"The Dull Investor" shares insights with members of the Garrett Planning Network at the 11th Annual Retreat

Here is a "highlights reel" of Allan Roth's opening keynote presentation for the Garrett Planning Network, held October 29-30 in Denver, Colorado. A record-attendance audience cheered and clapped enthusiastically at several moments during his speech. Learn more about Allan and his very impressive background at www.DareToBeDull.com.

MARKETING THAT WORKS FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORS TODAY - POST YOUR IDEAS HERE

In a few weeks I’ll be speaking at the Financial Advisors Money Show. My topic: Marketing That Works for Financial Advisors Today. I have a number of success stories to share with the audience that will gather in Chicago on October 19, 2011, but I’m also looking for a few new success stories to add.

If you are doing something in the way of marketing, public relations, social media and online visibility, or have perfected a sure-fire method for generating quality introductions, I’d like to hear from you – and I’m offering a $360 prize to the top three contributors.

There are a couple ways you can submit your success stories to me:

1.     Visit my personal blog, http://www.MarieSwift.com. There you can read about The Money Show for Financial Advisors, including my marketing presentation and Ric Edelman’s practice management presentation. Simply place a comment on that blog entry and I will get a note from the BlogSpot system letting me know to take a look. No one else will see your comment unless I “release it” and make it “live” on the blog – so if you want your name withheld or don’t want your success story to show up “live” on my Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry blog, just put that in your post and I will honor your request. Be sure to put your name, phone number, email address and website URL in your post so I can contact you with any questions and/or for additional conversation.

2.     Send your contact information and comments to me via my assistant MaryEllenBanta@ImpactCommunications.org. Mary Ellen will make sure I see your contribution. I’ll be in touch if I need more information or want to dialog a bit.

PRIZES FOR THE TOP THREE CONTRIBUTIONS

In addition to potentially using your marketing idea in my speeches and/or future articles for http://www.Financial-Planning.com, my team and I will be looking for the best three marketing ideas or success strategies submitted.

I’ll be sending the top three contributors a certificate good for a 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. 

Post your marketing idea now!

To read a Marketing Success Story:

http://www.Financial-Planning.com 

Enter "Marketing Maven blog" or "Marie Swift" in the search box and all my recent articles will show up in a list. Suggestion: Read the one dated 10/5/11 on Becoming The Heritage Planning Professional in Your Community.

Marie Swift and NAPFA invite you to:

 

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

Many of the industry's best and brightest advisors have embraced a financial life planning methodology. Well known planners such as Rick Kahler, Marty Kurtz, Cicily Maton and Michael Kay all endorse the Money Quotient program. I'm a big fan so wanted to make sure you knew about the opportunity to participate in the following two training courses.

If you are on the East Coast, this is a wonderful opportunity to get the training and experience you need without traveling to Money Quotient's West Coast offices!

Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning
October 21, 22 and 23

This intensive 3-day course covers both the philosophical foundation and the practical application of the M.Q. model of Financial Life Planning. Gain hands on experience while learning how to integrate and custom-fit the M.Q. tools and processes to enhance your practice and strengthen your client relationships.

Increase your Financial Life Planning skills, knowledge and confidence. Plan now to participate in this in-depth training seminar.



Advanced Training: Client Communications & Discovery

October 24 & 25

Money Quotient will also conduct a 2-day Advanced Training, "Principles of Client Communication & Discovery," on October 24th & 25th. Completion of the "Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning" course is a prerequisite for attending the Advanced Training.

Visit www.MoneyQuotient.org to register or learn more!

Special Invitation from Marie Swift and Matt Bellis 

You are cordially invited to enjoy two free consulting calls with Matt Bellis, compliments of Marie Swift. There is no cost or obligation to continue on with Matt. We guarantee you will get value from the first 2 calls!

Listen to this!

 
Marie Swift interviews Matt Bellis about his system, the power of story telling and being a giver. 20 minutes well spent! 

Learn how you can fill your pipeline with ongoing, predictable, quality activity from inside the top 20% of your client base using the Matthew Bellis Warm Introduction System™

To sign up for your 2 FREE consulting sessions, contact Matt Bellis at: http://www.matthewbellis.com/.

