Universal has been updating our readers on the IRS’s fight against the February RTRP court ruling that could potentially prevent the IRS from testing and regulating paid tax preparers. The Department of Justice, in behalf of the IRS, filed a Stay Pending Appeal on February 26th, 2013 which, if approved, would reinstate the regulations throughout the appeals process. The following events have since transpired:
March 28, 2013. Three circuit judges denied the IRS’s request to revoke the injunction stating, “Appellants have not satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending appeal.” Until another ruling is made, tax preparers are not required to test or obtain continuing education.
March 29, 2013. The IRS filed a Brief for the Appellants arguing that the District Court incorrectly interpreted the law which should allow for tax preparer regulations. They explained, “The District Court erred as a matter of law in holding that 31 U.S.C. § 330(a)(1) unambiguously foreclosed the Secretary of the Treasury from regulating the practice of tax-return preparers, and, accordingly, erred in declaring the tax-return preparer regulations invalid and enjoining their enforcement.”
April 1, 2013. The Government filed a Motion to Set Briefing Schedule and to Expedite Appeal. In the appeal they requested a May 17th deadline for appellee’s response brief and May 31, 2013 as the deadline for the Government’s reply brief. They also requested the earliest available date for oral argument.
April 5, 2013. Two Amici Cuiae, by interested parties outside the litigation, were filed. The first Amici Cuiae was filed by five former IRS Commissioners and attests that the Treasury should be empowered to regulate paid tax preparers. The brief explains, “Far from being a mere bookkeeper, a tax return preparer who advises and assists in preparing a tax return may be solely responsible for ‘presenting the case’ for the taxpayer’s eligibility for the benefits provided by crucial government programs administered through the tax system” as intended by Congress.
The second Amici Cuiae was filed by the National Consumer Law Center and National Community Tax Coalition which act as advocates for low-come citizens and taxpayers. They claim that these individuals have continually been victimized by incompetent tax preparers. Their brief included over 20 pages of violations by such preparers in attempts to demonstrate a clear need for testing and regulation.
For more information, please visit the official website of the National Association of Tax Professionals.
Universal will continue to update you in our weekly newsletter.
Marketing on Steroids
For over 30 years Universal Accounting Center has trained financial professionals like. In all our years working with accountants, bookkeepers and tax preparers, we’ve come to understand that most don’t know how to promote their services to this niche market of small businesses.
We do! And not only do we know how to market those services, but we know which strategies and approaches will grow your business to the point where you will become so busy you may just have to start turning clients away – that or consider increasing your staff in order to increase your capacity (and your bottom line!).
To share this priceless information we developed the Universal Practice Builder Program, otherwise known as Marketing on Steroids. Here’s just a sampling of what you will gain from enrolling in this phenomenal program:
- A guarantee of $30,000 in new annualized billings in only 12 months
- The skills to become a Profit Expert for each of your clients
- 12 marketing strategies that you can implement immediately
- A process which can produce 15 to 25 qualified leads per month
- 3 months of coaching via telephone and Internet
- Training on a computerized database tracking program
- A presentation DVD to show potential clients
- Access to a plan proven to help retain clients
Sign up now for the Universal Practice Builder Program and grow a stronger, more lucrative business. Call us at 1-877-833-7909 to enroll now!
Relax, Reenergize and Recuperate
Tax season is finally over and with it many of the demands on your time and energy. After the hectic three-month stretch of being over-scheduled and over-worked, it’s time you gave your mind and body the break they need.
Unfortunately too many small business owners feel that running at break-neck speeds is the only way to get ahead, and while that may be true for awhile, neglecting your own needs will soon catch up with you and take a toll on your professional and personal lives.
That’s why we suggest taking this opportunity to decompress and energize. We believe you’ll find it will make you a better business owner in the end. Here are 5 tips on rejuvenating yourself and your business.
1. Take a vacation. The most obvious thing you can do to relax is take a vacation. Whether you leave now or in three months, often the planning of your getaway will make a difference in your overall temperament. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself. Consider what would best help you relax and then make your plans; a three-day weekend spent camping can be just the thing you need to return to work with a new and improved state of mind.
