Owning a Spot on Your Client's Brain Can Stimulate Referrals This is a great presentation by Steve Wershing, CFP, an advisor coach, mentor and trainer. Steve is the author of the forthcoming book, Stop Asking for Referrals, which should be out this fall (McGraw Hill). He is also speaking for a number of industry associations and groups in the financial services industry. Don't miss him if you see his name on a conference agenda! There is lots more good, free information on his site: http://www.theclientdrivenpractice.com.

How to Elicit from Feedback from a Client Advisory Board

I've been out and about, attending conferences and speaking with lots of advisors about VALUE - what does it mean to clients and the public given everything that's gone on the past couple of years - and how they are refining their Value Proposition in light of all that?

The audience and panelists at the fi360 Annual Conference last week had some really good ideas on Articulating Your Value as an AIF or AIFA designee. If you are a part of the fi360 community, be sure to go to the designee portal and download my slides and presentation audio recording.

I've been on the discussion boards recently with Members of the Garrett Planning Network talking about Articulating Your Value as a Member of the Garrett Planning Network. So, Garrett Members, you know how to access that conversation.

It was fun meeting members of NAAIM - the National Association of Active Investment Managers - in Orlando on May 3 and discussion how to get started with a Media Relations plan.

More great news - Bob Vere's new white paper report on The Future of Advice is now available for FREE DOWNLOAD at http://www.bobveres.com/. You won't want to miss reading this 109 page missive.

Let the good times roll!

Next week, I host a discussion forum online for Financial-Planning.com - the topic? Articulating Your Value as an Advisor Today. It's free and open to all financial advisors, so do join what I hope will be a robust discussion there. Who knows, maybe I can use your comments in a future article or speech.

FYI I'll be in Chicago next week for the NAPFA National Conference May 19-21. I'm moderating a panel discussion Friday May 21 on What's Working Now: Best Marketing Ideas with 4 accomplished NAPFA members from various sized firms. Looking forward to seeing old friends and new there.

Then in June, I'll be speaking twice (Power of PR / Ask the Media Stars is presentation #1 and Redefining Your Value as an Independent Financial Advisor is presentation #2) at Securities America's annual conference in Huntington Beach June 2-8 and then at Pershing Insite on June 11 (the topic there is Redefining Your Value as an RIA Today).

So ... back to the interactions I've been having with Garrett Members. Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, Mary Lacey Gibson, business planning coach for the Garrett Planning Network, and I came up with a few tips on how to gather feedback from your clients so that you can build a strong Value Proposition.

Here, with a little reworking, is the gist of that conversation.

*****************************************

To get it right ... your Value Proposition, that is ... you know what your best qualities and, gulp, weak spots are. A good way to start the process of understanding the real value you bring is to speak with your clients directly. While surveys can be good, personal conversations oftentimes yield a more candid and meaningful conversation.

Here are some tips on getting feedback from a select group of your clients - in person.

HOW TO ELICIT FEEDBACK FROM AN ADVISORY BOARD

THE INVITATION PROCESS

1. Determine your list and invite the right people.
   · Review your client list.

· Select 8 to 12 clients that you feel you have a real solid relationship.

· Give them a call.

· Tell them that you're forming a client advisory board and you really appreciate their friendship, respect their opinions and would love to get their feedback on how they feel you could best improve the quality of your clients' experiences with you.

· Invite them all to meet with you together. If that’s not possible, visit with them individually in-person or over the phone. In-person is best as you will have a more rich and honest conversation that way.

· Tell them you will send an email (or mailed) confirmation and short list of questions in advance of the meeting. Ask them to come prepared to talk about the questions.

THE PREPARATION STAGE

2. Get them thinking between the invitational call and the feedback meeting.

· In an email or letter, recap the time, date, location and purpose of the meeting. Include a list of questions. Ask them to come prepared to talk about the questions.

· Questions might include:

a. If you were to describe me and the work we've done together to a beloved family member or friend, what would you say?

b. My business grows through referrals from satisfied clients. What would you suggest I do to increase the likelihood that clients will recommend me to their family and friends?

c. When you were first searching for a financial advisor, what factors caused you to select me? What could have made that process better for you?

d. What do you appreciate most about our relationship?

e. Is there anything bothering you about our relationship?

THE CLIENT FEEDBACK MEETING

3. Host the meeting.

· Pick a quite, comfortable setting. Use a conference room or private meeting room and have breakfast, lunch or refreshments catered in. Minimize distractions.

· Welcome people as they arrive and get everyone settled.

