Blogging for Accountants

Blogging for Accountants

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I've just stumbled on yet another blog covering the issue of UK Accountants being slower than most to get into blogging. I've seen more of these than I have actual accountant blogs!

So far I can count the Accountant Blogs I've seen through natural internet use on my fingers and toes... and wonder why is this so?

What is the reason you don't, or won't blog?

Is it the possible time involved?

Is it not knowing what to write about?

I know many accountants want to grow their business, build visitors to their websites (if they have one), develop a strong professional image... and bearing this in mind I really am struggling to understand why more accountants in the UK don't blog and prefer other 'marketing and advertising methods'.

I've no intention of convincing anyone to have a blog, nor do I care a great deal... but I am very curious why it is actually like this.

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle

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By stuartgh
05th Jun 2008 16:25

Tips for writing a blog post
Thanks for the mention of the ICAEW's IT Counts. It's designed to be a comfortable place to starting blogging as part of a community.

Here are some simple tips for writing a blog post which I hope you'll find useful, particularly if you've not used an online community before:-

The shorter the better
You don't need to write much, it's the subject that matters.

Keep it to one point per post
It helps to keep it simple, as people generally don't spend a long time reading online.

Ask questions
Often the best post which gets the most response is one which asks a practical question, for example on how to achieve a specific task with MS Excel.

Getting free advice
Use you post on online communities like IT Counts to get advice on issues.

If you want to get some further help and advice on blog posting please email me at [email protected].

Best wishes,

Stuart Hall
ICAEW IT Counts
Online Communities Manager

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By Atipayhatanam
08th May 2008 06:19

David Terrar
Would you think the Q & A blog of Mr Philip Turnbull effective?

Try posting questions of two types in AIA CEO's website - one that is supportive of Philip's crusade for proctecting 'accountant' and the other criticising him very much for what's done and not since AIA got its much deserved RQB status from the DTI.

We are constructive people, full of enthusiasm and creativity that leads only to a positive good good world to live in.

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By david_terrar
05th May 2008 15:18

Blogging - take a serious look at it
I only just spotted this conversation, from Emily Coltman's post about it over on ICAEW's IT Counts. Actually I find it a little depressing that there isn't more positive commentary here, and more of an argument being made for the benefits of a blog to the practice. I really don't think we need to be reminded about the "accountants are boring" stereotype. The typical accountant in practice in the UK tends not to be very marketing savvy, but from my experience usually has plenty to say. A blog can be an ideal way of talking about those accounting and business issues, and connecting with your target customers in the particular geography or sector you are working with. The typical accountant's website isn't that inspiring, and usually very static. It probably hasn't had any new material added for a while - that's bad news in terms of Search Engine Optimisation. Adding a blog means regular, new content, and by its very nature it's Search Engine friendly with lots of relevant words (key words) that will help you be found by Google. Look at the job that Stuart Jones (one of my customers) does up in the Lake District. Look at the job Jason Holden (one of my competitors) does.

Goodman Jones, another of my customers, won the Accountancy Age Award for the Best use of the Internet by an Accounting Practice in 2006 and 2007. One of the key components (apart from online accounting, a well designed website and use of online collaboration tools) was the small business blog written by Philip Woodgate. A lot more accountants ought to be taking this way of communicating with their customers and prospective customers more seriously.

Back in 2005 Dennis Howlett inspired me to starting a blog for my business, and I haven't looked back. At that stage he was an expert, because he had been doing it for a whole 3 months. He's listed the benefits that the influence of his blog has brought him. I've got the same sort of story. I've made connections and got involved in new businesses opportunities that just wouldn't have happened without it. Use of blog, wiki and social networking technology has now become a significant part of my business - my company provides the technology that supports the ICAEW's IT Counts community. That wouldn't have happened if I hadn't started my own. It's a time commitment, and there are periods when I don't write as much as I would like, but you should recognize that it's part of a shift in marketing and business development from old style advertising towards community. You should take the topic seriously and investigate it. Contact me if you want some free advice or suggestions on how you might start tomorrow.

