How to get referrals for your tax and accounting firm
When you start your own tax and accounting practice, you work hard and spend long hours in order to provide high-quality work year-round to your clients, who are the lifeblood of your practice. Without them, your practice won't grow, your business won't survive, and you won't have the resources to solve problems and find the solutions your clients need. Without them, you cannot assume the role of trusted advisor.
One way to leverage your hard work is to grow your business through referrals from clients who already know the value you provide.
How to get referrals for your tax and accounting firm
1. Focus on your ideal customer
Once you precisely define your ideal customer profile, it will be easier for you to determine the exact nature of your added value. This includes clearly stating the services your agency offers and explaining how you set yourself apart from the competition – and how you do better than them.
It also allows you to think about how to specialize in the markets in which you are already present and how you can become the reference agency in this sector. It also allows you to focus your marketing efforts on a clear and compelling message about your target audience and your business. Specialization is also a source of economies of scale insofar as you can deploy specific, repeatable systems. Icing on the cake: You become an expert that people turn to for advice, leading to a word-of-mouth type recommendation process.
2. Build your referral team
It's time to build your strong team to help market your practice. Your strength team should consist of six to eight people who provide services that complement yours, but do not compete with you. The reason we keep this team small is so everyone can focus and strategize in providing referrals to each other.
Questions to ask potential strength team members may include:
What distinguishes you from your competitors?
How do you serve your clients/clients?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
What are the recent trends in your field?
How do you promote your business?
How do you know your field of work and the market?
How do you serve your clients/clients?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
What are the recent trends in your field?
How do you promote your business?
How do you know your field of work and the market?
Keeping the group small is also a good way to hold each other accountable. Keep in mind that you must help other members of your team.
3. Always keep your referral cards handy
I know tax season is the busiest time of the year, and you see a lot of clients. One of the best ways to get referrals from existing clients is to ask them to fill out a referral card. Consider having a card prepared and ready for every new and existing client. Make it easy for them!
You can keep it simple! It can be an index card if you work with them in person, or an online form to fill out if you work with clients virtually.
Most of the time, people are happy to do something like this if you ask. If you do their annual taxes or tax planning and save them money, they will be excited about your work and want to share it with others!
Don't just ask during times when crowds are high, reach out during the slow season. Pick up your phone, make a video call; Make a connection.
4. Get catchy email titles
You can also enjoy asking your email list for referrals. Attract readers with a catchy title!
Sending attractive messages to your existing customer email list can encourage people to enter online giveaways. You create an opportunity for them to enter. Doing this online can also make it easier to get in and refer!
These create engagement with your existing customers, and are of course fun!
5. Keep your website updated
Online shopping is not limited to e-commerce sites only. According to Intergrowth, 68% of a user's online experience begins with an Internet search. Organic traffic accounts for approximately 55% of all website searches.
So a website is not simply a “nice to have”. It's a must. Without an online presence, you put a barrier between yourself and potential customers. This website must make visitors aware of the following:
Offer your service
Your skills and experience
Your knowledge of the sector.
Your skills and experience
Your knowledge of the sector.
Remember this: The first impression is essential. You can highlight these different elements through pages dedicated to your company or services or even through a blog that is living proof of your expertise.
6. Ask for referrals in a direct, confident manner and for a specific reason
When asking for referrals, make sure:
Be direct: Ask specifically if someone is able to recommend a particular service based on their experience working with your tax and accounting firm.
Be specific: Tell clients why you're asking for referrals, even if it's as simple as growing your client base because you added a new employee. Explain why you're excited about expansion and reiterate the value your existing customers bring to your company.
Be grateful: Thank your client for considering a referral, so they'll be more likely to refer your services in the future. If they provide a referral that turns into a new customer, consider offering them an incentive.
conclusion:
Referrals are one of the best ways to get new business, always think about coming up with new ways to attract the right referrals, this will help set you apart and bring you not only more referrals and clients, but the high quality, low volume clients we all love.
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