· Provide an opening statement about the purpose of the meeting. Ask people to be totally candid.

· Ask your questions and take notes. Have a staff member or trusted business colleague take a duplicate set of notes (you may not be able to hear and capture everything on your own).

· Thank the attendees and promise to use their advice.

THE THANK YOU LETTER

4. Send a thank you letter or email.

· Recap the top take-aways.

· Tell them you are in the process of incorporating their feedback into your business.
· Invite them to a Progress and Update Meeting in 60 days so that you can report in and get additional ideas on how to improve your service to them.

THE PROGRESS AND UPDATE MEETING

5. Repeat Steps 2-4 above, but instead of asking them the original questions, ask them to come prepared to offer additional insights and advice based on the key takeaways from the last meeting and the progress report you’ll provide.

In addition to a client advisory board, we also suggest a business advisory board. Find successful business owners, in particular, service businesses, in your community that you can learn from, share your ideas, gains and pains with. These people, once they understand what you are trying to contribute to the health of the community will become your referral sources and cheerleaders. All of them are serving the same small market and may have experiences that mirror yours.

You may be amazed how generous people are when they know you and like you and you ask for their help. We like to help people we care about. These clients won't expect anything in return for their candid feedback and wonderful ideas, other than seeing you take action and keep the channels of feedback flowing. Your clients want you to stay in business. They will help in any way they feel they can. Just ask.

Free Webinar with Marie Swift: Marketing That Works For Financial Advisors Today

 

Marketing That Works for Advisors Today 
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 | 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Register Free at: 

http://www.moneyshow.com/tradeshow/Chicago/World_MoneyShow/fa_track.asp
 

Given the economic fallout of the past couple of years, there has never been a time in recent history when so many prospects are looking for a new advisor. In today's hyper competitive landscape, you need to find unique ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. The old methods do not allow you to demonstrate your relevant value to your clients, and are not very effective any more. In this keynote presentation, marketing guru, Marie Swift, will share stories of advisors who are gaining market share through online visibility and social media strategies, public relations and credibility marketing, purpose-driven prospecting, event marketing, and much more. Don't miss this fast-paced session as Swift provides simple yet effective ideas for attracting the kind of new clients and valuable assets that can propel your firm to the next level of success!

Special Bonus for Attendees!

Scan your conference pass (or take a photo of it with your smart phone) and send it to TeresaLaw@ImpactCommunications.org. Put in your email subject line: SPECIAL MONEYSHOW OFFER.

That will entitle you to receive one of the following bonuses:

FREE Marketing Evaluation (a $360 value)

A professional marketing consultant from Impact Communications will review your Web site and marketing materials. Then during a consulting call with you and/or your staff, your Impact Marketing Consultant will provide professional recommendations and insights on how to improve your overall look and feel, marketing message, target marketing campaigns, etc. Get 2 free hours of consulting time, compliments of Impact Communications and The MoneyShow.

Learn more about The Impact Consulting Team: www.impactcommunications.org/ourteam.html

- OR -

$300 off the normal price of Media Mastery University

This dynamic, group training and empowerment program offered by Impact Communications will teach you everything you need to know to succeed in the fast-paced world of media relations. You'll also receive a targeted media list, a 90-page Media Manual, dozens of templates for creating your own news releases and pitches, and much more. This 3-month class is conducted virtually so you do not need to travel to a venue to participate.

See full program details:
www.impactcommunications.org/groupprograms.html

Marketing That Works for Advisors Today - Advisors Money Show - Join Me!

Check out this panel presentation!

If you'd like to attend the Advisors Money Show in Orlando Nov 17-19, I have 10 FREE FULL CONFERENCE PASSES to give away. Just call my office, Impact Communications, at 913-649-5009 and tell Teresa Law, the lovely lady who'll pick up the phone, that you saw my invitation to call and that you'd like to take me up on my offer to secure a free conference pass.

If all the free passes are gone, you can use this link to register at the very affordable rate of just $99. Your full conference pass includes 2 1/2 days of educational sessions with industry experts on a wide range of topics, sponsor presentations and meals, and access to the exhibit hall with over 80 hand-picked companies such as Lindner Capital Advisors (a money manager / TAMP with a unique investment strategy that includes a Managed Futures component).

Register Today and join Marie Swift for The Advisors MoneyShow Orlando, November 17-19, 2010, at The Peabody Hotel. The timing of this year’s Show is ideal. With clients weary of large investments and the fear of a double-dip recession, now is the most important time for you to attend the Advisors MoneyShow. Discover strategies for managing client portfolios (and yours too) in choppy markets, learn techniques for keeping your current clients, and find out how your business can grow in today’s economy!
 
