Don't Add To the Tax Headaches When Pursuing Possible Accounting Leads

Some accounting services can be tasked with the job of including tax information when making financial reports. No doubt the reasons for doing so can be numerous but at the same time important. However, if taxes are a reason for why you're pursuing businesses for accounting leads, the you have to be careful not to add to the headache they already have whenever taxes are involved.

Now taxes have been a grave subject matter since ancient times. It's been a source of many controversial debates and thus, it's either part (or even the main reason) why business owners tend to drive themselves crazy over it. On the more positive side, if your accounting services can help manage the information regarding taxes, then such skills can be a great selling point when you're trying to make sales out of your accounting leads.

That is, assuming you don't add to that headache yourself with your marketing efforts.

But how exactly does marketing your accounting services do just that? Well here are just a few ways:

• Too much content – Whether it's the content of your website, email, or even a business letter, if there's just too much of it for your prospect to read or digest, then you're not making things lighter for their minds.
• Excessive promotion – The opposite of excessive content. If all you're doing is calling businesses with the same telemarketing message then you're adding to the headache by presenting them the same marketing message over and over again.
• Inflexible appointments – Even after qualifying the lead, you give your prospect a hard time with bad appointment setting. Clashing schedules or inconvenient dates are yet another classic source of headache for any business professional.

What all three have in common is that they're not making things easier for the prospect. Your marketing strategies either overload their minds with too much information or you just make things even more inconvenient for them. Both cases can be enough to drive anyone crazy. The solution is to demonstrate how your services can make it easier for them handle their taxes while keeping it all easy on their minds.

• Simplify – When explaining your process, make it simple for them to understand. Leave out the things that aren't too relevant to the subject matter of how you include tax information in your financial reports.
• Listen more, speak less – It's cliché but having two ears and only one mouth should really be understood as a call to listen more to your prospects and speak only when what you say can help them with what you've heard.
• Accommodate their time, not yours – When setting up an appointment, always be accommodating. Consider your prospect's schedule above your own. They've already had enough to think about when it comes to their numerous taxes. Set the date at a time they are most comfortable with.

Overloading a prospect is already one of the common mistakes in marketing. How much more when your marketing message will discuss a problem that overloads them enough already? Don't make the problem worse and make your business as easy to understand as possible.

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Financial Leads Can Be Found On Both Sides Of The Facebook Stock Debate

While both supporters and opponents of Facebook's stock will admit to it's less than satisfactory performance since it's IPO, neither side seems willing to let up and have come up with predictions to support their cause. However, choosing sides may not be necessary when they both can still be sources for financial leads.

But first, here's the Forbes article which details the predictions that were mentioned. On the positive side, you have two Covestor managers who cite three reasons to buy Facebook stock. And on the opposition, you have a managing partner who challenges all three with an overall emphasis on a single but major flaw. Regardless, how do any of this indicate either side as a potential source of financial leads?

Well first, here's a brief excerpt of what the proponents are saying:

“Kris Tuttle, who manages the Soundview Technology model, and Eric Steiman, who manages the Undervalued Opportunities model, say Facebook’s current valuation is attractive.”

The three reasons are as follows:

• Increased Profit
• Growth Potential
• Attractive Business Model

The details of each reason are explained in further detail in the article but for financial management and planning services, supporters of Facebook stock might need even just a bit of advice on how to act based on these predictions. Those specializing in risk management can can also join in should some of the predictions start falling short. Utilize appointment setting to schedule meetings and help make plans. The proponents of Facebook still remain optimistic and maintained their high hopes for the company's plans to monetize. But speaking of plans, that still makes them viable for leads because they could use some help making plans of their own to help them benefit from the predicted success.

Now for the opposition. While there's only one reason it is definitely a big one and it's this single, major flaw on Facebook's part that is fueling all those who question its value: uncertainty.

“For every stock cheerleader there is a naysayer, a category in which Andreas Scherer, managing partner of Salto Partners, could fall.

Facebook’s appeal to advertisers is limited, he tells me, with people using the site but not clicking on the ads. Also, its mobile monetization is unclear. But a looming issue for investors considering whether they should jump in now, he says, is the lock-up expiration, which happens next month. At that point Facebook employees will have to decide if they want to cash out now or take a chance that the stock will improve.”

So as always, uncertainty remains the overall hard-hitter for Facebook supporters. Whether it's the uncertainty of the effect of Facebook advertising or the uncertainty of who will take a chance versus those will cash out. Despite that, this uncertainty is another reason for why many companies out there could use financial planning services to help them arrive at a decision (instead of continuing to place their bets on Facebook). This too can be a sort of springboard with which you can generate interest for them.

As you can see, there might not be any need to really pick a side on this and which could be all the more better. The outcome of this debate won't have too much of a negative impact because there will be a need for your services either way.

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Be Wary When Setting Insurance Appointments In Light Of Recent Supreme Court Decision

The recent Supreme Court decision to support President Obama's health care reform has met with the expected reactions: support from those who see it as a clear path for Americans to more affordable health care and a vow to repeal it from those who wish to take over after the next election.

In the aftermath of such a decision however, it's there's more common sense in not picking sides. In fact, taking sides can have its consequences when it comes to business. Should Obama's opponents not only succeed in the election but also fulfill their vow, you will once again be in the face of another shaking impact. The above link isn't really intended to convince anybody but to simply highlight how different people view this decision. This difference in viewpoints is part of the bigger picture of just how differently people will behave in light of this political decision.

The volatility of the political scene should really give insurance providers something to think about when they're inclined to believe that government involvement really works to any of their advantage. Still, there's no denying that the recent decision will affect the behavior whether you agree with Obama's decision to compel businesses to provide insurance; or you agree with Romney that it makes businesses less inclined to hire people.

The truth though is that impartiality remains the wiser course of action in situations like this. History has long shown the dangers of businesses getting too involved in politics. It's a big gamble that only those who can afford the risks are willing to take. So with that established, how does a B2B insurance provider demonstrate this impartiality? How can you generate sales leads when your market seems so badly divided?

The obvious answer is through tact.

You need to adjust your marketing approaches to suit the mood of each prospect:

• For Those Who Oppose It - As evidenced above, those who oppose Obamacare don't sound like they're in a receiving mood. This makes direct marketing strategies ill-advised. Sure, they'll need to provide insurance for their employees but it's only logical to assume that they're not in a buying mood even if they are actively searching for a provider. It's more advisable to use a more subtle, inbound strategy. Get their attention through websites and advertising and let them do the initial contacting.
  
• For Those Who Support It – Obviously, you'll more likely succeed with a direct approach here. Besides, they would probably still need a provider whether or not the administration would mandate one as a requirement. You can try and take advantage of the excitement though by using telemarketing services. It can be argued that this would be a good time to see which among them are in current need of a provider.

Remember, tact is all about being on your toes. As a B2B business (or any business for that matter), one should always be careful to not discriminate against clients due to different political views. Too many political affiliations can be a double edged sword. Sometimes it's just best to play things safe.

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