Amanda C. Watts is founder of TwentyTwo Agency, an Amazon bestselling author, mentor for Virgin Start-Up and creator of The Relationship First Method™. She’ll be sharing her proven marketing strategies for maximising sales and referrals at Accountex Summit North.
How did you get in to the profession?
My father is a tax technician and I have always been deeply engrained in the profession because of this. I have watched the industry change and seen accounting practices struggle first hand. After many late-night discussions, I couldn’t stand by and watch any more. I answered my calling.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
Times have changed for the profession and so many accountants are thinking that it is only downhill now technology is here. The most challenging aspect for me is getting the accountants to believe in how awesome they are so that they can then use this technology to share their expertise. There are two mindsets that I come across; fixed and growth. If an accountant has a fixed mindset they are not open to the opportunities. This is challenging when I know that if they started to have a growth mindset they could embrace the changes and grow with them.
And the most rewarding?
The most rewarding for me is when the lightbulb moments happen and then I see massive action taken. Once an accountant understands the simple steps they need to take when it comes to marketing their practice, things start to snowball. When we get emails from our clients saying they are getting better enquiries or they have been asked to go on the radio or give a talk, that’s the reward right there for me.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
My family inspire me to be better every day. My two children are watching my every move, and my actions will shape their future. My husband encourages me to strive and reach for the stars and my father is my cheerleader. Not that I want to sound corny but I also inspire myself to be better every day. I live by the 1% rule. If I can be 1% better than I was yesterday, then I am growing in the right direction. And that is the point of it all, isn’t it?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Smile and the world smiles with you. I am a huge believer that what you put out into the world comes back to you tenfold… it’s amazing how the more positive I am, the better my life becomes.
What is the one thing accountants must do to adapt and remain successful?
My thoughts around this come back to mindset. I believe that accountants and the profession as a whole need to approach the technological changes with a growth mindset and see the opportunities that lie ahead. To remain successful, they need to embrace new ideas and suggestions with an open heart and mind and then they will see that they will thrive.
What do you want delegates to take away from your session?
I want them to know how to maximise relationship building so that clients come to them pre-sold and know that they are the accounting practice for them. There are certain things all practices should do, in the session they will learn how to: engage and be visible, connect with prospects and build relationships and then elegantly convert prospects into clients.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know
Haha fun fact? I can drink a yard of ale (although haven’t tried it in recent years).
See Amanda at Accountex Summit North: Please Will You Marry Me, Mr. Accountant? (A Relationship First Approach To Marketing
March 6 @ 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Progressive accounting firms are understanding the need to embrace marketing and sales in order to attract ideal clients and grow their firm. In Amanda’s talk, she will be sharing her proven method for maximising sales and referrals using the Relationships First, Sales Second™ approach. Whether you have already embraced modern marketing techniques or are looking to start marketing your firm, the information in this presentation will drive your accounting firm to be remembered, recommended and referred.