- Public Relations Strategies for Financial Advisors
Mastering public relations is something financial advisors can benefit from at every stage of their career. A good PR strategy can elevate your brand’s image, underscore your credibility and strengthen client relationships. PR is more than just part of a comprehensive marketing plan – it’s an integral piece of your business development puzzle. Ready to… read more…
- Financial Advisor Client Transition Letter Example
When introducing a client to a new advisor, a well-crafted financial advisor client transition letter can help guide the process. This letter serves as a formal notice to the client, informing them of the change and introducing them to the new advisor. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform offers financial advisors services like client lead generation, automated… read more…
- How to Form a Partnership as a Financial Advisor
For growth-focused advisors, partnerships can be the secret to success. Whether you’re interested in bringing another advisor into your firm or forming strategic alliances that could help meet your clients’ needs, there are benefits to building collaborative relationships. But forming a financial advisor partnership requires strategy and planning to ensure that it’s a good fit.… read more…
- The Value of Benchmarking for RIAs and Financial Advisors
When you’re focused on your firm’s long-term growth, it’s important to have a process in place for monitoring your progress. Financial advisor benchmarking allows you to draw comparisons between your firm and your competitors, or against the financial services industry as a whole. Knowing what to measure and how to do so can help you… read more…
- Client Communication Tools for Financial Advisors to Consider
Effective communication is an important part of building client trust. It’s reassuring for your clients to know that you’re just a phone call, email or text away, and will respond promptly to any questions or concerns they might have. There are client communication tools for financial advisors you may consider using to stay connected and… read more…
- How to Leverage Business Development as an RIA Firm
Acquiring new clients and retaining the ones you have are critical to your firm’s long-term success. Dedicating time and resources to business development is one of the secrets to building a more sustainable practice. The most effective RIA business development strategies are designed to help you increase revenues and fuel growth while providing maximum value… read more…
- Guide to Continuity and Succession Planning for RIAs
Building a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm is an investment of your time, energy and passion, and it’s important to ensure that your legacy continues when you’re ready to step away from the business. Deciding who will take over your role and when to time your exit are some of the central questions to consider… read more…
- Business Continuity Planning for Financial Advisors
Helping your clients develop comprehensive financial plans often involves asking a lot of ‘what if’ questions. What if you get sick and need to retire earlier than expected? What if your spouse passes away unexpectedly? Applying that same approach to your firm can ensure that you’re prepared for situations that might threaten your business operations.… read more…
- Social Security Software for Financial Advisors
Nearly half of Americans expect Social Security to be a major source of retirement income,1 making it a key focus for financial advisors. Incorporating Social Security software into your tech stack may prove valuable for helping clients optimize their retirement outlook. Social Security software can streamline benefit projections, model claiming scenarios and enhance client conversations… read more…
- How to Build Your Personal Brand as a Financial Advisor
Cultivating a brand image is an integral part of your financial advisor marketing strategy. A recognizable brand can give you a competitive advantage, help you attract more clients to your business and boost your firm’s revenues. Familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of personal branding for financial advisors is the first step in refining… read more…
- How to Start a Family Office
Family offices can help financial advisors differentiate themselves in a competitive market as a one-stop solution for diverse client needs. This type of firm sets itself apart from other firms by providing highly personalized and holistic wealth management services for wealthy families. Here are four general steps to set up a family office. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…
- Checklist for Starting a Private Equity Fund
Starting a private equity fund requires careful planning and attention to detail. To help guide you through the process, here’s a private equity fund formation checklist to ensure you cover all necessary steps. Key components include defining your fund’s investment strategy, securing initial capital commitments, forming a legal structure and hiring a team. Add new… read more…
- When Financial Advisors Might Use AI for Financial Analysis
Artificial intelligence is redefining the way advisors run their businesses. AI tools are making it easier to create social media content, automate back-end operations and allow advisors to digest large amounts of data. There are different ways to use AI for financial analysis, as well as to analyze your business operations and identify opportunities for… read more…
- IBD vs. RIA: What Are the Differences?
Going independent has its perks, namely freedom, flexibility and control over decision-making in running your business. The question is, which path should you choose: Independent Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor? Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of an IBD vs. RIA model can help you decide which one makes the most sense for you. Ready to… read more…
- Guide to RIA Startup Costs
Starting a registered investment advisor firm can mark the beginning of a new phase in your career if you’re ready to go independent. Assessing RIA startup costs is a key step in the planning process. Understanding some of the most important expenses you’ll need to pay can help you shape your startup budget. Ready to… read more…
- How Much Independent Financial Advisors Make
Going independent and starting an RIA has certain advantages for advisors who want greater flexibility in creating a client experience. If you’re transitioning from a larger firm into your own business, it’s important to consider how that might impact your earning potential. Comparing independent financial advisor salary numbers can offer some perspective on what you… read more…
- 9 Sales Tips for Financial Advisors
Selling financial services to prospective clients can be challenging on many levels. Once you’ve connected with a lead, you need to spend time nurturing that relationship and building trust. You also have to demonstrate your value to the client and why they should rely on you to help them manage their money. Some of the… read more…
- How Solo Advisors Can Outsource Financial Planning
Outsourcing for a solo advisor can offer benefits such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, access to specialized expertise and time savings, which could allow them to focus more on client-facing activities and business growth. Solo advisors can take advantage of these benefits by strategically outsourcing non-core functions such as administrative tasks, compliance, technology support and investment research… read more…
- How to Implement Goals-Based Financial Planning
Goals-based financial planning focuses on helping clients achieve specific life objectives such as buying a home, funding a child’s education or retiring comfortably. Rather than anchoring advice to benchmarks or market performance, this approach aligns investment strategies with client-defined outcomes. Five of the 10 largest wealth managers in the world have adopted a goals-based planning… read more…
- Betterment for Advisors Review
Selecting a custodian is an important decision when launching a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. Your custodian is responsible for safeguarding and managing client assets on your firm’s behalf. And Betterment for Advisors is one option to consider. This technology-focused platform is designed to help advisors provide high-quality client service while maximizing operational efficiency. SmartAsset’s… read more…
- Options to Outsource Your RIA Operations
Managing operations is one of the most time-consuming aspects of running an independent advisory firm. Developing workflows and automating systems can help you streamline important tasks, but as you continue to grow, you might decide that the time has come to seek outside help. Third-party providers can assist with RIA operations outsourcing, allowing you to… read more…
- A Guide to Operations for an RIA
Growing a successful practice can test your ability to manage all the demands competing for your time and attention. You’re meeting with clients, marketing your firm and managing a seemingly endless list of back-office tasks. Developing strategies and systems for managing RIA operations can help you scale more efficiently while maximizing your resources. Ready to… read more…
- What Cost of Equity Is and How to Calculate It
In corporate finance, cost of equity represents the return a company must generate to satisfy its shareholders. Financial advisors also rely on the cost of equity when evaluating investment opportunities and making recommendations to clients. It helps them assess a company’s financial health, growth prospects and potential returns, which is essential for constructing diversified portfolios… read more…
- Important Resources Every RIA Should Consider
Managing an independent RIA firm can be challenging on many levels. If you’re making the transition to your own practice or are looking for ways to streamline operations and increase efficiency for an existing firm, having the right tools can help. Tapping into RIA resources can make managing your advisory firm easier while enabling you… read more…
- De Minimis Exemptions By State
State-registered registered investment advisors can be exempt from having to register in every state where they have clients if they don’t maintain a place of business in the state and serve no more than five clients in the state. This is known as the de minimis exemption. However, not all states follow this standard. And… read more…