Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

What did you put in your business plan? How did you expect to get customers when you set up your business and made your financial projections? Why would you change direction before you even try what you'd planned?

Or did you not set out a plan for your business to begin with? If you didn't, then that's clearly the place to start. EVERY business needs a plan. You need to figure out how many customers you need, what the lifetime value of a customer is, who your prospective customers are and how you'll reach them, how much you're prepared to invest in your business, and a dozen other questions like that.

What are the most important unmet needs of your prime target audience? Are you going after individuals, small businesses, or non-profits? How far from your home/office are you willing to travel? Can you serve clients in a different state?

Lots of questions to answer before we can provide suggestions that address your stated question. If you'll put in the time and effort to answer them, we'll help you.

1. Define your ideal customer (what kinds of people, companies, job levels, business size, etc.)

2) Figure out where to find them (to find trout, go where the trout are)

3) Decide what will appeal to them (you can't catch fish with strawberries, but flies may do nicely).

4) Figure out a marketing plan ($ to spend, how and where to spend it).

What is your tax business? I am assuming tax preparation. Many people that need their taxes prepared by an accountant already have one. Think about things that would change in someone's life that would warrant getting their taxes done by a professional vs. doing it themselves. You need to start networking with other professionals that would come in contact with these people.

New/First time home owners (connect with real estate agents and mortgage brokers)
People that recieved and inheritance (connect with lawyers)
New investors (connect with financial planners and brokers)

Hope this helps,
Mike