I was hoping for some new, little known way for applying. I have been registering clients for thirty year without issue until recently. Now I regularly get a letter from HMRC saying that they think my client is not in business! I always get there in the end but it is a pain. I am in the arts/entertainment industry.
Interacting on accountingweb is a form of engagement on social media. And yet it's not even close to an activity likely to generate more business for most accountants. There are other benefits - which is why so many accountants engage here.
Back in 2008 I wrote couple of articles questionning the then popular view that accountants HAD to embrace twitter or they would get left behind. I challenged such statements then and continue to do so today. Five years ago my arguments were rubbished and yet my predictions seem remarkably accurate with the benefit of hindsight.
Mark
ps: Don't get me wrong - as regular readers will know I am an ardent user of social media and linkedin. I also frequently encourage accountants to explore the facilities and to plan how they might achieve realistic business objectives through their use thereof.
Personally, I dislike social media. I am on LinkedIn, however I never had a new client from it. We are active as a firm on Twitter and many of our clients use it. If nothing else it is a good way to get the firms name out there.
The firm's website is becoming the most powerful advertising tool, behind client recommendation, with most potential new clients finding us via a search engine and the website..
My clients get my attention, not potential clients. I do not network much at all, I'm not a natural at it and small talk, and I do not have much time for it - who does? So why worry about networking? Where do most clients come from? Existing client recommendation. Therefore, I agree with Mark, concentrate on looking after existing clients, not on the golf course, but from the office. Large firms lose the personal touch with clients because clients become a number, whereas small firm partners are able to keep a more hands on approach. Richard
My answers
There were a lot of producers in the development stages during COVID.
I was hoping for some new, little known way for applying. I have been registering clients for thirty year without issue until recently. Now I regularly get a letter from HMRC saying that they think my client is not in business! I always get there in the end but it is a pain. I am in the arts/entertainment industry.
Thanks Paul. Surely JRS grants must be used to pay salaries and that indicates that they are restricted?
What about charities? Does anyone have any thoughts on whether these grants should be treated as restricted?
it depends on the client base
Personally, I dislike social media. I am on LinkedIn, however I never had a new client from it. We are active as a firm on Twitter and many of our clients use it. If nothing else it is a good way to get the firms name out there.
The firm's website is becoming the most powerful advertising tool, behind client recommendation, with most potential new clients finding us via a search engine and the website..
Richard
I agree, sort of!
My clients get my attention, not potential clients. I do not network much at all, I'm not a natural at it and small talk, and I do not have much time for it - who does? So why worry about networking? Where do most clients come from? Existing client recommendation. Therefore, I agree with Mark, concentrate on looking after existing clients, not on the golf course, but from the office. Large firms lose the personal touch with clients because clients become a number, whereas small firm partners are able to keep a more hands on approach. Richard
ignore it at your peril
We monitor how new/potential clients find us and there has been a big shift in recent years - do you know where yours come from?
Richard