Updates
Archived Posts from this Category
What You Need to Know About Advertising Your Services Online
Posted by Gabrielle on 25 Nov 2009 | Tagged as: Articles, Everything Else, Marketing, Updates
On December 1, 2009, recent changes to the Federal Trade Commission Act affecting online marketing, blogging and advertising will go into effect. The expanded regulations affect every US-based individual and business that sells or recommends products and services on the Internet. So if you have a website for your freelance bookkeeping business (and you should) or post on social media, you need to know about this.
What’s it all about?
“The original FTC act ‘prohibits deceptive and unfair acts or practices in commerce and misleading advertising of drugs, foods, cosmetics, devices and services,’ and these prohibilitions apply online and offline,” explains Richard Cleland, Assistant Director of the FTC Advertising Practices Division in a recent online interview.
The new guidelines expand on how the regulations apply to online marketing. With the ease in posting recommendations for third party products and services, such as using Amazon affiliate links, this change affects nearly everyone who has any kind of commercial dealings on the Web.
In which situations does it apply?
Specifically, the new rules apply to anyone who posts on a blog or website using affiliate links or where customer testimonials are used to sell a product or service. Any kind of reviews or recommendations online where compensation is involved are also included.
The fact that there is compensation involved now must be plainly disclosed. Where testimonials are involved, average customer results must be disclosed. It is no longer adequate to state that “your results may vary,” as has commonly been done by many.
What to do next
Since the new regulations go into effect next week, if you have a website where you use testimonials or affiliate links, you should figure out what needs to be revised on your blog(s) and/or website(s) to bring them into compliance and avoid getting snagged by the authorities. You may also have to change the way you post information with commercial connections on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
The rub is, the new guidelins are not especially clear on how they specifically apply to some situations. So the best advice is to check out the information available on the FTC website itself. I’ve also included additional resources below, including an interview just released this week by online business expert, Jim Edwards, and FTC official, Richard Cleland, which includes real life examples of online advertising and how the requirements for disclosure apply.
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Resources
The official FTC guidelines that take effect on December 1st.
Jim Edwards interviews FTC Official for clarification of the new guidelines
Interpretation of FTC guidelines by an Internet lawyer
How to use the new guidelines to your advantage with testimonials
Heads Up on an Important QuickBooks Security Issue
Posted by Gabrielle on 29 Oct 2009 | Tagged as: Everything Else, Updates
It’s Gabrielle Fontaine with a heads-up critical update for
everyone currently (or formerly) using QuickBooks software.
You may also want to pass this information along to any of
your clients who are currently using QuickBooks software on their own.
Intuit, the company that makes QuickBooks, just announced that
there is a potential security risk that has been found that
would allow hackers to access the data on your computer.
The threat is due to a newly discovered vulnerability in
Microsoft’s ActiveX technology, which is commonly used by many
popular computer programs.
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QuickBooks Versions Affected By The Threat
===================================
All QuickBooks Simple Start, Pro, Premier and Enterprise Solutions
versions, 2009 and older (including trial versions) are vulernable.
The new QuickBooks 2010 versions, however, are not affected.
Intuit updates its currently supported versions from time to time
by releasing software patches. Each update or patch is given a
“Release” number for easy identification.
Right now, downloading Intuit’s updates is the only immediate way
to eliminate the vulnerability in currently supported versions of
QuickBooks. In time, Microsoft will likely release a patch with
their regular security updates for ActiveX.
===================================
How To Protect Your Computer Now
===================================
All QuickBooks users of 2007, 2008 and 2009 versions should verify
that they have downloaded and installed the most current updates.
You can check if your software is up to date by opening QuickBooks
and then using the F2 key.
These are the most current updates that include a patch which
eliminates this new threat:
QuickBooks 2009 – R8
QuickBooks 2008 – R10
QuickBooks 2007 – R13
The best way to stay up to date is to enable the automatic update
feature AND to install those updates when prompted.
You can also manually download the latest updates directly from the
QuickBooks website.
http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/productupdates.aspx
===================================
If You Are Running QuickBooks 2006 or Older….
===================================
If you are running QuickBooks 2006 or older, you are vulnerable to
this security threat. Since these versions are no longer supported
by Intuit, there is no downloadable update. Your best defense is to
upgrade your QuickBooks software to a supported version (2007-2009)
as soon as possible.
You can find both 2009 and the newest 2010 versions on amazon.com
Additionally, if you have an older version of QuickBooks installed
on your computer but it is no longer in use, remove it by
uninstalling the program to remove the ActiveX threat.
===================================
If You Are Running a Non-US Version of QuickBooks….