2. Attend a professional conference. We should note that you don’t have to choose between tips one and two. It would be great if you could take a vacation and attend a professional conference because both serve different, yet important, purposes. When you attend a professional conference you may be able to relax and unwind while learning new things that will enhance your business. Remember, your expenses are tax deductible and should be considered a personal investment that will make you a better financial professional.
3. Exercise. We’re guessing that the busier tax season became, the more you neglected your personal needs, like exercise. The great thing about exercising is it can help you relax and relieve stress. If you’ve gotten out of the habit, or were never in the habit begin with, now is the time to schedule in regular exercise in order to get your blood flowing, your muscles flexing, and the endorphins releasing.
4. Reconnect with friends and family. Tax season can feel like a state of hibernation during which you lose touch with loved ones. Now is a good time to reconnect. This can be accomplished in the simplest of ways: via email, on the phone, or over lunch. If you’re craving more interaction, consider entertaining a large group of people at a barbeque or dinner party. Just ensure that reconnecting doesn’t cause more stress in the process.
5. Meditate. Regular meditation can help you decompress daily. As you take the time to regroup and relax, you’ll find you’re more peaceful and productive. If your schedule is tight, work in 10 to 15 minutes a day. Scheduling a regular time for meditation and reflection in your daily planner will pay large dividends in the long run.
You deserve a pat on the back for all that hard work you did throughout tax season. But more than a pat on the back, you’re in need of some serious relaxation. Only when you first take care of yourself can you be the best business owner you can be. Go ahead—Relax!
Invest in Yourself and Your Business
Now that tax season is over, consider ways to build your business in your down time. The Universal Practice Builder Program (UPB) will help you market your practice effectively, increasing your clientele and your bottom line! Also called Marketing on Steroids, this course was designed by our own growth specialists who know not only how to market your specialized financial services, but how to market them effectively to qualified, prospective clients.
The UPB program provides the following:
- Flexibility. You complete the course on your own time and pace.
- Complete education. This comprehensive training program will give you everything you need to build a thriving practice.
- A qualified professional to answer questions. For six months you will have access to our professional coaches for personal, professional guidance via phone or email.
The Universal Practice Builder Program will equip you with all the tools you need to grow your business. If you find yourself lacking the intuitive salesperson personality, call Universal at 1-877-833-7909 to register for this phenomenal program now!!
One of the most inexpensive marketing tools available is your business website. With minimal startup and maintenance costs you can develop a good website that will represent you well and increase your clientele. It will also work 24/7 as a virtual receptionist, getting the word out about your business while you work. And if well developed, your business website will be more than an inexpensive marketing tool, but a good point of contact and an effort to further brand your business.
But before building that all-important website you must ask yourself a few searching questions:
1. Who is your intended audience? Unless you clearly understand who your target audience is, you will be unable to build a website that both attracts them and satisfies their needs. Obviously you will want your website to appeal to both current and prospective clients. Once you clearly define who might comprise that intended audience, you can ask yourself more specific questions regarding their expectations.
2. What are your objectives? When you are able to determine what you hope to accomplish through your business website, you have a standard by which you can measure its success. Would you like it to simply share your business information like an electronic business card? While it’s good to have that type of information available, a website can accomplish so much more. Would you like to secure more clients by offering special website promotions? What about explaining your services and their value? Be sure that your list of objectives is specific and exhaustive. Once you have developed that list you can use it as a guide in building your site.
3. What should visitors expect to find on your site? Visitors will obviously expect to find an explanation of your services along with contact information. What else might they expect? You don’t want to disappoint prospective visitors by falling short of their expectations. Consider posing this question to a handful of individuals from your intended audience. Current clients could also provide you with valuable insight on what they would like to find on your site.
4. What will bring visitors back? Attracting first-time visitors is one thing, but how do you bring them back to your site continually? Again you must look at your website from a visitor’s standpoint and determine what would interest them enough to not only like your site, but bookmark it. The one thing that will bring visitors back is offering valuable content that you update continually. Consider offering a tax tips section, a client spotlight, or a regular website promotion.
