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Dec 2018
7 Resources: Small Business Planning for the New Year
It’s time to start your small business planning for another 12 months. To help you, I’ve compiled seven business development and marketing planning resources. But first, I can’t stress enough the importance of this initial planning step: Before you undertake any new marketing initiatives in the coming year, I encourage you to review your business’ results from the past year. The key is to determine what activities from this year you’ll repeat in the coming year. Frankly, I recommend that you repeat at least 50 percent of your past marketing activities. Why? Because, more than likely, most of your prospects...
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Nov 2018Social Listening Strategies for Financial Advisors with Examples
Social Listening Strategies for Financial Advisors Today, I focus on the financial advisor target audience, adults age 50 and up, since they hold most of our country’s wealth. I provide several examples of how advisors can reply to online comments and conclude with an infographic detailing even more social listening ideas. Let’s begin by understanding where adults age 50 and up spend time online so you can: Hear what they’re saying. Communicate using their preferred social channel. Address topics important to them. Make connections by spending time at activities they enjoy. Where are 50-year-olds and older hanging out? According...
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Oct 2018How to Build Trust Using Financial Services Advisory Websites
Credibility and trust are key components that make or break a financial advisory business. To help financial advisors build more trust, I provide three examples below. Recently, I watched a TED talk by Simon Sinek and was captivated by one particular comment: Trust is a feeling. His remark got me thinking about how to frame words that create feelings. Words financial advisors and other types of financial consultants can use on websites and social media channels to build credibility, ultimately creating feelings of trust. What are feelings? The Merriam-Webster dictionary offers several definitions, including: an emotional state or reaction, often...
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Sep 2018How Young Male Financial Advisors Can Build Credibility with Older Female Clients
For young male financial advisors, a youthful appearance isn’t always an asset. Over the years, I’ve been to many financial services conferences. Most were hosted by an advisor’s broker-dealer, RIA or sponsor. Generally, I’d see two attendee demographics: old advisors and young advisors. Sure, there were others, but I didn’t notice them as much. When I’d see an older advisor, I’d think: I can’t hire him/her, they’re retiring before me. Then, I’d see a younger advisor and think: No way, I can’t hire a kid. Are you a kid? Of course not. But, understand what Gen X and other older...
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Aug 2018How to Compete with Large Companies
Do you own or manage a small retail business? What would you do if a large corporation came to town and started offering most of what you sell? The large business probably has deeper pockets, enabling them to offer lower prices and a larger product selection. How do you compete with large companies? Here are 4 simple and affordable marketing ideas to help sustain your small business when Goliath sets up shop in your neighborhood. #1 – Piggyback onto a Powerful & Local Communication Network One of the most affordable ways to advertise your small business is to piggyback onto...
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Jul 2018Summer Reading: One Book Every Small Business Owner Should Read
Summer Reading for the Beach, Lakefront, Poolside & Beyond If I had to recommend only one book every small business owner should include on their 2018 summer reading list, it would be: Conversationally Speaking: Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness by Alan Garner. It’s definitely worth the time for anyone who needs to start or keep a conversation going, e.g., consultant, vendor/supplier, small business owner of any kind, parent, husband/wife, etc. Why? Because, beyond this being a helpful and easy to read business book, by optimizing your personal communication skills, your small business will likely grow faster. What’s more,...
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Jun 2018How to Motivate Staff in a Hair Salon Including Hairstylists & Makeup Artists
How to Motivate Staff in a Hair Salon One of the most common questions I receive from salon owners is: How do I motivate my hair salon staff? Frankly, there is no one answer. Yet, there is one key approach that’ll help motivate your staff of hairstylists, makeup artists and others. It’s this… Find your staff doing things right. In fact, I recommend setting up reminders to find each of your staff members doing things that positively impact salon growth. These conversations will not take additional time, since you’ll simply be replacing some of your stylists’ conversations with more (organized) positive feedback. Soundbite...
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