Social Media Boot Camp with Marie Swift and Special Guests

Date:  Saturday, September 24, 2011
Location:  Fairfield University Dolan School of Business / Fairfield, CT

Sponsored by:
FPA CT - Fairfield County Chapter
FPA Greater Hudson Valley Chapter
Fairfield University

What Are You Doing to Build Your Online Presence Using Web 2.0 and Multi-Media?

What you do online may help beef up your bottom line!

Are you a business owner, financial advisor or service professional who's wondered if you are "missing the boat" online?

Have you ever wondered what the real ROI is on adding multi-media and/or social media to your online brand building strategy?

Are you totally happy with what comes up when people "Google you"?

The truth is: Every business professional needs to be online, building their public persona and promoting their business!
 
Why? Because that's where your clients, prospective clients and strategic partners are going to check you out. 
 
The truth is: You can't afford NOT to be building a strong presence online. If you are not seen in a favorable way when people hit your website or do an online search you will not be seen as a viable resource.

"Don't miss this important workshop! It may be quite some time before we'll be able to get Marie Swift and Andy Gluck back here in our region to do the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp again!"
- Mark Brownstein, President, FPA Greater Hudson Valley Chapter ~
 

* * * ACT NOW!  REGISTER TODAY FOR THE CT BOOT CAMP! * * *

Early Bird Registration Deadline Ends 8/24/11!
For more details and to register, visit www.fpact.org.

Go to www.fpact.org to download program info and registration form.

Please note that registrations after 8/24/11 must be received by 9/10/11. After 9/10/11, please contact Lori Somerville at 877-777-0600 or fairfield@fpact.org to check space availability.

* * * ACT NOW!  REGISTER TODAY FOR THE CT BOOT CAMP! * * *

Learn how to Build Your Online Presence, whether or not you can or want to use social networking tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, blogging and YouTube.

This jam-packed day will give you newfound knowledge of the major Web 2.0 and social media tools "out there". Whether you choose to use them or not, you MUST be aware of what they are and how your clients - and competitors - are using them to gather information and make informed business decisions.

You'll do a self-assessment using Marie Swift's Online Diagnostic tool to determine where the gaps are in your online strategy. You'll be able to quickly see what your peers are doing online that you're not and what the next steps are for you.

Marie Swift, a marketing expert and founder of Impact Communications, will provide a 4-step Success Plan for Building Your Online Presence. She'll share what other business owners, financial advisors and service professionals are doing to gain visibility online and how they tie-it to real-world results.

Andy Gluck, a marketing expert and founder of Advisor Products, will tell you how to harness the power of the Web using multi-media, keywords and cross-linking strategies. He'll show you how to get the highest page rankings when Google you or search for keywords online.

Drew King from Front Center Media will show you how you can produce a custom lifestyle magazine using their turnkey system.

Allan Slider of Financial Advice Network will be on hand to answer questions about online visibility tools.

Other special guest presenters are being confirmed now.

Those who elect to stay on for the afternoon session will actually build a blog, record a video message, record and audio message, and upload their newly created multi-media clips to their new blog site.  

Special Bonus Webinar with Marie Swift and Leia Farmer!

Marie Swift, of Impact Communications, and Leia Farmer, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with Securities America, will be offering a free educational webinar on Friday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. EST. If you would like to attend this FREE bonus webinar, register here now:  Space is limited.  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/277255833

* * * ACT NOW!  REGISTER TODAY FOR THE CT BOOT CAMP! * * *

Early Bird Registration Deadline Ends 8/24/11!
For more details and to register, visit www.fpact.org.

Go to www.fpact.org to download program info and registration form.

Please note that registrations after 8/24/11 must be received by 9/10/11. After 9/10/11, please contact Lori Somerville at 877-777-0600 or fairfield@fpact.org to check space availability.

* * * ACT NOW!  REGISTER TODAY FOR THE CT BOOT CAMP! * * *

Watch this informative video! In an effort to beef up their online presence, many financial advisors, business owners and service professionals are turning to Web 2.0 and social media. But can this help your business? Financial Planning magazine's AdvisorTV film crew reports.

