Growing Your Bookkeeper Business and How To Drop the Limiting Beliefs
May 03, 2021
In this episode of Profits + Prosecco Podcast, we’re going to be talking all about how you can build your bookkeeping business, get more clients, and make the bookkeeping lifestyle work for you. My motto is all about living your life and having a business there to support you. I want to help you all build a successful bookkeeping business and if this sounds like something you want to pursue, stay tuned!
But before we dive right in, welcome to the Profits + Prosecco Podcast! I’m your host, Katie Ferro, CPA, reformed rule follower, creator of Booked Out Bookkeeper, mom to 3 little ones, and Kajabi enthusiast.
This podcast is for entrepreneurs who desire to change their life through their profitable business, and for bookkeepers and accountants who want to escape the 9-5 and start a simple scalable bookkeeping business like I did.
Bookkeeping increases profits and profits change lives. So pop some bubbles and let me show you how!
In this episode, I’m going to show you how to grow your bookkeeper business and drop any limiting beliefs you may have. For even more juicy details, listen to ALL of episode 22 of the Profits + Prosecco Podcast on your fave streaming platform.
Get out of your head and stop getting in your way.
I know, that probably sounds cliche…
But there are so many thoughts that we create that only hold us back more.
It's called limiting beliefs!
When I was first introduced to limiting beliefs, I told myself I didn't have any.
That moment right there was when I learned that if you think you don't have any limiting beliefs, that’s your first limiting belief. Ever since I started paying attention to mine, I've realized there are so many things that we don't know are in our heads that are holding us back.
When you tell yourself something might go wrong, I want you to tell yourself that YOU are in control.
Common limiting beliefs as a bookkeeper and how to break away from them.
Limiting belief #1: I don't have time to seek new clients.
If you don't have the time to seek new clients, work smarter so that you can strategically work with the time you do have.
Focus on what's important during your weeks and what you could do with your lifestyle to attract new clients. If you "don't have time" to find new clients, it may feel like that, but guess what?
You don't have to go door to door, doing everything in your power to find clients.
Let them come naturally to you! Most of my clients came from online relationships that I've built so if I could do it, you can do it.
Limiting belief #2: What if I hate one of my clients?
In all honesty, you might get one or two needy clients but you're going to learn boundaries VERY quickly...and so will they.
It's all about trial and error!
You're not just going to have perfect boundaries and perfect clients at the beginning. If I have a client who sucks the energy out of me for an undercharged price, I'll increase bills on them.
I simply tell them my fee was undercut and I have to increase it and either they accept or they leave.
If you end up working with a client you don't like, what's the worst-case scenario? You STOP working with them.
There are plenty of people out there who want to have a relationship with you and appreciate your service.
Limiting belief #3: You have to replace your income before you quit your job
I'm not telling you to be reckless and just quit your job, but what I'm going to tell you is that if you can replace your day job WHILE working your day job then do it.
Prove your system, and once you start getting comfortable then it's time to cut your job and put all your focus into your bookkeeping business.
If you know for a fact that your business is working, maybe it's time to take all the hours you're working from your other job and apply them to your business.
Imagine what you could do with those extra hours?
Limiting belief #4: To make money, you have to beat out your peers and prove yourself.
This is one belief that used to stick with me when I was working corporate. Now, what do I do if I want to make more money?
I get another client.
Bookkeeping allows more freedom in your salary...that's the best part.
At corporate, I would have to wait years for the bonus or raise I wanted. Now? I sign a client and I automatically get a salary increase.
Limiting belief #5: What if I can’t deliver to my clients?
Simple. You learn from it!
If you believe this, you're holding yourself back from taking action. If you're afraid to take on certain clients, know that they could potentially be a full-time income.
Don’t lie about your experience and what you know. Take action and work with what you do know and have skills in.
Limiting belief #6: I’m afraid to seek clients because I feel like I’ll get rejected.
The only person rejecting you is you.
If you put yourself out there and seek clients but end up getting rejected, that OKAY!
There should be people telling you no. If everyone's telling you yes, you're not putting yourself out there enough or you're not charging enough.
It sounds crazy but you NEED to be getting rejected. Become comfortable with the fact that you're not going to be everybody's cup of tea and you have a value that's not meant for everyone.
Limiting belief #7: Accounting is hard and I'm going to mess it up.
I promise you, accounting does not have to be hard.
I only take on easy clients because I want my job to be easy even though I know I can handle the hard ones.
My advice is to choose people who are easy and in demand for you so that you can make your life easier and service repeatable.
Limiting belief #8: Accountants work long hours and have busy seasons.
I simply tell my clients that I’m a CPA but can't handle a busy tax season because of my lifestyle.
Guess what? I've still managed to sign clients who don't care about me handling their taxes.
Be honest with your clients and tell them why their accountant should handle their taxes.
Limiting belief #9: Nobody sees the value in bookkeeping.
I will admit, it took me a while to figure out why I love bookkeeping so much.
Once I saw the importance of what I do, that's when it hit me. I know I'm helping people and that's what I focus on.
There is TONS of value in bookkeeping. It's just up to you to figure out what it is and what you want to do with it. Understand the value you can provide to your ideal client and get comfortable with it!
Limiting belief #10: Marketing is hard.
It probably is when you first start, especially if you're just hanging out in marketing Facebook groups.
Here's the thing…Marketing is hard if you make it hard and marketing is easy if you make it easy.
Simplify everything down to its core, make it simple for clients, and make it simple for you.
Figure out your strategy and what works best.
The biggest thing with marketing is you can try and follow everyone else’s script, but it's not going to feel good for you and your business like it did for them.
Remember: There is no one size fits all when it comes to marketing.
Growing Your Bookkeeper Business and How To Drop the Limiting Beliefs: The Bottomline
I hope this episode has helped you see how you can grow your bookkeeping business without the limiting beliefs in your way. All of your goals are completely attainable and that's what I love about bookkeeping. If you're trying to grow your business and get more clients, drop these beliefs, focus on the value of your service, and join my program Booked Out Bookkeeper™.
Don’t forget to tune into episode 22 of the Profits + Prosecco Podcast. Thank you so much for listening!
If you enjoyed the episode, please take a second to rate and review. Each review helps us reach and inspire more entrepreneurs and bookkeepers just like you.
Don’t forget to take a screenshot, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me at @orderlyaccountingbykatie. Cheers to your inevitable success and I’ll see you in the next episode!