 

Register Now! Only $99 for full conference pass.

Orlando | November 17 – 19, 2010 • The Peabody Hotel

Below is information on my session - see you there!
Marketing That Works for Advisors Today

Thursday, November 18, 2010 | 11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Given the economic fallout of the past couple of years, there has never been a time in recent history when so many prospects are looking for a new advisor. In today's hyper competitive landscape, you need to find unique ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. The old methods do not allow you to demonstrate your relevant value to your clients, and are not very effective any more. These panelists will detail strategies for attracting the kind of new clients and valuable assets that can propel your firm to the next level of success.

Gregory Sullivan

Marie Swift

Dean Zayed

Michael Zmistowski

Branding Your Firm from the Inside Out: What You Must Know and Do to Win Market Share Now

Annette Bau, creator of the Millionaire Series, interviewed me for her Financial Advisor Summit – a virtual event that is airing in August on select days and times. I just found out that my recorded interview will ONLY be available FREE of charge TOMORROW, August 11^th, 2010 between noon and 6:00 pm EDT.

My topic is:

Branding Your Firm from the Inside Out: What You Must Know and Do to Win Market Share Now

You will learn:

• How to sharpen your brand and articulate your value in a clear, compelling way
• Ways to gain access to worksheets and questionnaires that will help you clarify your value proposition and get everyone on your team "singing from the same hymn book"
• What industry leaders have to say about the future of advice and the financial services industry
• How to create an action plan based on expert advice from one of the industry's most respected marketing consultants
• How to understand branding - and why it’s important to your ongoing success - from the inside out

Annette says on the Financial Advisor Summit site: “Marie Swift is the CEO of Impact Communications. Her firm boasts a long and illustrious list of industry thought leaders, celebrities, and highly-successful advisors-all gleaned effortlessly through attraction-based marketing and PR strategies. She’s one of the top PR experts in the country, as well as an expert in public relations and marketing communication. She is hailed as the ‘Marketing Guru’ by the editors at Investment Advisor Magazine.”

If you go now to www.fasummit.com and register for the virtual event, they will send you information on how to access my recorded interview – which is available tomorrow only, between noon – 6:00 pm EDT for free. Please note that if you miss this free window of opportunity you can pay for the audio series and not only hear my interview but several others from world-class sales and marketing experts. It is important to note that I do not receive any royalties or revenue from any of the audio purchases you make on www.fasummit.com; I’m simply participating as a way to bring insights and value to the financial planning and investment advisory community.

I know this whole system is a bit confusing – as all things are when they are new to us – but give it a shot and let the conference organizers know what you think. I’m pretty sure my segment will contain a couple of good and inspiring ideas for you!

You can post comments for me HERE on my blog: www.marieswift.com and I’ll respond here.

Warm regards,

Marie

Redefining Your Value in Today's Market Place

For several months now, I've been knee deep in conversations with financial advisors and industry executives and coaches on one topic in particular: Value.

How do you define it for yourself? How are your prospective and current clients defining it for themselves? How are current events and the recent past economic turbulence shaping the way financial advisors are perceived? And how are you not only articulating but continually proving your value to your clients?

The folks at Pershing started a ripple effect when they asked me to speak at their national conference, Insite 2010. They asked me to address an interesting topic: Redefining Your Value in Today's Market Place.

I spoke with a number of industry thought-leaders including Bob Veres, Chip Roame, Mark Tibergien, Blaine Aiken, Bill Cates, George Kinder, Brett Ellen, Steve Saenz, Sue Stevens and many more. Their comments were enlightening and stimulated some new thoughts of my own. I also spoke with numerous financial advisors as I traversed the country speaking at and attending industry events.

fi360 and Securities America asked me to customize and present the Redefining Your Value presentation at their national conferences in May and June. NAPFA asked me to lead a panel at their national conference on marketing and client communication in May. ASN360, NAAIM and TD Ameritrade asked me to speak at their national conferences on the Power of PR in Your Marketing Plan.

I was pleased when Financial Planning magazine asked me to write an article revealing some of what I'd learned. What Have You Done for Me Lately? ran in the July 2010 issue.

This is a very important conversation, and I'll continue to speak with FAs and industry thought leaders, gathering their insights and providing additional ideas to help you fuel your practice through additional speeches, articles and a white paper I plan to publish in a couple months.

