Category: Business Development

Shock and Awe – Unleash the POWER!

Unleash the Power of the Shock and Awe Box: A Game-Changer for Licensed Tax Professionals

Imagine standing on the battlefield of business, surrounded by competitors, each vying for the attention of the same prospects. How do you rise above the noise and capture the hearts and minds of your potential clients? The answer lies in a powerful weapon known as the Shock and Awe Box. This mighty tool can transform your marketing strategy, leaving your prospects in awe and amazement and eager to join your ranks. Let’s delve into what a Shock and Awe Box is, what it includes, and how it can revolutionize your practice.

What is a Shock and Awe Box?

A Shock and Awe Box is a meticulously crafted package designed to impress and engage your prospects (and even your clients). It’s not just a collection of promotional materials; it’s a strategic masterpiece that showcases your expertise, builds trust, and sets you apart from the competition. The goal is to create an unforgettable first impression that leaves your prospects thinking, “Wow, this is definitely the tax professional I need!”

The Purpose of a Shock and Awe Box

The primary purpose of a Shock and Awe Box is to capture attention and build a strong connection with your prospects. Here’s how it achieves that:

  1. Creates a Memorable First Impression: The unique and thoughtful nature of the package makes a lasting impression. It shows that you go above and beyond, which is exactly what clients want in a tax professional.
  2. Builds Trust and Credibility: By providing valuable educational materials and showcasing client testimonials, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy expert.
  3. Engages and Delights: The fun and unexpected items in the box make the experience enjoyable. When prospects enjoy the process of learning about your services, they’re more likely to remember you and feel positively about you.
  4. Encourages Immediate Action: Special offers and clear calls to action motivate prospects to take the next step, whether it’s scheduling a consultation or signing up for your services.
  5. Differentiates You from Competitors: Most of your competitors are likely using traditional marketing methods. A Shock and Awe Box sets you apart by demonstrating creativity, attention to detail, and a commitment to client satisfaction.

What Goes Into a Shock and Awe Box?

The contents of a Shock and Awe Box can vary, but the key is to include items that are valuable, … Continue reading

Preparing for 1040 Tax Resolution Season

With the 1040 filing season peak upon you, it’s time to consider how you’re going to continue serving clients and generating revenue into the late spring and summer.
One option, which still presents a growing revenue opportunity for your tax firm, is my good friend tax resolution. While 941 Collections representation isn’t seasonal, the 1040 side most certainly is, and the time to start preparing for that season is right now, not June.
Normally, June is when the IRS starts sending out Collections notices for 1040 returns that were timely filed. Given the current issues at the Service, we may see a delay in the issuance of those notices, but it’s not something that I would bank on. Plus, it’s your business, so run it by your schedule, instead of letting the government dictate the annual pace and progress of business development. Thus, I think it’s best to “act as if” the normal Collections cycle will start on time.
With that in mind, some tips to help you get ready:
  1. If you have little or no experience with IRS Collections and Examination representation, now is a good time to start filling in your skills gap with appropriate CPE. Don’t wait until a representation case lands in your lap, start skilling up now to avoid the mad dash later. If you’re already an experienced representation practitioner, it’s time to get up to speed on any recent changes in IRS policy and procedure on this front.
  2. On the marketing side of the house, start lining up your late spring/early summer public speaking opportunities now at appropriate organizations where people with tax debts are disproportionately present. Delivering Tax Talks to such orgs is, hands down, one of the best ways to get representation clients.
  3. Revisit professional referral partners. During filing season, it’s easy to ignore joint venture and referral partners. Don’t wait until the end of filing season to let other tax professionals, attorneys, financial planners, mortgage loan officers, and the like to know that you are available, ready, and willing to help their clients with tax debt or audit issues.
By doing these most basic things, you’ll be well positioned to seamlessly transition from filing season to resolution season here in a few weeks.
To help you on both the technical side of representation, as well as the marketing and practice management side of the house, I’d encourage you to check out the Tax Resolution Academy.
… Continue reading

Free Webinar: Email Marketing to Grow Your Tax Firm

Email is the backbone of every digital marketing strategy, in every industry.

Not social media.

Not search ads.

Not even – dare I say it! – SEO. <gasp!>

Email.

Despite the rise of social media and messaging systems like Slack (ahem, anybody remember Internet Relay Chat???), email is still the primary business communication tool in use today. This is for both active client communication, but also for marketing purposes.

Have you ever watched a new show on Netflix because of that weekly “What’s New” email they send?

Have you ever applied for a credit card because Credit Karma sent you that promo email to utilize your credit score?

Ever cashed in a 20% coupon from Bed Bath & Beyond (🚀!) that you received via email?

How about purchasing an item on Amazon that was advertised at the bottom of those shipment confirmation emails from your last order?

Oh, oh, I know a good one. Ready? Have you ever registered for a CPE class that was brought to your attention via email? Hmm? Hmm? 🤔

Still not convinced? You’re an accountant, you like numbers, so here are some stats: According to MarketingSherpa, 91% of Americans want to receive promotional emails. According to Adestra, 73% of Millennials prefer receiving email marketing over direct mail, text messages, and phone app notifications. According to the Direct Marketing Association, email has a 38:1 return on investment. Lastly, consumers that purchase via email spend 138% more than those that don’t receive email offers, according to marketing agency CRM platform BenchmarkOne.

To help you get a grip on your email marketing, you’re invited to attend the next Digital Marketing Trialogue session with moi and special guests Nate Hagerty and Christian Jones of Tax Pro Marketer. We’ll discuss concrete steps for integrating email marketing into your overall business development process. There is no cost for this webinar, but it is limited to the first 100 registrations.

We’ll go live at 12pm Pacific / 1pm Mountain / 2pm Central / 3pm Eastern on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

Register Here

If you’re unable to attend live, don’t worry: These webinars get converted into podcast episodes, so you can listen at your leisure later on.

To your success,
~Jassen Bowman

P.S. Ready to get going with your own email marketing for lead follow up? I’ve assembled a special collection of back issues of The Profitable Accountant newsletter covering lead follow up strategy and building … Continue reading