The "Amazon Effect" is essentially the results of how a digital world has changed business models regarding consumer expectations, interaction, choices, and options. This phenomenon started back in 1994. Since that time, it has changed society as well as many business models in various industries and markets. 

Spring has sprung and summer is on its way! This time of year makes many want to get their golf clubs out and hit the golf course. As you may know, golf can become addicting no matter how great or how “not so great” your game may be. As a financial professional you probably find little time to enjoy a golf game, and would love the opportunity to be on the course a little more often. Have you thought of using golf as a client appreciation event? The truth is that if you don’t appreciate your clients, someone else will. 

Selling across demographic lines has its challenges. Selling to younger prospects can be difficult because this segment of society grew up during a different time and have a far different view of the world than those that came before them. The differences make this sales environment more challenging. Let's discuss the two main reasons it is far more challenging to sell to younger generations.

As I work with advisors on a daily basis, I’m hearing one question that stands out the most: “Can you help me get in front of more qualified prospects?” There are many ways to put yourself in the same room as higher-net worth and better fit prospects. Your tools can include seminars, direct mail campaigns, fundraisers, and referrals. 

I’ve been writing about improving the design of your marketing materials for over six months. I’ve covered everything from designing your logo to creating a website. I would like to take a moment and briefly review the topics I’ve covered and the importance of why financial advisors should work with a graphics designer.

Are you a financial services supplier or an architect? Your clients may be viewing you as one or the other. When it comes to building homes (or financial plans) the raw material supplier and the architect both play a significant role in the construction of a home. Neither is necessarily bad or good, better or worse. They have very different roles to play, and they have very different perspectives.

When conducting prospecting events, location selection is a vital piece of the marketing puzzle and can have a great influence on its success as well as failure. With that said, we know that the entire outcome of the event is not solely based on the location as other factors such as presentation, topic, demographics etc. are vital as well. But the location selection should not be taken lightly or discounted.

Almost any business would benefit from their clients singing their praises in a public place. Imagine if you could create walking billboards for your company, spreading your message when you are not around to do it yourself. They could infiltrate social groups that you may have been cut out from entering.

When we discuss the topic of presentation or workshop preparation the first statement that comes to mind is “everything matters”. That may seem like a broad statement but it’s true. We must take a lot of things into consideration, especially who we're talking to.

If you have a slim marketing budget, workshops and seminars can seem like they cost more than they're worth. There may be ways to find prospects that cost less cash, but you end up paying more in the long run. The monetary cost of finding prospects isn't the only expense.