A couple opportunities for you right now:

1. If you'd like to join a discussion on FinancialPlanning.com, here's a link that will take you to the online conversation. I've posted some additional comments on how FAs might want to think about articulating their value. There's even a link to a worksheet that will help you develop a strong positioning statement and I'm running a contest - the FA who posts the best positioning statement by 8/15/10 will win a $500 gift certificate compliments of Impact Communications.

2. If you missed the live presentation I delivered at the Pershing Insite Conference June 2010, you might still be able to register to attend the webinar I'm presenting for Pershing on Monday, July 26th at 1:00 pm CT, where we'll continue the conversation about Redefining Your Value in Today's Market.

I'll try to obtain a recorded version of the webcast and, worst case scenario, will be able to post the mp3 audio file and my slide show for you here on this blog.

Over the many years that I've been coaching financial advisors on Marketing Communications strategies, we've continually discussed how building a strong online presence is essential.

10-12 years ago, websites were just "coming of age" and advisors were asking "Do I really need to have a website? None of my clients are online." Today we know that not only do you need to have a website but it must be A GOOD website. People will look you up online and if they see a poor website (or no website), chances are they will move on to another option. Bottom line: you have to have a good website today to be considered a serious business.

Today, with the advent of LinkedIn, Naymz, Ning, Groupsite, Facebook, My Space, Intranets, Wikis, blogs, Twitter (which is essentially "micro-blogging), You Tube, EONs, and thousands of other social media sites ... coupled with the ability to cross-link to "traditional media mentions" such as WSJ, Kiplingers, local newspaper and magazine mentions, TV clips, etc. and audios, videos and/or multi-media presentations you produce on your own ... it's a wild, wide world of possibilities. I hear this common objection from advisors all the time: "Do I really need to do all this stuff? None of my clients are on XYZ (fill in the blank with Twitter, for instance). I predict that in 2-3 years, we will look back and see that participating on several social media sites - in addition to maintaining and populating a good website and blog - and in addition to having numerous "traditional media hits" - will be required to be seen as a viable resource.

Moral of the story: You owe it to yourself to understand your options today and to get ahead of the curve by embracing several online tactics now.

What happens when people "google" (or "bing") you? What do they see? Online reputation management and presence is important. You want scads of cool stuff to show up on the first google / bing page - articles you've had published, quotes in publications, a blog, your Twitter feeds, your LinkedIn page, your profile on FPA's site (or NAPFA, Garrett Network, Paladin Registry, WiserAdvisor, NAIFA, etc.), a You Tube video channel, a book you contributed to or wrote, online news releases, etc.

Here's one other "must": REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS WITH GOOGLE LOCAL AT http://www.google.com/local/add. You want to make sure that if anyone searches for you online, your name comes up!

Using the right keywords and meta tags (and copy in your web content) is also important.

I could go on and on ... but let's see what you all have to say. Everyone please chime in with your best tips and advice by posting your comments on this blog site.

Not only will be learn new ways to improve our online presences, but I'll be sharing some of our collective wisdom at Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp that I'm doing for FPA as a pre-conference offering (right before FPA's national conference in Denver) on Saturday, October 9, 2010.

If any of you want to attend that boot camp session, it will run from 8:30 am - noon (the 3.5 hour long session will include setting up professionally branded blog and twitter pages and populating your blog with both a podcast and a video clip / interview that we'll record there on site, as well as core content). We'll have a lunch break from noon - 1:00. Then I'll be leading an advanced cross-linking and online reputation management class from 1:00-3:00. The main conference kicks off that evening.

Just watch the FPA Bulletins if you want to consider joining me for the Social Media Boot Camp.

Meanwhile, please share your tips and advice on building a strong online presence here.

Thanks,
Marie Swift
Marketing Communications and PR Coach

Vince Esposito of AdvisorConnect and Marie Swift of Impact Communications talk about ways financial advisors can use Web 2.0 and Social Media to market their services and build relationships.


Audio here:
http://www.audioacrobat.com/sa/WZT0dCrT

Slide show here:
http://www.slideshare.net/bgeyser/marie-swift-social-media

Now Hear This: Bob Veres on the Future of the Financial Advisory Business

I had the privilege of speaking with industry influential / visionary Bob Veres on May 15, 2010 about his new white paper report: The Future of The Financial Advisory Business.