More info from Marie Swift: www.socialmediabootcampBLOG.com.

DID YOU MISS THE WEBINAR ON JULY 15, 2011?

MAXIMIZING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE IN A SMART, COMPLIANT WAY

WEBINAR SPONSORED BY: 

FPA Fairfield CT, FPA Hudson Valley, Fairfield University, NAPFA, Securities America* and Impact Communications  

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SLIDES 
 










CLICK PLAYER BAR TO LISTEN TO RECORDING 

SESSION DESCRIPTION: 

Having a good website is mandatory in today’s digital, online world. Multimedia such as podcasts, interactive graphics, and flash movie segments that combine music, narration, images and video clips can make your website come alive. Social media sites such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Ning and LinkedIn can help you connect in new, exciting ways with current and prospective clients. But creating or expanding an online presence that will grow your practice requires clear objectives and a plan that delivers on those objectives. This session will cover the fundamentals –  “and then some.”  

In this recorded one-hour webinar, you will:
 

• See colorful examples of what other advisors have done in the digital world
 

• Learn about Spider Marketing – and how that can help generate more traffic to your primary website
 

• Understand what the ROI is likely to be  
 

• See why it is more important than ever for you to embrace one or more of the social networking platforms
 

• Hear from a compliance expert on the do’s and don’ts related to social media use
 

• Get advice from a marketing expert on where to start if you’re late to the party
 

• Hear suggestions on what to do next if you’ve already dipped your toe into the water
 

In a nutshell, your instructors will cover:
 

• Best practices for creating a powerful online presence
 

• How to add multimedia to online sites
 

• When and how to add social media to your strategy  
 

• How to work most effectively with compliance
 

• What the FINRA guidelines say and how to protect yourself from regulator scrutiny
 

• The best and easiest ways to get started
 

• How to get help if you’d rather not do it alone

Your instructors: 

Marie Swift is President and CEO of Impact Communications, a full-service marketing communications firm serving a select group of independent financial advisors, industry thought-leaders and allied institutions. 

A regular contributor to industry publications such as MorningstarAdvisor, RIABiz.com, AdvisorOne, Research and Financial Planning magazines, industry expert David Drucker calls her a “PR consultant extraordinaire” and featured her firm in “Raising Perceptions,” an article published by Research magazine about the benefits of public relations and credibility marketing. Bob Veres says, “Marie is perhaps the best PR professional in our industry.”  

A popular speaker, Swift has spoken at numerous conferences within the financial services industry. She has received high ratings from participants at various venues including the NFL Players Association, TD Ameritrade, Pershing, Lockwood University, Charles Schwab, Securities America, Financial Network, the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Garrett Planning Network. 

Swift uses Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/marieswift) and her Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry blog (http://www.marieswift.com) as well as LinkedIn, Ning, multi-media engagement tools and online newswire services to build relationships in the digital realm. 

Learn more about Marie Swift at http://www.impactcommunications.org.  

Leia Farmer is Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with Securities America, Inc., one of the largest independent broker/dealers in the nation.  Leia’s primary responsibilities are to oversee the RIA Compliance and Policies and Procedures teams within Securities America. 
 

During its National Conference in Orlando, Fla., in June 2011, Securities America announced its new social media program, which will allow all of its 1,800 reps to access and post content on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter in mid-July. Leia was a part of the internal task force that analyzed and selected Securities America's social media compliance solution, and will participate in the social media / compliance training sessions provided by the firm in 2011.  

Under the Securities America program, advisors will need to get static content, such as a profile page or market commentary, pre-approved by the firm’s compliance department. But any communications that are interactive—accepting events, creating groups and posting Tweets and comments that respond to questions—will not require pre-approval before they go live. These types of communications will go through a review process after the content has gone up. 

Leia understands the FINRA guidelines as they pertain to registered representatives and social media use. She will share her insights with the webinar attendees on July 15th.
 

Prior to joining Securities America, Leia worked as the Chief Compliance Officer for Brecek &Young Advisors, Inc., a mid-sized broker/dealer that was acquired by Securities America in 2009. She was also a compliance analyst for E*Trade. In addition to over 11 years of industry experience, Leia has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley in Legal Studies and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Leia holds the Series 7, 63, 24, 4, and 66 licenses.  

