Why Many Financial Advisors Struggle with Closing Ratios

Financial advisors don’t struggle with closing ratios because they lack intelligence or credentials. They often struggle because they underestimate the importance of people skills, proper discovery, and persuasion. Selling is not separate from advising; it’s what allows advising to happen. Selling skills are still the foundation of advice.
10 Things Advisors Should Know Before Starting an Independent RIA

Should you form your own independent RIA as a financial advisor? For solo advisors and advisory teams who are tired of living under corporate restrictions, independence offers the appeal of more control, higher take-home revenue, and running their business their way. However, unlike larger teams with half a billion or more in revenue and built-in infrastructure, many advisors are not prepared for what’s ahead. When you leave a firm or a broker-dealer, you may feel like you are on an island.
The Hidden Reasons Why Clients Leave Their Financial Advisor

Loyalty isn’t built overnight, but many clients will leave their financial advisor. It comes down to consistency and actions over time. In a world dominated by digital communication and complexity, your thoughtful, human actions become the greatest differentiator in your client experience. Learn the 8 hidden reasons why clients leave their financial advisor, so you can avoid the unintentional faux pas that might cost you a relationship that you felt was rock solid.
5 Sales and Marketing Missteps Financial Advisors Often Make

Financial advisors grow through client acquisition and retention. Yet, many advisors often make missteps in the sales and marketing process. This can limit their ability to close new relationships and increase their assets under management. Understanding the five common sales and marketing missteps advisors make can help you refine your approach and build a more sustainable, predictable business.
Powerful Closing Skills

As a financial advisor, you are not just giving advice; you are using closing skills to encourage prospects to take positive action. You are persuading prospective clients to do business with you. It requires strong sales and people skills. You may have all the competence and technical knowledge in the world, but if a prospect doesn’t agree to do business with you, you will lose the sale or business opportunity.
What Ensemble Practices Can Learn from Classic Rockers

Reprinted with permission from the April 2, 2019 issue of ThinkAdvisor. © 2019 ALM Media Properties, LLC. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Let’s talk about the power of multi-advisor practices in the wealth management industry — also referred to as “ensemble practices,” based on the work of Philip Palaveev. You can chart the course and issues many practices encounter to a lesson learned from the legendary classic rock bands and artists of our time.
How to Write a Must-Read Professional Bio

There are many personal branding tools you will use throughout your career and your professional bio is one of the most important. Your professional bio delivers a relevant story about you and how your experience benefits prospective clients. While a resume can be dry and straightforward, a professional bio ties your achievements to the outcomes you bring clients. The art of writing a must-read professional bio is simple, make it meaningful to the clients you want to serve.
The 2024 Financial Advisor Marketing Calendar

Financial advisors often struggle with creating consistent marketing and social media content – especially when they don’t have a dedicated marketing team. Now you can plan and organize your 2024 marketing, social media, and client cultivation communications using our free 2024 Financial Advisor Marketing Calendar – featuring brand new content!!!
Is Communicating Your Value Missing the Mark?

Communicating your value for Fee-Only advisers has become a competitive undertaking. It is complicated by fee pressures, access to affluent clients and an ever-evolving service model. Advisers try to set themselves apart from others, but in many cases, the message is missing the mark.
The Secrets to Scaling an Advisory Practice

Financial advisors are often told by leadership or business consultants to “grow your financial practice,” expand your assets under management, or increase activity. The challenge with growth-based goals is they often overlook the obstacles and historical sticking points that can plague an advisor’s business.