October 24, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 1 comment
I can recall few times in my career when business has been as slow as it has been recently. Perhaps the slowdown is due to the fast approaching year-end. Certainly, the pending Presidential election has a lot to do with it, as does the recent DOL running. Clients and Advisors alike have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. But there also are more traditional reasons at work.
People don’t enjoy the prospect of saving for a rainy day. There’s always a reason to delay investing, and never a ‘right’ time to make the move.
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5 Tactics to Get Prospects off The Fence
April 10, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments
Breaking a prospect’s apathy is difficult.
Telling someone to invest or think long term is like telling someone to be patient. And telling someone to be patient simply doesn’t work. Instead you need to ‘teach’ prospects what long term investing really means. Use stories and analogies to stir emotions, curb their impatience and give them reasons to invest. Here are five ways you can do that and help prospects get off the fence.
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How to Get Prospects Off The Fence
February 20, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments
When a prospect turns around and says he or she needs to think things over they’re likely basing their indecision on fear or laziness. Maybe they’re fearful about the shaky economy, distrustful about paying you a fee, or just simply don’t want to leave their comfort zone. All their ‘reasons’, however, are based on emotion – and to break this inertia, you need to use techniques that will motivate them to act.
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Creating Urgency with Prospects
October 24, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 1 comment
I can recall few times in my career when business has been as slow as it has been recently. Perhaps the slowdown is due to the fast approaching year-end. Certainly, the pending Presidential election has a lot to do with it, as does the recent DOL running. Clients and Advisors alike have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. But there also are more traditional reasons at work.
People don’t enjoy the prospect of saving for a rainy day. There’s always a reason to delay investing, and never a ‘right’ time to make the move.
Read more
What If Clients’ Sentimental Equity Holding Doesn’t Match Their Risk Tolerance?
April 18, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom, Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Today I’d like to share with you an email I received a while ago from Mike at Edward Jones. ¨What is the best way for an FA to approach a client about an equity holding that has sentimental value to the client but does not fit their risk tolerance? I have a 75-year old widow with over 50% of her net worth in Disney stock. I also have a widow who inherited her husband’s IRA at another firm. She had no idea what was in it, it was with an advisor she doesn’t know. Turns out it is 60% in aggressive investments, but she still wants to keep it there. Help.¨Listen to Don’s answer or read the transcript.
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Investing, Self-awareness and Tolerance to Risk
March 21, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom / 0 comments
Before you can embark on any financial plan on behalf of a client it’s essential that you understand their tolerance for risk. You must also know what their goals are, ensure they are achievable and keep them committed to the plan for the long term.
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Three Must-read Success Stories for Financial Advisors
March 7, 2016 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
As a financial advisor you need to work flat out on building your business. But it also pays to take the time to stand back and find inspiration from the best in the business. By understanding what helped some top pros rise to the top of their profession you can gain valuable pointers to motivate you both personally and professionally. Here’s a brief introduction to three professionals you should have on your radar.
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Investing in a Bull Market
July 20, 2015 / by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom / 0 comments
This is an AskDON audio episode where Don Connelly answers Larry’s question about investing. Larry is from Texas, he’s been in the business eleven years and he is managing just a shade under $100 million.
Larry’s question was:
“The market’s been up four years, without a correction. What do you say when people comment that maybe the market’s too high?”
Click the play button to listen to Don’s answer or read the transcript below.
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How to Explain to Prospects They Should Invest Now
April 27, 2015 / by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom / 0 comments
As you know better than I, clients are always looking for a more convenient time to invest. There’s always something to do – like buy a new car, redo the home, whatever it is.
The time to invest is now – we can’t put it off.
* This podcast originally appeared on Don Connelly 24/7. Click the play button or read the transcript below.
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How Asking Yourself WHY Would Help You Be a Better Advisor
April 6, 2015 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
Asking ‘why ‘can greatly increase your understanding of yourself and of those around you, both of which will make you a better advisor. Asking ‘why’ your clients do business with you can make the referral process easier. Asking ‘why’ can help motivate your clients into investing for their future. Asking ‘why’ you became a financial advisor can help you re-energize your career.
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Always Remember Your Clients’ Reasons to Invest
February 2, 2015 / by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom / 0 comments
Failing to understand a client’s goals and objectives ranks highly when it comes to why financial advisors get fired. So it pays to remember that your client’s reasons to invest are the same as they’ve always been: they want to generate more cash in the future, whether it’s to send the kids to college, or to retire on a yacht in the Caribbean.
Your clients want to educate their children and build a retirement fund. That’s generally it.
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