Learn more about Leia at http://www.securitiesamerica.com. Get practice management tips and learn more about building your online presence at http://www.AdvisorPod.com.  

*Securities America, Inc. is a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., a SEC Registered Advisory Firm.

Want to take a deeper dive? 

Attend the next Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp!

 AS SEEN ON ADVISORTV
If you are interested in taking a deeper dive and/or building your online presence during a live, instructor- guided, computer-lab experience led by marketing expert Marie Swift, sign up now to attend one of these live boot camps:

SPONSORED BY FPA AND FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

Fairfield, CT - Saturday, September 24, 2011
Learn more at http://www.fpact.org

SPONSORED BY NAPFA

Brooklyn, NY - Monday, October 24, 2011 
Learn more at http://www.napfa.org  

See what FPA San Diego 2011 Task Force Chair Evelyn Zohlen has to say about the Web 2.0 and Social Media Boot Camp on AdvisorTV!

Build a Rich Niche with Professional Insights and Advice

Marketing and PR Tips for Financial Advisors: a Conversation with Marie Swift and Nicole Coulter

I attended my first Women Advisors Forum in Chicago on June 10, 2010. The following day, I was the guest on Copernicus Radio with host (and veteran journalist) Nicole Coulter. We spoke about marketing and PR for financial advisors, and I shared what happened at the first of many Women Advisors Forums that I would ultimately attend.

Listen now: http://bit.ly/qYIbAR

Listen to internet radio with Copernicus Radio on Blog Talk Radio

 Watch this 3 minute clip now on AdvisorTV.

 Scott Hanson, Co-Founder, Hanson McClain Advisors and Hanson McClain Retirement Network talks about the fiduciary standard and what's best long-term for clients. He also says risk tolerance has changed for clients and that the industry needs to "get it right this time" if we are to restore trust after the erosion caused by recent Wall Street scandals. 

Watch this 3 minute clip now on AdvisorTV.

Open Mic Conversation with Ed Jacobson and Michael Kay - Life Planning Realities

Ed Jacobson and Michael Kay had a nice conversation in February 2011. In his monthly Open Mic call, Ed and asked Michael about his new book The Business of Life: An Inside-Out Approach to Building a More Successful Financial Planning Business.

"I was especially impressed by the book's practicality," said Jacobson. "Michael actually talks about what he does with clients. And I am moved by his personal journey from financial professional to financial planner to financial life planner. This book is one of the few that does it all."

In this 50 minute recorded conversation, Ed asks Michael about his professional and personal journey to becoming an "FLP," elicits some case examples, and asks his advice for others who are wondering how to put a toe in the water of this financial life planning "thing."


LISTEN NOW:

About Ed: www.edwardjacobson.com

About Michael: www.thebusinessoflife.net 

Financial Planning Industry Influentials Debate Issues of the Day - Playback Available "On Demand"

What Have You Done for Me Lately? 

Redefining Your Value as an Advisor Today

On Thursday, January 20, 2011, Marie Swift held a lively Fireside Chat with industry influentials:

 
Bob Veres
Inside Information


Joel Bruckenstein, CFP®
Technology Tools for Today 

Robert Lindner, CFP®
Lindner Capital Advisors 


Michael Kay, CFP®

Financial Focus, LLC

Skip Schweiss
TD Ameritrade Trust Company


Listen to the audio version of the Fireside Chat:
http://www.audioacrobat.com/sa/WrwV88QL

Access the multi-media version of the Fireside Chat:
http://www.brighttalk.com/community/financial-planning/webcast/24289

Continue the conversation here on this blog! Post your questions, comments and observations here.

Going Independent: Things to Consider Before Making the Move - Educational Podcast Available "On Demand"

Podcast - Available "On Demand" 

Going Independent: Things to Consider Before Making the Move

Marie Swift interviews Financial Network Regional Directors:

John Brackett
BAR Financial, LLC


Dave Hubbard
Exemplar Financial Network


Cheryl Chiara, CFA®
Financial Network Investment Corporation

Listen to the round table discussion now.

