September 28, 2020 / by Don Connelly / Presentation Skills / 0 comments
Yes, I’m a huge believer in stories, and in taking time to build value in your services, your brand, and in taking a detailed fact-finder, so you can make your engagement truly client-centered and set yourself up for the close.
But as we all know, many times there just isn’t enough time.
Sometimes you don’t have a leisurely lunch appointment. Sometimes it’s just a meeting engagement: A shared Uber ride, a shared elevator. That’s why you need an “elevator speech.”
Before we get into what constitutes a good elevator speech, let’s think about what you want your elevator speech to accomplish for you.
In 30 seconds or less, a good elevator speech should accomplish the following:
Establish your unique value proposition (UVP).
Establish a reason to initiate contact later.
Establish the means to initiate that contact.
Set up the expectation of contact.
Let’s look at each one in turn.
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Prospect Engagement Strategy for Creating Reasons to Call
November 7, 2022 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
I often hear from financial advisors who, for various reasons, are reluctant to contact prospects who remain in their pipeline. Many are hesitant to pick up the phone because they don’t feel they have anything new to offer, which, in their minds, would amount to an untimely interruption or even an annoyance. Best to avoid calling them, right?
That’s a quandary because if you want to increase prospect engagement with the hopes of moving them out of the pipeline, you actually have to engage them. It is also problematic because, as successful advisors know, prospects’ needs change over time, and the only way to win their business is to be in the right place at the right time, with the right message. That can’t happen if you avoid the calls.
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Not Getting Through to Your Clients? 5 Ways to Step Up Your Engagement
April 11, 2022 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Most financial advisors understand the importance of client communications. Those who don’t find out the hard way that poor or infrequent communications is the number one reason clients leave their financial advisor, according to a Financial Advisor Magazine survey. But what if you feel you have a deliberate client communications strategy, yet your clients seem to be unresponsive or not engaging with you at a level that gives you confidence they are fully on board?
That’s not a good feeling, and it should sound alarms if you hope to maximize client retention.
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5 Reasons Advisors Need a Well-Conceived, Systematic Communications Strategy
January 10, 2022 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Financial advisors are reaching a pivotal moment that will shape their future. An increasingly competitive landscape, fee compression, the commoditization of advice, and increasing client expectations make client satisfaction, retention, and referrals more essential than ever. As advisors struggle to differentiate themselves in a sea of sameness, I always reach back to the time-tested solution: good communication.
If you have been following my blog for a while, you’re familiar with my core belief that communication is vital to developing solid and enduring relationships. You simply can’t form trusted relationships without good communication.
Most clients don’t feel engaged with their Advisor
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Five Reasons Why Financial Advisor Should Include Direct Mail in Their Marketing Strategy
September 13, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 0 comments
In a digitally dominated world, your clients and prospects are overwhelmed by emails, text notifications, pop-up ads, and other forms of instant communication. With many financial advisors adopting a digital-first approach to marketing, it may be time for advisors to go back to the tried and true—direct mail. While it’s true that digital marketing has become the sleek and shiny way to attract clients, it may not be the most effective.
Direct mail is far from dead and, in fact, might be your salvation for reviving your lead generation. Here are five reasons why that may be.
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Advisors Must be Able to Lead Clients Through Emotional Struggles
August 23, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Last year during the COVID market crash was a golden opportunity for financial advisors to demonstrate their true worth to anxious clients as a coach and a counselor. Your greatest value to your clients is being there for them during times of financial stress and anxiety. Good financial advisors are prepared to handle the fallout of a severe market decline, holding their clients’ hands, and coaching them through their anxieties.
However, few advisors are as prepared when it comes to facing their clients’ personal emotional issues that can cause even greater stress and anxiety, leading to poor financial decision-making. Life events, such as the death of a spouse or family member, divorce or family rifts, a medical crisis, a job loss, or other major life changes are common. Yet many advisors aren’t prepared to help their clients face the issue, or worse, are unable to recognize when a client is struggling emotionally.
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Digital Marketing for Financial Advisors: It’s Time to Start a Blog
April 26, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 0 comments
For financial advisors competing in a digitally wired world, thought leadership is essential for those who want to stand far above others in a crowded field. Financial advisors who are thought leaders are viewed as authorities in their field and recognized experts– traits that have become table stakes for advisors hoping to attract the attention of high-net-worth clients. An increasing number of financial advisors are finding that blogging is an affordable way to establish themselves as a high-profile authority and a credible source of financial information in a highly competitive arena.
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Create an Elevator Speech that Wins
September 28, 2020 / by Don Connelly / Presentation Skills / 0 comments
Yes, I’m a huge believer in stories, and in taking time to build value in your services, your brand, and in taking a detailed fact-finder, so you can make your engagement truly client-centered and set yourself up for the close.
But as we all know, many times there just isn’t enough time.
Sometimes you don’t have a leisurely lunch appointment. Sometimes it’s just a meeting engagement: A shared Uber ride, a shared elevator. That’s why you need an “elevator speech.”
Before we get into what constitutes a good elevator speech, let’s think about what you want your elevator speech to accomplish for you.
In 30 seconds or less, a good elevator speech should accomplish the following:
Establish your unique value proposition (UVP).
Establish a reason to initiate contact later.
Establish the means to initiate that contact.
Set up the expectation of contact.
Let’s look at each one in turn.
Read more