Brian Thorp is an angel investor and the founder and CEO of Wealthtender, an online marketplace driven to help people connect with the best financial advisors and educators for their specific needs. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian applies his experience, expertise, and passion to help others build meaningful and enjoyable lives and gain financial freedom. He believes everyone deserves trustworthy advice about money matters, no matter their income or stage of life. Brian graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Finance and currently serves on the Advisory Board for U-Nest, a mobile app designed to help parents and family members save and invest in their children’s educational future.

 

Brian joins me today to discuss the new SEC rules on Modernized Marketing and soliciting and leveraging reviews from your advisory clients. We discuss how client reviews can impact a customer’s decision to work with you and how sharing those reviews on your website can positively impact your SEO. Brian shares his predictions on when the SEC’s Modernized Marketing Rules will take effect and the opportunities that present themselves for financial advisors once the rule is official. We discuss how this new rule will prove to be a game-changer for the industry as a whole, especially niche-specific advisors. We also discuss how you can begin preparing your firm for the new Modernized Marketing rule, even before it takes effect — and the possible ramifications of not pursuing client reviews.

 

“It is a trust-based industry, and there’s no better opportunity for people to gain comfort and an understanding of a potential advisor that they’re working with than hearing it from somebody they know and respect..” - Brian Thorp

 

This week on The Model FA Podcast:

 

• Brian’s journey into the financial services industry
• How Wealthtender can be a beneficial resource for financial advisors
• How reviews and feedback impact the buyer’s decision (as well as SEO)
• How the SEC rules regarding modernized marketing have shifted over the years
• When we can expect the SEC’s adoption of the Modernized Marketing Rule to take effect
• How the new Modernized Marketing rule will impact the financial advisory industry
• How to prepare your advisory firm for the adoption of the Modernized Marketing rule
• Acceptable review formats according to the new rule
• The pros and cons of using review platforms like Yelp and Google
• The potential ramifications of not pursuing online ratings and reviews

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

• Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

 

Our Favorite Quotes:

 

• “Advisors need to be prepared for this new world. They certainly do not need to pursue online ratings and reviews, but do need to be prepared and thoughtful to understand the ramifications if they choose not to go down this path.” - Brian Thorp
• “It’s that third-party endorsement that naturally can become very valuable.” - Brian Thorp

 

Connect with Brian Thorp:

 

• Wealthtender
• Email: [email protected]
• Wealthtender on LinkedIn
• Wealthtender on Instagram
• Wealthtender on Facebook
• Wealthtender on Twitter
• Brian Thorp on LinkedIn

 

 

About the Model FA Podcast

 

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams. 

 

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered. 

 

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

 

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