Comments for The Freelance Bookkeeper

Comment on The Myth About Bookkeeper Credentials and Education by Kgosi Johnson

Kgosi Johnson — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:43:15 +0000

Gabrielle & Val mention excellent point about being a problem solver and communicating that message. When I meet someone face to face, I can listen to a potential client and then explain to them how I can solve their problem. However, how do I specify being a problem solver with other forms of marketing?

Comment on How to Start a Bookkeeping Business and Get What You Want by Briana Woody

Briana Woody — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:34:01 +0000

Well put. My only advice to the brainstorming is, when you’re ready to hammer out the details and processes, to stay focused when doing on-line research and limit your time (the length it takes to do a task tends to expand to the amount of time you allot for it). There is so much small business, accounting, marketing information on-line that I wasted hours (probably days) just daydreaming about how I wanted my business to be structured and reading advice just because it’s exciting (Excuse the term “entrepreneurial porn”, but it’s so accurate!). Over time, I’ve learned to focus my research and planning to the task at hand – website development, learning tricks in the software, etc. I’ve enjoyed your website, webinars and articles because they are specific to our freelance bookkeeping community. When I need motivation, this site is a great place to light my fire.

Comment on How to Start a Bookkeeping Business and Get What You Want by Paula

Paula — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:31:13 +0000

Hi Gabrielle,

I always appreciate the no-nonsense, practical advice in your articles and the gentle nudge you provide for newer independent bookkeepers & those already established!

I agree with Mike – the back-to-basics is well-timed and it’s always a good reminder to re-visit the vision we had when we started. Getting closer to that vision is true progress.

Thanks!

Paula

Comment on How to Start a Bookkeeping Business and Get What You Want by Michael Cook

Michael Cook — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:14:50 +0000

Thanks Gabrielle,
Thanks for this trip back to the basics of starting a freelance bookkeeping business.
Yes, it is important to have a firm vision of what it is we really want to accomplish and why. Everything else must grow from this place. Otherwise, we’ll end up with just another ‘JOB’ and plenty of dissatisfaction.
-Mike-

Comment on The Freelance Bookkeeper’s Credentials by chelcie wimmer

chelcie wimmer — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:04:39 +0000

Good post. I’m experiencing some of these issues as well..

Comment on The Myth About Bookkeeper Credentials and Education by Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:50:09 +0000

Great questions, Kgosi!

Yes, without a doubt you should have your email address on your business cards! And yes, it is good advice to give people multiple ways to contact you, but I also agree that you should NOT put your email address on your website. It is far better to use a contact form instead. Your colleagues are right! If you put your email address on the web publicly, there are what are called “spam bots” that will “harvest” your email address for those who use the data gathered to send spam and sell your email address to others who send spam. You will get TONS of spam. To help prevent this, you are well served to use a web form instead to get messages from those who visit your website.

Comment on The Myth About Bookkeeper Credentials and Education by Kgosi Johnson

Kgosi Johnson — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:30:48 +0000

Speaking of marketing, is it advisable to put an email address on our websites and business cards? Some colleagues I talked to say to make sure to give people whatever ways to contact you. Others say do not give out email address because of spam.

Comment on How Much Should You Charge? by Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:21:20 +0000

Hi Tessa, While I am not a lawyer and can't give you legal advice, here are a few basics. To start your business you will need to get a business license, and likely do not need a specific certification for payroll (check with your local authorities), but if you will be offering "professional" services, make sure that you are aware of all the payroll requirements for your state and local governments, as well as on the federal level. AIPB has some great training materials for Payroll, and you can also attain certification through them. As far as liability, you should carry Errors & Omissions insurance to protect you if you ever do make a mistake (perceived or real) and a client makes a claim against you to hold you responsible. You can also get a group rate and coverage specific to bookkeepers through AIPB. If you have any legal questions about starting a business, be sure to consult an attorney or other legal professional who is aware of your specific circumstances. This is just in general for your information. Hope it helps.

Comment on How Much Should You Charge? by Tessa

Tessa — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:32:24 +0000

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide all this wonderful information to us all!!! I have been working for a bookkeeper who handles payroll and taxes. I want to start my own business, in a different county out of consideration for my employer. Do I need to be certified? Also, I am considering offering payroll services utilizing QB, as I have experience processing payroll for a previous employer who employed 100 people. Does that require any specialized education or carry liability for me?
Thank you in advance for your time!

Comment on How Much Should You Charge? by Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:42:49 +0000

Hi Jen,

Congratulations on “starting over” and moving to a new area. I did that several years ago and was in the same boat in that I didn’t know anyone connected to businesses in my new city. My best suggestions, depending on how fast you need to get your business up and running, is to take a two-pronged approach:

1. Search through MeetUp.com and target small business groups (or your specific niche business group, if you’ve got one) and join a few of them AND attend their live meetings to start making some local connections. Joining MeetUp is free and often the group meetings are as well (depending on who is sponsoring them).

2. You will seriously want to consider building a virtual business, so location won’t matter. A great first step in that direction is to make sure you join LinkedIn.com (if you haven’t already) and fill in your profile. Then start mingling online in small business as well as bookkeeper groups. Answering questions and contributing helpful comments to these groups is a great way to start to make connections that can lead to new clients as well.

Those are just two suggestions that I hope you’ll find useful (there is a TON more you can do to get rolling).

Be sure to check in again and let us know how it’s going!