5. What will they take with them? You’ve determined how you might build a site that interests repeat visitors, but what do you want them to take from your site? Obviously, you want them to value your services more. You also want them to remember you, even if they don’t retain your services initially. When they need tax help, you want them to remember your website and return to get your number so they can schedule an appointment.
Universal Accounting Center Can Help You Create a Custom Website for Your Practice
Imagine how difficult it would be to create your own website that addressed all the above questions. Now imagine that UAC can manage that process for you, enabling you to create a strong web presence without expending much energy. Universal’s Accountweb, a website development tool, is available exclusively for financial professionals. Within a number of business days you can create a personalized website for your practice, enabling potential clients to access your business even after your office closes.
To see a sample of a website developed from the Universal Accountweb platform, go to www.universalaccountingservices.com.
Whether you run a full-time practice or perform tax services on the side, you need a website that tells potential clients about your business even when you are unable to. If you haven’t yet developed a website for your business, today is the day! Order your subscription now—your website will be up and running by the following business week. And if you are a Universal Accounting student, you will receive a free six-month trial!
One way to secure new clients is by offering free seminars on tax and accounting topics. This will demonstrate your expertise while providing attendees with useful information. And if they need to contact someone with specific financial questions, they are more likely to contact you!
But presenting to client or group of people is daunting to some and generally requires practice. However, having basic presentation skills will enable you to better deliver your message, promote your business, and even enhance those daily interactions you have with clients. Here are three things to consider as you hone your presentation skills:
1. Know your audience. Your message should be catered to your audience and that can’t happen until you know who your audience is. In a recent Inc.com article, author Tom Searcy claims one of the biggest mistakes presenters make is in failing to tell the audience “What’s in this for me?” He describes the prospect’s perspective: “If I’m your prospect, I don’t really care how you are going to execute, I care about why I should let you.” Consider who you’ll be speaking to, including their wants, needs and most pressing concerns. Only then can you say something they actually want to hear.
2. Explain what they need. Most presenters waste far too much time telling attendees what they do. It’s much more effective to explain what attendees need. Searcy explains, “If I present about my company, I use the word “we” a lot. We do this, we do that, we, we, we. If I present about the clients and their issues, I use the word “you”; you need this, you could do with that, if you have this would that solve your problems? It’s a habit, but changing this habit shifts the emphasis of the presentation from this is all about me to this is all about you.”
3. Know your material. Whether it be accounting principles, QuickBooks tips or investment advice, it’s important that you know what you’re talking about. Be sure that you’ve done the necessary research and anticipated all the possible questions your audience might raise.
You’ll find you become more at ease with presenting the more often you do it. The experience will help you become more confident and comfortable promoting yourself and your business. Not only that, but it will make you more at east when interacting with clients as well.
Learn Other Ways to Expand Your Practice!
If you’re looking for training to help you market your practice effectively, the Universal Practice Builder (UPB) Program is the course for you. Also called Marketing on Steroids, this course was designed by our own growth specialists who know not only how to market your specialized financial services, but how to market them effectively to qualified, prospective clients.
The UPB program provides the following:
- Flexibility. You complete the course on your own time and pace. And the engaging DVDs enable you to return to key concepts and instruction as necessary.
- Complete education. This comprehensive training program will give you everything you need to build a thriving practice.
- A qualified professional to answer questions. For six months you will have access to our professional coaches for personal, professional guidance via phone or email.
The Universal Practice Builder Program will equip you with all the tools you need to grow your business. If you find yourself lacking the intuitive salesperson personality, call Universal at 1-877-833-7909 to register for this phenomenal program now!!
Resource
Searcy, Tom. “How to Craft the Perfect Presentation.” 12 December 2012 Inc.com
Five Tips for Giving Them “Sticking Power” This Year
I’ve made some; you’ve made some. Chances are we’ve made several over the course of our lifetimes. What am I talking about? New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, if you’re like most people, you collected a few already for 2013.
