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Articles & insights

Dan Solin on investing, advisor marketing and turning prospects into clients. Page 10.

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Cracks in the Robo-Advisor Facade

I’ve been a fan of robo-advisors, almost since their inception. Most of them recommend portfolios of low management fee index funds in globally diversified portfolios. Their advisory fees are low. Recently, I’ve seen some cracks in the robo advisor façade.

Advice That Could Kill Your Clients

Almost 50% of Americans don’t have sufficient savings to maintain their quality of life in retirement.

Find the Courage to be “Different”

Here are some suggestions for taking the kind of risk you should assume if you’re serious about being different.

The Competency Trap

I found this observation compelling: When the plan sponsor says, “Tell me about yourself,” he is not asking for further demonstrations your competence – he is offering an opportunity to convey warmth. He wants to learn about good intentions.

What an Aunt and a Mother Know About Converting Prospects

If you can become one of the very rare people in the lives of your prospects who emulate the behavior of this beloved aunt and mother, all your relationships will be enhanced in a way many have described as “transformational.”

Your Videos Could Be Sending the Wrong Message

Great credit to those of you who are producing and sharing videos on your websites and social media.There’s ample evidence videos are a powerful marketing tool.

Make Lemonade From This Lemon

The securities industry is celebrating. It has successfully killed an Obama initiative that required brokers to put the interest of their customers ahead of their own. Registered investment advisors continue to have this obligation (known as a fiduciary duty).

How to Overcome Negativity Bias

The initial step to overcome negative bias is to recognize the issue. Identifying your reaction as a “bias” is a good first step.

The Cruel Joke Called Active Management

With active management, you pay a premium for the likelihood of underperformance.

The Practical Application of Chaos

There’s ample evidence that improvisation stimulates creativity. One study found “chaos stimulates creative thinking and creates a necessary condition to initiate the process of self-organization.”

A Marketing Opportunity You Can Drive A Truck Through

The death of the fiduciary rule is terrible for investors. Don't despair. I see this as a massive marketing opportunity. Here are some ways to exploit it.

Your Investing Premise is Fatally Flawed

It turns out the smug bearded guy featured in the Raymond James commercials doesn’t have a clue about sound and responsible investing, based on solid academic evidence.

Gaining Trust

By a 2-to-1 margin, investors believe trustworthiness is more important than investment performance when hiring an advisor.

A Hot Tip About Investing

Let’s assume you could predict the future. You knew when the market was going to take off or tank. You also had special insight into stock prices. You could tell if the price of a given stock was too low or too high.

When Advisors Shouldn’t Give Advice

I get it. You’re a financial advisor. You understandably believe prospects come to you to get the benefit of your wisdom. After all, you’re in the business of giving advice.

Solin’s Simple Rules

Most people would be well-served by following these very simple rules in their financial planning and investing.

Cutting-Edge Research from Harvard on Converting Prospects

Research cited in the study showed that people who ask more questions engaged in more follow-up inquiries.

Listening is Vastly Overrated

Much has been written about the importance of listening. It turns out it’s not easy. Here are some basic principles I want to pass on to you.

A Pearl of Wisdom

By giving up the slim possibility of outperformance, you increase the odds of meeting your retirement goals. That’s investing wisdom."

The Solin Process Is More Than Conversions

The Solin Process didn’t just improve my conversion rate. It changed my life.

Don't Play the Credentials Game

Regardless of the credentials held by an advisor, it tells you nothing about their demeanor and ability to communicate.

The Single Biggest Misconception

The single biggest misconception of advisors is the assumption that facts will carry the day. They won’t.

The Two Questions that Immediately Engage Prospects

Every audience responds really well to two questions: What’s your favorite city and why? Are you and introvert or an extrovert?

The Advice Trap

We’re quick to assume people want our advice. Often, they just want to be heard. Train yourself to listen carefully. Resist the temptation to offer a solution for every problem.