I attended the American Marketing Association Hampton Roads Chapter luncheon today, “Lost on LinkedIn?,” featuring author, speaker, consultant and radio host Mark Amtower. Mark’s LinkedIn profile includes 500+ connections and 200+ recommendations. He is a member of 30+ LinkedIn groups, starting a few himself. So, he knows what he’s talking about.

In the featured video Mark explains why CPAs should be LinkedIn and recommends the amount of time that should be spent managing your LinkedIn profile. Here are the Seven Secrets for Populating Your LinkedIn Connections from Mark’s presentation:

1. Your current contacts.
2. Those connected to your connections.
3. Those in pertinent groups.
4. Those who answer Q&A.
5. Those viewing your profile. (This requires a paid LinkedIn membership. Mark’s advice: If you opt for a paid membership choose the least expensive one.)
6. Those “you may know.”
7. Invite key connections from other social networks.
8. Bonus: Look up those you read about in trade publications and see if they are in your “network.”

What I’ve learned so far is that social media is changing our marketing world. Explore how social media tools like LinkedIn can support your marketing plan.

Sixty-six percent of clients say the main reason they would terminate their CPA firm is for poor “client service and attentiveness.” Yet, only 27% of CPAs see “client service and attentiveness” as a problem. Client service and retention has never been more important. In these times of fee shopping and negotiation it is critical to solidify your client relationships.

Attend our webinar, “Client Satisfaction and Service: How to Retain Clients and Grow Revenue in a Recession,” October 7, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern and learn:

• What clients really think
• Why accounting firms lose clients
• How to manage client service to maximize client satisfaction
• The hidden land mines in your marketing program
• How extraordinary client service can pay off for your firm
• Client service opportunities for tax season