Do’s and Don’ts of Client Communication as a Tax Professional

Successful Communication With Tax Clients

Let’s talk ‘client communication’ as Tax and Accounting Pros. If keeping your clients long term and having them refer you is what you want – there is a right way and a wrong way to do so.

Tax Client Communication “Do’s”

1. DO speak to clients like a real person, versus just reciting the tax code. Your clients do not care about the tax code, they want to know how it will impact them. Clients changing their marital status? They want to know how the tax code will affect their returns. Clients who own a business? They want to know how the tax code impacts their cash flow for the new year. All of our Practice Panda content is written by tax experts with the end user in mind – your clients.
2. DO personalize as often as possible. Your clients want to feel seen – they are not just another transaction. Use your client’s name in newsletters and emails, share articles and newsletters that speak to his or her business or family needs, and acknowledge birthdays or special holidays. Practice Panda content is easily personalized and its voice is personal, as if you are talking to that client. Subscribers can choose from a wide variety of articles and videos to share specific content that speaks to everyone in the client’s household. We even have a full library of digital cards ready to send to your clients.
3. DO be proactive in your communication. Sharing updates proactively when there are changes in tax code or when your clients are entering a new season, such as beginning to save for college or other milestones, helps your clients to feel cared for. And answering questions before they are even asked helps to drastically reduce your own inbox chaos which is a big bonus for you! In fact, proactive content often finds a client or two that have that very problem and you get to them BEFORE they make the wrong tax move. Practice Panda is always one step ahead with a full video library that is always growing and packed with content ready to share with your clients. Monthly newsletters are designed to help your clients feel connected which builds trust with you.
4. DO make it easy for your clients to refer you. Clients want to refer their friends and family to professionals that go above and beyond. When you provide value based content, it’s easy for your clients to share that content with a friend because it stood out and was helpful for them. Practice Panda customizes all content you send to include your firm’s name and brand which means anytime that your clients share a video or article with someone in their network your firm is shared too.

Tax Client Communication “Don’ts”

1. DON’T only reach out when you need something. Or worse, disappear after tax season! Consistency is key to long term retention. Remember you want to build trust. And trust is a companion to building a relationship with your clients. Transactional clients are ripe for stealing.
2. DON’T use AI to create your content. Remember you want the client relationship with you, not with an AI tool. Not only would you have to vet every word in order to be compliant with circ 230 (which takes you more time), your clients can tell if something feels robotic versus a real human. Use content written by real experts like Practice Panda.
3. DON’T assume your clients will refer you. Referrals come from consistent communication that goes above and beyond the annual tax returns. Build a relationship that lasts to create more opportunities for referrals.

How Practice Panda can make communication with your clients efficient and effective

With Practice Panda you can share expert written content consistently, easily, and at the lowest price.

As a subscriber, you can be proactive and be confident that you are providing consistent communication with your clients through monthly newsletters and weekly tax tips.

Practice Panda Subscriber Tip: Be sure to turn on auto-send so you can set it and forget it. Also, assign your clients to receive the best newsletter that fits their situation – general tax payers, high net worth tax payers, or business owners.

Use the ever growing library of articles and TaxVid content on your social media or include a well-suited video in your follow up emails like the “Tips for Reviewing Your Tax Return”.

Not yet a subscriber? Find the best customized plan that fits your business HERE.