Marketing my tax services? It’s already March — it’s way too late to start now.
Actually, March and April are some of the best times to start marketing your tax preparation services, since most businesses haven’t begun to think about doing their own taxes until springtime. Clients who have been waffling between using a professional or doing their own taxes are warily watching the approaching April 15th deadline. Utilizing an encouraging marketing strategy can help them make the decision to use your services.
The first step in implementing a tax season marketing campaign? Start networking.
Networking: Using Word-of-Mouth to Market Your Tax Services
A huge part of marketing is simply getting the word out about your business. After all, how can people utilize your services if they don’t know you exist?
Customers are naturally wary about who they choose to give their money to — they check reviews of a restaurant before they make a reservation or choose a salon because a friend recommended it. People are much more likely to use a business they have a personal connection to: a family member uses your service, a local business comes to you for tax preparation, etc.
Networking with new clients doesn’t just give you access to that new client as an individual; rather, it widens your access to that new client’s personal network. In fact, on
Commonfig, a client can write reviews of your services, leave testimonials, or recommend your services to their entire Commonfig network. Instead of just one new client, you could be getting 20.
Outreach: Staying Present in Your Clients’ Minds
Outreach methods like specialty discounts, a weekly email newsletter, social media, or blog posts can gently remind your clients that it’s tax season. Commonfig allows users to have access to a wealth of marketing tools designed with outreach in mind, including a fully-stocked Marketing Toolkit that allows users to send out unlimited email, newsletters, e-cards, and customer surveys. Don’t forget about social media, either: Commonfig allows for social media integration, so you can post updates and reminders to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn without ever leaving your Commonfig profile.
Need some suggestions for outreach campaign ideas? Consider these to get you started:
- Specials/Discounts — Offer a special for your Twitter followers or Facebook friends; alternatively, offer scheduling specials like Save 10% when you schedule online or Book before April 1st to receive 15% off.
- Dos and Don’ts – Send out an email newsletter with some practical “Dos and Don’ts” advice for filing taxes. Do save your receipts for business travel. Don’t wait to the last minute. Do keep a record of any and all potential charitable donations, etc.
- Tax Changes for the New Year – What’s changed since the 2011 season? Let your clients know of any relevant changes or updates since the last time they filed.
- Organizational Tips — Receipts and invoices are downright impossible to keep track of. Help your clients stay organized with a newsletter featuring tips to help your clients stay organized.
- Promotions – Let your clients do your networking for you with a referral promotion (Refer 10 friends and get 50% off…).
Let Busy Customers Schedule Online
The last stage of your marketing strategy should be calling your customers to action. Let them know they can book online appointments directly from your Commonfig profile — no phone calls necessary. The final step? Sit back and watch those appointments come rolling in.
Marketing my tax services? It’s already March — it’s way too late to start now.
Actually, March and April are some of the best times to start marketing your tax preparation services, since most businesses haven’t begun to think about doing their own taxes until springtime. Clients who have been waffling between using a professional or doing their own taxes are warily watching the approaching April 15th deadline. Utilizing an encouraging marketing strategy can help them make the decision to use your services.
The first step in implementing a tax season marketing campaign? Start networking.
Networking: Using Word-of-Mouth to Market Your Tax Services
A huge part of marketing is simply getting the word out about your business. After all, how can people utilize your services if they don’t know you exist?
Customers are naturally wary about who they choose to give their money to — they check reviews of a restaurant before they make a reservation or choose a salon because a friend recommended it. People are much more likely to use a business they have a personal connection to: a family member uses your service, a local business comes to you for tax preparation, etc.
Networking with new clients doesn’t just give you access to that new client as an individual; rather, it widens your access to that new client’s personal network. In fact, on Commonfig, a client can write reviews of your services, leave testimonials, or recommend your services to their entire Commonfig network. Instead of just one new client, you could be getting 20.
Outreach: Staying Present in Your Clients’ Minds
Outreach methods like specialty discounts, a weekly email newsletter, social media, or blog posts can gently remind your clients that it’s tax season. Commonfig allows users to have access to a wealth of marketing tools designed with outreach in mind, including a fully-stocked Marketing Toolkit that allows users to send out unlimited email, newsletters, e-cards, and customer surveys. Don’t forget about social media, either: Commonfig allows for social media integration, so you can post updates and reminders to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn without ever leaving your Commonfig profile.
Need some suggestions for outreach campaign ideas? Consider these to get you started:
