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Rebecca Lake, CEPF®

Rebecca Lake is a retirement, investing and estate planning expert who has been writing about personal finance for a decade. Her expertise in the finance niche also extends to home buying, credit cards, banking and small business. She's worked directly with several major financial and insurance brands, including Citibank, Discover and AIG and her writing has appeared online at U.S. News and World Report, CreditCards.com and Investopedia. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and she also attended Charleston Southern University as a graduate student. Originally from central Virginia, she now lives on the North Carolina coast along with her two children. Rebecca also holds the Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) designation.

Posts by Rebecca Lake, CEPF®

Financial advisors reviewing notes from a coach.
Professional Development

Where to Find Coaching as a Financial Advisor

You want to scale your business and become the advisor prospective clients line up for, but you’re unsure how to achieve your goals. Maybe you’ve heard about coaching for financial advisors, and are wondering how it may benefit you. Coaching can help you clarify your business objectives, position your firm to attract and retain more… read more…

Financial advisors discussing a new strategy to recruit estate planning clients.
Client Acquisition

How to Get Estate Planning Clients as a Financial Advisor

Adding estate planning to your slate of services can be an effective way to scale your business. Not only is it possible to provide more value to your existing clients, you may attract new ones to your firm, as well. A variety of possibilities exist when it comes to how to get estate planning clients… read more…

A financial advisor creating an estate plan for a client.
Client Retention

10 Estate Planning Questions to Ask Your Clients

Offering estate planning services can increase the value you bring to your clients and help you scale your business more effectively. Your clients may be fully aware of the need for an estate plan, but feel reluctant to have what’s often a sensitive conversation. Drafting a list of tactful, yet insightful, estate planning questions to… read more…

A financial advisor reviewing a client's portfolio.
Compliance & Legal

How to Conduct an Annual RIA Compliance Meeting

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposes rigorous compliance rules on registered investment advisors (RIAs). In addition to developing written compliance policies, you’re also expected to hold, and document in writing, an annual compliance meeting. If you’re a newly established RIA, a little preparation can make the process of conducting this meeting a smooth one.… read more…

Two advisors discuss holding an RIA mock audit.
Compliance & Legal

How to Conduct a Mock Compliance Audit for Your RIA

Registered investment advisors (RIAs) are subject to examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and/or state regulatory agencies. These exams typically take place every three to five years, and they’re intended to ensure that RIAs consistently meet compliance requirements. And conducting an RIA mock audit can help you feel more prepared when it’s time… read more…

A financial advisor on the phone discussing how to build a client service agreement template for financial planning.
Compliance & Legal

Client Service Agreement Template for Financial Planning

Taking on new clients is an exciting prospect when you’re focused on growing your financial planning business. Drafting a client agreement is an opportunity to set expectations and clarify what services you’ll provide. Developing a new document each time you onboard a client takes time; it also isn’t necessary if you’re using a template that… read more…

A financial advisor setting up an email blast for prospecting.
Client Acquisition

Using Email Blasts for Prospecting as a Financial Advisor

Successful advisors know the value of email marketing in a competitive landscape. Email offers a direct connection to the people you want to reach with your services. It’s an opportunity to cultivate relationships, build trust and convert prospects to clients. Blast email campaigns are one strategy you might consider to grab and hold a prospect’s… read more…

Financial advisors reviewing data to develop a quarterly newsletter strategy.
Firm Management

How to Build a Quarterly Newsletter as a Financial Advisor

Email marketing is an effective way to build engagement with clients while keeping them updated on the latest trends and happenings within your firm. One of the keys to success with email campaigns is choosing the right frequency to share your messages. A mix of short weekly emails and longer quarterly newsletters can strike the… read more…

A financial advisor comparing different email templates for her firm.
Client Acquisition

Free Email Templates for Financial Advisors

Email marketing can be a game-changer for your advisory business, whether you’re using drip campaigns to nurture leads or sending weekly newsletters to boost client engagement. The challenge is finding the time to craft the perfect email to send when you’re busy tackling everything else that goes into running your business. If you’re looking for… read more…

Advisors developing a strategy to brand their firm.
Marketing

Comprehensive Guide to Branding for New RIAs

Your firm’s brand is its calling card, and making a solid first impression matters when starting a new RIA. Branding communicates who you are, what you do and, perhaps most importantly, what you value in serving your clients. Cultivating your new RIA’s brand image is a multilayered process, and it helps to know what to… read more…

A financial advisor speaking with a client.
Client Retention

How to Talk to Your Clients as a Financial Advisor

Good communication is the bedrock of a strong advisor-client relationship. Your clients want to hear from you and, more importantly, they want to feel that their needs and concerns are being heard. Making time to chat may be challenging, but having quality conversations can reap long-term rewards for your business. A solid communication strategy can… read more…

An advisor meeting with a potential client.
Client Acquisition

How to Nurture Leads as a Financial Advisor

Leads can help your business continue growing. But once you’ve made an initial connection, you’ll need to spend time building a rapport to gain trust from a prospective client. Emails and texts are an effective way to keep the lines of communication open. If you’re looking for ways to save time in this area, automated… read more…

An advisor researching the best sources of warm leads for financial advisors.
Client Acquisition

Tactics for Finding Warm Leads as a Financial Advisor

Building a sustainable advisory business requires a steady flow of incoming leads. The more warm leads you can generate, the more opportunities you may have to convert prospects to clients. And adding some tried and true strategies to your marketing toolbox can help you attract warm leads for financial advisors. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform (AMP)… read more…

An advisor researching what the financial advisor salary is after 10 years.
Industry Trends

What Salary Do Financial Advisors Make After 10 Years?