Read the transcript, if you prefer.

http://marie-swift.blogspot.com/2010/02/going-independent-interview-transcript.html

T3 Technology Conference to Provide Practical Wisdom, Expert Advice

Session Topics will Address Real-Life Productivity Issues

David Drucker and Joel Bruckenstein, two of the financial planning industry's best known leading lights and producers of the 6th Annual "T3" Technology Tools for Today™ Conference, today announced details of conference breakout sessions to be held at the Grand Hyatt Bonaventure Hotel in Weston, FL February 16-19th, 2011.

"We are introducing several new and exciting sessions that reflect changes in the marketplace," said David Drucker. "They will provide participants with guidance and advice for utilizing the latest products and services available. For example, the iPad was an instant hit for entertainment purposes, but it can also be used just as effectively in business. Advisors who are using it productively will share their insights and experiences about how this tool has transformed client meetings and presentations."

"Virtual Work Partners: Outsourcing Done Successfully" will offer practical information about this modern solution for administrative support. Jennifer Goldman with MyVirtualCOO, Stephanie Platt with Financial Services Outsourcing Solutions Inc., and Jessica Riner with Consider it Done! will teach participants about virtual assistants: what they do, best practices for working with them and how they can be used to reduce onsite administrative employee costs.

Oren Chaplin of Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A. will lead a session on "Practical and Legal Issues Surrounding Technology Service Providers," in which he will discuss some of the legal issues that advisors face when using technology service providers. It will be different from the standard compliance discussion in that he will address real issues that advisors face in their relationships with technology service providers such as ownership of information, protecting against third party claims of infringement and indemnification.

Another session, "Workflow and Process: How to Identify and Incorporate It Into Your CRM," will be a discussion with Ken Golding of Junxure and Deborah Fox of Fox College Funding. "Advisors are hearing more and more that they need to use a robust CRM," Bruckenstein said. "This session will help them assess different ones in the marketplace so that they can choose the right one for them."

In addition to 25 or more breakout sessions, general sessions include presentations by TD AMERITRADE Institutional, Laserfiche and Asset Dedication. For conference registration, sponsorship application and additional details, visit T3's newly revamped website, www.TechnologyToolsForToday.com.

Standard price of $ 375.00 starts on 12/16/2010 and ends on 2/15/2011 at 11:59 p.m. Late/Onsite price of $ 400.00 starts on 2/16/2011 at 12:00 a.m.

Follow the T3 Community at www.Twitter.com/t3fan. Watch a series of short videos from past T3 Conferences and read other important information at www.T3Conference.blogspot.com.

Read full news release: T3 Technology Conference to Provide Practical Wisdom, Expert Advice

Securities America's Nagengast on Industry Trends for Growth

Jim Nagengast, the CEO of Securities America Corp., chats with Pam Black on November 1, 2010, at Sourcemedia's AdvisorTV in-house studio about volatility in the markets, his firm's distribution system for advisors, and its new emphasis on working with community banks.

Watch now:
http://www.financial-planning.com/video/nagengast-video2669865-1.html

Industry Luminary Bob Veres - Video Interview on the Future of the Financial Advisory Profession

The Business Of Life - Financial Planning from the Inside Out - with Michael Kay

Michael Kay, author of the forthcoming book The Business of Life: An Inside-Out Approach to a More Successful Financial Planning Practice (AdvisorPress, December 2010) on why so few people know how to communicate when it comes to discussing their finances.

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

Podcasts from Ellen, Davey, Iverson and Montoya - Listen Now!

Take a few minutes out of your busy day to feed your brain with insights and information from some of the industry’s leading lights.

Marie Swift has been busy interviewing the following thought leaders. Their podcasts and commentary are available here on her “Best Practices” blog.

Listen to:

Brett Ellen, CFP® (mega-producer) talk about building a multi-million dollar financial advisory practice

Geoff Davey (FinaMetrica) on risk tolerance, psychometrics and the bear market

Matt Iverson (BoulevardR) on automating your marketing process and building your reputation online

Peter Montoya (relationship marketing expert) on the best way to attract and retain ideal clients

Feel free to look around - there's much much more here on Marie Swift's "Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry" blog!

