Financial planners who joined the Transparent Advisor Movement's first "Flat Fridays" meetup touched on the difficulty of explaining the industry to consumers.

Financial planners and organic growth experts understand why some may hesitate to start posting videos. But the benefits far outweigh any risk of embarrassment.

Any RIA or advisory practice seeking to grow must weigh the price of its marketing efforts toward prospective new clients against the return on that investment.

Marketing experts say that advisory practices trying to grow organically must be thoughtful about the button that offers website visitors a meeting — or they could lose the prospect altogether.

A GAO report suggests that blanket rules on spousal consent for 401(k) withdrawals could solve "financial infidelity problems — and exacerbate them.

Jess Polito of Turkey Hill Management says she believes her firm is the only M&A advisory firm that exclusively uses retainer fees, rather than commissions.

Exchange funds could help address some wealthy clients' concentration risks and tax quandaries at the same time.

With so many changes in how people communicate, the lead generation and conversion process seems daunting. But experts say RIAs have the opportunity to achieve big growth through sustained and focused investing.

No one is challenging clients as the best source of recommendations for financial advisors. But growth experts say many are missing out on the potential for highly profitable collaborations with outside professionals.

Wescott and Moneta Group present helpful examples of paths for financial advisors and other employees that experts say are essential for growth.

Wealthy parents fear their kids will squander their inheritances. Financial planner Mary Clements Evans solved for that while cementing her firm's future.

The industry often struggles to help prospective professionals find their place, a challenge experts say is a crucial competitive priority for the future.

None of the findings in a new working academic paper will likely surprise financial advisors. But they could provide some helpful data for conversations with investors.

The language that financial advisors use in their first interactions with prospective customers could make or break the relationship, according to an expert.

The accounts give wealthy investors more opportunities to place alternative vehicles in a tax-advantaged retirement nest egg. But mistakes can be costly.

An internal successor, a seller and an acquirer dish out the most common mistakes they say advisory firms must avoid to address the challenge.

Logic (and compelling Cerulli Associates data) explain why advisor teams are gaining momentum. But teaming is not the only option for growth.

Getting away from the office to create or revise a firm's concrete goals and teammates' roles can help RIAs tap into organic growth, experts say.

Financial advisors and their clients have a range of options to consider for traditional IRA holdings — but also a finite deadline.

Steve Lockshin and Michael Kitces tied what they view as some mistaken assumptions around fees to the competitive need for more estate planning services.