Young and Successful Entrepreneurs: What’s Their Secret?

Recently Inc.com released an article naming the top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 years old. From iPod accessories to business furniture, from real estate to large and trendy women’s shoes, and from popcorn seasonings to insomnia cookies, these young upstarts are clever and dedicated. But what else to do they have in common and how can it help other entrepreneurial hopefuls like you?

Obviously one thing they have in common is youth. But interestingly, they are part of a generation more likely to start their own businesses, not once but countless times. Donna Fenn reported that a recent survey conducted by OPEN from American Express found that 55% of Generation Y (born between 1977 and 1994) view themselves as serial entrepreneurs while only 33% of baby boomers do.

There are other commonalities among these young entrepreneurs, including a desire to take risks, familiarity with technology, and an understanding of their peers’ wants and needs.

Risk Enthusiasts
We all know that starting your own business requires a fair amount of risk taking. 70% of Gen Y says they like taking risks while only 53% of their older counterparts agree. While some of that can be attributed to having less to loose, it enables them to move forward without fear, focusing all their energy on making their venture work.

Familiarity with Technology
Because they’ve grown up with the Internet, multimedia, gadgets, widgets, and other technologies, they recognize its inherent value in helping promote and build their businesses. Not only do many of these 30 under 30 entrepreneurs have technology-based enterprises but most of them recognize the value of using the Internet to promote their businesses, either through viral marketing, blogging, websites, or other electronic means.

An Understanding of Their Peers Wants and Needs
Obviously, Generation Y makes up a large portion of the American population, nearly as much as the baby boomers. And because Gen Y is a large group of like-minded consumers, it serves these entrepreneurs well to know what appeals to them. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that many of these risk enthusiasts have a pulse on this young and hip market and know which business ventures are viable and which are not.

But you don’t have to be 17 to 30 in order to become a successful entrepreneur. But perhaps we could learn a thing or two from these trendy upstarts. Here’s some advice from just a few of these 30 young and successful entrepreneurs:

One thing I’ve learned is that you have to learn to celebrate the little successes when they happen, and not just worry about the failures all the time. —Ben Goldhirsh, Good

Identify your own weaknesses and find people that you can work with who will make up for that. —Nick Kenner, Just Salad

You have to have a vision of what you’re actually going to provide for someone. Why is someone going to use my service? What is it going to do for them? If you can actually solve somebody’s problem, the money will always follow. —Raj Lahoti, Online Guru

See yourself first, then sell your idea. Ninety percent of investors will invest in a person. If you create an ‘A’ team with a ‘B’ product, then you’ll have an ‘A’ company. If you create a ‘B’ team with an ‘A’ product, then you’ll have a ‘B’ company. —Miles Munz, InterviewStream

The most important thing is just to go out and start something. I think a lot of people feel as if they are not qualified yet or they just need to get X-amount of money in the bank before they go out and start something. And it doesn’t really matter what it is, you’ll get phenomenal experience starting everything. And eventually you’ll get a successful business under your belt. —Hayden Hamilton, GreenPrint

You Really Are Worth It:

Reasons Why People Should Have You Do Their Taxes

Sometimes it’s most important to convince yourself that you’re worth the fees you charge for preparing taxes. But in addition to recognizing your own value, for marketing purposes, it is good practice to articulate all the reasons why tax preparers benefit their clients. Here are 6 things to remember the next time you, or anyone else, wonders if your services merit your fees.

1. You Save Time, Energy, and Anxiety
If you do their taxes, they don’t have to. This usually means they can spend their time on more worthwhile ventures, sleep well, and be worry-free come April 15^th. And for business owners, this means they can spend that time making more money. This is a benefit that most potential clients would absolutely agree with.

2. You Manage Complicated Tax Issues
One thing is always constant: tax law changes. The layperson doesn’t typically follow tax law and would like filing to be less complicated. That’s where you come in. You do know tax law and understand what may appear to be a complex tax jungle. You should put potential clients at ease: you know what you’re doing and can use that knowledge to enhance their lives.