A career as a financial advisor has the potential to be lucrative, but how much can you expect to make? It depends on several factors, such as the number of years of experience you have under your belt. Looking at the typical financial advisor salary after 10 years can give you a better idea of… read more…

An advisor researching how to find clients for life insurance.
Client Acquisition

Financial Advisor Guide to Finding Clients for Life Insurance

Expanding your service offerings to include life insurance could help fuel growth in your advisory firm if it allows you to attract new clients or increase the revenue you generate from your existing book of business. When it comes to how to find clients for life insurance services, there are multiple marketing avenues you might… read more…

An advisor comparing financial advisor billing software.
Firm Management

7 Billing Software Options for Financial Advisors

A well-rounded tech stack keeps your firm running smoothly and helps you maintain a competitive edge. Your choice of billing software is essential, not only for managing the books, but also for ensuring that your clients receive accurate, error-free statements. Knowing how to compare financial advisor billing software can help you choose the right option… read more…

Advisors compare options for bookkeeping for financial advisors.
Firm Management

How to Manage Your Firm’s Bookkeeping as a Financial Advisor

As a busy advisor, you have a lot on your plate. Between client meetings and fine-tuning your marketing strategy, it can be challenging to find time for back-office tasks. There’s no downplaying the importance of accurate bookkeeping for financial advisors. Balanced books help promote a healthy bottom line. Here’s how to manage your firm’s bookkeeping… read more…

Advisors discussing how to choose financial advisor transition services.
Firm Management

How to Choose Financial Advisor Transition Services

You’ve decided that it’s time to move on from your current situation. Maybe you’re ready to go independent, or you’ve decided to accept a position with a new firm. Financial advisor transition services are there to help. And working with a transition specialist can help you better navigate the next phase of your professional journey.… read more…

Two advisors discuss fintech options for their firm.
Firm Management

How Financial Advisors Can Use Fintech Services

Fintech, or financial technology, is increasingly influencing how people invest and build their wealth. Advisors, meanwhile, are seeing the traditional financial planning model be reshaped through digital innovation. Fintech’s impact as a disruptor can’t be ignored, nor can the opportunities it presents for advisors to streamline and scale their businesses. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform (AMP)… read more…

Advisors taking part in a financial advisor coaching program.
Professional Development

Do You Need a Financial Advisor Coaching Program?

Growth rarely follows a straight line, and it’s not unusual to encounter a series of highs and lows as you progress toward your goals. If you feel stuck in your journey, you might consider coaching to revitalize your business and get the momentum going. Financial advisor coaching programs can provide support, structure and training that… read more…

An RIA determines which AI tools to use for their firm.
Firm Management

How to Use AI Technology to Streamline Your RIA Business

Artificial intelligence continues to be a driving force of change in the advisory industry. And embracing AI and its possibilities as an RIA can give you a competitive advantage. After all, it’s clear this technology isn’t simply a passing trend. Exploring AI RIA applications can help you evaluate where it fits into your firm’s growth… read more…

An advisor reviewing financial advisor tips to grow their firm.
Professional Development

5 Important Tips for Financial Advisors Looking to Grow

Seeing tangible growth in your business is immensely satisfying, but it takes strategic planning on your part to generate real results. Financial services is a competitive industry, and if you’re a smaller, independent firm, it may be difficult to gain your footing. Let’s look at some financial advisor tips for growth you can begin implementing… read more…

An advisor comparing financial advisor resources for their firm.
Firm Management

12 Online Resources and Tools for Financial Advisors

Running a successful advisory business often means working smarter, not harder. Incorporating digital tools and online resources into your practice can help you improve time management, ensure compliance and deliver a superior client experience, which is vital for your long-term success. You likely have a trusted customer relationship management (CRM) platform and go-to financial planning… read more…

Two advisors discuss financial advisor branding for their firm.
Marketing

How to Build a Brand for Yourself as a Financial Advisor

Imagine waking up every day to an email or voicemail inbox overflowing with messages from prospective clients who are eager to connect. With a recognizable brand, you could be well on your way to turning that vision into reality. Your brand is your calling card. It’s what sets you apart from the competition, establishes trust… read more…

An advisor calling in with questions regarding updating their firm's Form ADV.
Compliance & Legal

Guide to the Annual Updating Amendment of Form ADV

Form ADV, or the Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration and Report by Exempt Reporting Adviser, is a requirement to register as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and state regulators. You can’t just file once and forget about it, though. Federal regulations require regular updates to your form. It’s important… read more…