Clients are the lifeblood of any business. As a tax professional, it’s crucial to have a robust and diverse client base so your business grows and thrives. 

Most tax preparers consist of small businesses. Approximately 37% are run by an individual, and the rest are firms of less than 10 people. Accounting is a crowded, competitive market, but as a small firm with fewer people and resources to dedicate to business development, how do you stand out and grow your firm?

In this blog post, we’ll explore some effective strategies for reaching out to new tax clients and growing your business for years to come. By implementing the following tips, you can increase your impact, reach more people, and ultimately help more individuals and businesses manage their taxes with care and precision.

Your firm needs a strong base of tax clients

Small business owners, independent contractors, and freelancers need to manage their taxes. But staying on top of tax laws and regulations can be daunting. Plus, they need to ensure all filings are accurate and submitted on time. It's no wonder that many individuals and businesses turn to professional tax preparers for help.

Your potential clients are individuals and businesses that rely on tax preparation services, including filing annual tax returns, managing estimated tax payments, or dealing with unexpected tax issues. Tax clients are the bread and butter of any tax preparation business. Building and maintaining a strong base of tax clients is essential for success.

Why is it so important to have a robust base of tax clients? For starters, tax clients provide steady revenue for your business. They are often repeat customers, returning year after year for your services. Additionally, tax clients can help spread the word about your business through referrals.

Utilize social media for outreach

Tax professionals can build their business and grow their clientele through social media. Social media is excellent for reaching out to potential clients and promoting your services. Consider using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. This is so you can connect with people in your local area and beyond. These platforms enable you to share valuable information about taxes and financial planning.

Create optimized profiles

To make the most of social media for outreach:

1. Start by creating robust profiles on each platform that you use.
2. Ensure that your profiles clearly and concisely describe your tax services and offer links to your website and contact information.
3. Start sharing engaging and informative content that your followers will find useful. You might share tax planning tips, news about tax laws or regulations changes, or links to helpful resources on your website or blog.

Run targeted ads

Most social media platforms allow you to create highly targeted ads. These ads reach specific audiences based on demographic information. This includes age, location, income, and interests. By creating ads targeting individuals likely to need your tax services, you can increase your chances of driving traffic to your website and generating new leads.

Engage with followers

Make sure that you are actively engaging with your followers. Respond to comments, questions, and concerns they share on social media. Why? So you can build relationships with potential clients. And this way, you establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy tax professional in your local area.

Offer referral incentives

One of the most effective ways to generate new business is offering referral incentives to your existing tax clients. Doing this will encourage your satisfied clients to spread the word about your services to their friends and family members who may also require tax preparation services.

There are several ways to offer referral incentives. Some tax professionals offer a percentage discount on the next tax filing fee, while others may offer a monetary reward for each new referral. Regardless of the type of incentive you choose, it’s important that it’s attractive enough to motivate your clients to refer their network to your business.

When offering referral incentives, communicate your offer to your existing clients regularly. Frequently remind your clients about your referral program. The more that you do? Then they are more likely to share your services with their network. You can include flyers or brochures with each client’s tax return, add a message to your email signature, or even include a note on your business cards.

To further encourage your existing clients to refer you to their network, provide them with an exceptional tax preparation experience. This means ensuring that their tax returns are accurate and filed on time and providing exceptional customer service and personalized attention. Satisfied clients are much more likely to refer others to your business. So focus on cultivating a positive relationship with each client to maximize your referral opportunities.

Attend networking events

A great way to build your tax clientele is by attending networking events. Whether you’re attending an event hosted by a chamber of commerce or a small business association, these events provide a great opportunity to connect with potential clients. When attending networking events, come prepared with business cards and a quick pitch about your tax services. Get to know other business owners and professionals. You never know; they may have someone in need of your services.

When attending networking events, approach them with the mindset of building relationships, not just collecting business cards. Follow up with individuals you meet after the event to continue building the relationship. Send them an email. Alternatively, you can connect with them on LinkedIn. By nurturing these relationships, you can build a strong network of individuals. And they may even refer you to their friends and family.

Another benefit of attending networking events is you’re able to learn from other professionals. Many of these events feature speakers or presentations on various topics related to business and entrepreneurship. You can gain new insights and perspectives that can help you grow your business. Additionally, you can make new connections with other attendees who share your interests.

By focusing on building relationships and providing value to others, you can establish yourself as a trusted and reliable tax professional. This can lead to long-term, profitable client relationships and a successful business.

Enhance your online presence

As more and more aspects of business are turning digital, it's incredibly important for tax professionals to enhance their online presence. Below are some tips to follow. 

Create a website and social media accounts

This can include having a strong website with updated information and a clear description of services, as well as active social media accounts. Through your website and social media, you can reach out to potential clients searching for tax professionals.

Display customer feedback

Encourage happy clients to leave reviews on your website or social media pages. This can be incredibly helpful in attracting new clients. Potential clients are more likely to trust the opinions of previous clients, and positive reviews can give them the confidence to choose you as their tax professional.

Share informative content 

Consider creating informative content that can be shared on social media and your website. Writing blog posts, creating infographics, or hosting webinars can establish you as an authority in your field and attract potential clients who are seeking information on tax-related topics. Utilize social media platforms to share this content with your network and beyond.

Keep up with latest trends

You need to stay up-to-date with new technology and online trends. It's important to keep pace with evolving business practices and remain innovative. Why? So you can stay ahead of your competition. Plus, this increases your appeal to potential clients who are looking for a tax professional that is up to speed with changing trends.

Putting these tips into action to increase your tax clientele

When it comes to growing your tax clientele, you must know how to execute your strategies effectively. Using our tips, you can enhance your visibility and attract more clients to your business. 

First, stick to the basics, such as preparing accurate and efficient tax returns, and providing excellent customer service to your clients. These are key pillars of a successful tax business.

Next, get creative with your marketing strategy. Utilize social media platforms and develop a strong online presence. Attend networking events to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients. Incentivize referrals and ultimately establish yourself as the go-to option for tax services in your community. 

Successfully executing your tax services will give your clients the peace of mind they need when working with a professional tax consultant. By staying proactive with client outreach, delivering exceptional service, and fostering strong relationships, you can create lifelong clients that will return for your services year after year.

Remember that growing your tax clientele takes time, patience, and a combination of effective techniques. Stay committed to the fundamentals of your craft. And strive to always deliver the best service possible for your clients. With the right mindset and strategies, growing your tax clientele is achievable and rewarding.

Create a solid online presence to increase your client base

Need to build an online presence to get more tax clients? B12 helps you create a quality website and expand your reach through SEO, content, email marketing, and intake forms. With a B12 website, you can showcase your expertise, professionalism, and testimonials from existing tax clients, increasing your chances of converting new ones. 

Build a website that brings in more business with the help of B12. Get started for free.