discussing fees and commissions Archives - Don Connelly & Associates

Overcome the Fee Discussion by Focusing on the Things that Matter to Your Clients

September 27, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 0 comments

Among the many trends affecting the way financial advisors must operate these days, fee compression has been the most impactful. The discussion of fees charged by advisors has moved to the forefront due to the low costs and transparency of digital advice platforms and the highly competitive arena in which they find themselves. As a result, clients are more willing to confront their advisors on the subject of fees and the value they receive in exchange for them, catching many advisors off guard.

3 Issues Financial Advisors Should Address to Overcome the Trust Deficit in Clients

November 23, 2020 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

Financial Advisors face a huge trust deficit. That’s significant because who holds a more important position of trust than an advisor who can impact when people retire, how they live in retirement, and what’s their financial security late in life when they need it the most? For advisors whose livelihood depends on attracting new clients and retaining them, that’s a major obstacle to overcome every day.

Combatting Low Fees

November 25, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 0 comments

If you ever need to combat lower fees, begin by understanding what your competition is actually doing. Then form your strategy accordingly.

Listen to this audio episode or read the transcript below to learn how to de-commoditize yourself and why you need to win the value-argument instead of the fee-argument.

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.

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

October 14, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Storytelling, analogies and power phrases / 0 comments

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.

How to Elevate Your Brand and Justify Your Fees

August 12, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 0 comments

If you provide above average service, you deserve to charge above average fees. Don’t underestimate yourself. Make sure you get paid your worth by focusing on creating a business brand and style that clearly communicates your value.

Price is never the only consideration.

5 Questions Prospects May Ask You before Deciding to Hire You as Their Financial Advisor

February 11, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

Just as there are many questions you need to ask a potential client, prospects will have plenty of things they’ll want to know before they consider doing business with you too. Here are five questions you’re likely to receive.

4 Behaviors to Avoid if You Want to Allay Client Concerns

January 29, 2018 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

In the first meeting with you, prospective clients may be unsure if investing is the right thing to do. They may also have concerns about whether you are the right person to advise them. How you behave in your first meeting will dictate what happens next. You need to act to allay not only their objections around the investment process itself, but to eliminate any concerns they may have about working with you personally.

To make sure you leave them in no doubt about your ability, never do the following four things.

Focus on What’s Important

July 24, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

If you want to reach the top of your profession as a financial advisor, you need to focus on the basics. Dedicate your time to prospecting, asking for commitments and managing client relationships. Success will only come your way if you think gathering assets rather than DOL rulings and falling fees. So stop getting distracted. If you want to build a successful business, focus on what’s important.

Here are six things to focus on, starting today.

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