Why does your Accounting Firm need Digital Marketing?

Let’s face it – when it comes to getting the word out, most accounting firms stick to what they know. They’ll put ads in the local newspaper, maybe get a spot on the radio, or even splash their name on a billboard. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar, but here’s the thing: it’s not enough anymore.

The world’s gone digital, and accounting firms need to catch up. If you’re on the fence about jumping into online marketing, here are a few eye-opening facts for you.

Sage, a big name in accounting software, did some digging. They asked accountants what they thought about technology and marketing. Here’s what they found out:

• >Two-thirds of accountants feel like they’re falling behind. They know they need to embrace new tech to stay in the game.

• >A whopping 83% agree that investing in digital tools isn’t just nice to have – it’s a must to keep up with the changing times.

• > One in three accounting firms are already using automated marketing tools.

Technology is changing everything about how we work. It’s streamlining processes, and automating tasks, and yes, it’s making it crucial for firms to have a strong online presence. Why? Because that’s where both potential clients and talented employees are looking.

So, if you’re wondering how to give your accounting firm a boost this year, teaming up with a digital marketing agency might be your best bet. It’s not just about keeping up – it’s about standing out in a crowded digital world.

The Power of Digital Marketing for Accountants

1. Standing Out in a Crowded Market

You’re great at your job, and your clients think you’re awesome. 

But how do you find more people who need your skills? 

Sure, word of mouth is nice, and those local ads you’ve been using are okay, but they can only do so much.  

Enter digital marketing – it’s like opening a whole new door to potential clients. 

Think about it: when was the last time you cracked open a phone book to find a business?

Exactly. People are searching online, and you need to be where they’re looking.

Let’s break it down with a few simple ideas:

1. 1. Spruce up your Google My Business listing
   1. What to do: Make sure all your info is spot-on, toss in some nice photos, and share updates now and then. 
   2. What you’ll get: You’ll pop up higher when people search for local accountants, and more folks will give you a call.
2. 2. Get your name on local websites 
   1. What to do: List your business on directories and review sites in your area.
   2. What you’ll get: More people will see you when they’re looking for local services, and you’ll look more trustworthy too.
3. 3. Write stuff that matters to your neighbors
   1. What to do: Create blog posts and web pages that talk about things your local community cares about. 
   2. What you’ll get: People in your area will find your content more interesting and relevant, which means they’re more likely to choose you when they need an accountant.

It’s all about enhancing the online visibility of your accounting firm. The easier you are to find, the more likely you are to get new clients walking through your door. Give these ideas a shot – your future clients are out there, just waiting to discover how awesome you are!

2. Build Your Trust Online

Your potential clients may be unsure about hiring you. They want to make sure you’re trustworthy before they even call. That’s where having a strong online presence helps.

Working with a digital marketing agency for accountants can help you build a professional, informative website that highlights your skills and builds trust. Plus, having a blog lets you share your expertise and keeps clients returning for more helpful insights.

Digital Marketing Strategies for Accounting Firms

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

First up, there’s something called SEO. It’s basically about making sure your website pops up when someone’s looking for an accountant in your area. Here are a few tricks of the trade:

• > Find out what words people use when they’re searching. Then, sprinkle these words into your website content. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for Google to follow.
• > Website design for accountants is as important as their offline business place. Keep your website fresh. Google loves new stuff, so update your content regularly. 

Now, let’s break it down a bit more:

• > Use something called “schema markup”. It’s like giving Google a cheat sheet about your business. This helps you stand out in search results.
• > Check out what your competitors are up to online. See what words they’re using and who’s linking to them. This can give you some good ideas.
• > SEO for accountants isn’t a one-and-done deal Don’t just set and forget your website. Go back to your old content and give it a polish now and then. It keeps things relevant and helps you climb those search rankings.

If all this sounds like a lot, don’t worry. That’s where a good digital marketing team comes in. They can help you figure out the right words to use and make sure your website is in tip-top shape for search engines.

The goal of SEO for accountants is to be right there at the top when someone’s looking for an accountant. With a little effort and know-how, you can make it happen!

2. Content Marketing 

Picture this: Someone’s looking for tax advice online. They stumble across a helpful article on your blog. They read it, think “Wow, this is useful!” and maybe even share it with a friend. Just like that, you’ve gained their trust a little bit. That’s the magic of good content.

So, what kind of content should an accounting firm create for lead generation? 

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. 1. Blog posts: Keep them coming regularly. Share tips, and insights, or explain tricky accounting stuff in plain English. For example, “5 Tax Mistakes You Might Be Making (And How to Fix Them)”.
2. 2. In-depth reports: These are for the folks who want to really dive deep. You could write about “What’s Next in Tax Planning” and share your expert predictions.
3. 3. Success stories: Show off how you’ve helped real clients. Maybe you saved a small business owner a bunch of money on taxes. People love real-world examples.
4. 4. Email updates: Keep in touch with your clients. Send them monthly tips or news they can use.

