Part 1 - Website
I actually started my website from a telemarketing call from client source.com
The usual questions
This is Keri...
Q Do you have a website?
A No
Q Have you considered a website?
A Yes. But I don’t think it is needed. I don’t think someone would search the web for a tax preparer and pick me.
Keri’s response “ I would like to fax some info to you. I will definitely call you within 2 days. If you are interested we will talk, if not, we stop.” This seems fair enough to me. The fax came in approximately 2-3 pages. I was about 2/3 of the way down the first page and came to two conclusions
I need a website
I need these folks to do it
They explained
- Why you need a website
- How to use it
- How to promote it
We engage in simple, inexpensive yet aggressive marketing. We give workshops on marketing tax practices. The website is a part of this.
We drive potential clients to our site so that it sells for us. It is on everything that goes out of the office business cards, letters, invoices, and coupons, fax coversheets, outgoing phone machine message and all advertising.
A new client asks for directions to the office. We don’t tell them over the phones we say write down JLTAX.COM click on CONTACT US hit your PRINT BUTTON and you will have directions right to the door.
Clientsource.com are Experts in taxes and Experts in marketing for tax pros.
Part 2 Macros
I have developed some macros (a long series of keystrokes reduced to 1 keystroke). Once you use them you will never be without them. We are hooked they save us a good deal of time and effort.
I am looking for some tax pros to try them and give me some feedback. I hope to market them soon but would happy to send them free. I use Intuit PorSeries for preparation.
Here are some macros I have developed (Keystrokes saved)
- City state zip filled automatically (15)
- E-file banks name and routing transit number filled automatically (25)
- St of CT return Completed automatically (160)
- Copy entry above (152)
- Complete FAFSA college form from 1040 (250)
- Set invoice (15)
- 8283 filled in automatically (200)
- Extract Day care numbers (1000’s)
I have many more
Utilities we have used
Below are some utilities that we have found useful in our practice. Fellow tax professionals that I have shown these to have the express the same feeling I have. I don’t know how I got along with out them and I can’t dream of being without them now. I have no connection to any of the companies described here at this time, however I enjoy talking to tax professionals about them and looking for others that you may have discovered.
MACRO EXPRESS (ME)
ME is without a doubt my favorite. A Macro lets you made one or two into hundreds that are automatically entered. If you practice is 100 or less clients you probably don’t need ME. However I am using it constantly in many other programs making them do what they should be doing (your wish list come true). If you do more that 100 returns you should definitely look into it
Learning curve
- Using the macros I have written 1 minute
- Writing a small macro yourself 3-5 minutes or less
- Long macros it then turns to a hobby
Cost Macro Express (http://www.macroexpress.com/) download about $39- (30 days free)
My macros for ProSeries download here free
Go to secure file transfer on the welcome page Then Username = taxpro Password = taxpro
Go to Secure file transfer in the main page
username = taxpro password = taxpro
There are several files you can download
- Macro Express although the link above may be faster it took 10 minutes to upload
- My macros (Copy of PUBLIC_JLITTEL_(ver & year) MACROS.MEX)
- Instructions as a .doc file ----
- doc or excl worksheets/tips/etc
FINEPRINT
Fineprint allows 1,2,4,8 pages printed to a page and always previews what you print for a last minute look before you print it. I love it so much is now is my default “printer” the hit the print button and get paper fro your regular printer. We print 4 to a page, perfectly readable for our use but to our surprise our clients have requested it to eliminate the amount of paper they have to handle. We have experienced great savings in paper, toner and printer wear and tear. However we found a real help in paper handling and filing with thinner files and less drawer space.
Fineprint (www.fineprint.com) about $39 free for 30 days
ROBOFORM
This utility fill in your user name and passwords when you go to websites if you are always looking them up this one is a dream----
Also will fill name address phone fax email etc of web forms I asks you --you click yes and BAM it is done. This one doesn't spy on you and bst of all....
FREE
Roboform (http://www.roboform.com/)
Please feel free to give me a call
John
For Tax Professionals