you will get clients from that source too.

Hope these help some.

Linda F

[LowerAlabamaOldEA]

How to get business

Fifty years an accountant, thirty-five an EA, just getting back into tax business today.
Went to fast food breakfast place that I go to twice a week, handed all the servers I know a couple of cards, and two daily breakfast eating customers - all cards very well received, and was promised several returns. Went to large chain drug store I use, manager asked my name after I asked him a question, and I gave him several cards - well received. Make your self known at EVERY chance. Cards, cards, cards, and then more cards.Less then $40/1,000. Spread them around!

[oceanlovin'ea]

Vista Print

i'll send you an website for some business cards that are really reasonable.

Linda F

[geekgirldany]

I have an ad in Yellow Pages and I am trying one this year on Yellow Pages.com
This doubled by advertising. I am paying $500 a month now. If I don't get something off the .com I am pulling it and seeing if I can get out of it for the next year. I just had two more customers in the building industry quit their monthly bookkeeping/payroll with me. I am worried I will be going into the hole with this advertising.

I am going to order some cards at Vista Print and try handing them out at the places I frequent most. That is a great idea.

[SueBaby]

I have been reading all your threads. Wondering where all business is. Do you all have web pages. Around here it takes so long to build a business. Any advice?

new on the block!

If you were here you are welcomed to half of mine!! I certainly don't need any more or never had advertising just by word of mouth with people. And of course with other preparers to retire or die that will put you in business real quick.

[BOB W]

Under normal conditions it takes about 5 years to have a practice that will keep you busy all through tax season.

[geekgirldany]

That's true Bob. That is about how long it took me. I started in June 2000. I am doing very well and I am proud of that. But I would like a few more year around business customers.

[ChEAr$]

idea for you

Fifty years an accountant, thirty-five an EA, just getting back into tax business today.
Went to fast food breakfast place that I go to twice a week, handed all the servers I know a couple of cards, and two daily breakfast eating customers - all cards very well received, and was promised several returns. Went to large chain drug store I use, manager asked my name after I asked him a question, and I gave him several cards - well received. Make your self known at EVERY chance. Cards, cards, cards, and then more cards.Less then $40/1,000. Spread them around!

One day last year, a new client who was referred, and who with wife are in their 70's,
took some of my cards to hand out to a friend or two, and remarked about the small
type. I always figured to cram as much as possible on the card, but realized that I needed
another set of larger type cards for certain people. And with a white background, too.

BTW, where are you located? Drop me a line.

[myerstaxes]

I Do Some of Everything

I have tried some of everything...Since I retired from IRS in 2004, this is my 4th filing season...I am growing steadily...I have given small business workshops in partnership with the IRS (something i was in charge of when I retired) now they are using EAs in our area to provide these workshops...I have taught VITA, I have made presentation to various small business groups...I belong to two networking groups. Last year I used the welcome wagon to get my ads out when they welcome newcomers to the area...And then there is word of mouth. I agree, that keeping business cards handy is a good thing...

[BOB W]

I have tried some of everything...Since I retired from IRS in 2004, this is my 4th filing season...I am growing steadily...I have given small business workshops in partnership with the IRS (something i was in charge of when I retired) now they are using EAs in our area to provide these workshops...I have taught VITA, I have made presentation to various small business groups...I belong to two networking groups. Last year I used the welcome wagon to get my ads out when they welcome newcomers to the area...And then there is word of mouth. I agree, that keeping business cards handy is a good thing...

"Some of everything" is the KEY. Back in the early '80s I ran a "Small Business Clinic". I advertise on the front cover of "PennySaver" (a throw-a-way paper) covering the Basics of Operating a Small Business. It covered 40 hours over a 10 week course. This really got my students to know me and almost all be came clients. I ran this 3 time in a year with 20 student in each class. Bam... I had 60 new clients for accounting and tax returns plus at least 60 more in referrals. I was a hit and it really jump-started my practice and I never had to advertise again, except in the local Yellow Book>> $600 per year. I seem to always break even with this type of advertising.

Now-a- days many colleges are running what I did in the early '80.

I also gave 1/2 hour talks at the local Contractors Association meetings, I believe it was 2. I picked up 3 contractors and they are still my clients.

Yes, "Some of everything" is where you have to go. Once the ball is rolling it is hard to stop it.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND BIG MONEY TO GROW YOU BUSINESS. Just do a good job at a fair price to you and your clients. Start out a little on the low price side until you gain momentum and slowly increase your prices up to market.

[travis bickle]

i too have used them and

i'll send you an website for some business cards that are really reasonable.

Linda F

they are reasonable.

what i liked are the "sales" they are always running -- i have ordered a lot of MAGNETIC business cards and calendars from them for VERY low prices.

it does not hurt to have your name & number in front of your client all year long.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Another thought

I bought a cheap business card holder at Staples and put some of my business cards in it. I asked a few of my clients that have businesses if I could put my business cards in their place of business.

My beautician (who is also my client) put them on her counter and in a couple of days someone called me for an appointment.

You might try that with some businesses near you or where you know people.

Linda F

[beverlyk@embarqmail.com]

wondering

Thanks everyone some of these suggestions I have tried. One of my problems is impatients.

[MRTAX4EA]

Another Idea

I helped a fellow EA with tax season a couple of years ago. He uses Drake software which prints coupons for referrals.

The idea is that the new client gets $25.00 off the regular price and the person making the referral gets a check for $25.00 at the end of tax season.

The $$ amounts can be changed. He felt that this other advertizing and direct mail would cost about that much, but a personal referral is even better.

At one point he mailed the coupons out with his preseason letters. Now he prints them on green paper (they had graphics which looked like currency) and hands them out when he gets paid for a completed return. He says somethng like, "You just paid me some money, I want to give you some money." After they chuckle at the fake looking money, he explains the program.

I hope this helps.