Podcasts from Veres, Luby, Lindner and Stevens - Listen Now!

Take a few minutes out of your busy day to feed your brain with insights and information from some of the industry’s leading lights.

Marie Swift has been busy interviewing the following thought leaders. Their podcasts and commentary are available here on her “Best Practices” blog.

Listen to:

Bob Veres talk about The Future of the Financial Advisory Business

Joe Luby on Maximizing Roth IRA Conversions with an Innovative Discount Valuation Strategy

Bob Lindner on Using Alternative Investments to Reduce Portfolio Volatility

Sue Stevens on Helping Your Clients Find Financial Happiness

Feel free to look around - there's much much more here on Marie Swift's "Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry" blog!

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

Using Alternative Investments to Reduce Portfolio Volatility

Robert J. Lindner, CEO of Lindner Capital Advisors (a TAMP that provides third-party asset management platform services to independent advisors and IBD registered reps), and I had a very interesting discussion in July 2010.


Our conversation is captured in this 19 minute podcast interview: Using Alternative Investments to Reduce Portfolio Volatility. It’s well worth the time you’ll spend listening to Bob share why his team is now adding Managed Futures to an otherwise well-diversified portfolio of low-cost asset class funds (e.g., DFA funds).

Lindner shares some pretty convincing research during our conversation and in the published articles, below.

The Missing Piece of the Portfolio Puzzle – November 2009

Managed futures have only recently been made accessible to individual investors. While viewed as a bit risky, when added to well-diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds and properly managed, these investments may help protect against market declines. Read Robert Lindner’s full article in Physician's Money Digest.

Subtraction Through Addition: Adding Risk to a Client's Portfolio Can Reduce Overall Risk – March 2010

Anyone who has studied basic portfolio construction understands that it’s possible to reduce the overall risk in a portfolio by adding an asset class that has low or negative correlation to the rest of that portfolio’s asset class constituents. At least, that’s what they taught us in Investing 101. That’s all changed now. What people are really interested in still is how the strategy worked in 2008… Read Robert Lindner’s full article in Investment Advisor magazine.

Putting It in Neutral : How You Can Improve a Client’s Portfolio by Using a Market Neutral Strategy – April 2010

With every bear market the discussion as to whether "buy and hold" works invariably resurfaces. It will be analyzed in journals, opined over in the mainstream media, and spun into the sales pitch du jour for active management. Then we enter the next bull run and investors simply don’t pay attention anymore. Or perhaps they assume that end-date bias is the culprit, so why don’t we just pick a different end date and be done with it? Well, that only works if you aren’t within a few years of retiring or your stomach is made of iron… Read Robert Lindner’s full article in Investment Advisor magazine.

Bob and his team will be at the Innovative Alternative Strategies Conference put on by Financial Advisor magazine, Private Wealth magazine and the folks at Charter Media July 26-28, 2010 in Chicago. Stop by the Lindner Capital Advisors booth and say hi. And don't miss Bob's panel presentation Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm. I'll be there and look forward to seeing you if you can make it!

Get additional updates by following @Lindner_Capital on Twitter.

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.

Here are a few photos from the Women Advisors Forum in Chicago last week. The event, put on by SourceMedia, offered an opportunity to network with the most successful and influential women financial advisors in the nation, while gaining insight into their career experience and rise to the top.

That's me (second from the left) with Ruthie Ackerman (a journalist from SourceMedia covering the event), Clara Sierra (Sentinel Financial Services Company - a speaker at the event) and Mari J. Buechner (Coordinated Capital Securities, Inc. - a speaker at the event).

Here's the back story - and who says people over 40 can't be spontaneous?

I decided on a whim, 2 days before the event, to rejigger my schedule so I could attend the Women Advisors Forum in Chicago. Even though I'd been on the road, speaking and consulting the entire first two weeks of June, when I ran into Financial Planning / On Wall Street magazine publisher Tim Whiting at the Pershing Insite Conference in Florida, I just couldn't resist the compelling value proposition he laid out.