Listen to this Audio Interview
15 minutes of time well spent!
http://www.audioacrobat.com/sa/W1GKccST

Read "Micro No More" and

Join the Conversation at RIABiz:

http://www.riabiz.com/a/2006001

Read "A Profession Comes of Age" and

Join the Discussion at Financial-Planning.com:

http://www.financial-planning.com/fp_issues/2010_5/financial_planning_industry-2666628-1.html

Twitter Digest - A Baker's Dozen

Here's a quick look at what I've been reading and tweeting about:

1. Getting the Most Out of Twitter - good NY Times article - http://nyti.ms/dqg9cU
2. Advisers aim to ramp up marketing spending - Investment News: http://bit.ly/cListy
3. David Drucker profiles @brettellen #1 w/ Securities America multiple yrs - FA mag: http://www.fa-mag.com/fa-news/5252-strong-alliances.html
4. Financial Planning mag: Special Report - Your Practice Management Questions Answered: How do I stand out? http://bit.ly/cmNxeH
5. Happy to be home after a flurry of trips. Spoke at TD Ameritrade conf, #T3Show and #FPABizSol. Next up Tiburon CEO Summit to run press conf.
6. Dare we try this? At least we can read this journalist's blog entries about her travails. No Spend Challenge Week 1 http://bit.ly/bPv7Td
7. FinaMetrica offers risk-tolerance test online FREE thru April if use link www.riskprofiling.com/money (offer in conjunction with MONEY mag)
8. Gauge your appetite for risk FinaMetrica’s 25-question risk-tolerance test www.myrisktolerance.com accurate measure psychological tolerance
9. Good article on balancing appetite for investment risk and capacity for investment risk. http://tinyurl.com/riskprofile
10. From @RIABiz: The FPA's practice management event #FPABizSol boasts two hot speakers in its first day http://www.riabiz.com/a/139166
11. Wow! This is a GREAT site. Full of free worksheets and articles focused on creating Financial Happiness. http://www.financial-happiness.com
12. Securities America Advisors Collaborate and Achieve Success - podcast with Paul Lofties, plus related news release: http://shar.es/m3JOb
13. Estate Planning in 2010 - Good article by Kate McBride, editor, Wealth Manager: http://shar.es/m3iN

Not on Twitter yet? You should be! Sign up for free at http://www.twitter.com and search "people" to find "marieswift". Then follow @marieswift and join in as the spirit moves you.

I learn a lot from following my favorite journalists and industry peers on Twitter.

Why not give it a whirl - if only just to listen?

What You Must Know - AND DO - to Survive and Thrive as an Advisor Today

This Radio Show Interview (mp3) was conducted in December 2009 by host Annette Bau for the Life Insurance Selling Summit. Really fun and informative conversation (if I do say so myself!)


Listen now:
http://annetteb.audioacrobat.com/download/ISS_SwiftM_Final.mp3

Creating Social Glue with Web 2.0 Strategies

Good stuff. This quick and fun video makes the point in 90 seconds: Advisors who use Web 2.0 and Social Media strategies online can build buzz and generate awareness.

I'm hosting a "live" online discussion this week only for Financial Planning magazine. To join that discussion click here: http://www.financial-planning.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=240851&t=2365211&p=2368180#p2368180

Time to Ramp Up Your Marketing Plan!

Here are three resolutions FAs should tackle in 2010 to improve their market share:

• Resolution #1: Work Some Media Magic
• Resolution #2: “Celebritize” Yourself
• Resolution #3: Expand Your Reach

Here's how to do it: Read my article, just published as a web exclusive by Research magazine: Time for a Transition (V): Ramp Up Your Marketing Plans in 2010

Looking Ahead

In my next installment for Research, I will provide tips on using Web 2.0 and online social networking strategies to expand your reach and generate positive search engine results.

But, if you are hungry for information on using Web 2.0 and social media to build buzz and create additional traffic to your primary Web site, you might want to sign up for the Using Web 2.0 and Social Media to Build Relationships webinar being offered by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) on January 20, 2010, at 1:00 pm CT.

I’ll be hosting the virtual learning session and will be joined by compliance expert Nancy Johnson Jones (www.compliancemaze.com), who will tell you what you can and can’t do under FINRA and/or SEC regulations, and multi-media expert Chris Hall (creator of “fast, fun and informative” Practice Management tips brought to you by the "vanguards of practice management" at Securities America, online and FREE at www.AdvisorPod.com) who will give an overview of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, podcasts and other tools you can use to build relationships with people online. You do not need to be a member of the FPA to attend; everyone is welcom, although there is a small fee to attend (goes to FPA to defray costs).

Of special note:

I will be at a number of industry conferences this year and would love to hear your marketing success stories. You’ll find my ever-evolving schedule of events at www.impactcommunications.org.

