Bookkeepers trying to grow their client base – or just starting their business – should know how COVID impacted the process. Restrictions led to many firms struggling to figure out how to get bookkeeping clients online.
Now, growing your business’ online presence is more important than ever. Whether you’re trying to learn how to get your first bookkeeping client or your hundredth client, these quick tips can help.
15 Tips for Increasing Your Bookkeeping Client Leads
When you’re learning how to find bookkeeping clients online, there’s one thing to remember: it takes a long time. You might hear stories of people that found their first client within the first few months of trying, but this isn’t the norm.
In fact, it took one experienced bookkeeper:
- 10 months to find their first client
- Two years to go parttime; an additional year to full-time
- And another year to find a partner/teammate.
After that, it took ten more months to move the operation to an office and eight months on top of that to hire more employees.
The process isn’t quick but knowing where to find bookkeeping clients increases the chances of landing them. Clients need bookkeeping, and here are some recommendations on how to get more bookkeeping clients:
1. Craigslist
Craigslist posts have helped a lot of people attract clients. Post an ad on the site offering your services and see if you generate any interest. You might even find people looking for bookkeeping services.
Source: https://newyork.craigslist.org/
2. Offer Subcontracting
As a bookkeeper, you can work with other bookkeepers that need to offload some of their work. It’s not uncommon in the fieldr to get to a point where one has 40 or 50 clients and can’t handle the workload on their own.
Connect with other bookkeepers, let them know that you’re open to subcontracting, and you may find your first client.
3. Upwork and Other Platforms
An easy way to get more bookkeeping clients right from home is to use Upwork, Freelancer, and similar platforms allow you to bid on job postings. Sign up for an account and look for potential posts that match your expertise. It might take just a few days to find clients on freelance sites.
4. Facebook Business Page
Facebook is a great way to generate buzz and create a community around your bookkeeping business. You can start with your business page, ask friends and family to join, and then begin promoting the page.
Share bookkeeping-related posts and use the platform to build up your own following. See how Total Tax Services acquire new clients using Facebook Business Page.
5. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the social media platform for professionals, and it has a few ways to get clients:
- Post in relevant groups
- Message potential clients to introduce yourself
- Connect with others
If you look for potential clients on there and message them, you’ll be surprised to see how many others are searching for bookkeeping services.
6. Business Cards
A business card is a must-have when it comes to networking. Have your business card printed and bring it to meetings with potential clients. It may seem trivial, but this method has worked for many people.
7. Give Talks to SBA Clients
If you can speak to small business owners, do it. There may be public speaking events in your area that you can be a part of. As a speaker, you’d demonstrate your knowledge of the industry, which could eventually attract clients.
8. Local Business Directories
Local businesses should be purchasing ad space on local business directories or getting their site listed there.
9. Newspaper Ads
Local newspapers may not have the readership that they once did, but a lot of people still read them. You can purchase advertisem*nts in newspapers and ad space on their websites.
10. BNI and Similar Groups
BNI Groups are an amazing opportunity to connect with business owners. Networking is the key to success for any business, so search for chapters and groups in your area that you could join.
11. QuickBooks ProAdvisor
QuickBooks ProAdvisoris a platform that a lot of bookkeepers use to find clients. You’ll need to get certified to use it, but it’s a great way to land highly targeted bookkeeping leads every month.
Source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/accountants/proadvisor/
12. Social Media Marketing
Social media sites attract billions of users to their platforms. Marketing there can take many forms, including:
- Building up a following
- Purchasing ads
- Joining groups and being active in them
13. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is a site that allows you to offer professional services to its members. A lot of bookkeepers attract a steady stream of leads to their site by using Thumbtack. Sign up to offer your services!
14. Ads in Local Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the methods bookkeepers love to use because the mailing lists can be really targeted. If you don’t have such a list, you may be able to purchase ad space in your local newspaper’s emails to attract clients.
15. Trade Referrals with CPAs and Other Professionals
Do you know others that offer accounting or financial services? If so, one of the ways to get your first client is through referrals. Ask the CPAs and other financial professionals you know to refer clients to you. In exchange, you can return the favor and refer clients to them as well.
It’s the perfect partnership that allows you to grow your business while helping others in the process. Referral trading is a win-win for everyone.
You have a lot of opportunities to attract clients, but it takes time and effort. Don’t forget to play the long-term strategy of building a website, content marketing, and search engine optimization. Organic traffic to your website can help you generate accounting leads month after month!
When to Hire Help for Your Bookkeeping Service
Once you’ve mastered finding clients for your bookkeeping business, there will come a time when you need to hire extra help, such as a subcontractor. Typically, a bookkeeper can handle 20 to 30 clients on their own. But when you’re approaching or exceeding 50 clients, it’s time to hire some help.
Hiring help will allow you to maintain more clients, generate more revenue, and keep your customers happy.
