The Tax Goddess Blog

What about marketing to professionals?

I am currently sitting on a conference call that is talking about how to market to professionals.  I like the speaker, Dr. Pauline Wallin, she is going thru both online and offline marketing techniques.  Getting down and dirty and figuring out what your real target market is!

I just wanted to post quickly, to remind people - don't forget, everyone loves to get a copy of an article that they were in mailed to them!

If you want to start marketing to your niche market, don't forget the simple phone call or handle written note!

Networking, and the power Thereof -

Yesterday I attended the WLE conference in Phoenix, AZ.  I met tons of very interesting women, with various types of businesses.  I heard fabulous speakers such as Poppy King (The Lipstick Queen), and met some fabulous connections with regards to helping not only my own business but theirs as well.

The one thing that always amazes me about networking:  If you start out a conversation by helping someone else, they are instantly a huge fan of yours.  No doubt, no fail, as BNI's Ivan Meisner always says "Givers Gain."

Just a thought next time you are out and about - HELP OTHERS!  You never know where it might take you!

As always,

Your Tax Goddess

And, How do you know what your Competitors are doing?

Have you ever wondered what you competitors are doing?  Most people work day in and day out in their own business, basically unaware of how their competitors are doing business, how they handle YOUR clients, how they market, how they have evolved, what strategies they have learned.

Did you ever think to go ask?

There is one marketing guru, and I am sure a few more, who believe that in order to learn, you need to become a customer!  Go to them, talk to them, become a client, learn how the process works. 

Some people, of course, believe this is a little underhanded, sneaky.  So, why not just go ask?  You are a lot less likely to get some "real" answers - trade secrets and all - but, you might find a great friend with whom you can learn and share ideas, making both your businesses better.

I am lucky in that I have a dear friend who also owns a CPA firm in another part of town - no real competition between us as we are far enough apart.  we grab lunch every few months, talk about happenings.  It's great!  I would recommend it to anyone!  But of course, you can't make friends if you don't ASK!  So, remember back to second grade:  There are no stupid questions!

As always, looking out for your bottom line! 

The Tax Goddess~
Shauna Wekherlien, CPA, MTax

Marketing to your Own Client Base - Don't Forget Them!

Today I received an email from a client that I thought was lost to the bigger world!  I had spoken to this potential client about 6 months back and we kind of dropped off from each other.

Basically, every time I speak to anyone, a new Vendor, a Potential Client, anyone, their email gets added to my Constant Contact email list.  They can, of course, remove themselves whenever they wish to, but it is a great way to get a constant reminder of who I am, what my Firm does, and what we can offer the world!

Lucky for me, this potential client had been reading the newsletters and had asked their current CPA what I meant by an article that I had written on cost segregation.  When that CPA couldn't answer, she emailed me, I explained, and I got a new Client!

All the benefits of staying in contact with those you meet, you never know who will need you and when!  So, never burn your bridges and always stay useful and helpful to those around you!

- Your Tax Goddess, greatful for those surrounding her.