Where should I start??

[Clara]

I want to create a business doing accountancy and book keeping aiming at the smaller business's so it can be more of a personal touch and not just small fish in the big pond etc etc?

I'm now qualified to take in book keeping and can start doing accounts although the client would need to do know that I'm not fully qualified yet. But I want to put the feelers out with out breaking the bank for small business's and generate an interest.

I really don't know where to start, as there are soo many huge companies who in the current economic climate offer competitive rates.

Got to start somewhere though I suppose haha x please tell me where lol x

thanks for any tips and advice x
Clara x

[Nikki - Web Mums]

Hi Clara,

Well, messages in forums like this is a good place to start. Perhaps you should consider putting together a simple website with a page that details a little about your services with a contact number and email so that people can contact you.

The main aim for anything like this is perserverance. If you put a message in a forum and get no response, then bump it back up and try more than one forum. Quite often messages get overlooked as people arrive on the sites at different times - just keep plodding as it's never intentional. The other thing that you might consider is a survey. If you ask some women if they would help you by giving you some valuable feedback by filling out a short survey, then that can often work better than just asking for general advice.

A survey makes it nice and easy for the respondent to tick the boxes that apply without having to create an answer themselves, although do give some space for anyone to record their own thoughts as that kind of feedback is invaluable.

Try somewhere like surveymonkey.com - this is a free service (for what you would need) and once you have your survey together, place the link to it in as many forums as you can, to get some really broad feedback. Don't ask too many questions and consider offering an incentive to get more people to fill it out - although that is not essential.

As for competition against larger companies? Well, I would imagine that many small businesses would pay a little more for your services as your selling point is the 'personal touch' and the fact that they can reach you and speak to you without going through some corporate phone system.

I hope this helps. I'm sure some other ladies will also have some great feedback for you......

(If you need help with a website and/or hosting then let me know as affordable sites & hosting is a service we are introducing to Web Mums)

[Jude Robinson]

Hi hon

I can't add any more than Nikki really, she's a bit of guru on here (well she does own the site lol). It might be worth you considering her offer of help with a website - it's a good way to get your name out there and I'll help you with marketing stuff online and social networking, as will Nikki and the other lovely ladies on here.

Oh and if you're looking for your first job as an accountant working for a small business, then look no further than me, I bloody hate finance lol. We really need help with our self assessment tax stuff :D :D.

Love n big hugs

Jude xxx

[victoria keating]

You could also approach business link, princess's trust other small business advice centers and offer your services I'm sure there are lots of new business's that would take your offer up. With Nikki and Jude get a little brochure site up to explain what it ss you do and who you are, would be a really good start.
Good Luck with your new business xx