Posts by Rebecca Lake, CEPF®
Compliance & Legal
Social Media Archiving Solutions for Financial Advisors
Social media may be an integral part of your marketing plan. And as with other business activities, there are some compliance rules you’ll need to observe. Registered investment advisors (RIAs) are subject to SEC and FINRA recordkeeping rules, which are designed to ensure the proper retention of all business communications, including social media content. Software… read more…
Marketing
Social Media Software Options for Financial Advisors
Social media’s power as a marketing tool is undeniable, and savvy advisors understand the value in leveraging platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to connect with prospective clients. Software programs can help you create and manage your content more efficiently, while ensuring that your firm adheres to compliance requirements. Features, benefits and pricing are important… read more…
Client Retention
Average Client Retention Rate for Financial Advisors
New client acquisition is essential for growth, but retaining the clients you already have is how you build a solid foundation for your business. Measuring your client retention rate against industry averages can offer insight into what you may be doing right, or wrong, when it comes to your firm. Read on to learn where… read more…
Firm Management
Growth Strategies for Independent Financial Advisors
Going independent can mark the beginning of an exciting new phase of your career. You’ll immediately have freedom and flexibility, but what you might need next are clients to help your firm grow. The challenges are real: You may have less money to pour into your marketing budget, fewer labor resources to rely on, and… read more…
Professional Development
Guide to Financial Advisor Equity Compensation
Joining a new firm is an exciting step forward in your career. But before you can begin serving clients, you have to work out the details concerning your new role. A focal point of the negotiations may be your compensation and benefits package. And your firm may offer equity compensation in addition to your regular… read more…
Marketing
How to Build an Email and Mailing List as a Financial Advisor
Email is one of the most cost-effective ways to stay in touch with clients and connect with prospects who need professional financial advice. Advisors who aren’t tapping into email’s potential as a marketing tool may be missing opportunities to convert more of those prospects to clients. Building an email list as a financial advisor is… read more…
Compliance & Legal
Do Financial Advisors Qualify for the QBI Deduction?
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, also referred to as a Section 199A deduction, allows eligible business owners to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income on their return. Deductions can prove valuable at tax time, as they reduce your taxable income. But not everyone is eligible to claim them. So while financial… read more…
Client Retention
How to Utilize Transition Services as a Financial Advisor
Change is sometimes necessary for growth. That may mean a change of scenery, as you move from one advisory or wealth management firm to another. Or it could mean a change in your business model if you’re ready to go independent and start your own RIA. Financial advisor transition services can aid in making the… read more…
Firm Management
Client Onboarding Service Solutions for Financial Advisors
Offering new clients a seamless onboarding experience helps build trust and sets a positive tone for the future of your professional relationship. Partnering with an onboarding specialist or platform can help you develop a streamlined process that welcomes new clients into the fold with minimal stress. Read on to learn more about client onboarding solutions… read more…
Marketing
How to Build a Memorable Email Signature as a Financial Advisor
Email keeps you connected to clients and prospects, and its value as a marketing tool can’t be underestimated. Ending messages with a professional signature can make an impact, reminding recipients who you are and what you’re equipped to help them with. Below, we’ll cover the essential elements to include in your financial advisor email signature.… read more…
Professional Development
Guide to Continuing Education (CE) for Financial Advisors
Obtaining professional certifications or designations can underscore your expertise and help you attract new clients to your business. Earning financial advisor credentials typically requires a combination of education, experience and examination. Maintaining your credentials, meanwhile, may be contingent on completing additional continuing education requirements. Here’s what you need to know about continuing education for financial… read more…
Professional Development
7 Sales Skills Every Financial Advisor Needs
Mastering the art of selling is an important part of converting more prospects to clients and growing your business. Strong sales skills can not only set your advisory business apart from your competitors, it can also help you deliver a top-tier experience to your clients. Here are some strategies you can use to develop a… read more…
Firm Management
RIA Custodian Comparison Guide for 2025
Registered investment advisors (RIAs) are generally required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to have an independent custodian hold client assets. This requirement is designed to protect clients, but advisors have some leeway in deciding which custodian they want to use. Conducting an RIA custodian comparison can help you evaluate the options for your… read more…
Client Acquisition
How to Evaluate ROI for Lead Generation as a Financial Advisor
Sourcing leads through multiple channels offers more opportunities for you to connect with your ideal clients, but it’s important to consider the return you’re getting for your investment. Otherwise, you could be wasting time and money on lead gen strategies that might not pay off. Here’s how to evaluate lead generation ROI for advisors. Are… read more…
Client Acquisition
How to Navigate Lead Generation Options for Financial Advisors
Maintaining a healthy pipeline of leads is fundamental to your success as an advisor. While you may be working on increasing wallet share with existing clients, you still need regular infusions of new clients to drive growth. And a diversified approach is key when it comes to how to navigate lead gen channels for financial… read more…
Firm Management
Estate Planning Intake Form Template for Financial Advisors
Estate planning can be a valuable addition to your firm’s scope of services, enabling you to increase wallet share with existing clients or attract prospects who need professional planning advice. An intake form or questionnaire is a straightforward way to collect the information you need in order to help shape their plans. Here’s how to… read more…
Marketing
20+ Lunch and Learn Ideas for Your Financial Advisor Firm
Marketing events offer an opportunity to connect with prospects and initiate conversations around financial planning. And hosting a mix of online and offline events can help broaden your firm’s reach and increase your visibility in the eyes of your ideal clients. If you’re hoping to make inroads in your local community, a lunch and learn… read more…
Marketing
35 Ideas for Your Financial Advisor Seminars
Making genuine connections with prospects is key when it comes to converting them into clients. Email and social media offer numerous opportunities to engage, and you can build on that foundation with an in-depth seminar. Hosting in-person or virtual events is a chance to take a deeper dive into a topic that speaks to prospective… read more…
Firm Management
5 Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors
Financial advisors rely on sales strategies to close the deal, but success is not measured in conversions alone. Your firm’s growth also hinges on your ability to nurture genuine relationships with your clients, meet them where they are and deliver superior service that exceeds their expectations. Sales and service are intertwined, and the advisor who… read more…
Client Acquisition
Can Financial Advisors Pay Fees for Referrals?
In an increasingly competitive advisory landscape, the role word-of-mouth marketing plays in building a thriving practice can’t be overlooked. Referrals, whether they come from your existing clients or other professionals in your circle of influence, can lead to more conversions and lay the groundwork for long-lasting advisor-client relationships. Developing a referral program may open the… read more…
Marketing
5 Marketing Event Ideas for Financial Advisors
Marketing is an essential part of a business’s growth. And holding marketing events can help you build stronger connections with prospects who fit your idea of an ideal client. The question is, what kind of event is most likely to help you build real connections that eventually convert? If you’re running short on inspiration, consider… read more…
Client Acquisition
How to Grow Your Financial Advisor Business
Building a thriving practice takes planning, dedication and, sometimes, just a little luck. When it comes to how to grow your financial advisor business, the fundamentals include actively building your brand, optimizing your marketing efforts and delivering a superior client experience. That being said, there are some strategies you can implement that can help you… read more…
Firm Management
20+ AI Tools Financial Advisors and Planners Could Leverage
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its mark on the financial services industry. From content creation to portfolio management, there are an abundance of AI tools for financial advisors that you can consider. If you’re ready to explore the possibilities of AI for your practice, you can start by researching which tools you might consider adding… read more…
Client Acquisition
5 Ways to Ask and Pay for Referrals as a Financial Advisor
Referrals make getting on a prospect’s radar easier, and delivering a superior client experience can help you generate them organically. If referrals come to your firm in a trickle rather than a flood, it may be a good idea to master the art of the ask. Some of the most valuable financial advisor referrals may… read more…
Client Acquisition
How to Build a Strong Referral Program as a Financial Advisor
Word of mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tools for growing your advisory business. Referrals attest to your firm’s credibility and to the level of satisfaction your clients feel when working with you. Building a financial advisor referral program is one way to maintain a full prospect pipeline so your business continues to… read more…