Our ability to keep resolutions can change the course of our lives. Social scientists have been studying this for years, and many more want to know the trick for making the right resolutions and, more importantly, keeping them. Here are a few tips on making those resolutions stick this year:
1. Write Them Down. Writing down your resolutions gives them a voice and helps you envision the actualization of those resolutions. When it comes to your profession, you must write down those professional benchmarks; it becomes the standard by which you can measure your progress and then celebrate your success.
2. Reverse Engineer It. Pretend that you have already achieved your resolution. What does that feel like, sound like, look like? When you visualize the achievement of your resolution, you can often see the steps necessary to get there. As that image becomes ingrained in your mind, it feels more natural to follow the path necessary to achieve that resolution.
3. Search out Examples. This step requires you to find others who have achieved what you hope to accomplish yourself. Some call this “modeling.” Individuals in the business world find Lee Iacocca or Jack Welch to be good examples. But it doesn’t have to be a larger-than-life character; it could be a former employer or a family friend that you admire.
4. Find a Mentor. When you have a mentor who has achieved what you hope to achieve, you have access to someone who can give you direction and help you avoid some of the mistakes they may have made. They can also advice you on how to most effectively move forward and achieve the success of which you dream.
5. Positive Reinforcement. When you reach a milestone you have set, reward yourself. The reward should be something special, something you don’t experience everyday; it should be a true acknowledgement that you have achieved something significant and deserve to celebrate it.
The best resolutions are those with built-in rewards. When you enroll in Universal Accounting Center’s programs, you increase your earning potential, impress current and potential clients, or, if interested, can earn extra money on the side – all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. Here’s one resolution you should consider:
Master Proven Marketing Techniques
Universal Accounting Center is in the business of helping build stronger, more profitable practices, and we can help you better market your services and secure new clients. Our Universal Practice Builder (UPB) program will enable you attract and retain more clients so that you can build a more lucrative practice. Here’s just a sampling of what you will gain from enrolling in this phenomenal program:
- A guarantee of $30,000 in new annualized billings in only 12 months
- The skills to become a Profit Expert for each of your clients
- 12 marketing strategies that you can implement immediately
- A process which can produce 15 to 25 qualified leads per month
- 3 months of coaching via telephone and Internet
- Training to use QuickBooks to attract more clients
- Access to a plan proven to help retain clients
- 5 business assessments
- A customized business website
- An iron-clad guarantee
Master proven marketing techniques is the best resolution for your business! Allow us to show you how. Call 1-877-833-7909 today to enroll in the Universal Practice Builder Program.
Running a successful tax practice depends on your ability to persuade potential clients that your services are valuable. This requires a keen awareness of their needs. In order to determine whether or not your services are a good match for their needs, you must initiate a sales conversation that enables you to ask key sales questions. To begin your sales conversation we suggest you apply the following three tips:
Be friendly, not schmoozey. When you are friendly it puts potential clients at ease. Make sure that you are sincere; be yourself. Consider this individual your friend, someone you can help. And remember that while they will have to pay for your services, the time and energy you will save them, in addition to your ability to make them more profitable, is well worth your fee.
Show evidence. You’ve heard it all before. You should not only talk the talk, but you should walk the walk. If you’re attempting to persuade potential clients that your services will enable them to become more profitable, you must provide concrete examples of how you can do that. And if you can, provide examples of how you’ve made that happen with other clients. As they say, the proof is in the pudding—you need to show them some pudding.
Exude enthusiasm. Your passion for what you do is often more convincing than any logic or evidence you may present. When you exude enthusiasm you convince your audience that there is conviction in your message. And when they believe that you believe what you’re saying, you will have gained a measure of trust.
Now it’s time to get busy and ask those crucial questions. In a recent Inc.com article, author Geoffrey James shares “15 Perfect Sales Conversation Starters.” Here we share 6 of those questions which fall under three distinct categories:
Assess Needs
- What do/don’t you like about what you’re currently doing?
- What would you like to be enhance or improved?
Budget Allocations
- What can you tell me about your priorities?
- How do you handle budget considerations?
