NEW SevenKeys CPA RESEARCH: Accounting Firms Step Up Marketing Efforts in New Battle for Clients

by Jean Caragher and Rick Telberg
SevenKeys CPA [1]

Responses are pouring in for the latest SevenKeys CPA study of marketing trends. (If you haven't already received an invitation, you can join the survey here [2]. Participants get a special report of the the top-line results.)

The preliminary results are eye-opening.

Accounting firms are rapidly escalating their business-building efforts:

• [1]66% of accountants say their firms have been increasing their marketing and business development activities in the last 12 months.
• 85% say they will be continuing to step up marketing in the coming 12 months
• 55% are accelerating their own personal biz-dev efforts

Adding new clients is now, clearly, the foremost concern, with 83% listing it as an objective, followed by:

• Client retention, 72%,
• Lead Generation, 62%, and
• Niche or Specialty Services, 49%.

In the next 12 months, firms will be stepping up:

1. Networking with prospects and referral sources, 67%,

2. Upgrading the firm's website, 57%,

3. E-newsletters, 52%,

4. Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.), 48%, and

5. Thought leadership (blogging, publishing articles, speaking engagements, white papers), 45%.

More details of the survey will be released at the next SevenKeys CPA action-planning workshop.

• You can sign up here for the Live Online Marketing and Business Development Workshop July 21 [3].
• Next month, we're participating in the Live Online Client Service and Satisfaction Workshop on August 18 here [4].
• SevenKeys CPA is offering a hefty discount if you buy both here [5].