The third step on The Pronto Path is Traction. In this episode, we walk through completing your first 50 tax returns for real clients. This step is exciting and where you see your efforts to activate your business start to work in the market.

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!

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: http://taxpronation.com/3

Topics discussed:

• [02:45] What does traction mean?
• [03:22] Why does traction use 50 clients as a milestone?
• [04:40] Why Andy teaches the 5 Step Tax Prep Process
• [06:32] Is 50 clients in first tax season high or low? Easy or overwhelming?
• [08:36] The benefits of celebrating your first 50 clients
• [10:15] What is a realistic expectation to set in first year around close rate percentage on new prospects?
• [12:18] How do I get my first few clients? The Free vs Paid debate
• [14:28] The quickest way to sales
• [16:06] A great script to use for folks who want to do their own taxes
• [17:00] Two tips for a successful mindset in sales conversations
• [18:36] When doing free taxes can make sense
• [20:35] How using a bank product could be a great way to close sales
• [21:22] Andy turns the tables on Jeff and gets personal
• [24:14] Two key universal motivators for clients
• [26:00] Tax Education Hotline 310-422-1283
• [26:25] How to determine your pricing
• [26:57] How to NOT talk to clients about your pricing
• [27:12] A great script to use with clients around your pricing
• [28:50] How personality types play into how you do business
• [31:29] What is a unicorn personality in the tax business?
• [32:27] "You can change your personality numerous times in your life to get where you want to go." —Andy Frye
• [34:32] Should I pay attention to the competition in my city when getting started?
• [36:08] Taxes for truckers example
• [37:25] Key points to remember in getting clients to refer you
• [38:05] Should I go to my family and friends?
• [41:47] The balance between experience vs confidence (Starting With Day Job example)
• [44:26] Andy's hilarious story about his first tax return
• [46:45] Why we started this podcast and why being a lone wolf is tough in this business
• [47:30] How you can simulate a larger office with support as a lone wolf or small business
• [48:10] A nice script to use when clients test your tax knowledge on the spot
• [49:48] 3 techniques to sign to your first 50 clients
• [55:20] Should my personal Facebook account be used for business?
• [58:18] One thing to remember in your tax business marketing
• [61:18] Is your service medicine (a pill) or a vitamin?

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

To sponsor an episode, please email [email protected]

Tax Pro Nation is produced by Podcast Masters

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!

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: http://taxpronation.com/2

Quotables:

• [23:07] "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

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

To sponsor an episode, please email [email protected]

Tax Pro Nation is produced by Podcast Masters

Every journey begins with the first step, and in episode 1 of Tax Pro Nation, we take the Initiation step in 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!

Step 1 is all about getting educated, registered, and deciding which direction you will head in the business.

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: http://taxpronation.com/1

Resources mentioned:

• [28:04] The one federal number I need to get as a tax professional
• [33:15] Visit irs.gov for how to become an e-file provider
• [33:26] Download the free booklet "How to Start Your Own Tax Preparation and Consulting Business"
• [34:08] Visit https://www.sba.gov/
• [34:15] Visit https://www.score.org/
• [50:49] Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs
• [54:39] "75% of CPAs will retire in the next 15 years"

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

To sponsor an episode, please email [email protected]

Tax Pro Nation is produced by Podcast Masters

In this introductory episode of Tax Pro Nation, the 9 steps of "The Pronto Path" are discussed. 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 path, this episode, and this show are for you!

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: http://taxpronation.com/00

Resources mentioned:

• [16:20] Basic Income Tax Course link (https://courses.prontotaxschool.com)
• [20:11] USP formula: I solve (problem) for (group of people) so that they can achieve (positive result).
• [32:45] Book reference: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

Tax Pro Nation is sponsored by Pronto Tax School, Inc. Sponsored links include:

• The Pronto Path infographic - http://taxpronation.com/path
• Basic Income Tax (Federal) course link - http://taxpronation.com/basic
• Business Tax Verified online course link - http://taxpronation.com/business

To sponsor an episode, please email [email protected]

Tax Pro Nation is produced by Podcast Masters