Bookkeeping Business From Home: Getting Your First Clients
In Part 1 of this guide, we covered the basics of setting up your bookkeeping business. Part 2 introduced ways to find your first partners, while Part 3 explored how to build and present your professional image.
This section dives into one of the most exciting and crucial parts of your journey—how to actually get clients.
By now, you should know:
- How to set your rates competitively
- How many clients you’ll need to reach full business independence
- How valuable business partners can be
- Why a strong brand image—from your business name to your attire—is essential
Now it’s time to apply all that groundwork and start filling your client list.
Building Momentum: The Power of Word-of-Mouth
Before diving into marketing strategies, here’s a quick encouragement. Once you secure a few clients, you’ll notice that they often become your best promoters. Satisfied customers tend to recommend reliable bookkeepers to friends, colleagues, and fellow business owners.
This kind of organic referral marketing can become your strongest long-term growth driver. Just one happy client can lead to multiple new accounts, saving you money on advertising and building community trust in your brand.
Tip:
Always follow up with happy clients and ask if they’d be willing to refer you. You could even offer a small incentive, like a discounted month’s bookkeeping service for every successful referral.
Creative Local Marketing: Becoming Visible in Your Community
Think about how many cars you see each day that promote “Bookkeeping Services.” Probably none. That’s a major untapped opportunity.
Use Car Signage for Mobile Advertising
Get a professional sign maker to create magnetic car door stickers. Magnetic signs are affordable, removable, and eye-catching.
Your message should be clear and simple so that it can be read at a glance when your car is parked or on the move.
Effective Sign Design
Your ad should have three simple lines:
- Line 1: Who you are – for example, “Jill Smith Bookkeeping Service”
- Line 2: Why they should choose you – for example, “Best Rates in Town”
- Line 3: Call to action – your local landline phone number
Design Tips
- Use a large, readable font. Avoid fancy or cursive styles.
- Include your local area code to emphasize that you’re nearby.
- Forward landline calls to your mobile so you never miss inquiries.
- Choose colors that contrast sharply for visibility (white text on blue or black works well).
Real-world example:
A freelance bookkeeper in Manchester placed simple magnetic signs on her car. Within three weeks, she received her first client from a local retailer who spotted her vehicle in a supermarket car park.
Advertising in Your Local Newspaper
Local papers still play a valuable role in promoting small businesses. Most have a “Local Services” or “Professional Listings” section where you can advertise at a reasonable cost.
How to Stand Out from Your Competitors
Study the ads of other bookkeepers in the same publication. Identify what they emphasize and what they leave out, then position your ad to fill those gaps.
For example:
| Competitor Message | Your Counterpoint |
|---|---|
| “Established 1899” | “Modern, Fast & Friendly Service” |
| No mention of qualifications | “Fully Accredited and Qualified Bookkeeper” |
| Generic contact info | “Local Specialist – Call [Your Local Number] Today” |
Building Authority Through Editorial Content
After you run your ad, contact the newspaper’s editorial team. Offer to write a free article about small business success – something genuinely useful to readers, not a sales pitch.
This positions you as an expert and builds credibility. If your insights are well-received, you may even be invited to write a regular advice column. Within a few months, that consistent exposure can establish you as the go-to bookkeeping authority in your area.
Reaching Out in Your Community
Distribute Informative Handouts
Create an attractive leaflet offering practical, non-promotional advice like “5 Common Bookkeeping Mistakes Small Businesses Make”. At the bottom, include your contact details and a short bio.
Places to distribute:
- Local libraries (ask if they can feature it in the “Local Services” section)
- Community boards
- Post offices and cafés with free notice areas
- Local networking events
Join or Contact the Local Chamber of Commerce
Even if you don’t join officially, reach out to introduce your services. Explain how affordable bookkeeping helps small businesses thrive, and you may be featured in their member bulletins or invited to local networking sessions.
Attend Business Networking Events
Many towns have breakfast meetings, business mixers, or trade-group meetups. Bring business cards and be ready with a short introduction about who you are, your qualifications, and what sets your service apart.
Example introduction:
“Hi, I’m [Your Name], a fully accredited bookkeeper offering fast, friendly, and affordable bookkeeping for local businesses. If you’d like to simplify your accounts, let’s chat after the session.”
These experiences also build your confidence when you interact with other business professionals.
Growing Your Bookkeeping Business Over Time
These tactics are a great starting point for building visibility and gaining momentum in your local area. As you grow:
- Track which marketing methods bring in the most leads
- Refine your message to match your target audience
- Ask for testimonials to use in future promotions
- Gradually expand into online marketing (social media, Google Business, local SEO)
Once you have a few loyal clients, your focus can shift from gaining new accounts to nurturing existing relationships and ensuring deadlines are always met.
Continue on to Part 5 of this series, where we’ll explore strategies for retaining clients and managing your workflow effectively.
If you would like to understand more about bookkeeping, join our FREE bookkeeping course and start building your skills today.