Posts by Rebecca Lake
Advisor Resources
5 Online CFP Programs
If you’re interested in becoming a certified financial planner, you’ll first need to pass the CFP exam. There’s a certain amount of planning and preparation that goes into it, including completing necessary coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program. There are more than 300 options to choose from but finding an online CFP program that… read more…
Advisor Resources
Example of an Effective Financial Advisor Marketing Plan
Whether you have a new advisory firm or an established one, you need a marketing plan. Proper marketing can help you attract your ideal clients, establish your brand’s credibility and reputation and increase conversions. But what should you include? Having a financial advisor marketing plan example to follow can help you craft a tailored strategy… read more…
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What Licenses Financial Planners Need to Have
Financial planners help clients manage money to reach goals. While certain professionals may need to have a financial planning license, others do not. Whether you’ll need a license to work as a financial planner depends largely on the types of services you offer. Ready to grow your client base? SmartAdvisor helps you connect with leads.… read more…
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How Financial Advisors Can Find a Marketing Firm
A rock-solid marketing plan is instrumental for success as an advisor, but if you lack the time—or the expertise—to create one on your own, you might outsource that task to a professional. Marketing firms for financial advisors can do the heavy lifting of developing a winning strategy for increasing a business’s visibility and cementing its… read more…
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What Advisors Can Learn From Ultra-Wealthy Clients
Specializing in ultra-high net worth wealth management can offer valuable opportunities to learn from your clients. By definition, ultra-high net worth refers to individuals with assets over $30 million. These affluent investors may seek out your knowledge and expertise in managing those assets, but they may have insights of their own to share. In working… read more…
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Website Designs for Financial Advisory Firms
A professional website, along with a social media presence, is integral to cultivating your business’s brand image. If you’re not design-savvy or lack the technical skills to develop a site, you might outsource that task to a professional web design firm. Looking at some examples of website design for financial advisors can help you decide… read more…
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What Are CFP Marks?
Becoming a certified financial planner™ is something you might consider if you’d like to expand your business services and attract new clients. Incorporating CFP® marks into your marketing and promotional materials can lend credibility to your brand. However, there are strict rules that govern when and how you can use them. Ready to grow your… read more…
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Differences Between 3(21) and 3(38) Fiduciary Advisors
The Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) outlines the rules for employee benefit plans, including the different types of fiduciaries associated with these plans. ERISA distinguishes between 3(21) fiduciaries, who are investment advisors, and 3(38) fiduciaries, who are investment managers. Each one plays an important, but unique, role in the administration of workplace benefit plans.… read more…
Advisor Resources
How to Find a Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
Financial advisor recruiting firms help connect jobseekers with companies that have vacancies to fill. You might consider enlisting the aid of a recruiting firm if you’re entering the financial services field for the first time or are ready to move on from your current employer. Knowing how to evaluate recruiting firms can help you find… read more…
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10 Facebook Marketing Tips and Tricks for Financial Advisors
Facebook is one of many social media platforms you might choose to target in your marketing plan. True, there are quite a few cat memes and food videos floating around here, but there’s plenty of room for you to launch an effective marketing campaign and connect with your target audience. If you’re looking for a… read more…
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How to Market Yourself as a Financial Advisor
Knowing how to market yourself as a financial advisor is essential for growing a thriving practice. Without a proper marketing strategy, gaining a foothold in the competitive landscape can be challenging. There are different ways to market your advisory business, both online and off. Ready to grow your client base? SmartAdvisor helps you connect with… read more…
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Important Skills Every Financial Advisor Should Possess
Being a successful financial advisor requires more than just the right certifications and licensing or knowledge of financial planning. There are also certain hard and soft skills that advisors need to master in order to deliver top-tier service to their clients and grow their practices. Developing these financial advisor skills can take time but the… read more…
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The Best Portfolio Rebalance Tools for Advisors
When deciding what to include in your financial advisor tech stack, portfolio rebalancing tools are a must-have. Rebalancing software makes it possible to create customized portfolio solutions for clients while allowing you to scale your business more efficiently. The best portfolio rebalancing tools offer a comprehensive range of features of benefits, at an affordable cost.… read more…
Advisor Resources
A Guide to Financial Advisor Development Programs
Embarking on a career as a financial advisor requires the proper education and certification to ensure that you’re qualified to offer advice to clients. Many firms offer development programs that are designed to prepare you for your entry into the financial services industry. Joining a financial advisor development program could help you build a solid… read more…
Advisor Resources
Do Financial Advisors Need to Work With a Coach?
