/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
We’ve made no secret of the fact that a trust deficit exists between the public and the financial services industry. Advisors, new and experienced, must work consciously and deliberately every day to overcome it. The challenge for advisors is they could be the most trustworthy person in the world, but without credibility, there can be no trust.
There could be trust, but it might only be fleeting without proof that it’s genuine. That’s where credibility comes in. The building blocks of trust include honesty, transparency, reliability, consistency, competence, empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability—traits that, when demonstrated by actions, create credibility. An advisor’s credibility is bolstered even more when both parties feel they benefit mutually with a vested interest in each other’s success.
Here are five ways advisors can establish credibility by demonstrating the building blocks of trust.
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The Halo of Ringlets
/ by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself, Storytelling, analogies and power phrases / 0 comments
I hope by now you’ve done a business plan. A business plan is how you’re going to hit your goals. You’re driving from Bangor, Maine to San Diego, you’re going to pass mile markers along the way. Those are your goals.
Inside your business plan has to be your marketing plan. It’s not enough to go in the morning and hunt, kill and eat.
Listen to this audio podcast or read the transcript below to hear the ‘halo of ringlets’ analogy and an idea on narrowing down and attracting your target market or markets.
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5 Ways Financial Advisors Can Establish Credibility and Build Trust
/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
We’ve made no secret of the fact that a trust deficit exists between the public and the financial services industry. Advisors, new and experienced, must work consciously and deliberately every day to overcome it. The challenge for advisors is they could be the most trustworthy person in the world, but without credibility, there can be no trust.
There could be trust, but it might only be fleeting without proof that it’s genuine. That’s where credibility comes in. The building blocks of trust include honesty, transparency, reliability, consistency, competence, empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability—traits that, when demonstrated by actions, create credibility. An advisor’s credibility is bolstered even more when both parties feel they benefit mutually with a vested interest in each other’s success.
Here are five ways advisors can establish credibility by demonstrating the building blocks of trust.
Read more
How to Get More Unsolicited Referrals from Clients
/ 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?
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6 Reasons Why You Should Specialize in The Kind of Financial Advice You Give
/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
In previous posts we’ve discussed the importance of identifying your ideal client in terms of their attributes – be it occupation, geographical location, etc. But if you are to stand out in a crowded market you also need to pinpoint exactly what you can offer your clients in terms of services.
As part of your marketing strategy aim to narrow down to the field or specialty you’re best suited to offer. Don’t try to be ‘jack of all trades’ by offering to provide advice on estate planning and taxation, and everything in-between. If you do, you’ll end up ‘master of none’.
People need to know you are the expert in your field, otherwise you won’t become highly referable. Here’s why you should specialize in the kind of financial advice you give.
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How People Pick a Financial Advisor
/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
When people choose a financial advisor, they’re looking for someone who’s not only qualified but someone they can trust. Without these attributes you won’t get hired. But in this crowded industry – one that’s projected to grow 15% more by 2026 – it will help if you understand other factors people may consider important in a prospective advisor.
Here are a few things to remember as important to people who pick a financial advisor.
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5 Reasons Why Clients Might Not Want to Refer You
/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship, Prospecting / 0 comments
The best way to gather new clients is via referral, especially since many wealthier investors find their financial advisors this way. If you are failing to acquire referrals, you need to address this issue as a matter of importance. Lack of success invariably boils down to a number of reasons – in particular an inability to get along with people.
Here are 5 reasons that could explain why clients aren’t lining up to refer you.
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