David Terrar
Business Two Zero and Twinfield and WordFrame

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By David2e
01st May 2008 09:24

Generalisation...
Bill - No blackballing from us!

It has been interesting to hear some of the thoughts, and I expected there would be a few different reasons not to blog, and a few different views on it.

Personally, I can see it working for a few in the industry and am sure it does. But these would be targeted and well written for a particular audience (not necessarily just clients). Mark and Dennis have both seen benefits and I know a couple of others also in the same boat.

To be honest, I had thought the main reasons accountants weren't blogging would be:

• lack of time (prefer to spending time directing chasing business or earning); and
• belief there would be no audience of value
• current distance from online activity (eg. using online software, websites and e-news completely outsourced etc)

I know this is just a generisation but I am really getting the impression the main reasons accountants don't blog (including some of the above) are:

• appearance of having time spare
• difficulty in finding an interesting approach to writing

Blob caught me a little by surprise... with blogging on different subjects. I also have a personal blog, nothing whatsoever to do with work and on the rare occassion I update it I do get a different sort of satisfaction from it.

I do think some of these opinions with change over time, and I am curious to hear what people would be saying in 5 years time.

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle

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Dennis Howlett
By dahowlett
29th Apr 2008 09:10

Let's see now
As the first UK blogger for professionals I can safely say that it's done me no harm at all. I focus on innovation (IT) and ethics issues. I don't talk too much about marketing because the blog is my marketing tool. Where has it taken/taking me?

I have regular meetings with the executive boards of the most important software companies likely to impact our profession to the point where I can't fit them all in.

I've been a significant part (along with Simon Hurst) of IT Counts which is going very nicely and have helped shape ICAEW's online strategy. That's a real privilege.

This week I will be part of a global policy group on sustainability assurance audit in Boston. From there I go to Orlando and will be part of a panel that include Black and Decker, Intel and others looking at how social software can help improve computerized business processes. While there I will meet with the head of innovation for a major bank.

It got me a wee stake in a software company doing incredibly interesting things for the freelancer, access to some of the brightest minds in software development in Silicon Valley, opportunities to meet with some of the most successful UK professionals who understand the value of technology, consulting on several extremely interesting community projects and the chance to help at least one practice win a national award, two years' on the trot. I am part of a group who are all ex-Big Four, Gartner, SAP types. Incredibly bright people thinking about technology issues that impact buyers.

Later today it gets me exclusive access to something that should be of interest to professionals in business who are considering on-demand financial solutions.

Next month I will be in Lausanne giving a talk to startups and freelancers on - of all things - how to use technology as a way of helping them manage their finances. I never thought I'd do that!!

I have 5 paid blog gigs and over 1,200 people following me on Twitter. Goodness knows what they all find so interesting.

In other words, I have an incredibly interesting life while managing to promote what I think are some of the most interesting things going on around the profession.

I think Richard Murphy, who I encouraged to get into blogging would say the same. Stuart Jones has done great work supporting his local community. Philip Woodgate has done fine work with SMEs.

As to why professionals don't blog? I can't speak for others but a good place to start is to look at blogging as a way of engaging with the community you serve. Especially if you're in practice. But that's only the start. Someone mentioned Facebook - yep - good if you can make it work for you. Other social computing tools are coming along that will make it a lot more apparent there's more to this thing than blogging. But that's for another day.

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By User deleted
28th Apr 2008 17:25

Write Something Interesting!!

There is no need to create a claustrophobic world in which any output is directly related to the career you embrace. The act of writing something can be both liberating and cathartic.

Why write about accountancy? It would seem to me that the one subject on earth that I would never wish to write anything about is accountancy. David's question was about lack of accountants' blogs, so what does that tell us?

