One thing we all have in common (and the newbies' need to learn the business can be wrapped inside this concept):

We want more business to come to us through referrals.

This is a starting point for a useful discussion about many 'marketing' issues.

[quote=rollinrock]

Do what is best for the client.

Personal relationships add value and drive everything.

Assets under management define success.

Don’t lose client’s money.

Learn the business from someone who knows.

Define your own issues - take control.

Not always black and white, for sure. Increasing awareness is a first step. And a lot of people here are in a position to control every factor so far mentioned.

Do a lot of cd’s do we?

No.

Do what you say you are going to do

You + your client IS the value proposition.

Everything else is a commodity.

Time invested in clients is money, security, success.

Time invested here is bs ( nice break from work,though).

But it is basically all ego centric philosophy or even addiction.

One thing that a financial planning approach is really good for is marketing.

Because when you think like a planner ( my client of ten years is getting closer to not working, and the market has had a nice run for the past six years) -

You are always finding reasons to call your clients and make small but appropriate portfolio adjustments ( take advantage of the wrap account, or exchanges in A or C shares), swapping equity to fixed in a market like this, or swapping the fixed as interest rate environment levels, - in short, portfolio and planning " touches " - generates a ton of referrals.

We all know this, of course it requires work.

Comparatively, it is a most underrated but important consideration.

One of the very best ways to pick up those referrals ( the referrals that want to come from lots of personal [phone] contact is to creatively carve an idea out of the void - an idea that lets you spend some informal time with these very satisfied clients, and of course their family and friends.

These aquaintances already know you are good - that's what they heard - now they need a chance to find out if they like you, feel comfortable with you.

If your idea is consistent - a regular event - it will grow by word of mouth. Of course it will cost money, and the return will not be immediate, but the leveraged return will result not only in new business, but also greater asset retention.

It actually take some mental discipline to move from chasing money, which is what got you started, to attracting money, which of course is a lot more fun. And attracting really comes down to servicing the heck out of what you have, and positioning yourself as someone who is always ready to help a few serious new clients, who have money and need your help.

This dialogue that you’re having with yourself is quite interesting and rather

irregular. It looks like you are very close to going “postal”.

Thanks, skee, I'll take that into consideration.  This thread is intended to be a collaborative collection of thoughts, maybe a little less linear than your taste, so you can just skip over the thread if you like. Might want to stick with jokes.

[quote=skeedaddy2]This dialogue that you're having with yourself is quite interesting and rather
irregular. It looks like you are very close to going "postal". [/quote]

or are drugs your folks ingested in the '60s causing your kumbaja moment?

In reading various posts from the past month or so, it appears that a certain “someone” has come out with yet another sock puppet. Different name, but the puppetier is obviously the same. It is a shame that a non-rep is attempting to provide advice and guidance.



I miss the days when it was still okay to backhand these little smartass kids…

Better than the days of jymmmym…

[quote=Oldproducer]In reading various posts from the past month or so, it appears that a certain “someone” has come out with yet another sock puppet. Different name, but the puppetier is obviously the same. It is a shame that a non-rep is attempting to provide advice and guidance.



I miss the days when it was still okay to backhand these little smartass kids…[/quote]

Who do you surmise that “someone” is?

You are clearly not as new to this site as your post count would suggest…

[quote=Oldproducer]In reading various posts from the past month or so, it appears that a certain "someone" has come out with yet another sock puppet. Different name, but the puppetier is obviously the same. It is a shame that a non-rep is attempting to provide advice and guidance.

I miss the days when it was still okay to backhand these little smartass kids....[/quote]

Alright, I am going to be nice, there are a lot of things I could say here. I only wish that you already know as much as I know about this business, and have achieved my level of success.

So I'll say, congratulations on your accomplishments, and please use your brain before casting aspersions upon your colleague, if you have indeed earned that level of respect.

[quote=rollinrock]

[quote=Oldproducer]In reading various posts from the past month or so, it appears that a certain “someone” has come out with yet another sock puppet. Different name, but the puppetier is obviously the same. It is a shame that a non-rep is attempting to provide advice and guidance.

I miss the days when it was still okay to backhand these little smartass kids…[/quote]

Alright, I am going to be nice, there are a lot of things I could say here. I only wish that you already know as much as I know about this business, and have achieved my level of success.

So I'll say, congratulations on your accomplishments, and please use your brain before casting aspersions upon your colleague, if you have indeed earned that level of respect.