likeability Archives - Don Connelly & Associates

Authenticity: The Key to a Favorable First Impression

/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship, Presentation Skills / 0 comments

No doubt you’ve heard the old axiom, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” And it’s tough to fix a bad first impression, especially in a world where some clients are predisposed to not trusting financial advisors. That’s a high hurdle to overcome when first meeting potential clients who may be looking for any reason to walk away.

You’ve probably also heard that the human brain processes information about a person’s face and mannerisms within a matter of seconds, leading to a quick conclusion about their abilities. The hurdle just got higher.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been in the business. Potential clients instinctively weigh and measure you, not by your expertise, capabilities, or knowledge, but by how much they think they like you. They’re looking for someone they can trust, and most people can’t trust someone they don’t like.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Financial Advisor?

/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 2 comments

Top financial advisors almost always possess the same traits and skills. Not only do they have a great work ethic and a determination to succeed, but their interpersonal skills are second to none. In particular, elite advisors ooze charisma – a charisma which they use to influence people.

In this post we’ll look at what it takes to be a Financial Advisor and some skills successful advisors share.

5 Stories to Develop Strong Relationships with Clients Based on Trust and Likeability

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

The best way to initiate a strong relationship with clients is to tell them stories. People don’t need to have a ton of data thrown at them in the first meeting. They will be more interested in whether they like and trust you. Forget the numbers and pie charts, and use your personal stories and experiences to help you establish trust and likeability in the minds of your prospects. Here are five such stories to get you started.

How to Become a Successful Financial Advisor

/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 2 comments

There are lots of average financial advisors out there, but very few great ones. And it may surprise you to learn that those that do get to the top rarely get there on talent alone. Successful advisors do however share certain attributes and have a work ethic that marks them out. They have a clear vision, work hard and never stop developing their skills.

Here are five things you must do if you want to be a successful financial advisor.

How to Win Over Clients by Becoming More Likeable

/ by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself / 3 comments

People will only do business with you if they like you and trust you. Human decisions are generally subjective. Even if you are the most professional financial advisor out there, if people don’t warm to you they won’t commit to you. Prospects will not choose you simply because you are competent; they will choose to do business with you because you are competent and likeable.

By becoming likeable you will stand head and shoulders above other advisors. And you don’t need innate talent to become more likeable. You can learn how to radiate confidence and charisma.

How Much Value Do You Bring as a Financial Advisor?

/ by Don Connelly / Don Guest Authoring at..., Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

What determines your value is not up to you to decide. It is left for the client to decide. And that decision is a lot simpler than you might think.

When selecting an Advisor, three things are of value to a prospective client.

That person must like the Advisor, that person must trust the Advisor and that person must think the Advisor is smart. There is very little else to factor in initially.

Prospective clients generally are not looking for more information.

Financial Advisors Tips: How to Get Referrals

/ 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.

How Interpersonal Relationships Lead to You Being Trusted

/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

By now you know my belief about gathering assets. If someone likes you, trusts you and thinks you are smart, you get the assets. If another Advisor ranks higher in those categories, he or she gets the assets.

Follow the Golden Rule and you will be likable. Simplify the business so that your listener can understand every word you say and you will be perceived as smart.

Do what you say you are going to do and you will earn the other person’s trust.

Like most things in life, the solution to each of these perceptions is simple. It’s not easy, but it is simple.

Your Selling Skills Are a Reflection of Your Self-confidence

/ by Don Connelly / Marketing Yourself, Prospecting / 0 comments

Would you open an account with a Financial Advisor who was nervous and unsure of himself? Neither will your prospects.

Your livelihood is dependent upon your ability to sell yourself.

How well you sell yourself is in direct proportion to your self-confidence. The more success you have, the more you believe in your abilities and the higher you go. Top tier Advisors are supremely confident in their ability to influence and persuade. They have overcome the fear of failure.

It takes self-confidence to move another person to take action.

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