Show Summary
Gabrielle Fontaine, Bookkeeper and and Consultant joins Episode 13 of the Profit First Podcast. Gabrielle shares her insight on how to implement profitability in your professional bookkeeping services.
Our Guest
Mike Michalowicz & Gabrielle Fontaine
Gabrielle assists consultants and micro-business professionals get their books under control, maximize cash flow and save on taxes. She is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, FreshBooks Certified Bookkeeper, and part of the Wave Pro Network. Gabrielle specializes in online bookkeeping and business training & consulting.
She is also the author of the popular blog for professional bookkeepers called The Freelance Bookkeeper.
Show Quotes
Clients want their bookkeeper to be virtual so they can call you from anywhere. They also want the books online so the client, bookkeeper, and accountant can all access the information simultaneously.
When you’re running your own business and you know the technology, now you become more of a professional. Clients seem to respect us more and expect to pay a professional fee.
Build your relationships on an authentic level. Get out there and just be who you are.
When bookkeepers struggle the issue is their own confidence and not charging enough. Alot of bookkeepers view themselves as data entry clerks and they think they should charge what they would get paid per hour in a corporate job – once they realize acting like a professional should get paid professionally is when it becomes a high profit business.
When a client comes to you and says ” There’s a few things that are not quite right with my books, could you clean that up? How much is that going to cost?” The books are probably a huge mess – whenever a client thinks there’s a problem with the books it means they’re really messed up.
When a customer asks you about your prices first before their needs, the response is “If price is your #1 consideration then i’m not the bookkeeper for you, let me refer you to someone who is more affordable.”
Marketing is communication; it’s not about promoting yourself and bragging, it’s about communicating that clients need our help and letting them know you’re there to help them.
Show Links
Gabrielle’s Website: http://BookkeepingDirect.com
Twitter: @tfbGabrielle
Show Sponsors
Nextiva – VOIP phone providers for small businesses.
Fundera – Single source online funding for entrepreneurs. Also offers an adviser program for CPAs, bookkeepers and business coaches.
TSheets – The #1 customer rated time tracking solution!
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