Episode 77

full
Published on:

14th Jun 2024

Podcast Marketing: Why Do It?

Are you maximizing your firm's potential by effectively marketing your services, even when you're swamped with work?

In this episode of "Strategy and the Virtual Controller," Penny Breslin interviews Damien Greathead about marketing for accounting firms. They discuss the importance of maintaining an updated and specific website, effective client communication, and strategic marketing even when firms feel they are overwhelmed with work. They highlight the value of newsletters and automated communication to keep clients engaged and address their needs proactively. The conversation also covers the significance of defining ideal clients and creating a clear referral system, ensuring firms can attract and retain both clients and employees.


Dive in to discover strategic tips on balancing workload and client acquisition!


[00:00 - 05:21] Introduction and Importance of Specific Websites

  • Damien Greathead emphasizes the need for accounting firms to have specific, updated websites.
  • They discuss basic services like budgeting and forecasting.


[05:22 - 15:10] Importance of Marketing and Communication

  • Marketing is important for firms even when overwhelmed with work.
  • The hosts give examples of misleading advertising and defining Client Advisory Services (CAS).


[15:11 - 25:30] Effective Use of Websites and Newsletters

  • Penny and Damien discuss how an outdated website can negatively impact firm perception.
  • What is the role of newsletters in client communication and prompting additional projects?


[25:31 - 36:00] Client and Employee Engagement

  • Engaging with both clients and potential employees through clear communication is vital.
  • The firm's website and marketing materials reflect the firm's true values and services.


[36:01 - 39:00] Practical Marketing Strategies

  • Implement practical marketing strategies such as newsletters and automated follow-ups.
  • Penny and Damien highlight the importance of having a clear and defined marketing and sales process.
  • They also encourage firms to continuously update their marketing strategies and maintain client engagement.



Direct Quotes:


"I would just encourage accounting firms to take a look at that website and skinny it down. Get more specific." - Damien Greathead


"Even if you're not necessarily looking for new clients, I think there's a real opportunity for firms just to take a look at their shop front." - Damien Greathead



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Thank you for listening. Please like and share this episode with a friend!

Websites: https://moneypennyllc.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiengreathead/

Twitter: @Damien_GH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-breslin-0228b81/

Twitter: @pennyb57


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About the Podcast

Strategy and the Virtual Controller
Helping accounts and bookkeepers build the firm they want, their way
Your hosts Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead have more than 30 years of combined experience in the accounting industry. This podcast is to share their experiences of working in, and consulting to accounting and bookkeeping firms of all sizes, helping them grow.

Nothing discussed will be rocket science, instead they'll be discussing 'how' firms have successfully, and not so successfully, pursued growth. Penny and Damien will be sharing their insights on how firms can be successful by focusing on their people (clients included), their technology, and their processes and systems.

Ultimately how successful an accounting business will be depends largely on how the owners manage change, which alongside taxes appears to be the only constant.

We do want to acknowledge David Maister's great read Strategy and the Fat Smoker: Doing what's obvious but not easy as the inspiration for our title. Buy it on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3dhcUFC

Subscribe today for an upbeat and practical conversation about what's working and what's not in accounting businesses around the world.

About your hosts

Penny Breslin

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Penny Breslin is the founder of MoneyPenny, a consulting firm specializing in helping accounting firms and other businesses embrace the power of technology to simplify their operations and increase their profit margins.

Drawing on her years of experience and her knowledge of what it takes to run a successful business, Penny oversees the development of back office processes for her client firms. From the initial evaluation of the firm’s workflow, to technology selection, and assisting in the on-boarding of the firm’s clients, Penny works with her clients to maximize the benefits of a paperless and cloud-based firm.

Damien Greathead

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Damien has been working in the accounting industry for more than 15 years. In addition to getting his hands dirty preparing tax returns and doing bookkeeping, but the bulk of his experience comes from consulting to both accounting firms and the technology companies that serve the industry.

He set up 2020 Group USA which was a membership group for small and medium sized accounting firms and then went on to set up Receipt Bank (now Dext) in North America.

He regularly speaks to industry bodies on technology, marketing and change management.