rsinvestor:

let them come to me if they are interested.

  Exactly.  How many clients have you ever picked up using a salesy line?  None.  Tell them what you do, short and sweet, and if they have an interest or a problem, they will ask you questions and want to know more.   Now the real question is what do you do when they say something like:    "Boy, these markets are really unstable huh?"  How do you turn that into a prospect??

[quote=BondGuy][quote=etj4588][quote=BondGuy]“You know how many people spend more time planning their vacation than planning for retirement? Well, what I do is help my clients plan for the longest vacation of their lives, their retirement.”

[/quote]   If someone told me that, I'd walk away laughing and feeling that this person was trying a little too hard.   I simply say, "I manage investments".  Which 100% of the time gets them to ask more.... what kind of investments?  who do you work for?  etc.[/quote]   Dude, it's an elevator speech! You're on an elevator, you can't walk away laughing.   Seriously, I agree to a point. You have to pick and choose where and when to whip out an elevator speech. This one was provided courtesy of Bill Cates who is reccoing Mark's book.   What i like about it is that it tells what you do, not who you are. Really, what is a Senior VP financial consultant? First off, at the big wires and regionals it's an honorary title. Should we tell people that? And, as for being a partner in a wealth management firm, Ok, anyone with $300 bucks and access to a county courthouse to file the paperwork can make the same claim. Gee, I'm impressed!!!!!   One of the funniest ironies in our business is defense lawyers trying to explain how meaningless our titles are when defending Mr. Senior VP in arbitration.     Tell'em what you do, not who you are. Who you are, by title, is meaningless to Joe Lunchbox and Charles CFO.     I also like that it starts with a question. The question draws the listener in.   Another example: Do you know how many people are worried about running out of money at retirement? Well, what i do is help people create a stream of income they can't outlive."   Modify to your liking or run away laughing. But watch that first step, remember, we're on an elevator!    [/quote]

Learn from someone that earns more in a quarter than you pikers do in a year.
Your clients are not special
You are not special
Tell them what you do
Not what you are
OWNED FOOLS

For once, I have to agree with DD.  I've used the "I'm an FA" route and "I help people retire with the maximum amount of income without the chance of running out, while setting up the biggest net legacy possible."  I get a much better response with the latter.

Titles don't matter - what you can do for people does.

[quote=Sportsfreakbob]

With all that DD is trying to prove, whether he’s right or wrong, he must have the smallest penis on this forum!

[/quote]

Hate to admit you are wrong
Little man