When you start an accounting firm, there is so much you need to do in order to keep the business going. There has to be a steady flow of clients. To achieve this, you have to consistently promote your services. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to market accounting firms and freelance accounting services in Singapore.
Do you have a marketing plan?
Most companies which conduct effective marketing campaigns usually achieve more success than those which don’t. Before you even start promoting your services, you have to develop a marketing plan. The first step is to identify potential business/client you can work with, starting with the ones in Singapore then expand later.
As you draw the business plan, do not forth to include your unique selling point (USP). This is a feature in your firm that sets you apart from your competitors-something that would make people choose your accounting firm. Conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and threats) analysis is also vital. Finally, ensure that the goals you set are realistic. Know when they will be accomplished and look for tactics you can use to achieve them.
Understand the market
If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you first need to analyse the market. First, study other accounting firms and finding out how they operate. Improve on their good points and avoid any bad ones that are costing them. Secondly, know your target audience. This is the group of people you will be promoting your services to.
Begin by finding out some of the accounting problems they are facing. If you have them in your fingertips, you can easily approach and win them over. It is also crucial to learn some marketing skills. With the emergence of the internet more than two decades ago, the marketing world has undergone tremendous changes. Find a way to blend in by using the most effective tactics.
Having said that, let’s jump into some strategies you can employ as you market accounting firms and freelance accounting services in Singapore.
Grow your accounting firm through networking
Networking is one of the most cost effective marketing strategies out there. You can start by attending accounting events and workshops. You can also organise your own workshops and invite colleagues and the target audience. Use these events to showcase your expertise and collect business cards from prospective clients.
Another way to networking is through joining local and national financial/accounting associations. Spread word about your accounting services in all events you attend. Remember to follow up with prospective clients.
Identify your niche
Large accounting forms can manage many niches but if you are new in the industry, it’s advisable to niche down. If you started out with no specific niche, you can identify where many of your clients come from. If for instance it’s in the medical field, make it your niche. Having a niche makes it easier for your firm to grow.
Build a website for your accounting firm
You already know that in today’s world, the internet has become a necessity. You found this article by browsing the internet. If you are serious about promoting your services, you must have an internet marketing strategy. The first step is to create a website for your firm.
This way, people will find you when they look for accounting services online. Include all your contact details (email, phone numbers) to make it easier for potential clients to reach out to you. All services you offers should also be listed in your firm’s site.
Make sure that the site is visually appealing easy to navigate. The only problem you will face after doing all this is competition from other firms’ site. Use the following tactics to stay on top:
Search engine marketing (SEM) – this is the process of paying to advertise your services on search engines such as Bing ad Google. What you’ll basically do is bid on keywords which your prospects are likely to search when looking for accounting services. The benefit of this strategy is that you only pay when users lick on your link. It’s a great way to improve visibility of your firm on the internet.
Search engine optimization (SEO) – SEO basically helps improve the rankings of your site in search engines. The first step is to make the site mobile friendly as most internet users in Singapore use their tablets/mobile phones to browse the internet. Secondly, identify keywords that the target audience is likely to search when looking for accounting firms. Use the keywords in headings, subheadings and meta-descriptions.
Note that search engines such as Google prioritise fresh content so keeping your site updated regularly is another good SEO tactic. It is also vital to boost your site’s load speed. If it loads faster, you can be sure more people will visit the site.
Leverage cloud based applications
During marketing, focus on doing more than your competitors. Cloud based applications will enable you to automate most process, whether it is measuring your campaign progress or even performing some important tasks. With this apps, you can set yourself apart from the competition and win new clients.
Give potential/existing clients free resources
By now you know how important it is to be unique in the industry. Another ingenious way to achieve this is to offer value to the target audience. Do not charge anything for this. Let potential clients know that you are willing to offer value without expecting anything in return. Resources can be in the form of informative blog posts, ebook or tools such as calculators.
You can create YouTube videos giving advice on accounts. Share them in social networking platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. As you do this, create stories/content that potential clients can identify with. When a potential clients find these free resources and tools useful, they are likely to seek your services.
These techniques are meant to help you gain more clients and achieve your financial goals. To run a successful marketing campaign, you have to know the needs of your potential clients and identify the best ways to reach them. There are many resources that can help you learn internet marketing online, though you may find SEO and SEM a bit difficult to use. If you find yourself in this situation, contact MediaOne to help your accounting firm online.
