I can speak confidently about this method of marketing having tried and tested it.
The purpose of founding Nexok was due to the success we were having from Direct Mail marketing campaigns which subsequently led to the formation of AccountancyManager to help us manage and maintain all the new business that was being generated (now used by over 4,500 accountants and bookkeepers in the UK).
Digital marketing campaigns are essential, however, due to fewer letters being received these days, it makes them more impactful when they are.
The key to this method of marketing is ensuring the letter content is short and to the point, clearly identifying your USP. Too much 'fluff' and people won't read it. It's also a numbers game, we'd send out 3000 letters and get contacted by 1% (30) limited companies, our conversion rate would be 30%-40%.
Landing just 10 limited companies made it worthwhile and we did this every month.
We tried this method for AccountancyManager and were very successful (so even accountants have been receptive to this method of marketing). It's worth noting, we wouldn't release a product that wasn't tried and tested.
Just an FYI Johnt27 - Nexok allows you to exclude Sic Codes and Keywords from the search criteria, along with the option to exclude companies with shared addresses to stop you from sending lots of mail to registered office addresses which may never get read.
All of the above (along with other search criteria) designed to prevent spending more money on a campaign than necessary.
There's no need to worry, we've already made our decision for the foreseeable future and have some big plans in the pipeline (which don't include acquisition).
As an early adopter of AccountancyManager it sounds like you are not yet using AM to its full potential.
I would ask why you are feeling the need to use Excel for your control lists when AM should take care of this for you. Please communicate with the support team, they are always happy to help and as we offer free support - it's worth picking up the phone.
AccountancyManager provides AML ID checks and Credit checks for individuals, with Company credit checks being released on Monday, all for as little as £1.25 per check when bought in bulk.
There is also an AML risk assessment form which has been built to assist you when carrying out a risk assessment on each client. This is currently undergoing some improvements, having employed a former HMRC investigator to ensure all relevant questions are being considered. Including the option to mark risks as low, medium or high risk with a reporting facility. This new update will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Whether you are using the existing form or waiting for the update, there really should be no need to use TaxCalc as well as Taxfiler. This should leave you only using two systems rather than four.
With more features being released every month (a total of 8 new releases [come Monday] in the past two months alone), and constantly building based on user feedback, it's worth getting in touch to see if we can assist you further or to find out what's coming around the corner.
We're looking at improving the client portal facility this year, if you have any suggestions please email [email protected], I'd like to do everything we can to improve your clients' experience using the portal.
In addition, it may be worth mentioning that there is a way for your clients to log directly onto their portal from your website, which avoids them having to go to separate places. Our support team can provide you with the HTML code to add to your website, you can reach them on 01926 355 366 (option 2). Hope that helps!
I just wanted to thank our users for their feedback and for your initial query Simon.
In terms of AML checks, you can manage the whole process through AM including completing risk assessments for your clients. Regarding the cost of AML checks, we offer them on a sliding scale from £3.70 for 10, right down to £1.75 for 500.
My answers
I can speak confidently about this method of marketing having tried and tested it.
The purpose of founding Nexok was due to the success we were having from Direct Mail marketing campaigns which subsequently led to the formation of AccountancyManager to help us manage and maintain all the new business that was being generated (now used by over 4,500 accountants and bookkeepers in the UK).
Digital marketing campaigns are essential, however, due to fewer letters being received these days, it makes them more impactful when they are.
The key to this method of marketing is ensuring the letter content is short and to the point, clearly identifying your USP. Too much 'fluff' and people won't read it. It's also a numbers game, we'd send out 3000 letters and get contacted by 1% (30) limited companies, our conversion rate would be 30%-40%.
Landing just 10 limited companies made it worthwhile and we did this every month.
We tried this method for AccountancyManager and were very successful (so even accountants have been receptive to this method of marketing). It's worth noting, we wouldn't release a product that wasn't tried and tested.
Just an FYI Johnt27 - Nexok allows you to exclude Sic Codes and Keywords from the search criteria, along with the option to exclude companies with shared addresses to stop you from sending lots of mail to registered office addresses which may never get read.
All of the above (along with other search criteria) designed to prevent spending more money on a campaign than necessary.
There's no need to worry, we've already made our decision for the foreseeable future and have some big plans in the pipeline (which don't include acquisition).
There's lots of exciting things happening within AM - all I can say is watch this space!
Great comment JD, couldn’t agree more - as an accountant myself, I felt the same way and it was one of the reasons we built AccountancyManager.
We’re independently owned and self funded. Hopefully, we’ve done the hard work here already.
Obviously 'AccountancyManager' ;)
Hello Newmoon,
At AccountancyManager we have just launched our Digital AML ID check service. You can now perform checks within AM using existing client data.
The results are logged against the client's file and reports are made downloadable for reference.
Checks are as little as £1.25 when purchased in bulk. If you require further help, please get in touch (01926 355366).
Hi Software Seeker,
As an early adopter of AccountancyManager it sounds like you are not yet using AM to its full potential.
I would ask why you are feeling the need to use Excel for your control lists when AM should take care of this for you. Please communicate with the support team, they are always happy to help and as we offer free support - it's worth picking up the phone.
AccountancyManager provides AML ID checks and Credit checks for individuals, with Company credit checks being released on Monday, all for as little as £1.25 per check when bought in bulk.
There is also an AML risk assessment form which has been built to assist you when carrying out a risk assessment on each client. This is currently undergoing some improvements, having employed a former HMRC investigator to ensure all relevant questions are being considered. Including the option to mark risks as low, medium or high risk with a reporting facility. This new update will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Whether you are using the existing form or waiting for the update, there really should be no need to use TaxCalc as well as Taxfiler. This should leave you only using two systems rather than four.
With more features being released every month (a total of 8 new releases [come Monday] in the past two months alone), and constantly building based on user feedback, it's worth getting in touch to see if we can assist you further or to find out what's coming around the corner.
I hope the information above helps.
Hi @Manchester_Man
We're looking at improving the client portal facility this year, if you have any suggestions please email [email protected], I'd like to do everything we can to improve your clients' experience using the portal.
In addition, it may be worth mentioning that there is a way for your clients to log directly onto their portal from your website, which avoids them having to go to separate places. Our support team can provide you with the HTML code to add to your website, you can reach them on 01926 355 366 (option 2). Hope that helps!
I just wanted to thank our users for their feedback and for your initial query Simon.
In terms of AML checks, you can manage the whole process through AM including completing risk assessments for your clients. Regarding the cost of AML checks, we offer them on a sliding scale from £3.70 for 10, right down to £1.75 for 500.