here’s what you’re looking for: sandi smith leyva

forget what worked 20 years ago.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

the big change in lead generation for accountants is that there are many more methods out there today to get clients’ attention. the problem — or the opportunity! – is most accountants are still only using the old methods.

more on small-firm growth strategies: want better clients? 5 ways to hook them | 5 ways tech makes your work easier | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 3 tips for following up with prospects | 5 ways a deadline can help close a deal | if you don’t develop your business, who will? | draw new clients in like a magnet

when accountants think about lead generation, methods like telemarketing and direct mail might instantly come to mind. (you might also have a really negative connotation of these methods, but if you do, hang with me for a minute.) it used to be that in telemarketing, if you made a certain number of calls, you could get one appointment, and for every certain number of appointments you set, you could get one new client.
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find the sweet spot for your target client.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

many accountants serve clients with extremely small businesses that gross six figures a year or even less. these clients are prone to being price-sensitive and often struggle with budgets and cash flow. if you’re serving these clients, you’re definitely meeting an important need in the marketplace, but you may also start to question your own prices, or worse, underprice your services.

more on small-firm growth strategies: 5 ways tech makes your work easier | take the focus off price | 5 solutions when clients balk at price | keep more of your busy season earnings | want more clients? take these 5 steps

the good news is that, on average, the higher revenues a company earns, the more likely they are to be a higher-quality client for you. owners with larger companies, on average, are less price-sensitive and less emotional about running their businesses.
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stepping aside from the grind takes discipline, but it’s vital.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

no matter what time of the year it is, it seems like there is never enough time for entrepreneurial accountants to get everything done. here are three not-so-common ideas on how to make the most of your time.

more on small-firm growth strategies: stop thinking small | 5 solutions when clients balk at price | keep more of your busy season earnings | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | how a spreadsheet can help stop leaks | 5 cool ways to streamline data sharing | 9 ways accountants throw away profits | 7 ways to get new revenue from old clients | 9 ways to increase sales through ‘power networking’ | 8 must-haves for a prospect kit | if you’re a ‘best-kept secret’ cut it out! | take advantage of 4 key marketing strategies | four ways to stop leaving money on the table

1. promote yourself.
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banish these 5 thought patterns.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

if you feel you should be doing better than you are in business, your unconscious may be holding you back.

more on small-firm growth strategies: 5 solutions when clients balk at price | stress less this tax season | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | 5 ways to get more referrals | 3 ways to get to ‘yes’ with prospects | two daily rituals: focus and measure | 5 ways a deadline can help close a deal | 9 ways to increase sales through ‘power networking’

the first step is to bring it to the surface. only then can it be addressed, released and replaced with a belief that will lead you to increased success.

here are five of the most common thinking patterns or beliefs that will keep your accounting business from growing.
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for busy season and year-round.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

no matter how small or large your practice is or how experienced you are, you’re probably going to meet some prospect or clients this busy season who are price-sensitive. many of you try to run from them as far away as possible, and others of you tell me you have to take these clients or you wouldn’t have a full practice.

more small-firm growth strategies for pro members (go pro here): stress less this tax season | 5 tax season motivation tips | keep more of your busy season earnings | make your services an investment, not an expense | 9 ways to boost your value (and your fees) | take advantage of 4 key marketing strategies  | four ways to stop leaving money on the table

so you might already have a solution to dealing with price-sensitive clients that you’re happy with. if you don’t, or are ready for more ideas, this post is for you.
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6 profit-growing options besides the usual “lower costs, raise revenue.”

by sandi leyva

many accountants these days are anxious to hit the golden $100,000 mark this year. others are interested in growing their revenues steadily and incrementally. still others are focused on lowering costs, raising profits from that side of the equation.

more on small-firm growth strategies: ready for tax season? not so fast | make your services an investment, not an expense | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | how a spreadsheet can help stop leaks | two daily rituals: focus and measure | if you don’t develop your business, who will? | 11 ways to add value for clients

all of these approaches are well and good to help you keep more of what you make, but there are far more options to grow your take-home dollars besides raising revenue and lowering costs.
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