Don’t like networking? Try this…

For many accountants, networking is their main source for signing up new clients. However, not everyone likes attending networking events. We’ve previously written a blog giving you some tips on how to improve your networking techniques, click here for more details.

But if networking really isn’t for you, here are some suggestions for digital marketing activities you can implement that will help draw people to your firm, rather than you having to go out and find them.

Referrals

Still the most popular way of attracting new clients. But are you proactive in asking your clients and introducers if they know of anyone else who you could help? If you don’t like physically asking for referrals consider implementing some of the following activities:

  • creating a leaflet to insert with accounts and reports,
  • adding a referral based note to your email signatures or as a P.S. on letters, or
  • having a dedicated page on your website with a short form people can complete with their referee’s details.
Newsletters

Write and send a monthly or quarterly email newsletter where people are shown a snippet of the article in the email and then have to click on the link to access the full article on the website. Not only does this increase traffic to your website and prompt people to take a further look around. If you are using email software such as MailChimp or DotMailer you can also track what articles people are interested in, which can be useful when trying to strike up a conversation with them later down the line.

Social Media

Use your social media connections to try and introduce you to potential business people you’d like to work with. Also, keep adding posts to your different social media channels so that you regularly feature in people’s news feeds so they are reminded of who you are and what you do.

Website and SEO

Do a quick Google search of key words which a potential client may use to try and find an accountant.  Do you appear on the first page? If not, you need to review the contents of your website to make sure these key words form a prominent part of your copy and headings.

Google AdWords

If you want to make sure you appear at the top of Google’s search pages, consider setting up Google Adwords campaigns. In doing so, you could use some of the key words and phrases highlighted in the above website review.

So if networking is not for you, try some of the above activities. However, the key to success, as with all marketing activities, is to do them on a regular basis not just as a one-off exercise.

 

BRINGING MOMENTUM TO YOUR MARKETING

FROM MARKETING CONSULTANCY TO WRITING KEY MARKETING PIECES TO PROMOTE WHAT YOU DO, I CAN MAKE YOUR MARKETING HAPPEN.