The topics financial planners are reading about can tell us a lot about how financial professionals view the industry and the steps they are taking to be successful. Articles providing guidance on ways to optimize client meetings were popular this year, as were timely subjects such as ChatGPT and compliance. As the role of the financial planner continues to evolve, there are many who sought direction on furthering their knowledge on specialization in financial psychology and the overall desire of clients who are looking for holistic financial planning.

As the year draws to a close, take this opportunity to catch up on what has piqued the interest of your peers in 2023.

1. How to Present a Financial Plan: 4 Tips for Greater Engagement

Presenting a financial plan provides an opportunity to build relationships and motivate clients for greater planning success. Learn how to make your presentations as effective as possible by using these four tips—reiterating the client’s why, communicating clearly, utilizing progress models, and dividing and conquering.

2. Maximize the First Meeting with a Sample Advisor Script

Optimize your relationship-building efforts with new clients by using this first meeting script and agenda. The included sample dialog demonstrates how a question and follow-up sequence might play out.

3. 10 Financial Psychology Certificates and Designations for Advisors

Financial psychology and behavioral finance have gained popularity in recent years as financial planners seek ways to use these fields to support their clients. Find out more about 10 financial psychology designations and certificate programs that provide professional training in addressing the emotional aspects of money decisions or complement a holistic financial planning skillset.

4. The 7-Step Financial Planning Process: How Advisors Can Adapt for Compliance

The CFP Board’s seven-step financial planning process sets expectations for advisors to collaborate with their clients to create a personalized, holistic financial plan. It enables advisors to build deeper client relationships by emphasizing that financial planning is an ongoing endeavor. Find ways your firm can use the seven-step financial planning process to gain wallet share, build relationships, and better serve clients.

5. How to Build a Robust Referral Network as a Financial Planner

Building and maintaining a referral network is important for lead generation, gaining new clients, and building a positive professional reputation. Read through three steps that will help you keep a steady stream of referrals coming to your business.

6. 3 Ways Financial Professionals Can Use ChatGPT to Enhance Your Marketing Efforts

Artificial intelligence continues to be a topic of discussion that’s unlikely to fade any time soon. Read how financial professionals can introduce ChatGPT into their marketing and communications processes. Learn simple prompts to help you enhance and augment your skills related to social media, email, and content marketing.

7. What Do Clients Want from Their Financial Advisor?

Financial planning clients today want more than just retirement planning and investment management. They are looking for a personalized financial planning experience that factors in all aspects of their lives. From service offerings to how you work with them, find out more about the factors clients consider when they are working with a financial professional.

8. Amplifying 8 Asian-American Voices in Financial Planning

Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals are the largest ethnic minority within the financial planning profession. This article shines a spotlight on the work of eight trailblazing AAPI financial planners.

9. Key Strategies for Conducting Productive Discovery Meetings

A prospect discovery meeting is an essential step for financial professionals to get to know potential clients, understand their needs, and recommend their planning services accordingly. The strategies described in this article will help you quickly and effectively uncover a prospective client’s needs while building a rapport that will set the stage for your future relationship.

10. Holistic Financial Planning: 4 Steps to Get Started

Getting started with holistic planning is not always straightforward. Creating a holistic plan takes more time than a regular financial plan and will likely involve difficult conversations at some point. Discover four things your firm must address to offer holistic planning.

These popular Heart of Advice blogs provide interesting insights into the topics financial professionals are exploring to help them build successful practices while meeting the needs of their clients.

For more in-depth reading, check out our most popular eBook of 2023, Candid Conversations: Estate Planning. This resource equips financial planners with practical methods and strategies for discussing estate planning, complete with examples and sample dialogue.

DISCLAIMER: The eMoney Advisor Blog is meant as an educational and informative resource for financial professionals and individuals alike. It is not meant to be, and should not be taken as financial, legal, tax or other professional advice. Those seeking professional advice may do so by consulting with a professional advisor. eMoney Advisor will not be liable for any actions you may take based on the content of this blog.

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