{"id":1456,"date":"2018-11-25T10:45:14","date_gmt":"2018-11-25T00:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/magazine.riskinfo.com.au\/38\/?p=1456"},"modified":"2018-11-29T03:10:51","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T17:10:51","slug":"the-best-marketing-tip-for-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/magazine.riskinfo.com.au\/38\/the-best-marketing-tip-for-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Marketing Tip for 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Current media attention on financial advice has led to some consumers questioning its\u00a0relevance and\u00a0purpose.
\nWhile many advisers will argue they are useful and valuable, are you able to demonstrated that to your clients.
\nAs Rachel Staggs from SRSCC writes, relevance is more than having and using the right training and skills but also includes connecting what you do with what clients need.
\nIn this article, Rachel\u00a0provides a simple way to test how relevant you may be to clients and a reminder that what was suitable in the past may need to change in the near future.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

If there were a single word that we can focus on next year, it would be relevance. Not social media or client engagement or AI, nothing like that!<\/p>\n

What does relevance mean? According to the dictionary it is the degree to which something is related or useful to what is happening or being talked about. In the context of financial advice then it would be how relevant you and your business are to your existing clients, \u00a0potential new clients, and even referral partners.<\/p>\n

Relevance has been uncovered as one of the critical drivers of success for the future of financial advice. Relevance coupled with trust will be the two pillars that will attract and retain your ideal client. Ignoring the importance of your relevance puts you in a position of danger.<\/p>\n

So how do you remain relevant and how do you communicate your relevance?<\/p>\n

In this short article, I\u2019ll address some fundamentals that you can use in your business right now and moving forward into 2019.<\/p>\n

The first thing to consider is creating a framework to work within.<\/p>\n

Demonstrate + Involve = Empowerment \u2013 these are three keywords which will help you deliver the right message.<\/p>\n

Whenever you can, demonstrate<\/em> things like your capability, expertise, ongoing education, business philosophy, innovative solutions; the things that are important to clients.<\/p>\n

Then involve<\/em> people in a discussion about the things you have demonstrated through existing clients supporting what you claim, through business partners supporting you, through discussion groups and open communication channels.<\/p>\n

Because if you can demonstrate what the client is looking for and involve others, you will empower<\/em> clients to make the right decision to partner with you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a paradigm shift for some; rather than relying on others to position your business you take control of communicating your relevance to your existing clients, potential clients and referral partners.<\/p>\n

Due to the Royal Commission, questions are being asked about financial services and financial advice – we all know that, and may have even experienced it.<\/p>\n

Those businesses that think their clients aren\u2019t a little bit concerned and thinking about their adviser, unfortunately, are not living in the real world \u2013 sorry to have to say that but I know this to be true through the research that I do.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s be proactive and start talking about and promoting things like your business philosophy. You already have one – it might need a refresh – but start bringing it to the forefront and be proud to share it and demonstrate your relevance to clients.<\/p>\n

Clients are beginning to ask about the ways in which advice businesses are structured and run these days. They are asking questions such as, ‘What’s their business philosophy? Who actually owns them? How is the business run? How are my details kept confidentially?”<\/p>\n

I understand we haven’t seen clients asking these types of questions before, but they are now, so be proactive and put this information on websites, corporate brochures and anywhere else a client may see it.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve heard us all talk about the importance of content marketing and in the context of relevance I have to bring it up again because what content marketing does is help people answer their burning questions and demonstrates your relevance. If you don\u2019t have things like a blog or white papers or articles where are you demonstrating your relevance regarding solutions for clients?<\/p>\n

The other really simple thing you can do to demonstrate your relevance is to share information every time you attend a PD day, course or anything of that nature. Your clients wouldn\u2019t have a clue about the amount of professional development you have to complete each year so tell them! A quick summary of the key points that you learnt from the course shared through your communication channels again demonstrates your relevance.<\/p>\n

Relevance can also be demonstrated through your innovative solutions. Things like your technology, your processes and systems and of course the claims process.<\/p>\n

Relevance isn\u2019t just a word it\u2019s an important pillar that will help your business stay alive now and into the future.<\/p>\n

How relevant are you?<\/p>\n

\n\"img-rachel-staggs\"<\/p>\n

In her regular Practice Marketing column, Rachel Staggs provides insights to help advisers market their business to potential (and existing) clients.
\nRachel is the founder and Managing Director of SRSCC, a specialist financial services marketing firm.<\/p>\n

Contact or follow the author:<\/strong> Website<\/a> | Email<\/a> | Google +<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n