Confirm the Buying Process
- What can you tell me about your decision-making process?
- What obstacles might get in the way of moving this forward?
These questions are a great start in helping you determine a prospective client’s needs and whether or not your services are a good match.
Allow Universal to Help
Universal Accounting is an IRS Continuing Education Provider which enables student to use their Professional Tax Preparer program to desiring to fulfill their CE requirements in order to become Registered Tax Return Preparers.
The IRS oversees the approval of all CE providers. Because Universal’s tax training was already recognized as a sponsor of Quality Assurance Service (QAS) self-study courses, after meeting the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s (NASBA) rigorous standards, the Professional Tax Preparer program was easily adopted by the IRS. Universal is happy to act an IRS-approved Continuing Education Providers and is confident that their tax training will enable countless graduates to advance their careers in the finance industry.
If you would like to learn how the Professional Tax Program can enhance your career as a paid tax preparer, call Universal Accounting at 1-877-833-7909.
Resource
James, Geoffrey. “15 Perfect Sales Conversation Starters.” 25 October 2012 Inc.com
The most effective and least expensive marketing tool is literally at your fingertips. What is it? The business card. Just 3½ inches long and 2 inches wide, this small piece of cardstock packs a marketing punch when properly designed and distributed. Not only is it economical, but it’s low-tech, compact, and can have a lasting impact on those you give them to. But how can you be sure that your card will stand out while giving potential clients all the information they need?
In a recent Entrepreneur.com article, author Ann Handley shares “8 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out.” Here we detail five:
1. Lose the kitchen-sink approach. In this day and age, businesses find themselves with lots of information they want to push onto prospective clients and try to accomplish that through their business cards. But as Handley suggests, “Ask yourself: Where do you really engage with prospects? Where might they be most likely to get a sense of you and your company?” Limit your business card information to that.
2. Be visual. A simple logo will not help your business card stand out. Consider using images that will generate interest. Handley suggests a service called Moo.com which allows you to place a different graphic on each card.
3. Link your online and offline words. As Handley explains, “A card can be a bridge between your online and in-person presence.” She suggests adding a QR code that will enable individuals to directly link to your professional website.
4. Think of your card as a call to action. Think outside the box. With business cards being so economical, you could afford a special printing for specific events. For example, if you’re hosting a seminar, consider distributing cards that provide individuals with special offers.
5. Create utility. Provide information (generally on the flip-side) that many potential contacts will find useful and will frequently refer to. A popular choice is to include a calendar, but remember you want to stand out. Consider information that is accounting-related.
Once you’ve decided how to approach your business card, start designing. And if you need a credential or two to help your card stand out, consider one of these:
Become a QuickBooks Specialist and enhance your resume and your services all at the same time. By mastering the accounting software that over 80% of small businesses use, you could increase your client base by offering setup and consultation services. Not only that but you’ll help your clients prepare their data in a way that becomes even more useful to you.
Most of your competitors don’t offer specialized small-business accounting services. But after completing the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program, you can! Consider a training program that is catered to your needs and busy schedule—one that will enable you to earn a professional designation after just 60 hours of your valuable time.
Call 1-877-833-7909 to learn more about these professional designations today!
Resource
Handley, Ann. “8 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out.” 29 August 2012 Entrepreneur.com
Extended Tax Deadline
Because April 15th is on a Sunday this year and is followed by Emancipation Day on Monday (a District of Columbia holiday), the IRS has extended the tax deadline to Tuesday, April 17th, 2012. They continue to encourage taxpayers to e-file their returns in order to ensure greater accuracy and quicker refund receipt.
To make the filing process more taxpayer-friendly, the IRS has added a number of improvements which include new navigational features on the official website as well as interactive videos designed to help users with certain tax issues.
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman explains, “At the IRS, we’re working hard to make the process of filing your taxes as quick and easy as possible. Providing quality service is one of our top priorities. It not only reduces the burden on taxpayers, but also helps in filing an accurate return right from the start.”
The IRS also reminds paid tax return preparers they must have and include a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on all returns they complete. All PTINs must be renewed for the 2011 tax year.