3. You Potentially Increase Returns
Vula! And this is where your knowledge can speak to a potential client’s pocketbook. Because you do know what you’re doing, you can potentially increase tax returns. Understanding the in’s and out’s of deductions, charitable contributions, capital savings, write-offs, and depreciation can mean a lot more money returning to your client, often more than enough to cover your fees.

4. You Provide Tax Planning Services that Ultimately Save Money
If you really want to win a client over you’ll tell them why they should enlist your services throughout the year: tax planning can save them a substantial amount come next tax season. Tax planning is important because it helps clients make tax-saving choices throughout the year that pay off when you file their taxes. You can tell them just which decisions will save them that money.

5. You’re a Pleasure to Work with
And don’t forget that your personality is the frosting on this taxing cake. Your confidence and enthusiasm will inspire them to trust you with their finances. So be personable and friendly: it’ll put potential and existing clients at ease.

6. You’re Certified
You probably know better than most people: tax payers are often weary of tax preparers who lack credentials, because not all tax preparers are created equal. And currently no licensing is required to become a paid tax preparer. Uncle Jo who was good at math can prepare all his nieces and nephews taxes without recourse. Along with Uncle Jo there are fraudulent “tax preparers” who promise higher returns by committing tax fraud; they then skip town and leave their clients to deal with IRS audits. Also in the mix are hard-working, legitimate tax preparers like you who supplement their income or run a small business preparing tax returns. So how do those hard-working tax preparers put existing clients and potentials clients at ease? By earning a professional designation that demonstrates their tax preparation proficiency and competency.

Perhaps you feel confident in your knowledge of tax preparation and don’t have the time to take a certification course. Universal Accounting Center can award you with a Professional Tax Preparer Designation by simply taking their certification text. And this would be the 6^th reason you’re worth your fees: you’re certified. For just $570 you could earn a professional designation and show potential and existing clients that you have the knowledge and skill to properly prepare their returns. This goes a long way to impress tax payers and get additional clients. Order your exam today.

7 Tips on Forming a Good First Impression

Meeting with a prospective client in order to pitch your services can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. Does it help to know that much of your prospective client’s decision will be influenced by their first impression of you? In fact, your contact will form that first impression within mere seconds of meeting. It’s important that you do your best to make it a good one. We recommend you consider the following when meeting clients to discuss your services.

1. Looks matter

We’re not suggesting that in order to succeed you must look like a contender for a beauty pageant or the cover of GQ. But we are saying you need to appear well-groomed and professional. Depending on the setting, a formal restaurant or a casual bistro, you should dress appropriately and ensure that all the details-from your hair to your shoes-are attended to and project a positive image for your practice.

2. Consider the contact

You don’t want your contact to feel out-of-place or uncomfortable. When selecting a meeting place you should consider the prospective client and what would put them at ease. This includes how you dress as well. You would probably select different attire when meeting a tattoo artist than you would when meeting a stock broker.

3. Practice a firm handshake

Just about everything you do in that first meeting will reflect back on your business and the services you offer. A firm handshake projects confidence and strength while a limp handshake projects a lack of confidence and strength. If necessary you should practice your handshake until it becomes second nature.

4. Express thanks

Lydia Ramsey, in her article “Seal the Deal in Seven Seconds,” says that while only 7% of your first impression is formed by the words you use, it’s important that you choose those words wisely. She suggests focusing on your first 12 words by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the prospective client.

5. Use the client’s name

Everyone loves the sound of their own name. And when talking to a prospective client, especially within those first crucial minutes, it’s essential that you say their name. But don’t overdo it; you just might start to sound like you’re schmoozing which is never very appealing.

6. Smile

No matter how nervous you are be sure to smile. A genuine smile will put the client at ease and set a friendly tone for the meeting.

7. Be energetic and personable

Even your walk says something about you. If your demeanor is sluggish then your prospective client will think that’s how you work. Be energetic, positive and friendly. This effort will communicate volumes about your work ethic.

