- How This Financial Advisor Added $50 Million in AUM With SmartAsset
Lead generation is one of the biggest challenges financial advisors face when trying to grow their business. But one advisor found the sweet spot – bringing in roughly 50 families and $50 million in AUM in just a few years. SmartAsset CEO Michael Carvin sat down with Michael Collins, CFA® to get a better understanding… read more…
- Website Designs for Financial Advisory Firms
A polished website and active social media presence are essential to shaping and strengthening your brand as a financial advisor. If web design isn’t your forte or you don’t have the technical know-how, hiring a professional design firm can be a smart move. Exploring examples of website designs for financial advisors can also give you… read more…
- 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. Are you looking to… read more…
- Webinar Marketing Strategies for Financial Advisors
Financial planning webinars offer advisors a way to engage prospects, educate clients and demonstrate expertise in a scalable format. By hosting webinars, advisors can discuss financial strategies, market trends and retirement planning while addressing common client concerns in real time. A well-structured webinar can help build trust and establish authority without the limitations of in-person… read more…
- 10 Marketing Podcasts for Financial Advisors
Are you keeping an eye open (or, more appropriately, an ear) for smart ways to expand your financial advisory business? Podcasts have become popular in the industry. And financial advisors could benefit from them to stay updated on industry trends, gain insights from experts and continually expand their knowledge base to serve their clients better.… read more…
- 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…
- How Much Can Financial Advisors Make at Morgan Stanley?
Financial advisors at Morgan Stanley can make from $97,000 a year on the low end to $475,000 at the top, according to various sources for data on advisor pay. These figures are for total compensation including bonuses and commissions, which can vary widely depending on the individual advisor’s clientele, experience and other factors. Earnings from… read more…
- 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…
- 10 Facebook Marketing Tips and Tricks for Financial Advisors
Facebook may be packed with viral videos and personal updates, but it remains a powerful tool for financial advisors looking to reach prospective clients. With the right marketing strategy, you can use the platform to build credibility, share insights and generate leads. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your marketing strategy, several proven tactics… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Can Use Video to Grow Their Firm
Video marketing can help financial advisors connect with new clients through a dynamic platform that showcases their expertise, builds advisor-client trust, educates audiences, and establishes personal connections in the finance industry. If you’re looking you an effective strategy to draw in new clients, here are the ways video marketing can make you stand out as… read more…
- Seminar Marketing Tips for Financial Advisors
Seminar marketing is a promotional strategy that involves hosting informational workshops on specific topics designed to attract potential clients. When used properly, this strategy can help financial advisors connect with potential clients and build relationships. Financial advisor seminar marketing can be an effective conduit for lead generation, and can potentially improve conversion rate. Sharing your… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Can Automate Their Marketing
In today’s fast-paced financial advisory landscape, marketing automation is transforming how advisors operate, enhancing client engagement and maximizing growth. Integrating marketing automation into your practice can help you see a considerable reduction in labor and time costs, as well as potential increases in lead generation and conversion rates. It can also help you automate marketing… read more…
- Target Markets for Financial Advisors
Financial advisors seeking growth opportunities often explore new markets to expand their client base. Identifying niche demographics, including specific professionals, small business owners or retirees with complex estate planning needs, can help advisors tailor their services effectively. The demand for specialized financial guidance continues to rise, making new markets a key factor in long-term business… read more…
- How to Market Yourself as a Financial Advisor
Knowing how to market yourself as a financial advisor is crucial to building a successful and sustainable practice. In today’s competitive landscape, even the most skilled advisors can struggle to attract new clients without a clear and effective marketing strategy. The right approach can help you differentiate your services, build trust with your target audience… read more…
- 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…
- Guide to Portfolio Rebalancing Tools for Financial 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. Portfolio rebalancing tools offer a comprehensive range of features and benefits, ideally at an affordable cost. SmartAsset’s… read more…
- What Is the Directional Movement Index (DMI) Indicator?
The Directional Movement Index (DMI) is way to project an asset’s price movement by combining a handful of individual metrics, often for the sake of technical analysis in market trading. Using historical price movements and current circumstances, investors may use the DMI to estimate the direction and strength of an asset’s price. While it may… read more…
- How to Find a RIA Compliance Consultant
Registered investment advisors (RIAs) must adhere to a multitude of regulations and compliance requirements. Staying on top of these ever-evolving rules and regulations can be a daunting task and failing to adhere to them can result in significant penalties. This is where a RIA compliance consultant can help. Let’s break down what these professionals do, why… read more…
- 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…
- 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…
- Estate Planning Software Options for Financial Advisors
Estate planning is an important service that financial advisors offer, ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth and the protection of a client’s financial legacy. Utilizing the right tools for estate planning can greatly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of developing them for your clients. For financial advisors looking for estate planning software, several top-tier options… read more…
- Financial Advisor Job Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
Over the next decade, the job outlook for financial advisors looks extremely promising, with abundant opportunities nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of financial advisors will expand much faster than the average occupation. Growth is concentrated in cities with strong financial services sectors, but jobs can be found almost anywhere. An aging population… read more…
- How Long Does It Take to Get Your CFP?
Understanding the certified financial planner (CFP) certification, the steps involved and how long it takes, can help new financial advisors and those looking to progress their career start planning the process. While it typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete, there are many things that could impact the CFP timeline for you. Here’s what… read more…
- SEC Exam Priorities for 2025
The SEC’s Division of Examinations (commonly known as EXAMS) is the oversight branch of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It’s the second largest section of the agency, after the enforcement arm. The Division of Examinations uses a variety of inspections and examinations to make sure that companies and other market participants are following the SEC’s… read more…
- Helpful Online Tools for Financial Advisors
The financial advisory industry has rapidly evolved with the rise of digital technology. Today, fintech solutions offer advisors a wide range of tools that can help streamline operations, automate routine tasks and enhance client service. From financial planning and portfolio management to lead generation, these financial advisor tools can be tailored to meet the unique… read more…