For more information on the extended deadline, visit the IRS website.
Innocent Spouses Relief
On January 5th, the IRS released new proposed deadlines extending relief to innocent spouses from income tax liability. The Notice revises threshold requirements as well as the factors used in evaluating these requests.
The press release explains, “The factors have been revised to ensure that requests for innocent spouse relief are granted under section 6015(f) when the facts and circumstances warrant and that, when appropriate, requests are granted in the initial stage of the administrative process.”
In July, 2011 the IRS made their first major change to the innocent spouse program in which the two-year time limits for requesting equitable relief were eliminated.
The IRS invites public comment on the proposed revenue procedure. The deadline for submitting feedback is February 21, 2012. For more information visit the IRS website.
National Taxpayer Advocate’s Annual Report
Nina Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, released her annual report to Congress on January 11th. There she identified the most serious problems taxpayers face: the combination of the IRS’s expanding workload and declining resources which she claims results in “inadequate taxpayer service, erosion of taxpayer rights, and reduced tax compliance.” Olson also expressed concern that the IRS’s use of automated systems is harming taxpayers and suggested that Congress enact a comprehensive Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
For detailed information about the report, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=252284,00.html.
The Universal Practice Builder Program
Now is as good a time as any to grow your clientele.
In all our years working with accountants, bookkeepers and tax preparers we’ve come to understand how to best market your services. Our Universal Practice Builder Program will provide you with 12 marketing strategies that will enable you to secure 15 to 25 qualified leaders per month, a guarantee of $30,000 in new annualized billings in only 12 months, three months of master coaching, and access to a proven plan that will help you retain clients. Again, you can complete this amazing program on your time and at your own pace.
When you order this program now, you will receive a second valuable program, QuickBooks Made Profitable, for free! Designed to help you attract even more clients using your QuickBooks expertise, this course will enable you to start and maintain an even more lucrative practice.
80% of small businesses use Intuit’s QuickBooks software. Learning QuickBooks will help you keep more efficient records, enabling you to teach your clients how to use the software so that you can get the information you need which will make your job much easier. In addition, this program will teach you how to attract more clients using your QuickBooks setup, help, and consulting services.
Take advantage of this marvelous opportunity to stay the course and thrive the current economic recession. Call Universal at 1-877-833-7909 to order now!
Resources
–. “IRS Kicks Off 2012 Tax Season with Deadline Extended to April 17.” 4 January 2012 IRS.gov
–. “More Innocent Spouses Qualify for Relief Under New IRS Guidelines.” 5 January 2012 IRS.gov
–. “National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers Annual Report to Congress; Focuses on IRS Funding and Taxpayer Rights.” 11 January 2012 IRS.gov
In a recent newsletter intended for small businesses, the IRS shared key points informing taxpayers of specific credits and news releases that apply to the self-employed. Consider whether or not any of the following might impact you and/or any of your small-business clients:
Work Opportunity Credit
The work opportunity credit has been expanded in order to encourage employers to hire certain unemployed veterans. On November 21, 2011, President Obama signed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, providing businesses and tax-exempt organizations with an expanded work opportunity tax credit when they hire unemployed veterans (after 11/21/2011 and before 1/1/2013). For more information, visit www.IRS.gov/form8850.
Federal Unemployment Tax Credit Reduction
Employers in the 21 credit-reduction states are required to adjust the FUTA tax on their 2011 Form 940. The adjustment must comply with the table indicating the reduction rates as dictated by the Department of Labor and found on Schedule A (Form 940–which must be attached to Form 940). For more information, refer to Instructions for Form 940 on the IRS website. According to the press release, “if employers pay wages that are subject to the unemployment tax laws of a credit reduction state, the employers must pay additional FUTA tax. Employers must include liabilities owed for credit reduction in calculating their fourth quarter deposit.”
The SSA/IRS Winter 2011 Report
The SSA/IRS Reporter is a quarterly online publication for employers and other organizations that deal with payroll and employee issues. New editions are posted in March, June, September and December. To access the December issue, visit the IRS website.
