social media for accountants why bother - mark lee

Social (and other online) Media for Accountants

Why Bother?

Mark Lee FCA CTA (Fellow) MMCChairman of the TaxAdviceNetwork

07769 6928900845 003 8780

BookMarkLee.co.uk #cloudaccounting21

It’s not about ME, it’s about YOU


Group leader (5) incl: Accountants – UK


I've got lots of business from Twitter.

Initially I did have to put in a lot of work (if chatting b0ll0x counts as work) with little financial reward, but now businesses fairly regularly get pointed my way on Twitter, due partly to my niche of being an accountant who specialises in FreeAgent clients.

it's probably >6 months since I tweeted a link to my site, or tried to sell.

An accountant


When others say it works….

• Success• What does it look like for them?

• Clarity• Of their service proposition and target audience

• Objectives• New high fee paying clients or something else?

• Profile• How impressive/distinct is it?

• Engaging• Business vs personal vs interests• Does their website have effective calls to action?


Newish into practice

New small businesses

B2C suppliers

Consumers


SocialVs

Anti-social


At best - ignored


Profiles Professional 1 –Personal2 - Business

Personal OR business

Personal AND business

‘Status’ updates

As you choose

Copied to ‘friends’

140 character limit

Combination

Quick ROI Possible Unlikely Almost impossible

Unlikely

Typical activity Varies Daily Twice daily Varies

Key focus Business to business

Friendship and fun

Your choice Small biz and solopreneurs

Groups Sectors, recruiters (max 50)

Fans/friends n/a As many as you like

Q&A Sophisticated Across friends’ walls

Only through updates

In groups and blogs

Blogging Imports 3rd party apps

Imports 3rd party apps

140 character limit

Yes

Business benefits

YES Maybe Could be Sometimes


LinkedIn – choose your settingsMark Lee Add Connections- Settings


If passive Can be found Can be contacted

Waste of time Google SEO benefit only

Community spirit

Rare Wall, Fan pages, apps

If active and many followers

If active in blogs/groups

People…. Use Linkedin Play on facebook

Tweet on twitter

Belong to ecademy

Online/offline Online Online Online Both

Typical contributions

Marketing. CVs and groups

Chatting Commentary and questions

Helping, supporting

Interaction Q&A, Direct messages

Walls, Direct messages

Replies, ReTweets (RTs)

Blogs, groups, meetings, direct

messages

Potential reach W/wide with US emphasis

Worldwide W/wide with US emphasis

W/wide with UK emphasis

Possible focus FIND biz contacts/staff

MANAGE friends

CHAT BUILD business

Level of interest

Professional Everywhere Widespread with media

hype

Less than it should be


Realistic objectives• Build profile, reputation, contacts• You as a person/expert• Your business brand (but I’m doubtful)

• LOCAL awareness only if LOCAL focus• As distinct from unfocused activity• Most prospects are LOCAL• (Regardless of your ability to work anywhere)

• Increase traffic to your website• You need to be clear what you want them to do

there

• New sources of information and advice


OR


( -x) + y = z > q

x = What he could stop doingy = What he could do with SMz = The impact of SM activityq = The impact of other activity

Social media is NOT free


( -x) + y = z > q

X What can he STOP doing?


( -x) + y = z > q

Y What will he starting doing?

Blogging


( -x) + y = z > q

Z The impact of the SM activity


( -x) + y = z > q

q The impact of other activity


You have been found guilty of wasting time on social media


Dip in and out of the river


BookMarkLee.co.uk/twitter

• Twitter is not for accountants

• A twitter case study and intro for professional advisers

• The biggest misconception about twitter

• Getting started on twitter• for accountant type twitter virgins

• Twenty top tips for using twitter• Key Do’s and Don’ts especially for accountants

• BookMarkLee.co.uk/blog – online networking


Social Networking

is NOT a quick form

of

Marketing


Set your strategy….. …. and have fun

Social (and other online) Media for Accountants

Why Bother?

Mark Lee FCA CTA (Fellow) MMCChairman of the TaxAdviceNetwork

07769 6928900845 003 8780


Contact details• Mark Lee FCA, CTA (Fellow)

• M: 07769 692890

• T: 0845 003 8780

• E: [email protected]

• www.BookMarkLee.co.uk• Further info re Mark’s talks• Social Media – without the hype!• Mark’s blog for ambitious professionals

• www.TaxAdviceNetwork.co.uk• Connecting you with independent specialist tax advisers• Register for complimentary copies of weekly tax tips written specifically

for accountants in general practice

social media for accountants why bother - mark lee

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