Forum

• # 114274
• Tue 06 Dec 2016 11:34 AM

Hello,

I recently qualified to level 3, and will also be doing the self assassment tax and level 4. However I wish to start in practice as soon as is feasible, sole traders and partnerships for now, but I am another who has no idea what to do.

I live in Kent, and there is only one active branch which is unfortunately quite a distance from me. I am in my fifties and have decades of accounting experience, but no idea how to use the internet to help. There are no courses or meetings in the foreseeable future that I can find, so after calling ICB I was advised to post here.

I really have no idea at all how to go about starting. Do I restrict myself to local clients, or is that not vital? Do I use Linkedin and/or Facebook or something else, if so how? I have no knowledge of social media, and no idea how to make it work. Do I get a professional to design a website, or do it myself (probably not wise). In short, how do I get myself known to as many potential clients as possible?

I know there are a lot of posts on this, but I really do need at least some pointers so I can get to work setting things up to hopefully start attracting clients in the new year. 

Many thanks.

• http://www.shardaccounting.co.uk/

• 
  Quote
  

• # 114286
• Wed 07 Dec 2016 08:46 PM

Hello,

I’m in the same boat as you.  Have passed level 3 and currently doing SA tax and level 4.  For me though I have no experience under my belt, only qualifications.  

I have been lucky enough to find another local ICB bookkeeper and she has given me some experience and yesterday I got my first client.  I found them through a job ad agency, called them and was put in touch with the client, who met me and wanted me to start that day!!!

I think the main way forward (especially as you have experience) is to use social media to advertise yourself.  I use linked in (new to it), twitter (new to it) and facebook (had a page for ages but opened a business page).  I am waiting to build a bit of money in the bank before looking at a website!!  Another bookkeeper that I have met recently has suggested a networking group called BNI, if you google BNI networking you should be able to see if there is a group local to you and you can go along as a visitor to find out if that is a good way forward.

Failing this it might be worth writing to your local accountants letting them know your qualifications and experience and getting referrals from them or work that they want to outsource.

Good luck

Jules

• 
  Quote
  

• # 114287
• Wed 07 Dec 2016 08:56 PM

Also, have a look in the jobs section of this website.  I think that there is one listed for Kent today,  its always worth keeping an eye out on there.  :)

• 
  Quote
  

• # 114293
• Thu 08 Dec 2016 04:56 PM

Julia Hill said:

“Also, have a look in the jobs section of this website.  I think that there is one listed for Kent today,  its always worth keeping an eye out on there.  :)”

Good afternoon,

I am khalid Ayub, i have passed my level 3 & payroll diploma, i have registered my company & tried to serach clients. fortunately or unfortunately i am doing full time bookkeeper's job, i dont have a time to search for clients.

is there any one availabale for partnership, i can arrange his pracical training as well. you need to nvest just 1-2 days per week.

waiting for response.

Khalid.

• 
  Quote
  

• # 114299
• Fri 09 Dec 2016 11:27 AM

Hi

From personal experience I found it very beneficial to set up a website straight away and networking has been key to finding clients. 

Website

I have received quite a few enquiries via my website. I also think that if a potential client gets your contact details from someone or via social media a natural thing to do is to look up your website to get a better feel about your business. I strongly recommend paying someone to build you a website unless you are experienced in doing so.  I made my own initially and it just didn't look very professional and the quality wasn't very good.  Rocketspark who are web builders are in partnership with the ICB, so you should be able to get a reasonable deal with them.  I met them at the ICB summit and they were very helpful.  Have you listened to their webinars that took place this month for ICB members about building your own website?  If you have missed them I know there is a plan to have some more in the new year.

Networking

There are plenty of large networking organisations who charge an annual fee and can be very expensive but there are also normally smaller, local networking groups, some which are pay as you go.  It is best to do a search for these online or hopefully via this forum someone may be able to help you who is from Kent.  With most networking groups if there is a membership cost, you can normally attend as a guest the first couple of times to get a feel for it.  A good networking group will have a structure and often a speaker.  It shouldn't be about finding trying to find a potential client at the networking group and seeing how many business cards you can swap.  It should be about building relationships so that people can get to know you and then feel happy to recommend you to others.

Social Media

I didn't use linkedin or twitter before starting my business.  I set myself up with a business facebook page but I don't find that very useful for getting contact.  I think it depends on the type of business you have, so if you are selling products to the general public, facebook can be really useful as they can see pictures of what you are selling on facebook etc...  I found a half day workshop on using social media for business.  This was very useful for getting me started on twitter and linkedin, which I think can both be useful for  getting contacts although I have to say I'm not very good at using twitter regularly.  I found this workshop through a forum on facebook about things going on in the area where I live.  I do think that facebook can be very useful for finding business forums to join etc..

I think in summary, I would recommend investing in getting a website build and if you are not confident in using the internet or in using social media, I would recommend investing in a workshop/course to help you get started.

I hope this is of some use to get you started.  If you have any questions, please let me know as I know how hard it is to get started.

Thank you

Nicky

• 
  Quote