Advisor Resources

July 19, 2024Acquiring new clients and retaining the ones you have are critical to your firm’s long-term success. Dedicating time and resources to business development is one of the secrets to building a more sustainable practice. The most effective RIA business development strategies are designed to help you increase revenues and fuel growth while providing maximum value… read more…

July 12, 2024Facebook marketing for financial advisors offers a powerful way to connect with potential clients by leveraging the platform’s vast user base and targeted advertising tools. By using Facebook ads, advisors can reach specific demographics, interests and behaviors, tailoring campaigns to attract individuals who may benefit from their services. Advisors can drive brand awareness and client… read more…

July 12, 2024LinkedIn is a popular social media and networking tool for professionals of all backgrounds, but it’s particularly attractive for financial advisors. As a marketing tool, LinkedIn can help you increase your brand’s visibility and establish connections with prospective clients who are looking for financial advice. If you’re not using LinkedIn to market your firm, it… read more…

July 12, 2024Digital marketing is a powerful tool for financial advisors who want to connect with prospective clients while building brand awareness. While investors are increasingly turning to online search tools and social media to find financial advisors, there’s still a place for an analog approach. Analog or offline marketing strategies for financial advisors can support your… read more…

July 12, 2024Building a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm is an investment of your time, energy and passion, and it’s important to ensure that your legacy continues when you’re ready to step away from the business. Deciding who will take over your role and when to time your exit are some of the central questions to consider… read more…

July 12, 2024Understanding who is exempt from registering as an investment advisor can be important for those entering the financial advisory field. The Dodd-Frank Act and SEC regulations outline specific exemptions for private fund advisors, venture capital advisors and certain foreign advisors. Exemptions also apply to various professionals and entities, including lawyers, accountants, teachers, brokers and dealers,… read more…

July 2, 2024Helping your clients develop comprehensive financial plans often involves asking a lot of ‘what if’ questions. What if you get sick and need to retire earlier than expected? What if your spouse passes away unexpectedly? Applying that same approach to your firm can ensure that you’re prepared for situations that might threaten your business operations.… read more…

July 2, 2024Business development focuses on strategies that are designed to help an organization grow and achieve its goals. For financial advisors, that often means connecting with new clients and increasing annual revenues. There are different growth strategies advisors might employ to realize success in the short and long term. Ready to grow your client base? SmartAsset… read more…

July 2, 2024Creating a business plan gives you a blueprint to follow as you grow your advisory practice. You may need to tweak your plan as time goes by and your business evolves. For simplicity’s sake, you might opt for a one-page business plan that you can easily adjust. An example template can make it easier to… read more…

June 28, 2024Like most careers, wealth management has a number of pros and cons to consider for anyone interested in entering the field. Wealth managers often enjoy a high level of autonomy, high-earnings potential and have the chance to build lasting relationships with clients. But the career demands a deep understanding of financial markets, products and regulatory… read more…

June 28, 2024Social Security can be a complex and often confusing topic for your clients. Utilizing software programs can make benefits planning easier to navigate, for both you and them. If you’re looking for Social Security software for financial advisors, there are several options to choose from. Comparing the benefits and the costs is a good place… read more…

June 28, 2024LinkedIn is primarily a business-focused social media platform, but it has the potential to be more than just a networking tool for financial advisors. Incorporating LinkedIn into your marketing strategy can help you build authority and attract high-quality prospects to your business. LinkedIn lead generation strategies for financial advisors are all about grabbing your ideal… read more…

June 28, 2024Cultivating a brand image is an integral part of your financial advisor marketing strategy. A recognizable brand can give you a competitive advantage, help you attract more clients to your business and boost your firm’s revenues. Familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of personal branding for financial advisors is the first step in refining… read more…

June 28, 2024Family offices can help financial advisors differentiate themselves in a competitive market as a one-stop solution for diverse client needs. This type of firm sets itself apart from other firms by providing highly personalized and holistic wealth management services for wealthy families. Here are four general steps to set up a family office. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…

June 27, 2024Starting a private equity fund requires careful planning and attention to detail. To help guide you through the process, here’s a private equity fund formation checklist to ensure you cover all necessary steps. Key components include defining your fund’s investment strategy, securing initial capital commitments, forming a legal structure and hiring a team. Add new… read more…

June 25, 2024Breaching fiduciary duty can lead to significant penalties, impacting both financial advisors and their clients. Fiduciary duty mandates advisors to act in the best interest of their clients, and violations can result in severe legal and financial repercussions. Penalties for breach of fiduciary duty include hefty fines, restitution payments and potential imprisonment. Understanding the severe… read more…

June 21, 2024Marketing techniques for financial advisors can enhance their visibility and client base. To stay competitive in today’s digital landscape, financial advisors should explore strategies such as social media marketing, content creation and email campaigns. Financial advisors often find that various marketing campaigns will overlap or enhance each other. By leveraging these marketing techniques, financial advisors… read more…

June 14, 2024Financial advisor marketing compliance involves adhering to regulatory guidelines while promoting financial services. Firms must align their marketing efforts with rules set by the SEC, FINRA and state regulators to avoid potential violations. This includes accurate advertising, proper disclosures, and compliance with testimonial and endorsement regulations. Understanding advisor marketing compliance helps maintain credibility and ensures… read more…

June 14, 2024You can’t simply sit back and wait for clients to come to you; prospecting is an essential aspect of your success. Advisors who grow thriving businesses know that it takes effort to identify promising leads, capture their attention and convince them to become clients. Some of the most effective financial advisor prospecting ideas are also… read more…

June 14, 2024Social media can be a powerful way to market your advisory business and connect with your ideal client base. Whether you leverage multiple platforms or just one to promote your brand, it’s important to keep compliance in sight. Knowing what you can – and can’t – post can help you avoid potentially costly fines and… read more…

June 14, 2024Failing to meet compliance guidelines can be costly for your business. The SEC can – and does – fine broker-dealers and investment advisors who fail to comply with recordkeeping rules and other compliance requirements. It can be challenging for busy advisors to keep up with the constant changes to regulatory guidelines, but monitoring compliance trends… read more…

June 12, 2024Financial managers play an important role in steering the financial health of organizations by focusing on strategic planning and goal-setting. Their primary focuses include profitability, managing risks and optimizing financial performance. By analyzing financial data and trends, financial managers develop strategies that align with organizational objectives, and focus on long-term stability and growth. Understanding what… read more…

June 7, 2024Artificial intelligence is redefining the way advisors run their businesses. AI tools are making it easier to create social media content, automate back-end operations and allow advisors to digest large amounts of data. There are different ways to use AI for financial analysis, as well as to analyze your business operations and identify opportunities for… read more…

June 7, 2024Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is designed to protect you from liability claims related to the advice you offer your clients. While the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not require registered investment advisors to have E&O insurance, some states do. If you’re required to have coverage, or you simply want to protect your business,… read more…

June 7, 2024Email marketing is a great opportunity to connect with clients and nurture stronger relationships. You can blast out the latest news and updates about your firm, share helpful investment tips or offer your opinions on recent market happenings. SEC email compliance rules govern what you can and can’t do when sending email newsletters to clients.… read more…