What’s your strong suit? 

As a financial advisor, you're juggling more hats than a circus performer – marketing, client relationships, and, of course, your core expertise. But here's the catch: if you're trying to handle branding all by yourself, you might be missing out on a difference-maker. 

Why blend in when you could stand out?

You know that you need to create valuable and compelling content. You know that you need to share it and get it out there. You know you need to speak directly to your ideal client, and solve their problems.

But knowing and doing are two completely separate things. We hear this from advisors all the time: I don’t get how someone can create that much content from both a compliance and time management standpoint. 

So, we went looking for someone that has it all figured it out. And we found him!

If you’re like most financial advisors, you may be hesitant to launch your podcast and engage in influence-building activities because you’re afraid of compliance issues. 

But here’s the thing: not only is it entirely possible to remain fully compliant, but it's also relatively easy to establish a stronger rapport with your compliance department. Move them from foe to friend!

The only constant is change. 

And that change is happening these days at an unprecedented pace. Wealth transfer, the rise of the younger generations, the arrival of artificial intelligence, and the maturing landscape of financial planning.

An advisor's first task is to listen and communicate effectively. But do you really know how to do that?

You’ve probably heard the expression “you have two ears, but only one mouth, so you should be listening twice as much.” But that’s out-of-date thinking that leads to waiting to speak rather than active listening.

More time for doing what you do best. How’s that sound? Pretty darn good. 

But how do you do it, and what do you need to make it happen?

Artificial intelligence is not some future concept. It’s here. Are you eagerly playing around with it and exploring its potential, or are you hanging back and waiting for the AI apocalypse that many believe will happen?

So, what’s your brand? Answer that question, and you’ll likely mention your color palette, tagline, logo, and perhaps a descriptor or two (We’re playful! But also very professional!). 

Done and done, right? Not so fast. Your brand can and should be so much more than that.

File it under “Too much of a good thing”. Referrals? Good. Fantastic, in fact. In theory. 

Organic growth by word-of-mouth is the goal. It’s virtually hands-free, affordable, and works for businesses small, medium, and large. It’s the great equalizer. But before you get to the point of having a nearly self-perpetuating system, you need to lay the foundation, build the system, and cultivate the appropriate environment. And that is no quick fix.

Referrals are the lifeblood of new business and organic growth. But can it ever be too much of a good thing? Absolutely. 

In fact, referrals can quickly become a curse if you’re not careful. You can drown in a sea of less-than-ideal referees while believing that you’re building your business. Too many people are unaware of that disconnect. It’s truly quality over quantity.