being referable Archives - Don Connelly & Associates

Clients not Giving You Referrals? Here’s Why That May Be

May 1, 2023 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

We devote a lot of space here on how to generate referrals, and with good reason. Generating quality referrals is critical to building a sustainable and profitable practice. Many of our articles address the ‘how,’ even addressing how to overcome the reluctance to ask for referrals. Based on my decades of experience, I’m confident that advisors who study those articles and incorporate the tips and practices into their process can generate more referrals.

How to Get More Unsolicited Referrals from Clients

December 19, 2022 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

Ask any successful advisor what the key to their success is, and they’ll tell you—referrals. You can’t grow a profitable practice without a steady stream of referrals. When you ask for and receive a referral, it’s an indication that you impressed your client enough to act on your request. But what if you didn’t have to ask for referrals? What if your clients were so impressed with you that they took the time to share their experience with someone without you having to ask?

You know what that feels like if it’s happened to you. But, for many advisors, it happens so rarely that it’s a major shock when it does. So, how do you make it happen consistently enough to make it an expectation?

Here’s a Four-Pronged Plan to Become a Highly Referable Advisor

October 25, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

Most financial advisors find it difficult to ask for referrals. That we know because less than 11 percent even bother to ask. Maybe that small cadre of advisors knows something the other 89 percent don’t—that nearly three-quarters of high-net-worth clients say they would refer friends or colleagues if their advisors asked. That’s quite a disconnect, so I’m wondering if there is something else going on that’s preventing advisors from tapping this precious and obvious source of new clients.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Connect with Clients on an Emotional Level

October 21, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

As an advisor you’re no doubt good with numbers; you’re an objective thinker. But to succeed in this business you also need to be able to create meaningful relationships with your clients. You need to have not only a high IQ but a high level of EQ (Emotional Intelligence).

According to a study by Harvard Business Review emotionally connected clients are more than twice as valuable to your business as ‘highly satisfied clients’.

Here are 5 reasons why rather than focusing on their financial plans you should get to know your clients on a personal level.

5 Reasons Why You Should Take The Time to Educate Your Clients

September 23, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

Don’t shy away from being a coach and educator to your clients. Adding in this extra element can help set you apart from the competition and deepen your relationship with them.

If you aren’t already educating your clients, here are five reasons why you should start doing it right away.

How People Find a Financial Advisor

April 22, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

People search for financial advisors in various ways and via numerous channels. To ensure your appointment book is full, you need to identify where your potential clients are searching so you can focus your marketing efforts in these areas.

Potential clients often find a financial advisor in one (or more) of the following ways.

11 Best Practices for Gathering Referrals

January 21, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

People trust recommendations from people they know, and the lifetime value of a new referral customer is higher than of a client acquired in another way. Despite this, advisors shy away from asking for referrals – citing that to be one of their most awkward tasks.

The good news is that, if asked at the right time, most clients would be happy to advocate on your behalf. Less than a third of advisors ever ask though. Don’t act like the majority – because referrals are at the core of growing your business.

In this post we’ll look at some best practices for gathering referrals.

How to Be a Better Prospector

July 25, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

To succeed in this competitive industry, you need to be creative when it comes to acquiring new clients. No one universal approach is likely to be your Holy Grail when it comes to prospecting. Instead, you will need to adopt a number of prospecting approaches and learn, through trial and error, which work best for you. Once you’ve found a method you’re good at, you’re likely to enjoy finding clients that way, boosting your job satisfaction as well as your ability to attract new clients. Here are a few prospecting approaches to try.

Financial Advisors Tips: How to Get Referrals

January 22, 2015 / by Don Connelly / Don Guest Authoring at..., Prospecting / 3 comments

A wag once noted that having to call or introduce yourself to strangers is God’s revenge for not getting referrals. The reality is that every time you open a new account, you’ve lost your best prospect. Referrals are essential, yet asking for them makes most Advisors uncomfortable.

Allow me to offer two suggestions.

Without Integrity, There Is No Credibility

March 13, 2014 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

Without Integrity Financial Sdvisors Don't Have Credibility

If you are to be chosen as someone’s Financial Advisor, you must pass three tests. The person must like you and think you are smart, but, most importantly, the person must trust you. There is no substitute for trust.

When mom and dad leave you after that first meeting, they do not talk about convexity or tactical asset allocation.

They ask themselves one question: “Do you trust him? Do you trust her?” If the answer is ‘no’ or ‘not really’, you stand no chance of getting those folks as clients. There are too many other Advisors they can turn to.

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