Publicity tips for accountants
When people think publicity, they usually don't think of accountants, which is precisely the accountant's problem. How do you effectively advertise something that nobody thinks much about except for once a year? Fortunately, there are lots of publicity tips for accountants. It just takes hard work, dedication, and creativity.
First, design a good ad. For a print ad, this doesn't necessarily have to have a list of your achievements. Instead, people are going to remember catchy phrasing and great design. Hire someone to put something exciting and striking together for you.
Second, decide where to publish your ad. The newspaper is obviously a good idea, but don't just go for the major circulating newspapers in your area. Remember the smaller ones which will help you reach even more potential customers. The yellow pages are a fantastic place for an accountant to get some publicity. Since most people just look in the phonebook for an accountant, they're great places to get customers, as long as your ad is striking while not being over the top.
Third, remember your current customers. Send them Christmas and birthday cards, along with reminders about tax season. Be friendly, cooperative, and helpful. Not only will this keep customers, but word of mouth is your best friend. If you go the extra mile, your customers will tell their friends why they should choose you rather than someone else.
Fourth, get involved in your community! Offer your expertise and set up speaking engagements with local clubs such as the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Speak on topics other than accounting; doing so will let people become familiar with you and will gain customers. This is a great publicity tip for accountants. Other good ways to be involved in your community are to donate time and money to local charities and volunteer organizations. Help organize local events. Become involved with the local university. Volunteer your services and help students prepare tax returns. Give guest lectures in accounting classes. This will bring students to you, and also faculty members. Sponsor luncheons for specific groups, like your Chamber of Commerce. Sponsor seminars for the general public, including things like basic tax information and other essential accounting knowledge that your average customer has no idea about.
Fifth, become involved with your local media. They need you, and you need them. This is an important publicity tip for accountants. A good way to get involved is to get involved with your local newspapers. Send them news releases. If you hear about a local or national event (for example, a major accounting scandal), call your local newspaper and offer your expertise. Give them a few pointers on how to deal with the story. They'll appreciate it, since they generally have no idea where to start with complicated financial issues. Write lots of letters to the editor so that they know your name. These letters don't just have to be about accounting; get your name out there! You want to be the person reporters turn to when they need a quote related to accounting, so be persistent, though not annoying. Become friends with reporters by taking them out to lunch. Introduce yourself and let them know who you are in a non-confrontational way, and they'll turn to you when they need expertise. This leads to great publicity for accountants. Speak on local radio shows. You can even start your own blog on accounting matters, and write articles on other websites. The point is, if you want publicity as an accountant, you have to get your name out there through lots of effort. Speak, write, and network, network, network! This includes reporters, local businessmen, and community groups.

