There are many ways to build and market your CPA practice. But if you’re an introvert, you might be avoiding even trying.

After all, when you signed on to be an accountant, you didn’t think you’d have to suddenly break out your tap dancing shoes and entertain everybody. Maybe you weren’t the kid in high school who went out for the lead in every school play; you were the bookish one in the back of study hall who wasn’t vying for attention.

You’re a shy CPA. And nobody’s saying you’re an antisocial freak, either. If you’re like me, you’re just more comfortable in one-on-one settings. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It takes all kinds of personalities to make the world go ’round.

At some point, you may decide it’s time to push against the limits of your comfort zone and learn to come out of your shell. (Or…not.) Either way, sooner or later you’ll have to find a way to market your practice that brings in clients without giving you a nervous breakdown. Going out into the world and shaking hands at networking events may not be your thing. Maybe you’d rather die than make a TV commercial, or put your face on a giant banner outside your office. The idea of standing up and doing presentations on tax savings in front of big civic groups makes you nauseous, just thinking about it.

Take a deep breath – there are other ways for the introverted CPA to market his or her practice. For example: referrals. Referrals don’t require you to put on a show. It’s a quiet, dignified way of attracting new clients to your firm.

People are busy. Your clients are no exception – especially if they’re business clients. It’s too easy for them to ignore your casual request to “please tell your friends about us”. It will likely go in one ear and out the other, as their brain prioritizes other, more pressing business. You’ll get far better results if you give clients an incentive to make a referral. The key is for your client to see how referring a friend will benefit them.

Offer your client a reward for referring a friend or colleague – whether the friend signs up or not.

Many “refer-a-friend” offers are hinged on the friend making some kind of commitment or purchase. And the fact is, most people are not sufficiently motivated to make a referral for a reward that may or may not come.

This is far more effective than simply asking for a referral, or offering a reward only if a “sale” is made.

So there it is. An effective method of building your client list that involves no schmoozing, no stand-up comedy, no sweating in front of a camera or standing in front of a room of 1,000 people. It’s a way of taking action to build your CPA practice while you’re working up the nerve to put yourself “out there”.

Salim Omar is a practicing CPA that shows fellow practitioners how to grow their practices. To receive your FREE Audio CD by mail that shows you how to consistently attract high-paying clients to your practice, visit http://www.CPAMarketingGenius.com

Salim Omar is a practicing CPA that shows fellow practitioners how to grow their practices. To receive your FREE Audio CD by mail that shows you how to consistently attract high-paying clients to your practice, visit http://www.CPAMarketingGenius.com

Author Bio: Salim Omar is a practicing CPA that shows fellow practitioners how to grow their practices. To receive your FREE Audio CD by mail that shows you how to consistently attract high-paying clients to your practice, visit http://www.CPAMarketingGenius.com

Category: Business
Keywords: cpa, practice, management, clients, shy, accountant