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It's not unusual to hear the question "what is the going rate in my area for a bookkeeper?"

This question often saddens and frustrates me. It's especially concerning when I hear justifications for artificial maximum chargeable amounts being geographic area.

I genuinely believe that there is no market rate for bookkeepers.  Some business owners will see huge value in a bookkeeper and others will see little or no value.

When we try to target everyone, the people who see us of value and not, we …

It's circus time! They've come a long way since I was a wee boy.  They really are experts at keeping the audience amused and entertained.  Add in a few daredevil stunts and it'll make you gasp.

The other thing that the circus are experts in is pricing.  See how many of our usual pricing strategies you can see in my recent experience.

Initially they offer free tickets around the community they are visiting.  You can attend at absolutely no cost whatsoever. An amazing lead magnet, I'm sure you'l…

It’s not often that we talk about politics at The Bookkeepers Alliance, but things are so interesting I just couldn’t avoid it any longer.

How are you feeling about the EU election?  Are you feeling really energised, or are you getting bored of the whole thing?

Regardless of what you think about him, Nigel Farage and The Brexit Party is the interesting one to watch for me.  I probably shouldn’t be very surprised when the polls show his party gaining ground quickly at the expense of Labour and …

How many times have you procrastinated over your pricing? Maybe you need to increase your prices, or you want to quote a higher initial price but chicken out?

You just know that this client can’t afford to pay your increase.  You haven’t asked them. You don’t need to. You know.

I speak to bookkeepers about this very thing almost on a weekly basis and the story is always the same.  I was there myself not so long ago.

I walked in to meet a new client.  As I sat down in his office to listen to…

As bookkeepers, most of us offer our potential clients a free consultation.  It’s the recognised thing in the industry, but how many of us really get the most from these meetings?  And how many end up doing free work for the client?

How many of you can relate to this story? 

When I started out as a bookkeeper I would go to meet potential clients for their free consultation.  When I got there they would tell me all of their business woes and I would bend over backwards to help them. 

Often I w…

I've been looking around some bookkeeping and accountancy forums this morning.  I've got to say, I'm pretty amazed by something I've found.  

On almost every forum there are people asking a question about advertising that is going to kill them before they even get started.  They have a mindset that means they will be guaranteed to throw good money away on a fruitless task.

What is this question I hear you ask?  It's simply "Where is the best place to advertise?"  

That's right before they get…

Even in the current climate of aducation, advertising can still form an important part of a bookkeepers overall marketing strategy.  It's not time to turn our back on adverts, whether that's online or offline.

Many bookkeepers I speak to tell me that advertising simply doesn't work in their business.  It may be true that particular adverts that they have placed in the past have not had the desired results, but that doesn't mean that advertising won't work for their, or your, business.

Quite of…

One mistake that I see bookkeepers making time and time again is to not have a clear niche and this leads to a very vague marketing message. Here are some examples that I have seen:

“Do you need a bookkeeper?” “I have availability for bookkeeping clients at the moment.” “Are you looking for a bookkeeper in the Glasgow area?” “Bookkeeping services available.”

These messages are too vague and are just not going to speak to anyone. Yes, we all know that a great bookkeeper is a fantastic asset for…

I have more than the occasional conversation with bookkeepers regarding attracting new clients.  When I ask what marketing they do, more often than not I'm met with the response “I get most of my clients from word of mouth”

I am often taken aback by this, but sadly no longer surprised.  It’s one of the most common responses to my question.

Do they mean that they have a strategic approach to obtaining referrals? Do they mean that they actively engage with their clients and encourage them to te…

Hot air balloons are amazing.  Last night I took the boys to the Strathaven balloon festival.  It was magnificent. I had never realised how much preparation went into lifting a hot air balloon.

Each team spent so long laying out the balloon on the ground perfectly.   They filled the balloon with air then turn on the burners to heat it.

As the balloon started to rise above the basket it wobbles from side to side.  The pilot would turn the flame up and down each time the balloon wobbled in order…