8 Stories to Help You Build Trust and Open Accounts

8 Stories to Help You Build Trust and Open Accounts

As you might know already, I’m a big believer in telling a story.

As I write this, it’s presidential campaign season. The candidates are all about telling their stories. They want to get their preferred narratives out there, in front of voters. Successful candidates are very well rehearsed on these stories. They constantly make references to these stories, in the effort to brand themselves, differentiate themselves from other candidates, and inoculate themselves against attacks from competing candidates and their staffs.

Why?

Because it works!

It works in financial services, too.

In fact, it works so well that I don’t want you to have a single story defining you. I want you to have at least eight! And I want you to know them cold.

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The Right Story at the Right Time Can and Will Tip the Decision in Your Direction

The Right Story at the Right Time Can and Will Tip the Decision in Your Direction

When you meet with prospective clients, they will very possibly have concerns. They may be worried about investing per se, undecided about whether now’s the right time to invest, or unsure if you are worth your fees.

Don’t see their concerns as obstacles but as an opportunity to build trust. If you suspect they feel anxious, step in tell them an “I know what you’re thinking” story to reassure them they’re doing the right thing. This is a story designed to take away some of your prospect’s concerns.

Here are some situations where a good story can help persuade prospects to hire you as their advisor.

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What Are Repeatable Processes and Why Do You Need Them?

What Are Repeatable Processes and Why Do You Need Them?

Repeatable processes are processes that can be followed day in, day out. The task of developing repeatable processes may appear time-consuming (even mundane), but it’s essential if you are to grow your business.

Just as the setting and the following of daily routines helps in everyday life, successful advisors know that by creating consistent repeatable processes they’ll build up a competitive advantage that’s hard to beat.

Here’s why you should be incorporating repeatable processes into your business model.

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5 Things That Could Ruin Your Clients’ Trust in You – in Seconds

It can take many years before clients come to know you and trust you, and during this time you’ll need to work hard to win them over. In order to earn their trust, you’ll need to demonstrate exemplary behavior and deliver a service that goes above and beyond.

But that’s not where it ends. It may have taken you years to build up trust but it takes just seconds to break it down. Just one slip and all that hard-won trust is gone forever. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by avoiding the following behaviors.

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5 Signs That It’s Time to Let Go of a Client

5 Signs That It’s Time to Let Go of a Client

Signing up a new client – any client – feels like an achievement, especially for new advisors. Keeping money coming in is after all the number one priority. Over time however you’ll find that you have two types of clients: Clients you actively look forward to speaking to i.e. those who are pleasant to do business with, make realistic demands on your time, and are fully onboard with your ideas. And then there are the others – the ones you come to dread dealing with.

As a financial advisor you should aim to only work with clients who are enjoyable to deal with and profitable. It’s not only acceptable to prune out bad clients – but essential to keep your business healthy.

So how do you know when it’s time to let go of a client?

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Don’t Let Clients’ Concerns Escalate: Tackle Issues Head on

Don’t Let Clients’ Concerns Escalate - Tackle Issues Head on

Meeting your clients’ expectations is the least you can do – it’s simply part of your job – so don’t expect to get a pat on the back for it. If you want to retain clients for the long term, you need to step up your level of service way beyond this and be more proactive than other advisors. Offer your clients a heroic standard of service by taking ownership of their problems before they become detrimental to your business.

Here are four ways to ensure you keep things on track.

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6 Steps to Help Create Urgency with Prospects

6 Steps to Help Create Urgency with Prospects

Creating urgency with prospects is a crucial yet often overwhelming obstacle for many advisors. The problem is how to get prospects to act, rather than deliberate and how to react when a prospect says ‘I’ll get back to you’ or ‘I need to think about it’. It’s essential to have a strategy in place for getting prospects off the fence – otherwise your business will go nowhere. Here are some practical ways you can help initiate this process.

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Why Is Online Reputation Important for Your Success as a Financial Advisor

Why Is Online Reputation Important for Your Success as a Financial Advisor

As Don Connelly always says, only three things must take place for you to get a new client: that person must like you, trust you and think you are smart. But how could prospects like you, trust you and think you are smart if they never met you? How do you come across as likeable, trustworthy and smart if you have no prior relationship with them?

The answer lies in your online reputation.

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