Offer in Compromise
The IRS has recently redesigned their website providing OIC guidance. An offer in compromise allows individuals and businesses to settle a tax debt for less than the amount owed. This site enables visitors to determine whether or not they are eligible and how to submit their OIC. The newly designed website and an instructional video are now available.
Revisions to FBAR and Form 8300 Explained
Businesses that have already filed certain Bank Secrecy Act paper forms but need to correct an error can follow a simpler process, as outlined by the IRS.
To correct the error, file Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, or TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. The IRS gives detailed instructions on their website.
Secure More Clients with the Universal Practice Builder Program
It can be difficult to keep up with changing tax laws and procedures while also marketing your business. If you’re looking for help promoting your practice more effectively in order to increase revenue, consider the Universal Practice Builder (UPB) Program. Also called Marketing on Steroids, this course was designed by our own growth specialists who know not only how to market your specialized financial services, but how to market them effectively to qualified, prospective clients.
The UPB program provides the following:
Flexibility. You complete the course on your own time and at your own pace. And the engaging DVDs enable you to review key concepts and instruction as necessary.
Complete education. This comprehensive training program will give you everything you need to build a thriving practice.
A qualified professional to answer questions. For six months you will have access to our professional coaches for personal, professional guidance via phone or email.
The Universal Practice Builder Program will equip you with all the tools you need to grow your business. If you struggle to market your practice, call Universal at 1-877-833-7909 to register for this phenomenal program now!!
Time is in short supply, and with so many things vying for our attention, it’s important that we learn to communicate quickly and efficiently, especially when it comes to one’s business. If you don’t learn to tell contacts what you do in less time than it takes them to ride to the top floor in an elevator (also called an Elevator Speech), you’re likely to lose their interest and their prospective business.
In a recent article posted to Entrepreneur.com, author and communications coach Carmine Gallo explains “How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less.” She explains, “Unfortunately, many small-business owners don’t think enough about their company’s story and how it comes across.” That’s why she’s developed four questions designed to enable business owners to develop an effective 60-second sales pitch.
- What do you do?
- What problems do you solve?
- How is your product or service different?
- Why should I care?
Your answers should be quick and to-the-point. The following is an industry-specific example:
My name’s Sharon West and I enjoy doing what most people don’t: I file taxes, helping individuals and small business owners maximize their returns. I’m a professional tax preparer [what your business does and what problems it solves]. You see, many paid tax preparers haven’t received any formal training in filing taxes and working with individuals on their tax planning. That’s what I do and I’ve been trained to do it [how it’s different]. And if business owners are concerned that my fees will eat up their profits, I can guarantee that what I charge will come back to them at least 100% in tax savings. Now how many tax professionals do you know of that come with that kind of guarantee? [why you should care]. Here’s my business card. If you know of individuals or small business owners who could use a trusted tax professional, please refer them to me.
Practice your delivery so that it doesn’t sound canned or monotonous. It should be exciting and engaging, communicating your passion for what you do and how well you do it. And it’s important that you not drone on and on; that’s why it should be no longer than 60 seconds. In fact, you may consider having two versions of your 60-second sales pitch: the 30-second version and the one minute version.
Ultimately, the 60-second sales pitch is designed for any networking situation where you can introduce yourself and your business to potential clients. This may be at a convention, a conference, the grocery store, or the dentist’s office. Remember that anyone can be a potential client or can refer you to a potential client. And with your 60-second sales pitch on the tip of your tongue, you’re ready to sell yourself in any given situation with comfort and ease.
What’s your 60-second sales pitch?
If you’re interested in learning more about securing and retaining new clients, watch our free video on marketing. It will forever change your business approach!
Resource
Gallo, Carmine. “How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less.” 19 December 2011 Entrepreneur.com
Universal has been updating our readers on the IRS’s fight against the February RTRP court ruling that could potentially prevent the IRS from testing and regulating paid tax preparers. The Department of Justice, in behalf of the IRS, filed a Stay Pending Appeal on February 26th, 2013 which, if approved, would reinstate the regulations throughout the appeals process. The following events have since transpired:
