It's good to be the best.
And, it appears that it would cost me only $249 to achieve that distinction.
Here's the text of an email that offers to crown me "The Best"...
Congratulations, John T. Cheek! You have been selected to be the "Best Rated Tax Preparer" in Caledonia.
We currently need one Tax Preparer from Caledonia to submit to Google as the "Best Rated Local Tax Preparer in Caledonia".
When you are listed as the Best Rated Tax Preparer in Caledonia - we guarantee that you will get clients. We have tested and tweaked this program for the past eight months and now we are ready to aggressively launch this program. Sign up only if you are still interested in taking on more clients.
WHY THIS PROGRAM WORKS:
When people search for a Tax Professional - they want the "best". So if you're listed as the "Best", you will get the call before anyone else. We will make it easy for potential clients to find you - guaranteed. Don't waste your money on expensive Internet marketing.
Sign up now for a one-time only fee of $249. There are NO recurring monthly or annual charges!
1. We feature and submit your "Best Rated Tax Preparer" PTIN Profile to Google so you show up in the local search in Caledonia - guaranteed.
2. We provide you with a "5 Star Rated" Review system for Internet visibility and search optimization and use on your own website, if you have one.
3. We add and feature you on the "Find the Best Tax Preparers" mobile app for the iPhone and Android platforms.
4. We feature your Best Rated Tax Preparer Profile on the homepage of PTINdirectory.com when people search from your local area.
5. We add you to the exclusive list of "Best Rated Tax Preparers" which is easily accessible throughout PTIN.ORG.
Wow! For only $249 I could be pretty impressed with myself!
Now, don't get me wrong, I am very happy to gain more clients, and my clients already think I'm the best, and that is priceless.
Problem is, as a CPA, I am bound by certain rules. I can not advertise that I am "the Best" unless there is some way to substantiate that claim. How can you measure "the best"? Is it fastest, cheapest, biggest refunds, fewest audits?
And Caledonia is a small town. The other 2 tax preparers in Caledonia might have an opinion on the matter.
So, for now, I guess I will have to be satisfied with being "pretty damn good."