To stay on top of all this, try planning out your content in advance. Decide what you’ll write about each month, and stick to it.

Content marketing for accountants is all about giving people useful information. When you do that consistently, they’ll start seeing you as the go-to expert. And when they need an accountant? Guess who they’ll call!

3. Social Media Marketing for Accountants

You might be thinking, “Do I really need to be on Facebook?” But trust me, it’s not about sharing what you had for lunch. It’s about connecting with people who might need your help. 

Let’s break it down by platform:

1. 1. LinkedIn: This is your power move. It’s where all the professionals hang out. Share some industry news, give out tax tips, or brag a little about how you’ve helped your clients. It’s like a virtual networking event, but you can do it in your pajamas.
2. 2. Twitter: Great for quick updates. Got a new blog post? Share it here. Heard some big news in the accounting world? Tweet about it. It’s like passing notes but to everyone.
3. 3. Facebook: This is where you can show your human side. Share stories about your team, post about local events, or let happy clients sing your praises. It’s like a neighborhood barbecue, but online.
4. 4. Instagram: If you’ve got a younger crowd or just like pretty pictures, this is your spot. Show off your office, introduce your team, or share a behind-the-scenes look at tax season. It’s like inviting people into your world.

The cool thing about social media is that it keeps you on people’s minds. When they see your helpful tips or interesting updates, they start thinking of you as the go-to expert. So when tax season rolls around, guess who they’ll call?

However, you don’t have to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms that feel right for you and your clients. Then just be yourself (well, your professional self) and share stuff that people will find useful. Before you know it, you’ll be the most popular accountant in town – online and off!

4. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Have you seen those ads at the top of Google when you’re searching for something? They’re called Pay-Per-Click ads, or PPC for short. For accounting firms like you, they can be a quick way to get noticed by people who are actually looking for your services. In short, they are targeted marketing for accountants.

Here’s the deal: you set aside some money for these ads, and you only pay when someone clicks on them. Pretty neat, right?

Now, to make sure you’re not throwing money away, here are a few tricks:

1. 1. Play around with your ads. Try different words or designs and see what works best. It’s like finding the perfect recipe – a little tweaking can make a big difference.
2. 2. Make a list of words you don’t want your ad to show up for. For example, if you don’t do personal taxes, you might not want your ad to show up when someone searches for “personal tax help”. This keeps your ad money for the clicks that really matter.
3. 3. Focus on your area. If you only serve clients in your city, make sure your ads are only showing up there. No point in advertising to folks in another state, right?

Managing these ads can be a bit of a juggling act. That’s where an online marketing team for accountants can be super helpful. They can do all the behind-the-scenes work – finding the right keywords, creating the ads, and making sure everything’s running smoothly. This way, you can focus on what you do best: being an awesome accountant.

Remember, the goal is to be right there when someone’s looking for an accountant like you. With PPC ads, you can make that happen pretty quickly. It’s like putting up a big, flashing “We’re here!” sign, but only for the people who are actually looking for you.

Why Team Up with a Digital Marketing Agency For Your Accounting Firm?

Experts in Their Field 

You’re great at crunching numbers, right? Well, these marketing folks are wizards at getting your name out there. They’ve been around the block and know all the tricks of the trade. When you’re looking for a team to work with, ask to see some of their success stories, especially with other accountants.

More Time for What You Do Best 

Marketing takes time – time you could spend helping your clients. By letting a marketing team handle the online stuff, you can focus on what you’re really good at. Just check in with them now and then to see how things are going.

Saves You Money in the Long Run 

Hiring a full-time marketing person can cost a pretty penny. But with a digital marketing agency for accountants, you get a whole team of experts for less than you might think. Plus, they’ve got all the fancy tools to get the job done right.

Grows with You 

As your business gets bigger, your marketing needs will change. A good marketing team can keep up with you, whether you’re looking to expand in your town or across the country.

How to Pick the Right Marketing Team

• 1. Look for folks who know accounting: You want a team that gets what you do. Ask if they’ve worked with accountants before and how it went.
• 2. Make sure they know their stuff: A good team keeps up with all the latest marketing tricks. Don’t be shy about asking what they’re doing to stay on top of things.
• 3. Check how well they explain things: You need a team that talks to you in plain English, not marketing mumbo-jumbo. They should keep you in the loop without you having to chase them down.
• 4. See if you click: You’ll be working with these people a lot, so make sure you get along. Look for a team that gets what you’re all about and where you want to go.

Teaming up with a good digital marketing team can give your accounting business a boost. It’s not just about attracting clients with digital marketing – it’s about showing people how awesome you are at what you do and growing your business the right way.

So why not give it a shot? 

Reach out to DealsInsight – an expert digital marketing team for accounting firms and see what we can do for you. With the right team on your side, who knows how far you can go?