For many businesses, it’s simple to increase client retention throughout the year. But for tax and accounting firms it might seem a bit more complicated, especially during the offseason. Offseason for individual taxes is typically between May and December, while partnerships and corporations usually file quarterly.
The good news is there are easy ways to market and advertise your firm online while increasing brand awareness during the tax offseason – all of which can be done with marketing automation platforms like Mostad Marketing Cloud. Here are some simple tips for keeping clients “in the know” throughout the year but especially in the tax offseason.
Tip 1: Stay active on social media accounts
Clients are much more likely to stay engaged with your firm through out the year if you have at least one social media account. It’s important you stay active monthly on social media accounts even when clients aren’t interacting with you. By communicating to prospects and clients year round you establish yourself as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert. Ways to engage online include:
- Answering questions directly on social media
- Liking posts or comments from clients or potential clients
- Updating statuses on social media
- Sharing articles, facts or videos on social media
- Sharing information from creditable sources like AccountingToday
Don’t have time to post on social media? Use marketing automation. The best marketing automation platforms have tools that can post on your Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages on your behalf in scheduled increments. That way you can focus on other key areas of your business while marketing automation continuously engages and updates your network with relevant information.
Tip 2: Offer incentives for new clients and referrals
Staying in contact with clients year round lets them know that you continuously appreciate their business. Simple touches like great service and handwritten “thank you” can go a long way in building loyal customers. The more loyal customers your have year over year the more likely they are to become a “brand ambassador” and recommend your services when asked. In fact, 92% of consumers are more like to trust the recommendation of a friend or family member when looking for a new service. That’s why offering incentives for referrals can be a cost-effective way to drastically increase your firms growth. Whether it’s a free consultation for new clients or a small percentage off for a client who made the referral. It’s important to communicate your referral program or incentive program frequently. So, consider mentioning your referral program at the footer of each email, in every newsletter, or in each communication you send your clients.
Tip 3: Improve your website experience
During the tax offseason it’s a good time to consider updating your website by making the user experience a bit more simple. Updating your website is not as complicated as it sounds – just think about why clients come to your website. What information is most important to them on your website? What is their experience like when they try to access that information? How easy to use and intuitive is your website? When was the last time you updated the content on your website? Is your website streamlined and professional? Maybe you add a much-needed form to your site, or allow clients to schedule appointments online, or even add a section of videos explaining tax changes. Making little changes to your website that create a better user experience can be the difference between securing a new client or not.
How the Mostad Marketing Cloud helps your business year round
Currently using the Mostad Marketing Cloud? Great! If not, you can schedule a personalized demonstration to see how Mostad Marketing Cloud could grow your firm this year. The Mostad Marketing Cloud can help with all of your marketing needs, including professional written content updates to your website, email marketing campaigns, automated social media postings, organic search engine optimization and even custom firm-branded tax videos. Mostad Marketing cloud even offers customizable website services specifically for tax and accounting professionals. Mostad Marketing Cloud is truly a one-stop-shop for all of your digital marketing needs.