If any members of Aweb want to write, I would suggest that it be totally unrelated to accountancy! Then, you may secure a level of satisfaction and fulfilment from an entirely different discipline. Your creative juices may come alive!!

This aim is essential in our profession, as we are often perceived to be insular boring people. Outside (non-accountancy) activities broaden our horizons and permit us to find greater overall satisfaction.

A few months back I followed a blog from an accountant a few of us may know. But it did not wet my appetite at all! Now if that blog was about music, I'd track it constantly!

www.taxenquiry.co.uk

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By User deleted
28th Apr 2008 13:49

Too Much Time On Your Hands Perhaps?
Then again it can also smell a bit like loneliness........Very self mockingly unprofessional. ;-)

Or finally a cure for insomiac clients.

I have a blog! A client, (who could be bothered to look) more or less made all of the foregoing out. However it was all a dawdle and no time at all, (because borrowing the attitude of the hard working students of today), it was simply plaguirised technical stuff cut and pasted from elsewhere on the 'net then suitably edited by moi.

Stick to the chargeable hours, business cards etc I say. Watch out for the client who ponces trying to trick you into 'some free advice' in the guise of something like the real time blog that MSN Messenger is for example. If the avant garde is for you then a website and email does the job just as well. Its the only way to get their respect. Anyway most of your visitors will be the nerds from the local tax office and the competition. So a blog would only serve them in their psychological profiling of the accountant in question.

I'm feeling red faced now! Possibly even black-balled from the accountants circle? Like Gordon Brown we Accountants are headcases when it comes to being media savvy.

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By David2e
26th Apr 2008 10:56

Bil Loh
I've no problem being corrected (better than staying wrong!)... even stopped posting in the early morning until I feel I've woken up properly (seen some silly things I've said before the nugget has warmed up).

To be honest though... I really have no idea what you are talking about. It really would be good if you can say 'in plain English' what part I am absolutely wrong with it should clarify it a bit for me.

Also... you might not have realised but some of what I've said was in good humour, not meant as entirely serious.

Look forward to hearing!

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By Bil Loh
26th Apr 2008 08:28

David Toohey
You are wrong, David, absolutely wrong.

In fact, accountants make this correct, correct mistakes, correct people but sadly to say, some of them can't correct their CEOs.

This is to be blame for some corporate collapses.

Accountants role is so important that a module of finance is found in a Far East country's listed companies requirement's directors' course.

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By David2e
25th Apr 2008 12:52

Summary
So to summarise those... am I took think accountants see their professional as uninteresting? Surely now!

Yesterday I was chatting with an accountant in Manchester, and he pointed out boring conversations he'd have with another known accountant... football and accounting. Blob's comment reminded me of this... and maybe accounting can be such a boring topic even accountants don't care much for chatting about it.

Slightly more seriously, I had some thoughts (thankfully) on what to expect... but I really hadn't considered the vast topics accountants could cover might be considered dull.

I have seen plenty of business seeking accounting advice on the internet for such a variety of topics, surely there must be something business would actually be interested in reading. Maybe all those accountant jokes have rubbed off a little?

I was expecting more comments towards time as Nichola suggested. That, as well as accountants not wanting to be ridiculed over small mistakes (very few spelling mistakes aren't hit on here!).

Accountants seem to be good at picking up on small things, little errors... or other ways to intepret what is said. With that in mind, might accountants be very cautious what they say, or in remaining anonymous it defeats a lot of the purpose in blogging?

I hadn't thought of it being related to inflated egos... but on some level that makes sense too. Possibly needing the ego to have the confidence to blog without arming others with obvious criticisms.

Geoff brings up an interesting point... going 'beyond' blogging with video and social networks like FaceBook. Although I have thought a little on those, I would not have thought accountants even consider these given the lack of bloggers out there.

I do thank those of you that have made comments. It shed's some light on why I see so many blogs on accountants not blogging... and little on the reasons for this.

