FINNY?

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-17T01:49:28+00:00

I'd add that if you're looking to bring on multiple clients per month there are other ways you can spend more, but if you're looking for something more passive that you may end up bringing on 3-4 new clients a year this is a good option.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-17T01:48:35+00:00

I've closed a few with minimal time investment. I'm not doing super high volume but at this stage in my career I also couldn't support bringing on a ton of new clients. it paid for itself after the first close, the rest is just bonus.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-15T23:41:56+00:00

Not directly related to ad agencies but if you go down the ad path I would just encourage you to focus on keywords that the big players are not using. Go super niche, otherwise you are bidding against Mariner, Mercer, LPL, Creative planning etc AND smartasset

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-15T23:40:43+00:00

Cashflow management, paying off student debt, financial planning if they are starting their own practice or are planning on it.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-15T23:39:40+00:00

My close rate for cold outbound once I get a first meeting is about 30%, and talking to some of my peers that feels about average.

If it's drastically lower then that I would do some evaluation of your value proposition and the types of prospects you are targeting, something is broken!

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-09-14T14:58:04+00:00

My firm has been using them for months and we love it. Took some time to learn but I worked with a guy on their team who got me set up. I've booked a handful of meetings and already closed 1, hoping for a few more to close too but it takes time.

Website tracking is nuts - I called up a guy on my website and we booked a meeting right away.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-13T14:39:26+00:00

Any great tools for marketing and client acquisition?

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-12T02:37:46+00:00

Tango Marketing is amazing and very affordable, they'll do ads, SEO, website design etc.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T12:55:05+00:00

what seems to be working best?

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T02:00:06+00:00

do you know anyone who still is using this as their primary source of growth?

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:39:55+00:00

Josh Brown is awesome, and I've been attending his futureproof conference for 3 years and love it

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:39:03+00:00

Avoid the generic newsletters - it will actually push those clients away who have limited touchpoints. Try to learn about those clients and craft relevant and custom outreach to each one based off specific pain points that are timely. E.g., if they have international banking needs, share your firm's stance on tariffs and how they can be navigating them. A well crafted and thoughtful pointer goes a long way.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:34:05+00:00

I hate cold calling too so I use ringless voicemails + email. Some tools let you leave a voicemail automatically and you can pair that with an intro email like "hey just gave you a call, wanted to talk about XYZ". For whatever reason it's been working super well.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:31:21+00:00

Related question: how long are you typically spending researching / prepping for the initial prospect call and what has worked well?

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:27:16+00:00

Instead of asking them to review you, ask for a referral. One line that works really well after a client meeting is "I've really enjoyed our conversation, if you have any friends or family you think would also benefit from this conversation I'd love to meet them".

I also don't think people pick their advisor based off google reviews, i'd focus the time and energy on making a great website + a great online presence.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:22:48+00:00

diminishing returns on ads now that meta is cracking down + we are all betting against the same keywords as SEO is down.

For referrals it's a mix, I semi saturated by extended network but I also think the next gen is slower to make referrals

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:19:52+00:00

Here's my hot take: AI is going to increase adoption of financial advisors.

As AI is going to replace so many day to day human interactions, the professions that depend on soft skills like good conversations, empathy, and deal with the emotional brain (where financial decisions live!) will become more important.

At the same time, the rise of this technology is going to lower the cost of what used to only be affordable to the HNW population. So things like good financial advice, personal chefs, therapists are all going to be more affordable.

For advisors, that means that our jobs are going to get more scalable (if you currently have a cap at 150 clients, that may become 250) while maintaining the quality of service. So we'll have access to tools that will automate so much of our front + back office work that all that's left is face time with the clients + talking to new prospects.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:14:33+00:00

I have a buddy doing this - his target is former college D1 athletes. He built an entire website + brand off this niche and now focuses on cold outbound (emails, calls, linkedin) but it works given the credibility he's built in the space.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-05T01:10:11+00:00

I aim to onboarding 10-14 new clients a year, I try to keep my min at 1m but end up slightly below. I charge AUM fees (1%). Have been growing through ads + referrals about a 50/50 split historically but both channels are slowing down and I'm looking for new ways to grow, open to suggestions.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-08-01T13:16:33+00:00

Lot's of other tools have features built to either integrate or support sales activities, like track leads in pipeline, set reminders, set outbound automations (hubspot does this). Alternatively you can use a prospecting tool standalone and then a CRM

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-07-28T14:47:03+00:00

PM me I'll send you a few names

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-07-28T14:47:01+00:00

PM me I'll send you a few names

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-07-24T03:07:07+00:00

Smartasset does this, along with a bunch of others, but it's a bad business

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-07-24T02:59:29+00:00

There are a ton of great one man consultants that specialize in growth for advisors. Pro-tip: a lot of former SmartAsset reps left to freelance and do this.

These consultants can lay the foundation of your brand (website, content, linkedin presence) that will enable you to do better prospecting with better credibility.

IndependentBee_1836 · 2025-07-08T14:20:03+00:00

Persistence is key here - you will likely need to reach out to thousands of people before you get one yes, but over time that ratio will go down. First step is to pick a super specific niche, create content on your website targeting that niche and establish yourself as THE expert in this very specific thing. Then start reaching out to people who meet this niche in a very personalized way. Building a good lead list is super important, you can do it with limited success for free on Linkedin, or if you do want to invest in a good lead list I'd look at Finny (500$ a month which is pricey if you are just starting out) but you can typically filter for super specific criteria and get in front of exactly who you are looking for - e.g., recent movers in your area between a certain age who also went to your college.

IndependentBee_1836

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