For instance, some planners told us that they stay close to home and work their own buildings . . .
"What works for us is to provide a free luncheon workshop for employees of different companies. For those companies in our building we have the workshop in our conference room, for those others we go to their business." Included below is the copy of a notice for a recent workshop titled Build, Protect & Save
CONTROL YOUR MONEY & CONTROL YOUR FUTURE
Thursday November 11th Noon Suite 400 Come joins us for a complimentary lunch as we continue down the road of your financial success, Getting control of your finances. How to protect what you have, How to add to your assets. How much, what kind of, insurance do you need and the first steps of investing. This is a Second step in a series of special programs for SBC Yellow Pages and their guests. The workshop is free but you do need reservations, Our Conference room will only accommodate twelve people so please call Cathy at 713-880-5337 or e-mail us at Doug@NealFinancial.com"
Doug Neal, CFP®
Neal Financial Group
Houston, TX
(713) 880-5337
Doug@NealFinancial.com
Other planners just want to have fun with their marketing . . .
"We saw the need for small business owners to get out of the office and do some networking after work. Unlike events that are hosted by organizations like the local Chamber of Commerce that are formal and intimidating, our First Friday Happy Hour requires no RSVP and no fee to attend other than the cash bar. Our invite list has grown considerably over the past 10 months as a literal "buzz" has been created about these great networking events.
We have gained new clients and used the services of other attendees, and most importantly built brand. It has created a buzz around our practice and us personally, as being innovative, leveraging top technology (Constant Contact and Evite for electronic invitations) and just fun to be around. Ultimately, we have connected lots of people together and had a ball in the process."
William Harris, CFP®
W. H. Cornerstone Investments, LLC
Duxbury, MA
(888) 797-9009
wharris@whcornerstone.com
You might want to think small as a way to get big . . .
"We've had a lot of success in small retirement plans, including Simple's, single person K's and single person DB's. Most overlook this area due to the long lead time and relatively small annual inflows. However, this end of the market generally leads to other asset-gathering opportunities. In addition, CPAs love this strategy at year end, and thus make referrals happily."
Joseph Birkofer, CFP®
Legacy Asset Management
Houston, TX
(713) 355-7171
jbirkofer@legacyasset.com
Or rely on the old staples, as along as it's done with energy . . .
"We are marketing using workshops that focus on retirement planning. Specifically addressing how a participant should have their beneficiary designations completed (both primary and contingent). This is a "tax bomb" waiting to go off. Also we will be addressing qualified plans and how they are distributed upon death and how to use trusts as beneficiaries. We find most people pay very little attention to these matters yet the bulk of their wealth is in their IRA or qualified plan."
Bryan Kelly, CFP®
Kelly Financial Group, LLC
Bel Air, MD
(410) 893-0560
bryan@kellyfinancial.com
In 2005, you might want to focus some energy on spouses that are not necessarily your sole point of contact . . .
"As a way of involving our female clients, who may not be our primary contact in a husband/wife client relationship, sponsor a cooking class, where you invite attendees to bring a (suitable) friend."
Steve O'Hara, CFP®
Financial Strategy Network, LLC
Chicago, IL
(312) 831-4396
Steve.Ohara@RaymondJames.com
In 2005 you can also position yourself as an expert for the media to gain valuable and credible exposure . . .
"In response to an article in the local paper decrying rising health insurance costs and the shifting of the premium burden from employer to employee, I contacted the author and offered to give her information on Health Savings Account (HSAs) which became available in January of 2004. I believe that HSAs will be the big topic for cost effective health insurance in 2005; my clients are already starting to ask about them.
But by positioning myself as the go-to person for this information, I obtained an immediate response from the reporter. I will be working with her on an upcoming article about HSAs. The result: possible free publicity for me and I've established myself as a resource for financial planning topics in the future."
Christine G. Falvello, M.S., CFP
NAPFA-Registered Financial Adviser
Navigate Financial Planning
570-788-0960
But remember, if you get press, it's not the printing, but the reprinting that matters . . . . Also, you might want to take a fresh look at your collateral material, and putting energy into the most important reference sources. . . .
"Over the last 2 yrs our CEO - Tom Meyer has been participating with local and national newspapers, magazines, and online as well as broadcast media. This year we hope to review all of our past press-related issues to combine and produce a DVD for other members of the press as well as our prospects to view on their TVs or computers.
We'll also be updating our company profile sheet which outlines our investment process, offers 10 reasons why a prospect should hire us, and provides company stats like assets under management, average client size, minimums, and fees. Finally, we're continuing to enhance and strengthen our relationship with some of the most powerful & reputable reference sources in the industry today, Charles Schwab's AdvisorNetwork, NAPFA, and Hewitt."
Michael J. Howley
Relationship Manager
Meyer Capital Group
856-985-8400 Ext. 112
www.meyercg.com
