Successful Accountants’ Blog
The single best time management tip you will ever hear
I know that title sounds like it's probably over the top. And, if you are familiar with my writing and advice you'll know I'm not prone to undue hype. On this occasion I have heard from more than once source that this is the best time management
25 reasons your website is working against you
In some respects this post addresses many points I have addressed previously on this blog from the opposite perspective. There are links at the end if you want to read more. I would stress that I do not design or supply websites. But I do get asked
3 questions you must answer before seeking out new clients
l am regularly approached by accountants who want to know how they can get more clients. They want to know if social media is worthwhile, where to advertise, what marketing activities to pursue, what networking activities might be worthwhile, how to get more traffic to their website
What can accountants do on Linkedin?
This was the headline to a question I was asked recently. I have summarised the question below and expanded on my reply and advice as this may help other accountants too. Question How can accountants use LinkedIn for marketing purpose? I have a company page, I have
Why you need to be remembered to get more referrals and recommendations
For some years I have been advising accountants of the benefits of being better Remembered, Referred and Recommended ("The 3 Rs"). After all, Referrals are often identified as being the most valuable route to securing good new clients. Despite how often this topic has featured in my
Do you judge your marketing by reference to quantity or quality?
Which result would you rather your marketing efforts generate? A or B? A = 50 calls and emails from possible new clients who ask loads of questions but who have no intention of paying you the sort of fees you charge; and probably don't want you to
What’s your ‘And’?
What's your 'And'? Yes, we know you're an accountant. But what else are you? What else do you do? What else interests or fascinates you? A new book, written by my friend, John Garrett, explores how sharing your personal passions improves work performance, builds culture, and strengthens
Why is it so hard to recruit a tax partner? And what are your options?
It's nearly 20 years since I was headhunted by a 12 partner of accountants in North London, who wanted to recruit their first tax partner. I explained to the headhunter why I wasn't interested. In the event I agreed to meet with the managing partner who tried
How effective is your reply to the question: What do you do?
No one has asked me what I do since lockdown started. I've been thinking about how I might reply next time. What about you? What do you do? I think there are 4 standard ways we can answer the question. I know which approach I prefer. What
A genuinely new way to promote your accounting practice
There are three types of accountancy practice in the UK. Those who don't want many new clients, those who rely on random referrals and those who take responsibility for generating leads. I have long accepted the existence of the first group who tend to have established practices,
Media training tips and insights for accountants
I recently spoke with Guy Clapperton, an old friend, and I thought it was worth sharing his media tips with the accountants who read my blog, and those who receive my weekly 'Magic of Success' emails. In this short interview you will find your preconceptions challenged by
Prospecting in August
I recently asked this question on Linkedin: Do you stop prospecting in August? The most common response I received echoed my own view. NO. Don't stop prospecting - if you want to grow your practice. I have long recognised that NOT everyone goes away (even when they
The 7 Cs of conversations with clients
I like the 3 As - Acronyms, Acrostics and Alliteration. Here's a shorter than usual blog post to help you structure conversations with clients as we start to come out of lockdown: As with all your conversations with clients in recent months you obviously want to help them to
Ten common tax mistakes that business owners make
Recently I was asked to prepare a quick list of ten common tax mistakes that business owners should avoid. The length of the article in question didn't allow me to expand very much on the mistakes I listed. This is probably the closest I have come to
3 reasons you cannot rely on referrals
Survey after survey tells us that most accountants get most of their best new clients through referrals. And many experienced accountants claim that no other activities and no marketing investment ever seems worth the effort. The following sentiment is typical of what I hear: “I get all
