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tho9504
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Joined: 25 Nov 2009
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Posts: 196

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 at 12:48 \| IP Logged

How do you know what fees to charge a client. I always wondered if there was a knowledge base to get an idea if how much to charge for different work you have performed for the client instead of just making a price up from thin air.

killer2021
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Joined: 12 Apr 2008
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Posted: 04 Jan 2010 at 05:21 \| IP Logged

anmore, that is a really great idea.

THANK YOU!

anmore
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Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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Posted: 04 Jan 2010 at 10:05 \| IP Logged

Killer - no problem.

I used to check around at the storefronts - H&RBlock, Jackson Hewitt - and see what they are charging for returns. Just cold call as if you are a potential client and they will ballpark. Also there are some tax preparer groups on yahoo that talk about fees so you can kind of get a feel for what people are charging. If you have no back office support, factor in the copying and assembly.

If the return is straight forward - flat fee is easy to quote for a client. If you have to compile data you may want to set an hourly rate. Always ask for the prior year return to get a feel for what you are in for.

purelyproven
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Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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Posted: 31 Jan 2010 at 20:11 \| IP Logged

killer2021 wrote:

hey Lawrence. I am probably going to be headed in the
same direction as you (starting own firm). I don't think
advertising online will be very helpful (ie. google
adwords). Mainly because those keywords are super
expensive and I don't think the conversation rate is very
high.

If you're simply trying to do returns, then you're right, Google AdWords probably won't provide a positive
return on investment because your annual client value will be around...$350?

However, if you offer other services such as financial planning, etc.., to those same clients, your average
customer value increases from $350 to over $1,000. Put together a system for introducing your other services
to your current clients.

Now the $3/click investment is worth a bit more, isn't it?

Also, if you want to increase conversion rates, you NEED to capture the visitors information IMMEDIATELY
upon clicking your ad. Try offering a free report in exchange for an e-mail.

killer2021 wrote:

The only online marketing method I
would use is facebook since everyone uses facebook these
days! Also its free. During tax season just like once a
week you post, "Hey everyone, its tax season, if you need
your taxes done I can do them for you."

Facebook can be a good marketing tool. If you're using facebook, give this a try:

For each client you get from Facebook, encourage the client to post your info on 5-10 of their friends'
walls. Tell them for each new client they help you acquire, you'll give them $50. Since you provided
exemplary service, your clients should be happy to do this since they are confident in the service they're
recommending.

Please share your results if you use the above referral system.

Kathy O'Connell
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Joined: 21 Sep 2010
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Posted: 24 Sep 2010 at 10:53 \| IP Logged

I think one important piece of the getting-new-clients
puzzle is to have a website. There are so many ways that
your website can attract new customers - including
placing high in organic listings, which doesn't have to
be expensive (and is different from pay-per-click ads
like Google Adwords).

Once you have a website, you can have a newsletter that's
sent automatically from your website. If you can get
potential clients to sign up (perhaps culling them from
your Facebook page), then you're able to "get out in
front of them" once a month when the newsletter
automatically lands in their inbox.

I would argue that any "down in the trenches" promotion
you do has to be complemented with online marketing
efforts.

__________________
Kathy O'Connell, CPA
Co-founder, CPA Site Solutions, CPA Website provider
Winooski, VT

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