Sales and marketing

If your firm's home page looks like it's stuck in the 1990s, you're likely driving away prospects and employees. Here are 7 rules for making an upgrade.

When the CFP Board embarked on an ambitious four-year, $40 million marketing campaign to boost public awareness of its certification, the group knew that measuring effectiveness would be an integral part of the effort.

Legend Financial Advisors has found success through monthly webcasts, focusing either on a financial planning or investing topic, sometimes chosen based on demand from a client.

With most financial advisors mired in "analysis paralysis," adding new business can be difficult. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to add clients and assets, but Peter Montoya offered some essential methods to develop relationships and assets.

The Pittsburgh company is among several banks aiming to boost visibility on college campuses in hopes of attracting young consumers who many not have a dime to their names now but could be high earners down the road.

Though banks have always measured customer satisfaction, there is a greater focus now on understanding exactly what drives the customer experience and how it can help the bottom line.

How to sell a high-priced tier of service to clients and describe how that service is different and more valuable, like front-row seats at an event.

One of the keys to engaging clients is addressing topics that are relevant and emotional in order to bridge to longer-term planning concerns, such as the presidential election.

A run-down of the stories in this issue, including how shifting demographics can open new markets; the special needs of gay and lesbian couples; a look at dividend stocks; and Merrill Lynch's deferred compensation settlement.

Advisors are helping gay and lesbian clients face the unique barriers to achieving their financial goals.

Developing a vision and a plan for your business takes focus, collaboration and consistency. And it's how the best performers enhance their success.

More than four in 10 investors (41%) view themselves as "very inexperienced" with investing, up from 27% last year.

As PenFed moves investment program back to former third-party marketer CFS, it sets sights on previous AUM mark of $250 million.

Planners who structure their practices in a way that compels their best clients to mention them to friends and family will enjoy a steady stream of right-fit business.

Advisors should work to become the first name people in a particular market think of when they need a certain type of product, service or expertise. Being a "local/vocal name" can set you apart from other financial advisors and help you gain market share, according to marketing expert Marie Swift.

A few simple steps will help you meet the money management needs of each customer.

European sovereign debt concerns and the U.S. debt-ceiling debacle spurred market volatility, pushing investors toward index-based equity funds.

The experience is aimed at strengthening client's ties to their advisor and trust in the firm

They may seem overwhelming to plan, but marketing events can be very effective to thank existing clients or find new ones.

New tools to help bank advisors are getting top billing at LPL Financial's annual Focus Conference. But a key new hire to help in those efforts may not be announced officially until the three-day conference is over.