HOw to find clients

[Tahera]

Hello everyone,
I established my accounting business as "Excel accounting and bookkeeping services" (excelaccounting.net.au).
my business is mainly covering
Accounting and bookkeeping services,
Administration Services and
Information Technology Services

I would like to get some clients, on bookkeeping area, administration which is setting up new business from which i did set up two businesses and information technology.
can you guys give me some practical notes on how to find clients, is there a website apart from Qoutify?
thank you

[Birgit]

Hi Tahera,

The first thing that comes to my mind might be to put an add in the local paper and register your company on all available online directories that offer a basic free ad. Another thing that might help is to join Facebook, Twitter etc to get your name out there and connect with people.
I do see the occasional flyer being put in our letterbox from local accounting & bookkeeping businesses, but not sure if that would help you.

Have you got a business plan in place so you know what to do when? If so, I am sure you have a part that covers marketing etc so you should have a basic idea on how to 'get yourself out there'.

Maybe other members can give you some other tips.

Have a great evening

[copywritematters]

Hi Tahera,
Congrats on starting your own venture and taking charge of establishing your client base! I would recommend you start by defining the types of clients you are looking for, in as much detail as possible. You will not only learn what they are like and don't like (and so be able to tailor your marketing messages) you should learn where they hang out and this should help you pick the best marketing tools to reach them. I agree with Birgit; social media marketing is a really powerful way to engage with your market. For everything else, look at the type of clients you want to attrack and follow them home. Not literally of course! That's probably very illegal.

Good luck!

[JakeThomas]

Hi Tahera,

I'd have to say I agree with Belinda's remarks - it's going to be difficult to start "finding clients" until you know what style of customers you want.

As B recommended, sit down, work out what kind of people you want to work with then let us know what you came up with - we will then help you with ways to market to those people =)

- Jake

[Fred]

posting an add in local newspaper mainly brings loads of inquiry calls and most of them are easy to convert into sales
you can also hire some good search engine optimization firm to help you get some clients through Internet marketing
between, its good to see that one of our fellow members is running a business and i wish you luck for future

[Tahera]

Thank you all for the useful information...i have been calling business and spreading the business information around. I got my first client and another one is on the way....but guess what....while i am in process of getting clients for my business i got a job offer for account manager role with good pay.... i am thinking of taking that offer, but at the same time i would like to keep my own business. i am not sure if i would be able to manage both....
Probably i should be meeting my clients after office hours or mostly on the weekend if need be, because most of my clients are wholesalers and restaurants not corporates in this stage........ but more tips on this would be much appreciate it.
cheers

[madebetterbiz]

Well done Tahera, when I first started out with no client base, it was scary times then. After when I got the first client and via word of mouth the second, third and so forth will start to come in. All that matters is you helping your clients and they are happy with your services. Accept the job offer if you must but do not loose track of your vision, nothing beats having your own business and in control of your own time and destiny.

[ronniewilliams]

This is a good news Tahera that you have a job of account manager in the firm and also you are doing your own business I think it is better for you to continue both the jobs with you so you can learn more and more from them to passing a successful life.

[suncoasthosting]

Have you thought about joining a local BNI group? It is a business networking group where you can refer business to other members in the group. In turn you need to be committed but it certainly does help in growing a business. Their website is http://www.bni.com.au/. The good thing is that there is only 1 member per industry.

[katie_proofreader]

All great suggestions. Have you also considered your local Business Enterprise Centre? They are great for businesses just starting and also hold networking breakfasts.