I’ve been on the hunt for a new bookkeeper.
First and foremost on the shopping list is someone who knows their numbers, but inevitably, something else comes first:
Marketing.
You see, it’s no good being the best bookkeeper since sliced bread if you can’t get yourself in front of any prospective clients, and my experience so far has left rather a lot to be desired.
The first one answered the phone after six rings. The person who answered told me that the person who deals with sales had left for the day, that no one else could help me, and that they’d call me the next day. (They didn’t.)
Undeterred, my second phone call was answered by someone quoting a different name from the company I’d found online.
Confused, I asked if I’d reached the right person, at which point she launched into a long explanation about the fact that she’d answered and quoted the name of the building they were in rather than the business.
Still unclear as to whether she could help me, I asked to speak to someone about bookkeeping.
Her brusque reply informed me that I could speak to her as she’d answered the phone, though she didn’t usually do so apparently.
Realising this was not going to work, I politely ended the call.
Hoping it’d be a case of third time lucky, I dialled another number, this time going straight to an anonymous voicemail, with no mention of the company name.
Number four answered politely, but again, had no one there who could sell me a service, explaining that they’d get the person in charge to call me back in a few days.
On the fifth try, I was on the cusp of giving up hope, and that’s when I struck gold.
This company answered in a warm and friendly manner, took my details, asked questions about our needs, explained how they work and then detailed the next steps, which involved them reviewing our Xero account so they could provide an accurate quote.
No prizes for guessing which bookkeeper I’m about to sign on the dotted line with.
Whatever business you’re in, it’s worth a reminder that you’re also in the sales and marketing business too. However good you are at delivering your product, if you can’t deliver a good experience for prospects, you’re unlikely to experience the success you want.