Almost as important as your pitch is the first impression you give a prospective employer. As you attend to your appearance and the way your present yourself, applying the seven tips described above, you’ll find it much easier to close the deal. Come back next week when we will discuss how to present the perfect sales pitch.

To enhance your sales pitch and learn crucial marketing techniques, you can enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program. You can add new services to your offerings and broaden your target market. If you would like to learn more you can order our video “Introduction to the Professional Bookkeeper Program” today. For less than $10 (or free when you watch it online) you can learn everything you need know about this amazing course.

References

Ramsey, Lydia. “Seal the Deal in Seven Seconds.” 2 July 2008 About.com

Note: Here’s another good marketing tool. Include this sheet of helpful year-end tax tips in Christmas cards to current and potential clients. Just copy and paste this into your word processor, delete this note, include some contact information at the end, and you’re ready for a very happy new year of business.

I’m proud to be paying taxes in the United States . The only thing is—
I could be just as proud for half the money. –Arthur Godfrey

As the year winds down, there are a few things you can do in order to save your business some money. Here are five tips to help you maximize your 2006 tax benefits:

1. Defer income
Each and every penny you make up until December 31^st of this year will be included in your 2006 taxable income. Deferring payments to the beginning of January will save you some money in taxes.

2. Make charitable contributions
‘Tis the season to give. It’s important to check your list twice and see if any of your charitable contributions can come at the end of this year rather than the beginning of next. This will maximize your 2006 deductions. Just be sure to keep your receipts.

3. Increase expenses
Don’t procrastinate buying office supplies until next year; all year-end expenses are tax deductible and could save you a considerable amount come April, 2007. Look to things you’ll be using soon, including office supplies and equipment. Also consider paying January bills early.

4. Check for inventory write-offs
Look through your inventory to see if any products are damaged or outdated. Noting market-value loss could provide you with additional tax deductions.

5. Contribute to retirement plan
Small business owners should recognize that being your own boss means you are responsible for your own retirement. If you haven’t started contributing to a retirement account, now is the time. Any contributions made are tax deductible. And if you do have a retirement account, year-end contributions are a great way to boost your deductions.

Professional Tax Preparers can help you get the most from your yearly tax filings. But truth be told, they’re even more valuable when you enlist their help in year-round tax planning. Any good tax preparer worth his or her salt will save you more in taxes than they charge you in fees. Don’t wait to see how much a tax preparer could save you.

End of Letter - Place your contact information here when you create the marketing piece. so those that get this into their hands can give you a call.

This is designed to be able to get you a foothold within the company, and to work with the other handouts we have included in the last couple Tax Tips Newsletter editions. The art of giving your client useful information without giving away what you do for free is exactly how you can best create that account for your business. All these are designed to open the dialogue that you need to have when you go knock on their doors about the importance to have you and keep you on as year round for tax advisement purposes.

Lastly, it’s also designed to be able to light a fire under you to get yourself into the activity of customer acquisition, which is the lifeblood of any business. For more tips, and a program that helps you with your marketing and business growth efforts check out the Art and Science of Getting Clients. Click Here to view today.

I’m often asked by wannabe freelancers: “When is the best time to start a bookkeeping/accounting service?” The answer’s easy: “ANY TIME!”

That’s never good enough though — they always want to pin me down to the day when the business owners are standing in line. Well, there’s not one day. In fact, you can find clients all year round. But there’s no question that January 1 thru April 15 is the time when a lot of businesses finally decide to get caught up with their finances to be ready for the tax preparer.

At Universal Accounting, we get more calls from prospective clients during these three months than we do the remaining nine months put together. So, be ready. We’re there.