Achieving your goals as a financial advisor may be easier when you have someone to guide you along the path. That’s where financial advisor coaching comes in. A coach can help you to fine-tune your strategy for growth and become a better advisor. Considering the potential benefits and return on investment can help you decide… read more…
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Estate Planning Software Options for Financial Advisors
Estate planning may be one of the core services you offer your clients as an advisor. Utilizing the right tools can make crafting personalized estate plans easier and more efficient. If you’re interested in the best estate planning software for financial advisors, there are several top programs to choose from. Ready to gain more clients?… read more…
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How Much Do Senior Financial Advisors Make?
Becoming a senior financial advisor can open up new avenues for career success. Taking on this type of role can also mean a significant increase in pay. But what’s a typical senior financial advisor salary? The average is around $120,000 annually. However, salaries operate on a range with some advisors earning more and others earning… read more…
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How to Create a Valuable Elevator Pitch as a Financial Advisor
Opportunities to connect with new clients can arise at any moment and when they do, it’s to your advantage to be prepared. Having a well-crafted elevator pitch ready to go can help you make a great first impression on a prospective client and grab their attention so they’re interested in learning more. Knowing how to… read more…
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Marketing Ideas and Tips for Financial Advisors
Marketing is integral to your business’s success in attracting new clients and promoting your brand’s visibility. Testing out different strategies is a good way to learn what works best for your business, and what can help to set you apart from the crowd. There are plenty of creative marketing ideas for financial advisors that you… read more…
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Direct Mail Marketing for Financial Advisors
A solid marketing strategy can help to explore your firm’s growth and for many advisors, that means a focus on email and social media. Direct mail marketing is often overlooked but it can offer opportunities to connect with prospects in a more personalized way. Knowing how to create an effective campaign for direct mail marketing… read more…
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How to Become an Independent Financial Advisor
Becoming an independent financial advisor is something you might consider if you’re ready to step out of the traditional model and reshape your career path. Independence has its benefits, though there are some considerations to weigh in determining whether it’s the right move for you. If you’re interested in how to become an independent financial… read more…
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How to Build a Client Service Model as a Financial Advisor
The importance of creating an exceptional client service model can’t be underestimated. Attracting clients—and retaining their loyalty—begins and ends with delivering an experience that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. The most effective client service model for financial advisors is one that emphasizes value while encouraging engagement. Here’s a closer look at how to… read more…
Advisor Resources
How to Build a Marketing Plan for Financial Planners
Building a financial planning business can entail plenty of challenges, not the least of which is deciding how to market your new firm. A solid marketing strategy can catapult your business to success while a weak marketing plan may leave you struggling to stand out among the competition. Effectively marketing financial planning services starts with… read more…
Advisor Resources
Types of Money Scripts and How to Deal With Each in a Client
Money is a highly personal subject, and as an advisor, it’s your job to offer advice that speaks to your clients’ individual needs and goals. The money scripts clients adopt can influence the way that you approach that task. A client’s money script represents the internalized beliefs they have about money, which are often formed… read more…
Estate Planning
Differences Between a Living Trust and a Will in Arizona
A living trust can help you to manage your assets during your lifetime and beyond. A will, on the other hand, is specifically designed to allow you to direct the distribution of your assets after your death. Where you live and the amount of assets that you have can influence whether you need to include… read more…