The second step on The Pronto Path is Activation. In this episode, we walk you through building, testing, and validating your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). This is a critical step many skip past but it is foundational to your success. In this series, we are walking through the 9 steps of The Pronto Path. The Pronto Path is a career roadmap or framework to remove fear and doubt from the tax profession. If you’re wondering how to get from where you are right now to where you want to be as an independent tax professional, this show is for you!
Resources mentioned:
- [42:29] An example of successful tax pros who understand USP and branding (Rod and Ryan with Gotta Do My Taxes in LA)
- [47:13] Why referrals and the Net Promoter Score (NPS) are still the gold standard and how it is much easier today
Tax Pro Nation is sponsored by Pronto Tax School, Inc. Sponsored links include:
- The Pronto Path infographic (free)
- Basic Income Tax (Federal) course link
- Business Tax Verified online course link
Quotables:
[27:03] “The less unique you are, the more you have to market.” —Jeff Dolan
[27:22] “If you do everybody’s taxes, you do nobody’s taxes.” —Jeff Dolan
Topics Discussed:
[01:42] Summary of The Pronto Path
[03:07] Why The Pronto Path is so needed and helpful to tax professionals
[04:55] Unique Selling Proposition (USP) sounds like sales jargon to me!
[10:01] Download The Pronto Path for free at taxpronation.com/path
[10:44] The one attitude about sales that can sink your business if you let it
[11:12] The one feeling that confirms you are testing your USP correctly
[13:20] What is USP really? With some examples [Also listen to the USP formula given in S1:E0]
[15:40] How to measure your success in your sales efforts
[19:15] How sales can be like dating
[20:43] The difference between marketing and sales
[25:22] Why tax pros struggle so much with sales and marketing
[26:10] What successful franchise tax businesses understand that can benefit independent tax pros
[27:03] “The less unique you are, the more you have to market.” —Jeff Dolan
[27:22] “If you do everybody’s taxes, you do nobody’s taxes.” —Jeff Dolan
[29:07] How to spend a lot less on your marketing without sacrificing sales
[29:40] Visit taxpronation.com/basic to learn about the Basic Income Tax courses to get educated
[30:31] What if I’m not going to limit my tax business to such a niche audience?
[31:50] The one skill you need to play the long game in the tax industry
[32:31] What tax pros can learn from a wedding photography business
[35:24] One tool that most top sales people use that will benefit tax pros in the Activation step
[37:10] How to be super salesy and NOT the kind of tax pro you want to be
[37:37] A tip on how to follow-up with prospective clients and build a relationship long term
[38:15] What is a sales cycle? And why should I care?
[38:55] What is a brand? What is branding? Is it BS?
[42:29] An example of successful tax pros who understand USP and branding (Rod and Ryan with Gotta Do My Taxes in LA)
[45:50] Are you in the Rapport Zone with potential clients?
[46:35] The entrepreneurial wave and how to profit from it as a tax pro. Visit taxpronation.com/business
[47:13] Why referrals and the Net Promoter Score (NPS) are still the gold standard and how it is much easier today
[50:37] The one question to remember to ask folks when testing your USP
[52:39] At what point in your process are you asking for referrals?
[53:25] Another great referral tip! #valuebomb
[54:23] Three things to maximize your referrals!
[55:37] Two tips on how to release the pressure on yourself in the Activation step