| If you are thinking of setting up a bookkeeping | | | | You should also consider your communication |
| business then this article will explain what you will | | | | channels such as telephone, fax, email, messaging |
| need to do to get started and become successful. | | | | services, answerfone etc before you have your |
| With more and more small businesses starting up, | | | | business cards and stationery produced. |
| fuelled largely by the recession and loss of jobs, | | | | When all of this is in place you are nearly ready to |
| there many opportunities to be successful | | | | start. You will need business cards and a |
| providing bookkeeping services for small business | | | | letterhead. |
| owners. You could even opt to work for a firm | | | | Now your marketing process should begin. Getting |
| of accountants on a self employed basis, | | | | a steady flow of customers can be the hardest |
| preparing books and accounts for their clients. | | | | part of running any business, so the more nets |
| Assuming you have the knowledge, qualifications | | | | you set, the more clients you will catch! |
| or experience to undertake this type of work, | | | | Here are some of the many ways in which you |
| then there are a few things you will need to get | | | | can find clients for your business: |
| started. | | | | - Word of mouth. Tell your family and friends you |
| Office Space. | | | | have started a business |
| This can either be at home or rented elsewhere. | | | | - Advertise in local newspapers, business |
| Ideally you will find a quiet area where you can | | | | magazine etc |
| work without interruptions. Do not underestimate | | | | - Go to networking events |
| the amount of storage space you will need! Each | | | | - Have a website created - make sure the |
| client will require a few files and possibly large | | | | designer know how to design it so that your |
| amounts of files, documents etc so it may be | | | | potential clients will find you when looking |
| worthwhile renting some storage space to avoid | | | | - Add yourself to local business directories, both |
| cluttering your home or office. | | | | online and offline. |
| Start-up Costs if operating from home should be | | | | - Join local business forums and associations |
| minimal but you should seek and obtain suitable | | | | - Join the local Chamber of Commerce or any |
| professional indemnity insurance for your business. | | | | organisation that deals with start up businesses. |
| In some countries it is against the law to operate | | | | - Have a discount scheme to attract your first |
| without this. | | | | clients |
| You will also need a computer, suitable accounting | | | | - Have a referral program and reward those who |
| software and an excellent, secure backup system | | | | bring you clients |
| in case of theft or fire etc. A trip to the | | | | A mixture of the above techniques will bring you |
| stationery shop will be worthwhile to stock up on | | | | clients but you must be proactive in this area, |
| paper, envelopes, storage facilities (such as files, | | | | especially at the outset. Don't expect customers |
| folders and cabinets), paper clips, hole punch, | | | | to come to you - you must find them! |
| stapler etc. | | | | |