Discounted advisors are like cheap clothes, they look good in the store and then they fall apart after one wash aka a market crash. Years ago, I sat across from a then retired financial advisor who was questioning the fact that I never discount the price of what I do for clients. I asked him why he did discount the advisory fee. He said that it was more competitive. But … [Read more...]
Time Wasting Awareness: How is your perception of time?
Did you know that your awareness of time has a direct impact on your social intelligence? It’s easy to spot someone with poor awareness of time. They talk longer than what seems necessary in a meeting, they’re difficult to get off the phone, and they don’t get anywhere quickly (be it to an appointment, the point of a conversation, etc.). They are your classic time wasters. … [Read more...]
Why Some are Fearful of Social Media
In the financial services industry, compliance departments are up in arms because of industry rules requiring firms to retain records of all the social media conversations that their advisors are having. The Securities and Exchange Commission has been reported to be conducting a sweep of registered investment advisers' use of social media and social networking (Investment … [Read more...]
Cultivating Relationships NOT Worth the Time?
Proactively cultivating relationships is often an afterthought. We are just too busy trying to get through the workload directly in front of us. And, relationships are not what we DO in our businesses, right? Most firms are not in the “relationship business.” You are in the [INSERT your core offering] business. Simply spoken: We need sales, not more friends! STOP RIGHT … [Read more...]
Is Your Marketing Authentic?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Do you think politicians are authentic? How about financial advisors? What about the way you present your business? Do you take an approach that is genuine to who you are? Many people assume that their marketing has to be a hard push to get people to take action. Relying on tactics that strike fear in their audience … [Read more...]
Negativity Works…It Must!
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing I was in California last week and had the “pleasure” of listening to the horrifically negative political ads on TV. Most TV’s across the country are filled with these ads right now. The California Gubernatorial race serves as the perfect example of a political race that has put productive political discourse aside and … [Read more...]
“Free” can get your clients going wild! But what’s in it for you?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing If you create a surprising offer, people will pay attention. If you offer something of real value for free, people will listen (and oftentimes share with others). In fact, “free” can convert price shoppers into loyal clients. This is the model that online print company Vistaprint used to generate over $500 million in … [Read more...]
Are you anxious about using social media in your business?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Should you be afraid of social media and the changes and consequences it may bring to your business? It opens your business to the scrutiny of the masses, making you instantly accessible and requires a consistent watch. It depends who you are and what business you are in, but in some cases social media can be a little … [Read more...]