===================================
For Canadian versions of QuickBooks, you can download the updates
directly from the Intuit website:
For UK versions of QuickBooks, you can download the updates
directly from the Intuit website:
===================================
I’ve Made a Video to Show You Exactly What to Do
===================================
As an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I want to see you
get the most out of your QuickBooks software. That’s why I created
my free video training blog, QB QuickTips.
My latest video post walks you through each of the steps outlined above to
show you exactly how to protect yourself from this new ActiveX threat.
If you want to stay informed about critical updates for QuickBooks
like this one, as well as learn insider tricks and tips on how to
use this powerful software for your business success, be sure and
sign up for the QB QuickTips notification list.
You’ll also receive private, subscriber-only bonuses that are not
even posted on the blog.
Get your free subcription here:
What Freelance Bookkeepers Need Most
Posted by Gabrielle on 23 Sep 2009 | Tagged as: Updates
Gabrielle Fontaine here with some special news for you.
Last month I conducted a survey asking freelance bookkeepers this
question: “What do you [as a freelance bookkeeper] need most in
your business, right now?”
I must have touched a chord. The response I got was amazing! There
were several different areas of concern that surfaced. But can you
guess what the BIG #1 need is?
Effective Marketing Methods
Nearly every single person cited this as either their most
important, or at least one of their most important needs. Of
course, the benefits of marketing your bookkeeping services
effectively is bringing in new clients and increased revenues.
That’s more important now than ever.
So here’s the special news…
I will be presenting a LIVE webinar entitled, “Effective Marketing
for The Freelance Bookkeeper” next Tuesday, September 29th at 7:00
PM Eastern Time
This brand new material will show you exactly what it takes in the
current economic environment to attract more paying clients,
without costing you a lot in advertising or forcing you to employ
traditional hard-sell tactics.
So mark your calendar now, and get all the details right here:
www.thefreelancebookkeeper.com/webinar/
Here’s to YOUR success in your freelance bookkeeping business using
easy and effective marketing methods for the “new” economy! 
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~Gabrielle
P.S. If you’re ready to bring in more high-quality clients, or
you’re just getting your freelance bookkeeping practice off the
ground, you won’t want to miss out on this live webinar, where
you’ll get everything you need to build your own highly effective
freelance bookkeeper marketing system.
Get all the details here:
When Clients Want to Do Their Own Books…
Posted by Gabrielle on 02 Sep 2009 | Tagged as: Articles, Everything Else, Training, Updates, Videos
Have you found that the recession is causing some of your clients to take a hard look at reducing expenses? Is that making them consider the idea of taking their bookkeeping in-house?
If so, don’t panic. There is actually a golden opportunity here, if we look a little deeper.
The first reaction most business owners have when they see a sudden (or not-so-sudden) dip in revenues, is to tighten the belt on their expenses. And unless they are aware of the true value of your services, they may target their outsourced bookkeeping expense for elimination. “It’s just simple data entry,” they may think.
Of course, we know that accurate bookkeeping involves far more expertise than simple data entry. But sometimes our clients don’t fully realize that.
What To Do About It
Before I show you how you can turn this into a golden opportunity, let me tell you what NOT to do.
Don’t sound devastated when your client breaks the news. If you sound rattled and scared to lose their business, that will only make them not want to discuss alternatives with you. (They likely feel awkward talking to you about it already.)
Instead, step into the role of consultant and explore whether this change truly is the best option for your client’s business success. To do this effectively, you MUST get out of your own way!
DO NOT worry about losing the client. Really. This will likely turn out to be a good deal for you whether the client wants you to continue doing the bookkeeping or not!
Focus fully on your client’s welfare for the moment.
DO look for how you can assist your client to make the best possible decision for his / her success. You will stand out from the “typical” freelancer in this situation. And you will be setting yourself up for success.
Here’s why.
If, in fact, it truly would be a wise decision economically for your client to do the books on his/her own (although, most often, this is simply not the case), some training is definitely going to be needed. Maybe a lot of it. Aren’t you in the best position to provide that training?
Even after the client has been adequately trained (and the client isn’t overwhelmed by what it really takes to get the books done right), s/he will probably need ongoing support. This is especially true if s/he is using QuickBooks. This service alone could actually save the client from making a big mess that will cost much more to clean up in the long run.
You could even offer to do the bank reconciliations and/or set up a regular review of the books on a monthly or quarterly basis, just to make sure everything stays clean and up to date. The client may find this an invaluable service that won’t break the bank.
This type of arrangement is good for your bottom line too because your fee as a trainer and consultant should be at a higher rate than what you’re charging for basic monthly bookkeeping services.
