If you’re hoping to start your own small business, consider starting a bookkeeping business. The bookkeeping industry has never been more in demand, and this demand will only continue to increase as companies rely on more and more technology to run their finances and keep track of their transactions. If you’re thinking about starting your own bookkeeping business, these 8 steps will help get you started on the right foot.
1) Get your bookkeeping degree
You will need a bookkeeping degree, which can be attained by enrolling in an online course or community college. You may also be able to take night classes at a local school in your area. This is the first step on the path to starting your own bookkeeping business. After you graduate with your bookkeeping degree, you will then want to find an internship that specializes in accounting and tax preparation. From there, after successfully completing your internship, you should get as much experience as possible so that you have time for full-time work if desired. Once you have enough experience and education under your belt, it’s time to start looking for opportunities that align with what interests and excites you most about the field of accounting.
2) Establish your bookkeeping services
Bookkeeping services are a great business idea because they fill a need that many small businesses don’t have the time or knowledge to take care of. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder why bookkeepers are in high demand and can earn a hefty salary. In order to start your own bookkeeping business you must first figure out the type of service you would like to provide and get an accountant certification. Here is how you can start your own bookkeeping business in 8 steps:
1) Figure out what type of service you would like to provide. Are you skilled with QuickBooks? Do you love working on spreadsheets? Or maybe accounting just isn’t your thing but customer service is something that comes naturally?
3) Network, network, network!
The best way to get your business off the ground is by talking to people. That’s why networking is so important when you’re just starting out. You need contacts that know what they’re doing and can give you advice on how you should be running your company, plus they might be able to refer you new clients or hire you themselves. If you’re lucky enough to work with a mentor who has years of experience in the industry, all the better!
4) Use LinkedIn for business development
LinkedIn is a great place to network with other professionals and learn about new opportunities. You can use LinkedIn as an excellent tool for marketing your bookkeeping services. Asking for referrals from past clients and business contacts will help get you more clients. You can also join groups on LinkedIn that are related to your profession, like The Association of Accounting Technicians. This is a good way to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field and make connections with others who may be interested in hiring you as their accountant.
5) Create a compelling website
If you’re interested in starting your own bookkeeping business, the first thing you’ll want to do is get your website up and running. A website is the most important tool for any business nowadays, so make sure that you spend some time on it.
1) Pick a domain name
2) Use WordPress
3) Optimize your site
4) Add content
5) Get listed with Google My Business
6) Setup a Facebook page
7) Hire help
8) Get out there!
6) Stay up to date on technology
Today’s businesses are using more technology than ever before. This means that you need to make sure that you’re up-to-date with the latest advances in order to take advantage of all of the benefits that technology can offer for your business. So, here are some helpful tips for staying up-to-date on today’s most important tech trends:
- Learn about the latest devices and software – It’s essential for any business owner in today’s competitive market to stay on top of the latest developments in hardware and software. This will help you keep your company productive and competitive. One way to do this is by reading a blog such as this one, which is updated regularly with information about recent advancements in technology.
7) Monetize your blog through affiliate marketing
Once you’ve created your blog and established some sort of authority in your niche, it’s time to monetize. One way you can do this is through affiliate marketing. This means that when you post about a product or service on your blog, you include a link at the end of the post so readers can purchase the item through your affiliate link. If they end up buying something, you’ll earn a commission from the company that is selling that item. Once they click on your link and make their purchase, they are an affiliate of yours and get paid every time someone they referred buys a product or service.
8) Have patience when growing your business
Starting your own business takes time, just like anything else. If you want to be successful and stay in control of your life, you have to be patient with the process. It won’t happen overnight. You need to work hard on marketing and find a niche for yourself that you can grow over time. It’s also important to set goals so you know what steps are necessary to get there. For example, if your goal is $100,000 in revenue by 2020, then it’s good to set quarterly goals of $10k each year and then break those down into monthly or weekly goals too.