Wealth Think

Virtually every independent financial advisor practice has a web page, and while an increasing number of advisors are seeking to make better use of other digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, far too many still do not have a coherent digital marketing plan in place to complement their overall marketing strategy.

Many talented individuals are getting hired on Wall Street. But while it is great to hear that others are doing well, the first thing every job seeker wants to know is this: "How can I be one of them?"

One could only imagine what George Jefferson — the wise-cracking character who was “movin’ on up” on the 1970's TV hit, The Jeffersons — would have said about this predicament. The body of actor Sherman Hemsley, who played George Jefferson, has been kept on ice for the last 3 1/2 months.

Many people use LinkedIn to search for a new job. As a financial professional, you want to use LinkedIn to search for new prospects, and strengthen your relationship with current clients. So in a way, your LinkedIn profile is like a mini-resume. Your profile is successful if it helps prospects and clients have confidence in your abilities and want to engage your services.

Many financial advisors become so entrenched in the daily routine of responsibility, duties and heavy workloads that they fail to adequately plan for the ongoing success of their business. As we turn the corner from this year to the next, marketing expert Marie Swift invites you to take a “planning break” with specific exercises to determine laser-focused goals and a viable plan of attack.

The fiscal cliff. Deteriorating fundamentals. Volatility. Is the market about to fall? No one knows, but we know it is just a matter of time. How will you keep your clients happy when the next bear market comes?

So, you are working in a wirehouse now, how does independence look for you if you launch your own RIA?

Your IRA Expert examines non-spousal benefits and a series of questions on IRA/Roth conversions.

Benjamin Franklin said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Franklin was right. While it may seem obvious that business growth is central to any advisor’s ultimate success, in today’s highly complex and competitive marketplace, the importance of growth cannot be overstated.

If there is a constant in the investment advisory landscape, it’s change. And few things are changing faster than the independent sphere.