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Opening Niche Markets with Strategic Alliances

by Tiffany Markarian

Financial advisors and business professionals have the opportunity to open new niche markets with strategic alliances. Strategic alliances allow you to work with people who share similar values, yet, come from different aspects of planning. Strategic alliances may also allow you to bring additional experiences to clients that might otherwise be out of reach.

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Tiffany MarkarianOpening Niche Markets with Strategic Alliances

Is Your “About Us” Page Interesting?

by Tiffany Markarian

If a client or prospect reads your “About Us” page will they think it’s interesting? Your “About Us” page is one of the most important pages on your website. It shows who you are and why people should engage with you. As you craft your company website, social media pages or professional bio, you always want to engage people with the work you do and the value you provide…that’s your core. It’s easy to forget; however, that your team is made up of interesting people. These are the people who your prospects and clients will be interacting with. You want to appeal to your clients’ curiosity. You can make your “About Us” page more interesting and engaging by sharing what makes you and your team…you!

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Tiffany MarkarianIs Your “About Us” Page Interesting?

3 Ways to Replicate Your Best Clients

by Deborah Nelson

Imagine what your business would look like if you replicated your best clients. You push hard to accomplish goals and improve efficiency, but when you are in a service-oriented industry, such as wealth advisory or insurance, it becomes harder to maintain a high level of personal service. That in turn, makes it harder to grow your overall business.

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Deborah Nelson3 Ways to Replicate Your Best Clients

Letting Go of Less Than Profitable Clients

by Tiffany Markarian

A tough decision many firms face is whether or not to let go of less-than-profitable clients. It comes down to the business model you want for your future. Some firms will work with any client who wishes to take positive action in their lives, regardless of their profitability to the firm. This can be a successful model, but it may require increased overhead, technology or staff to support the service needs long-term. On the other hand, letting go of less-profitable, lower-tier clients may allow you to provide a more boutique experience for your “A” clients and high-potential relationships and give you time to focus on markets that are appropriate for your business.

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Tiffany MarkarianLetting Go of Less Than Profitable Clients

3 Metrics BGAs Should Consider

by Tiffany Markarian

Here we discuss 3 sets of Brokerage General Agency (BGA) metrics firms should consider in their annual business planning. In working with BGAs on their business development, there is a set of questions that continually come up during conversations. The first question is usually “How do we go after new markets…particularly supporting wealth advisors?” The second question is often “How do we set ourselves apart in the industry?” The third question, which might be the most important, is “We had a good year, but growth has stagnated, and we are not sure why?” In this last statement, this is where BGA metrics come into play. It is your metrics that can either drive or hinder your growth, depending on which angle you look at them.

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Tiffany Markarian3 Metrics BGAs Should Consider

The New Rules for Approaching Financial Advisors

by Tiffany Markarian

There are a new set of rules for approaching financial advisors and professionals, especially in this COVID environment. Clients are demanding more value and a better experience from their advisor. Fee compression is affecting thousands of advisors and advisory firms. Some financial advisors no longer have individual products or insurance lines as a core expertise in their practice. For instance, some advisors have insurance as an ancillary focus, if they have it at all. Some have chosen to focus on other lines or revenue. Broker/dealers and Brokerage General Agencies (BGAs) stand ready, as they always have, to solve these needs and serve as an objective, consultative resource. The advisory landscape has been evolving for decades, and broker/dealers and BGAs have to evolve their marketing and consulting offerings in turn.

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Tiffany MarkarianThe New Rules for Approaching Financial Advisors

Finding a Good Center of Influence Relationship

by Tiffany Markarian

One question many financial advisors will ask is “How do I get more referrals from my centers of influence (COIs)?” or “How do I go about finding a good center of influence relationship?” It is enticing for financial advisors to expand their network but many soon realize setting up a strategic alliance or a professional COI relationship does not automatically turn on the flow of referrals. There needs to be a marketing and business development strategy in place, clear expectations, and proper due diligence.

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Tiffany MarkarianFinding a Good Center of Influence Relationship

Welcome to the Advantus Marketing “Pro Tips” Blog!

by Tiffany Markarian

On behalf of the Advantus Marketing team, it is our privilege to help you advance your marketing momentum. Our Pro Tips will help you find your focus, generate and retain client relationships and build a more powerful presence in your market. We welcome you as a new member to our blog, and as always, we encourage your comments and feedback as you grow with us.

Thank you for taking the time to learn from us. We look forward to learning more about you!

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Tiffany MarkarianWelcome to the Advantus Marketing “Pro Tips” Blog!