So, after kissing my family hello and goodbye, I jumped on a plane the morning of the Women Advisors event and flew from my home town Kansas City to Chicago on the early bird flight. Karen Embry, one of Impact's ace project managers came with me. Gotta love Southwest Airlines!

Long story short: We had such a good time networking and learning from our esteemed colleagues that I intentionally missed my flight home that night in order to stay the night and go out to dinner with a choice group of people.

No toothbrush or jammies, but I managed to find a 7-11 and get the essentials I needed before settling into my hotel room with a copy of Carol Frohlinger's book "Her Place at the Table." Carol, a successful attorney and co-founder of Negotiating Women, Inc., was the closing keynote speaker at the event and she was FANTASTIC! She spoke about the propensity most women have to "bargain themselves down" even before the negotiations begin - plus a lot more.

But let me back up to the beginning of the afternoon event.

I loved, loved, loved the luncheon keynote speaker: Elizabeth Moss, CLU, ChFC, CFS, CLTC, Agency Investment Specialist, MassMutual Financial Group. Elizabeth talked about how women view finance, how they listen and learn best, and how she has successfully helped countless women make good decisions about their money and their lives by using colorful stories and candid, jargon-free conversation.

Jessica Biblowicz, Chairman and CEO of National Financial Partners, the next keynote speaker, was simply amazing. What a beautiful and intelligent woman. She spoke about the challenges she and NFP had worked through during the dark days in 2008/09 and how they are now well positioned as a result of that somber, introspective time.

The panels were great, too. My favorite was the Women Rainmakers' panel. Of course I would say that, right?! Marketing and rainmaking is "my thing" and Sue Stevens, one of Impact's wonderful advisor-clients, was up on stage sharing how she's built her wealth management practice over the years after having left her mark as Financial Planning Director at Morningstar (and before that at Vanguard and Arthur Anderson, where she got her sea legs in the financial planning world after enjoying a nice career as a professional celloist). Sue and the other Rainmaker panelists were full of wit and wisdom. Check out Sue's latest brainstorm - www.financial-happiness.com - you might just get inspired to do something like this yourself. If not, you might as well use Sue's materials until you decide to build your own suite of attractive tools and resources.

It was nice to see old friends and make new acquaintances, too. Gail Marks Jarvis, syndicated columnist with the Chicago Tribune showed up for part of the day (thanks, Gail for turning in my leather notebook to lost and found!). And I was humbled when some of the attendees told me they recognized me from seeing my picture and reading my articles in Financial Planning magazine. Thanks, ladies - you made my day!

To top it off, Marion Asnes, Editor-in-Chief, Financial Planning magazine, was the-hostess-with-the-mostess. What a gracious and articulate emcee and panel moderator. I've been honored to work with Marion and her team on and off over the years. She's a class act - and one of the best editors I know. If you are not reading Financial Planning magazine as an advisor today, you owe it to yourself to subscribe now - www.financial-planning.com.

So, that's it. My recap of the Women Advisors Forum. I plan to move heaven and earth to get to the next one - which, I believe will be in Boston, on October 25th, right before the Schwab Impact Conference. Watch Financial Planning magazine, On Wall Street magazine and Bank Investment Consultant magazine for additional details.

If you'd like to listen to a radio interview I did with Nicole Coulter of Copernicus Radio, where at the top of the interview, I share about my experience at the Women Advisors Forum, here's a link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/copernicus-institute/2010/06/17/interview-with-marie-swift

And now for those photos:

Tammy Butts and Sue Stevens share Secrets of Women Rainmakers during one of the panel sessions.








Julie Murphy Casserly, Clara Sierra and Amy Webber talk about Reaching the Top.









Mari J. Buechner, Marion Asnes and Bruce Morris at coffee break.









Marie Swift and Karen Embry at break with gourmet goodies.












Ruthie Ackerman and Marie Swift "tweeting" live from the Women Advisors Forum.











Link to the June 17, 2010 Chicago
Event agenda and speaker bios:
http://www.financial-planning.com/events/women-advisors-forum-2666840-1.html

Watch for future events:
http://www.financial-planning.com