Seven Steps to Make This Year Your Most Profitable Year

• Here’s a list of seven promotional tactics you should consider doing in January to spark your marketing program (or get it started) and enjoy this great season:
• Send your past contacts a letter wishing them a great new year and suggesting that this is the best time of the year to get on top of their business financially. Offer them a free consultation.
• Send your friends and relatives a nice card or letter expressing your thanks for their friendship during the past year and reminding them of your terrific referral program: If they refer new business to you, you will send them and a significant other out to dinner.
• Remind your existing clients, if any, that you have a terrific referral program.
• Visit chamber meetings or network luncheons. They always let you come once or twice to evaluate them before joining.
• Place a small ad in the Services section of your newspaper under Accounting. Offer to help businesses set up their accounting system for the new year.
• Contact local tax preparers and offer to help gather financial information from their clients if they get into a bind. Don’t forget to let them know about your referral program.
• If you are a tax preparer, send out your client tax planners now with a letter notifying them of a proposed appointment (date and time) to review their tax inputs. Ask them to call, if they would like to change the appointment. Of course, you should call them a few days ahead of the appointment to remind them and ask if that time will work out. And, it wouldn’t hurt to let them know about the referral program, either.

Make Your Service More Profitable By Offering Tax Services

During the months prior to a business filing their company tax returns is your best opportunity to find additional clients, especially if your services include preparing tax returns. The best part is that once you have the skills to prepare tax returns for the businesses that you already have as Accounting and Bookkeeping clients, it is an easy sell to also do their taxes for them, since you know their books better than anyone.

Similarly, when your service provides tax preparation services, the clients that you find that need their taxes done likely need someone to do their Accounting and Bookkeeping tasks for them as well. When you find a client for one service, you often find a client for the rest of the financial services that you offer. Typically the same businesses that do not feel comfortable enough with their ability to do their own taxes would also rather have someone do their books for them as well. This “cross-selling” makes marketing much easier on you as a business owner, freeing you to spend time servicing paying clients that would otherwise have gone into finding them.

You can now get training in both Accounting and Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation from Universal Accounting to add more billable services to your current client list. If you are just starting your business, demonstrating your ability to provide a larger number of financial services to your clients will help them to build confidence in your service. You will show your clients that you can provide a “single-source” approach to financial services for their business.

You have your website up and running because you were told that every viable business has gotta have one. Now what do you do with it? There are just a few easy and inexpensive things you can do to strengthen your website and woo more clients. Here are seven:

1. Personalize

Many business sites are sterile and impersonal. That often intimidates and overwhelms users. They’re more likely to request your services if they feel a genuine connection with you, and that can happen when you personalize your website.

I once called a plumber blind simply because the owner had a picture of himself and his son in the yellow pages. The picture drew me to his business more than anything else about the ad. In the ‘about us’ section consider adding pictures of you, your family, and your staff. Also write a fun and interesting bio that will allow potential clients to get a taste of your friendly personality.

2. Vocalize

Adding a podcast to your website is a nice way to personalize the site by allowing visitors to hear you speak. Fairly easy and inexpensive to create, a podcast is an audio recording that can communicate the emotion that is often lost in promotional text. It allows the listener to better connect with you and your business. And all you need to create a podcast are a microphone, a digital recorder, and some editing software.

3. Relate

Let visitors know that you understand their concerns and can relate to them on some level. This comes in knowing your target audience and being able to communicate how your services can benefit their lives in some way.

4. Teach

People love free stuff. Provide information that can help your current and potential clients. This can be accomplished in a number of ways: offer a free newsletter that provides helpful tax information; include a tips page that will give visitors free tax advice; provide links that will give them even more valuable information. Your website then becomes educational and not just promotional. This increases its value to visitors and they will come to use your site as a reference; when they actually need the help of a tax preparer, you’ll be the first one they think of.

5. Respond

When someone comes to you through your website (and other means) you must respond as quickly as possible. Waiting too long communicates disregard and may turn potential clients away. Even if they’re asking a simple question that may never lead to even one billable hour, this is a potential client who should be given the same high level of customer service you provide all your contacts.

6. Keep in touch

One of the most valuable things you can get from your website is contact information. Once someone comes to you through your website you should keep in touch with that individual. Be friendly and low pressure. Send email updates, call to see if you can help them with anything else, or give him/her promotional offers.

7. Outshine the competition

Your website should be better than anything else your local target market can find. This means you must find out what the competition’s websites look like. Go through the yellow pages, do a web search, or look for URL’s on business cards. Once you find those websites take inventory of what you need to improve on or add to your own.

These seven easy and inexpensive tips can enhance your website, generate more interest in your services, and ultimately increase your client base. And once you strengthen your website it can act as a tireless marketing machine, working 24/7 to get the word out about your valuable services.

The Second Date is Always Easier…

It’s Always Easier to Offer More Services to Existing Clients than to Find New Clients

First dates always made me nervous. It’s not that way for everybody, but it was for me. In fact, the beautiful young lady that would eventually become my wife wasn’t too impressed with me on our first date. She said I was “OK enough for a second date.” Ouch.

It didn’t help that it was a blind date either. I was nervous, a little uncomfortable and yes, I probably did talk more to the friend that set us up than I did to her. All I remember is how beautiful her green eyes were. Of course, I wanted a second date. Even though I didn’t do too good the first time, she agreed. We had our second date.

On the second date, I totally won her over and the rest is history.

In Business, Second Dates Rock!

By second dates I mean, upselling existing customers. Any professional marketer will tell you there are three, and only three, ways to increase your tax practice’s income. This may be a little simplistic, but here they are:

1. Find More Clients: Yep, it’s as simple as it sounds. The more clients you are able to service, the more income you’ll be able to generate for your tax practice. Finding new clients should be on the top of every small business owners list of necessities. If your client list isn’t always growing, you need to get to work.
   
   
2. Convince Your Current Clients to Purchase More: Offering your current clients additional tax services is a great way to generate more income for your tax practice. A periodic review of their tax status during the year, rather than just at tax time, will not only generate income for your practice during the year, but should also make the rush during filing season easier too. Always look for additional services to offer your current tax clients, and they’ll gladly pay you more for your help and advice.
3. Convince Your Current Clients to Come Back More Often: This provides all the benefits of convincing your clients to purchase more, but with an extra kick. Adding services to your tax practice just makes sense, but add the right services and you’ll generate a stable and recession-free income from your clients each and every month of the year. We’re not just talking a great second date here, we’re talking a long term client relationship. The right services will get your tax clients to come back every month, and that’s powerful.

What is this Additional Service that Will Bring My Clients Back Every Month?

Before I tell you, you need to know that this service will not only make your tax practice more profitable, it will make your job at tax time easier. More profitable and easier? How can it do both?

Until recently, most the small business bookkeeper provided all the financial services to the business he worked with. He did the payroll, the accounts payable and receivable, the general ledger and prepared and filed the taxes. Over the last server al years, these services have been taken over by a lot of specialized companies that only do payroll or only do payables. Although this makes sense for big corporations, it doesn’t make sense for small business owners.

Small Business Owners Need a Small Business Profit Expert

More and more small business owners are finding that they need someone who has a handle on their complete financial picture. Not just bits and pieces. Despite what the specialists might say, general ledger, payroll and accounts payable are all interrelated. For a business to be as profitable as it can be, the business owners either needs to have a complete understanding of what’s going on financially in his or her business, or he needs to have a trusted and skillful profit expert who can give him the information and advice needed to keep his or her business growing and profitable.

A Monthly Picture of the Financial Situation of Any Small Business Makes Tax Time Easier for You

Adding small business bookkeeping and accounting to your tax practice gives you a monthly picture of the financial situation of your clients and enables you to offer tax planning advice to your clients on a regular basis. What’s more, as the small business bookkeeper, you’re in the position to implement those tax saving strategies during the year to maximize the effect. A small business bookkeeper who is also the skilled and qualified tax accountant is a valuable asset to any small business.

The Same People Who Offer the Most Complete Professional Tax Preparation Education in the Industry Also Teach Small Business Bookkeeping and Accounting

Small business bookkeeping and tax education is what we do. Since 1979, we’ve taught thousands of people just like you the ins-and-outs of small business bookkeeping and tax preparation. With successful graduates all over the country, you can have confidence that your tax and bookkeeping education will not only teach you how to work with small businesses anywhere, it will also provide you with the tools to make sure your business is a success.

At Universal, experience has taught us, that if your education doesn’t have the power to help you start and operate a profitable small business tax and bookkeeping practice, it just isn’t the right education. That’s why,

An Education With a Guarantee? How Does that Work?

Universal Accounting’s Ironclad 100% Money Back Guarantee

Purchase and complete the course, and if you don’t feel that you’ve received more than your money’s worth, you can return the materials and get a complete refund. All of us here at Universal Accounting are so confident that you will find this training to be of value that we all stand behind it, 100%

I’ve never taken a university or college course that offered any kind of guarantee… have you?

Like a Hand in a Glove…

Nothing fits with a professional tax preparation business like a professional bookkeeping service. Whether or not you begin your tax practice combined with bookkeeping business, it should be part of your big-picture plans for success.

Make Your Second Dates Really Rock!

Add Up the Value! Save $$$ Today!

If It’s Accounting, It’s Universal:

Get to Know More About the Company That Will Change Your Career!

Universal Accounting is a company that is making a difference in the lives of their students! For those who are pursuing or looking into the possibilities of pursuing a career path into the Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation services, you need to get to know more about what all Universal offers in their comprehensive training programs.

If you prefer onsite classroom study or looking for the benefits received on independent study, we have developed the programs that you will be able to get the one-on-one experience in your own home. The skills we have used over the course of the last 28 years, with the trial and error, the fine-tuning of accounting methods and strategies, and what we and thousands more have experienced running their own practices - we have provided to you the advantage to stay on top of your profession. Our coursework is designed to be exactly what you will be doing when you are servicing the biggest customer base available, the small business owner.

If you are looking for the knowledge, the skills, and the know-how to start or build your accounting or tax practice, or just looking to gain the essential skills to further your career in your place of business, Universal’s Programs are what you are going to need.

Click here to take the Video Tour of Universal and all that we offer to you, the accounting and tax professional to be the best in your field and to have the success in business and in your professional life that you are seeking.Our exclusive short term courses do just that!

Imagine staying on top of the latest in the industry and having access to the experts who can assist you through training? Imagine what you are learning can be applied the very next day at work? Imagine being able to keep the materials, and the reading for continued referencing as you take that path in Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation? You don’t have to imagine too hard, because that is one of the many things you receive when you enroll in these specialized programs! Click here to get to know Universal Accounting.

Are You Ready For The Next Step?
Be in business for yourself, but not by yourself getting paid what you’re worth! Are you tired of thinking, “Why not me?” You have gotten this far in your search to do what you want to in your chosen career, take the next step. The time is now to be able to get the training and the change you desire in your professional life. Click here to find out if Professional Tax Preparation Certification is a fit for you.

Be the Profit Expert Professional for Small Business! Don’t hesitate another day in getting the Accounting and Marketing Training that makes the difference. Click here to get more information on what you need to know about becoming the Profit Center Expert for small business accounting and tax!

Every small business could use some free publicity. And tip sheets are the perfect way to get that free publicity. Sandra Beckwith, author of Streetwise Complete Publicity Plans, says, “It’s one of the hardest working and most useful tactics available for generating publicity.” And in an article published by StartupNation.com she adds, “They are probably one of the most valuable publicity tools a small business can use.”

Media outlets love tip sheets because they are complete, ready-to-use publishing and reporting fodder. And once your tip sheet runs in a newspaper or is picked up by the local news channel you’ve demonstrated your tax preparation expertise and shared your contact information all at the same time. And for free!

But how do you write a tip sheet? It’s actually easy! Here are 10 guidelines to help you write a winning tip sheet:

1. Write a catchy title. Look to trendy women’s magazines for guidelines. Good titles include a number: “5 Ways to Drop Ten Pounds Before Swimsuit Season,” “12 Christmas Gifts under Ten Dollars,” “10 Guidelines on Writing a Winning Tip Sheet.”
2. State a problem. You must convince your readers that there’s a need for your tip sheet. How will it benefit their lives?
3. Include an expert quote. To bolster the validity of your tip sheet it’s good to include a supporting quote from an expert (see the first paragraph of this article for an example).
4. Use a numbered list. Numbered lists are easy to read. They also present information in manageable chunks. The best tip sheets include 6 to 12 tips.
5. Use active verbs. Each tip should include a verb that moves readers to action.
6. Focus. Don’t get distracted by tangents or lengthy explanations. Remember, less can be more, especially with a tip sheet.
7. End with a call-to-action. Invite your readers to call you for more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss tax benefits they could be enjoying.
8. Include your contact information. This is one of the most important elements of a tip sheet; you want readers to know who they can contact when they need tax help.
9. Keep it to one page. That’s why it’s called a tip sheet rather than tip sheets. Any longer and your readers will lose interest.
10. Get your tip sheet into the right hands. Once you’ve finished the tip sheet you need to give it to your local paper, news channel, or radio station to see if they’d be interested in running your story. Also remember to take it with you when you go to conferences, workshops, and presentations.

If you’d like more information about marketing your business, visit Universal Accounting Center today and request our video “The Art and Science of Getting Clients.” This free video will show you how to start and grow your own accounting practice. Don’t wait another minute to start attracting bigger and better clients. Start Today!

Ringo sang the song. But John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote this Marketing Masterpiece. Why do I call it a marketing masterpiece? Simple… Ringo sang about networking.

In the world of marketing, networking is more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.. it’s your Man-of-Steel. From finding a job to building your client list,networking… works.

The Real Truth About Networking

It isn’t new, and it’s not what you think. In the past, networking was informal and random. Today, networking has become systematic and structured. You don’t have to be a skilled negotiator or speaker to network, and I’d like to share with you some successful techniques that will help you improve your network and networking abilities.

We are All Surrounded by a Potentially Powerful Network

The next time you’re in a room with 12 of your closest friends, make a list of all the different people you all collectively know. You might be surprised at what names turn up. Peter Vogt, a MonsterTRAK Career Coach says, “You’ll be amazed at who the people in your everyday life know - and by the additional people those people know. But you’ll never discover any of them until you abandon the ‘I don’t know anyone good’ mentality and replace it with the ‘I’ll start with the people around me and go from there’ philosophy…”

I’ve watched my oldest son “network” for years. He started his network as a boy. It provided him with employment, a college schollarship and opportunities to see and do things that I haven’t done.

With an average speaking ability, in his own charming way he builds his “network” every time he meets somebody new. Of course, you know you’re being networked, but it’s okay. If you become a part of his network, you can expect that he will be a part of yours. This mutually beneficial network of his works both ways. In fact, I’ve even found myself a part of it from time to time.

How Do I Start an effective network?

Use a formal and systematic approach to working your network. Organization and a plan for keeping track of your network and information is critical. Don’t forget, networking is about relationships. A good networking relationship will be mutually beneficial.

The following link to a Microsoft Word document might help you organize your networking contacts and your communications with them. Remember, you can use any format to keep track of this information; you don’t have to use my form.

Networking Contact Organization Sheet

“The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with the First Step”
Lao Tsu

It all starts with a little action. The first step. Allen Bostrom, President of Universal Accounting and Networking Guru to hundreds of graduates says, “Your own network is the final outcome of all your networking activities and… forms a vital part of your total marketing effort. With this in mind, it is something that should always be [foremost in our thoughts].”

Universal Accounting offers the finest curriculum on not only how to start a profitable and rewarding business as a professional tax preparer and bookkeeper, but also offers training on how to best market your business to amplify your profits. With just another couple clicks of the mouse you can find out just how profitable a career in professional tax preparation and bookkeeping can be for you.

I Want to Take the First Step. Show Me More About Starting My Own Professional Tax Preparation Business