Maybe accountants all have 'negative blogs'? (see post on negative stock)

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle

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By User deleted
25th Apr 2008 06:23

Hello ......
I like (Wanting) to write and also (wanting) to being read what I write.

But sometimes, you do get the frustration out of writing because people do read what you write.

To QUOTE "ICAEW Puts Commercial Interest Before The Public
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=180462".
I am thinking of MOVIES right now. Perhaps, that's a better way of reflecting (or expressing) your moves, your thoughts, your actions, your words, your deeds. Just how often is Harry Porter's books read? or rather How often is Harry Porter's movies seen?

I will sleep well after some reading but would enjoy watching the legendary Steve Irwin without a 'wink'.

Case is Seen vs Write. Which ONE?

I think VIDEO is more effective, isn't it? Some blogs are append with pictures or movies in action. How great technology entertains us all.

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By User deleted
24th Apr 2008 20:44

Wanting to write v. wanting to being read?
Perhaps a tad harsh on writers, Naomi? We all crave recognition!

I agree with other comments that you need lots of time and you also need a lot of passion to keep your blog interesting. Most people tend to say to me that they do not have the time, but that has to be shorthand for also meaning that they don't have the inclination.

My obsession with writing (and being read) has landed me with the role of tax editor of good old Aweb. I don't blog at the moment because this site allows you to make a comment when ever you feel like it and so that lets you get things off your chest. I think part of blogging is just that - getting whatever it is off your chest.

In passing, I would love to receive more short blogs from Aweb members for the blogs and diaries section of this site. Why not send me a test blog? If you make it relevant to tax I will feature it in the tax news wire.

Nichola Ross Martin
Tax editor, AccountingWEB.co.uk

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By User deleted
24th Apr 2008 18:39

No blogs -we're Britsh?
All the blogs I've seen so far have been written by people who want to write rather than people who want to be read .

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By geoffemtacs
24th Apr 2008 16:14

Alternatives
I did have a Blog, but the truth is that accountancy is a terminally dull subject and it only ever featured obliquely in the blog, which was more politics, music, films and life stuff.

What I am using to reasonably good effect is Facebook as a means of semi-blogging, keeping in touch and to send and receive messages for clients who wouldn't normally read our letters or respond to emails. This does have the interesting side-effect of both humanising us and it enables me to see the misbehaviour of some of the clients!

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By User deleted
24th Apr 2008 14:42

And.......

In our neck of the woods, the clients are far more interesting than the accountants......

I was seriously thinking recently of starting a BLOB BLOG!


Don't really possess a sufficiently inflated ego for it though!


My young son says more interesting things than accounting bloggers.

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By David2e
24th Apr 2008 14:11

Skimmed over some
Thanks Talula

I will be sure to keep up some level of persistence, though most of what I actually say isn't for 'self-promotion' (links really aren't much and there will be others that can point out the value in them).

Your post actually made me realise, that although I haven't seen many blogs I don't really read them either.

My own thoughts on accountant blogs would be that they are targetted towards general business, not other accountants. Maybe that is one of the reasons why not many accountants blog.

I wouldn't have thought so much the time, but simply finding focus on what to write that is interesting or useful. I could be wrong but I would have also though accountants have a lot more than just ramblings to jot down... surely many in business are interested in tips and tricks, thoughts, advice and so on from accountants?

Obviously there is something that stops accountants from doing something like this? Or is it just the concern of appearing sad (to other accountants maybe)?

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle

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By User deleted
24th Apr 2008 13:45

We blogs

The lack of blogs amongst accountants - the blogs I've seen tend to be ramblings by people who HAVE to think of something, otherwise it looks rather sparse - and then it's a bit like looking through someone else's diary.

I had pondered a blog (it seemed to be the thing a year or so ago), but unless you've got the time to put interesting stuff in there consistently, it can make you sound, well, pretty sad. Perhaps most accountants don't have ego's that think that everyone MUST be interested in their ramblings?

Keep up the good work David, your self publicity will surely pay off one day.

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