Wealth Think

If you want to attract new clients, spend time talking about the benefits that people will have by working with you. Too many advisors talk mostly about their process. The problem with that is people don't care about your process.

As the trend toward independence continues, the opportunities raise questions from those advisors who are considering making the move. Shirl Penney of Dynasty Financial has created a helpful list of frequently asked question (and answers) for advisors who are thinking about going independent.

Firms come and firms go, but there has to be a bit of nostalgia for Smith Barney.

Hedge funds can do a lot of things to raise more capital, but the best strategy might have more to do with communication than anything else.

Ed Slott, Your IRA Experts, answers questions about 1.how to handle partial IRA conversions; dealing with inherited accounts; required minimum distributions; and more.

Savvy financial advisors are using social sites to differentiate themselves from the competition and to build trust and credibility. Perhaps the biggest reason for financial advisors to get involved in social marketing can be summed up in four words: Your customers are there.

We have been inundated with conversation recently around the ongoing debate of suitability versus fiduciary care for clients. This debate comes down to the "advisor" against the "broker" and vice versa. FINRA and the SEC. In almost every article and conversation on this topic I conclude that there is a clear lack of understanding of how the "other" is serving their clients.

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.

Ask Ed Slott: Your IRA Expert answers readers' questions about the rules regarding IRA rollovers involving qualified plans.

When it comes to figuring out how you will improve your services or what new things you can do for clients, there is a lively debate about where those ideas should come from. Are you overlooking an obvious source for new and profitable ideas?