It’s Black Friday! Most of us have one or two special financial advisors in our lives. This time of year is the perfect season to let them know how much you appreciate their guidance and advice. My Dad and his two brothers are independent advisors and they’ll tell you the perfect gift is a box of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. But if you are looking for something more unique and useful, here are my top ten gifts for that hard-to-shop-for advisor on your list!
1. Magazine Subscriptions
Most advisors I know are voracious readers. Many came into their profession due to an intrinsic fascination with financial markets and economic phenomena. Monthly industry magazines keep them entertained and up-to-date on industry trends. Do a quick Amazon search for top economic and business magazines to find something that fits their interests. My favorite print edition is Investment News at just $39 per year.
2. FMG Suite
Many advisors are behind the times when it comes to websites and digital marketing. FMG Suite provides the best websites in the industry as well as automatic digital marketing that advisors can set and forget. The websites are optimized for SEO and mobile responsive, meaning they look great on every mobile device. They are easy to get set up and simple to update, so your favorite advisor can focus on what they do best. The cost is $45-$170 per month with a 20% discount for annual payments.
3. The Sustainable Edge
This stocking stuffer gives the gift that keeps on giving, business growth year after year. Top financial advisors Ron Carson and Scott Ford’s bestselling new book offers tried and true strategies for advisors to grow their business by 15% each year while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Order now on Amazon for $11.57.
4. Emoney
Give the gift of more time on the golf course with eMoney. Financial planning reports that used to take half a day now take half an hour. This financial planning software is incredibly easy to use and the reports cover just about any scenario they’d like to review. An added bonus for clients is access to the eMoney Vault for secure digital storage of important documents. The cost is $200-325 per month, depending on features chosen.
5. A DIY Video Studio
Video is marketing gold for financial advisors and it’s easier and less expensive than ever to shoot videos to connect with clients and prospects. Advisor videos get twice the number of views as blog posts. Top advisors shoot short videos in their offices monthly to send out by email and social media. My video setup is only a few hundred dollars and easy to get up and running. I use this Canon Camera on a tripod with this Yeti Blue USB Microphone that I set up with a pop filter and three table lamps for even lighting. The total cost is under $300.
6. Holiday Cards Done in a Snap
Many advisors are behind on sending their holiday cards and the task takes valuable time and energy from their team. Mint.com offers the highest quality custom holiday cards and free addressing to recipients. Just upload a spreadsheet of contacts and the cards arrive ready to stamp and send. The cost is about $2 per card.
7. An Updated Brand
So many advisors have tired logos that make their websites and marketing collateral look dated. For around $400, they can get a money-back-guaranteed awesome new logo that updates the look and feel of their brand. Is your advisor too attached to their old logo to change? Get them a logo facelift to bring their existing brand into the new year for just $200 from Logobids.com.
8. Stunning Business Cards
Marketing experts say that you if you hand someone your business card and they don’t remark on how fantastic it is, you need a new card. Does your favorite advisor hand out a ho-hum card? Moo.com offers truly unique luxe business cards with options like different photos on each card, linen paper, foil embossing, and special shapes all for less than $1 per card.
9. Supercharged Networking
LinkedIn is the most time-efficient way for advisors to network and prospect today. LinkedIn premium gives advisors access to exclusive features to grow their business including advanced targeted searches, direct “InMail” messages, and analytics to guide their efforts. The cost is $60 per month with 20% savings by paying annually.
10. The 2016 LinkedIn Guide for Financial Advisors
This handy step-by-step book makes the complex and powerful networking platform simple, even for the most technology-challenged advisors. With easy to follow explanations, strategies, and checklists, advisors can harness the power of LinkedIn to grow their network and generate high-value referrals. Order your copy now.
We all depend on financial advisors to help us stay on track for retirement, save for our children’s education, and make better financial decisions. But advisors who do so much for us during the year are rarely acknowledged during the holidays. Take a moment to thank your favorite advisor this year and let them know how much their work means to you.
Want to bring your marketing up to speed with a comprehensive custom marketing plan? Visit my website to learn more about what I do or schedule a virtual marketing consultation to discuss your business. Not ready to grow your client base with custom marketing? Stay in touch by connecting with me on LinkedIn, visiting my blog, and registering for my courses.