Wealth Think

How important is naming, branding, promoting and marketing? For some independent advisors who came to independence from larger employee advisor models, you may not have thought as much about your brand in the past. As an independent firm in a growing and increasingly competitive landscape, it’s important to recognize that you are building a brand as much as a business.

The impact of last week’s tax accord in Congress -- officially known as the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 -- is likely to be far wider and more complex than many have imagined. And many of these complexities will directly impact financial advisors.

Blogger Craig Faulkner says he is tired of hearing people his age talk about how confusing all the new technology is. He is convinced that most advisors are more intimidated by the idea of technology than by the technology itself. Check out three tricks to help you get the jump on all of the new data, devices, and demands they make on your brain and your time.

Ed Slott, Your IRA Expert, examines how the expiration of the Bush tax cuts will impact Roth IRAs.

Have you ever wondered how some financial advisors manage to get all their business from referrals? Despite what some people may tell you, simply asking for referrals isn’t enough. Here are 8 surefire ways to fill your prospect pipeline in 2013.

For financial planners, social media is an important tool as they search for newer ways to generate leads, build personal relationships with clients and prospects, and grow a reputation as an influencer in financial services. However, many are still hesitant to jump aboard the social media bandwagon due to compliance regulations and lack of knowledge on how to begin.

Asking the right questions from the start can ensure you discover the kind of clients you really want for your business.

How many times have we said to ourselves, “If I’d only known then what I know now?” At this year’s Securities America Assistant University, a panel of experienced advisor assistants shared the benefit of hindsight and the top things they wish they had known in their first year as an assistant.

If there is one sentiment that fiscal policy debates in Washington have taught investors not to expect over the years, it’s optimism, according to the chief market strategist at LPL. Time and again, we have seen our politicians respond to serious questions on the future of our nation’s economy by kicking the can down the road, or worse. Could it be different this time around for 2013?

Growing a financial advisory practice comes with many challenges. From bringing in new assets to finding a work-life balance, these challenges consume much of an advisor’s time and attention. However, a challenge many advisors seem to ignore is also one that offers the most opportunity - hiring an associate wealth advisor.