In the coming weeks, you can find me at:

• TD Ameritrade national conference in Orlando, February 4-5, 2010
  
• T3 Technology Tools for Today conference in San Diego, February 18-20, 2010
• The FPA Business Solutions conference in Dallas, March 1-3, 2010 (save 15% with the code you will find at top of the page here: http://www.socialmedia-bootcamp.blogspot.com

My team and I are also leading the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp being offered by FPA as a pre-conference option on February 28, 2010 in Dallas (FPA early bird incentive ends January 22, 2010).

Hope to see you at one or more of these events!

Did You Miss These Tweets? Good Stuff!

Ck out the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp (2/28/10) being offered by FPA and Impact Comm - a first! http://www.socialmedia-bootcamp.blogspot.com

Doing webinar for FPA (1/20/10) on Using Web 2.0 and Social Media to Build Business. Sign up now - cheap! http://www.fpanet.org/Learn/VirtualLearningCenter/ClassDescriptions/UsingWeb20AndSocialMediaToBuildRelationships/

Will be speaking at TD Ameritrade's national conference first of Feb. Then on to the T3 Conference mid-Feb where speaking, doing PR for conf. www.tdainstitutional.com and www.technologytoolsfortoday.com for more info.

RT @Fiduciary360 Social networking site for advisors built to be FINRA compliant: http://bit.ly/6Fci7C @NewsfromIN

RT @ovrdrv What are the five biggest mistakes in social media measurement? http://bit.ly/6xsUDU

Kiplinger's PF says Seek Advice on 401k, profiles Impact client Smart 401k - puts Smart 401k clients on cover: http://bit.ly/7hwRNY

New tools 4 end of life planning http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100103/REG/301039968/1082: http://bit.ly/8IxHI5

What's your major? http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100107/BLOG01/100109903: http://bit.ly/4zespt

Don't know your risk tolerance? Here's how to find out: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/blog/2009/12/dont_know_your_risk_tolerance.html

Bob Veres offer Client Article Svc. Great 4 FA's client newsletters. Inside Info subscribers $151 discount code E2DE http://www.bobveres.com

Evolution of a Planning Firm - http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2009/12/31/voices-sheryl-garrett-on-the-evolution-of-a-planning-firm/

RT @WSJPersFinance Relax, You Can Beat That Stress http://bit.ly/6bkn4h

RT @tweetmeme Tips for Better Twitter Tweets — Art Biz Blog http://bit.ly/K7gYv

RT @sangsito I need NAPFA advisor that can help me reach my goal in life without cost me arm and leg. Thanks.

@sangsito Visit http://www.garrettplanningnetwork.com to view 300 fee-only (commission free) planners. Will work on hourly or project basis.

Take a look at six social media trends for the upcoming year. http://bit.ly/5pKp0k

Great PM info for Financial Advisors = AdvisorPod.com http://www.advisorpod.com/SociallyAdept

Five-Touch Campaigns - Advisor Success Stories Here

In my last article for Morningstar Advisor, I provided thoughts and detailed instructions on how financial advisors could create an effective Five-Touch Marketing Campaign.

Be sure to read Power Up Your Marketing Plan - a companion article - too.

Please post your comments and success stories on this blog. We can create a dialog here.

Why are we happy? 21 minutes of pure insight.

Friendly Persuasion ...

Smart business people are getting the hang of "the basics" now - blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, webinars, podcasts, digital multimedia recordings, wikis, intranets, You Tube, Flickr ...

Are you keeping pace?

A little friendly persuasion:

Axis of Influence:One book you must read this year!

Two of my favorite authors are also people you probably know - Michael Lovas and his wife Pam Holloway. They are true thought leaders, and their new book is insightful - Axis of Influence: How Credibility and Likeability Intersect to Drive Success.

Michael and Pam are smart and extremely good at the psychology of making advisors more likeable and more credible. In their book, they teach you how to systematically improve both credibility and likeability.

In an era when so many books are filled with opinion and conjecture, Michael and Pam give you the psychology, the processes and the skills. And, thy they give you the research to substantiate their advice.

I believe Michael and Pam have written an essential book for every advisor who wants to achieve greater success, in personal life and professional life.

In addition, they are giving away $2,300 in Bonuses. You can get the details at:
http://www.axisofinfluence.com/PromoSummer2009.htm. And, be sure to tell them I said Hello!

Buy this book! Your business needs it!

How to Beat Your Competition as a Small Business Owner or Service Professional