Positioning Yourself As A Consultant
The most important factor in pulling this kind of transition off is to really listen to your client and hear where the pain is coming from. You want to provide highly valuable solutions that your client will appreciate.
If your client really does want you to continue doing the books, but they are simply looking to cut overhead, offer suggestions for where else in their business they might cut some fat that will provide short-term as well as long-term results. Show them how to find these opportunities in their financial reports.
I’ve seen clients whose sole reason for taking back the books was to save money. But they had no desire whatsoever to keep track of their finances. So they soon found themselves in hot water because their bookkeeping records quickly became a disaster. And then, of course, they had to pay big bucks to have their accountant clean up the mess at tax time. Not smart.
Save your clients from this pain and offer a great solution that works for both of you! (Remember: Win-Win)
So whether they keep you as their bookkeeper or not, help your clients to avoid the penny-wise-and-pound-foolish mindset by showing you really care about their success. If needed, help them tighten the belt (as well as identify ways to pull in more revenue) by transitioning to the role of business consultant.
As a valued advisor to your clients, you will make your services indispensable, increase your rates, and hold on to top-notch clients for life.
Who knew the recession could turn out to be such a blessing in disguise?
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~Gabrielle
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Resources
If you are looking for ways to become a QuickBooks trainer or consultant, consider these helpful resources:
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program – QuickBooks software, training, certification and Train the Trainer resources included in the ProAdvisor Program
Successful QuickBooks Consulting – This is a helpful guide to starting and growing a consultant business that focuses exclusively on QuickBooks. Highly recommended.
About your website…
Posted by Gabrielle on 07 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Everything Else, Marketing, Q & A, Training, Updates
Here’s a solution to one of the most frequent questions I’m asked by my TFB blog readers:
“How do I quickly and easily put up a website that will help build my business?”
There are several ways to do it, but I am very pleased to be able to invite you to a free training webinar that is FULL of extremely important information about not only how to put up a website easily and quickly, but also key strategies to make your website profitable – even if you’ve already got a great website in place.
This is a special time-sensitive invitation…
Click Here => Free Mini-Site Webinar
It’s a new, absolutely free, LIVE *webinar* being offered by my own marketing mentor, Jim Edwards. This special class is called:
“The Ultimate Mini-Site Formula“.
I’m going to be attending this one-time-only training happening THIS coming Wednesday, June 10th. And you are invited to join me.
Regardless of where you are in your business, this live online class contains proven battle-tested blueprints for making your online presence profitable with quick and easy little “mini-websites” you can create yourself in just a single afternoon!
(And if you’re just getting ready to put up your website, this is MUST-HAVE information to make sure your site will actually do the selling for you and make money!)
Get the full story right here:
Click Here => Free Mini-Site Webinar
Using the latest webinar technology, we’ll discover together….
- What exactly is a “mini-site” and why you NEED to have at least one for your business
placeholder - Breakthrough strategies that will help you to set up an autopilot mini-site that brings you a never-ending flow of new leads and customers.
placeholder - The Exact 4-step process every successful mini-site business MUST follow to profit online
placeholder - How to instantly double your mini-site profits just by changing ONE link
placeholder - One of the BIGGEST TRAPS you can fall into that guarantees failure (and more importantly, how to AVOID it!)
placeholder - A detailed run-through of Jim’s Million Dollar “Ultimate Online Success Formula” (That’s no hype, either. Jim is literally a multi-millionaire because of this exact mini-site formula!)
placeholder - Jim says he’ll even create a REAL mini-site LIVE on the Webinar in just 4 1/2 minutes! (And he’ll also show you a 30-second trick for turning this site into profits, almost instantly!)…
placeholder - – And much, MUCH more!
Plus not only will you be able to hear Jim sharing this NEW information, but you’ll also get to SEE and WATCH it happening in real time on your computer screen, complete with LIVE examples! (And it doesn’t matter what connection speed you have or even if you have a PC or Mac.)
I’m definitely looking forward to being on this webinar myself — that’s why I thought you’d want to know about it too. It’s going to to be a first-class event!
I truly hope you can join me. You won’t regret it — of that I’m 100% sure.
Gabrielle
P.S. – Considering it’s been almost ONE YEAR since Jim’s last free mini-site training webinar, and since there’s zero tuition cost for this one-time-only event, Jim told me this will be completely booked up very quickly.
If you’ve ever wanted to use the Internet and a website to build your business, this is one free event you don’t want to miss! I know I’ll be there! Don’t wait and kick yourself later.
Click Here => Free Mini-Site Webinar
