Calling All Sole Proprietors -

March has arrived in the Fraser Valley! And although the crazy drawn-out snow this winter may have kept you from attending work or other activities – one thing that it won’t work as an excuse for are taxes. Yes, April is just around the corner, and as a sole proprietor small business owner, you need to be prepared for your fiscal year to wrap up.

For sole proprietors nearing their year end, it’s best to get a jump start on tax season if you haven't already – both mentally and physically. Here are some tips that will keep your head on straight, and your books in order:

Ensure that you are organized!

The month leading up to the year end, as opposed to waiting until two days before – is the best time to get all your ducks in a row. When was the last time you tidied up that filing cabinet? Did you ever track down that missing invoice or receipt from a few weeks ago? Now is the time to refer to your notebook of “to-do’s” and get them done.

Book your appointment with your accountant early.

Tax professionals get absolutely swamped during tax season. They’re busy, just like you! You hate it when your clients absolutely need something right before a deadline or just a busy time, so why wouldn’t they?

Hand over everything to your accountant.

All of those things that we’ve just organized, need to be handed over, and all at once. Don’t let a certain few pieces of loose leaf paper get misplaced, and pass them over once tax season is over. Make sure everything important is hunted down and handed in. And, although this may seem like a given, anything that is marked as “Important Tax Information Enclosed” IS in fact important! Give it to your accountant!

Get help from a professional!

This last one is perhaps one of the most crucial pieces of advice that you can accept. You’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into your business. You’ve been choosey about every aspect of building and establishing your brand… so why would you skimp out on the finances? Hire a professional. There are so many things that you can miss and make errors on when filing your own taxes. Don’t leave this one last little detail up to fate.

So, are you a sole proprietor with a new business, but still don’t have an accountant? Lucky for you, here at the Downtown Business Centre we have an incredibly hard working and passionate company in our building, Hilltop Accounting Ltd. Chad Eros with Hilltop Accounting has just recently moved into our building in the Downtown Chilliwack area, and is accepting new clients. Please contact him or check out his website for more details or to schedule an appointment.

3 Tips To Turn Potential Client Into Confident Customer

Tips for a Successful First Meeting with a New Client

You spent the money, you put in the hours, and finally, all of your marketing efforts paying off. The list of new potential clients is growing! So, how do you seal the deal? Here are 3 tips on how to turn that potential client into a faithful customer.

The early bird gets the worm. Don’t be late!
This first one seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often it happens. From time to time, emergencies come up or kids need to be picked up from school and, out of nowhere, you’re late for your own meeting. Nothing speaks louder about your company than the way that you present yourself, and if you can’t manage to be on time, then what can you do? The best way to sidestep the unpredictable setbacks is to make sure that you are overly prepared for your meeting as early as possible.

Don't forget to plan your meetings earlier in the day. Meeting before mid day means you are meeting with someone who is fresh and free of the days trials and tribulations. Meeting with someone who is not weighed down with the days work is much more open minded than that of someone who is at the end of a long business day.

Do your research
You’ve spoken with this client a time or two on the phone, and you have a general idea about what kind of service that they’re looking for. Instead of giving them the same old routine sales pitch, it’s always beneficial to do as much as you can to cater to exactly what they’re looking for. Do your research. See if there are any ways that you can adjust your services to fit their needs perfectly! The client will appreciate you going out of your way for them, and they will trust that you have their best interests in mind.

Never promise more than you can give.
The meeting is going well! Closing statements are coming up quick and you’re hoping to get that deal-sealing handshake. The most tempting thing to do at this point is to sell them by any means possible. Resist the temptation! Although it is extremely enticing to close the agreement by tacking on an inviting offer, the backlash of that decision can be harmful. By promising something to a client that you either can’t give, or won’t be able to provide them further in the future, you are compromising the relationship with them. It’s best to stick with the plan and maintain the reliable reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.