How to Successfully Market Yourself as a Freelance Accountant

The world continues to be dominated by freelancers, meaning you have a great chance of becoming a successful freelance accountant. Whether you choose to do this in your spare time or become a full-time freelancer, marketing is the key to finding and retaining clients.

Many small businesses cannot afford an in-house accountant, which is where you come in. To successfully market yourself as a freelance accountant, follow the steps below.

Choose a Niche

Any business does better when it understands its target audience and chooses a niche. With so many different freelance accountants out there, how will you stand out? A niche helps you to define a specific set of people you can assist with your current skill set and can make it easier to find new clients.

If you have experience working within a certain industry, such as gas and oil, it may be best to stick to this niche. As a freelancer, it can be difficult to stay current with the latest industry trends. To better serve your niche market, consider these Online CPE Courses for Accountants in the gas and oil industry.

Create a Brand Name and Logo

Branding your freelance business will make your content look more professional and enhance your brand identity. Instead of working as just yourself, consider creating a brand name and logo, which you can use across your website, social media accounts, and emails. This could be something as simple as your name followed by the word accounting, or a name that specifies exactly what type of accounting you do.

Build a Professional Website

Nobody will take you seriously as a freelance accountant without a professional website. Even those on a low budget can create a free website, which can be improved as the money starts rolling in. If you approach a company via email or social media, they are likely to use a search engine to find out more about you. If they find a professional-looking website, they are more likely to take you seriously as a freelancer.

Your website should list any services you offer but avoid putting prices on here. You may need to negotiate, especially when first starting out. Posting regular blog posts can help your business gain traction and improve search rankings. Once you’ve worked with clients, ask them for a testimonial, which can be posted on your website to impress potential customers.

Create Social Media Accounts

Social media is one of the best and cheapest ways for freelancers to get word of their services out there and get noticed. As a freelance accountant, you may want to focus on sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Once you have created your account, compose a compelling profile and link to your website.

You should post regularly on your social media accounts with interesting and informative information for potential clients. Daily engagement with your social media accounts can help your posts get views. Follow and network with other freelance accountants and start-ups, as this is a great way to start a conversation with a small business that might need a freelance accountant.

Start a Mailing List

Mailing lists can keep old, existing, and potential clients in the loop and remind them of the great services you offer. When sending out emails, make sure they are relevant and include any offers or deals that could be of interest. Focus your emails around important tax dates, as this will remind clients of the important deadlines for the year and may just spur them on to reach out for help.

Get in Touch with Start-Ups and Small Businesses

Becoming a freelancer takes patience and dedication to the craft. You may need to spend days researching new start-ups and small businesses in your area that you can approach. Do this in person or by sending out emails to introduce yourself and your services to relevant companies.

Make sure to keep this simple and consider offering a free consultation. This allows businesses to learn more about the importance of using an accountant and the benefits you can offer, such as finding ways to lower their tax payments.

Marketing yourself as a freelance accountant starts with choosing a niche and creating a brand image. Building a professional website will help more possible clients find you and improve your online reputation. Create social media accounts and network with businesses, start a mailing list to keep clients updated, and start getting in touch with start-ups and small businesses that you can work with.