Why nobody really wants things for free

I spent the last ninety days giving it all away in the name of research. You heard me right. I wanted to see what the reactions were when I gave social media assistance away for free to different financial advisors across the United States and asked for absolutely zero, zilch, nada in return. The overwhelming…

Really, you just say “Hello”

Meeting someone online is really not all that different than meeting someone in person. I’m not kidding. Yes, you can’t read their body language or hear the inflection of their voice when they type you a message, but so many people go out of their way to be “crafty” in how they reach out to…

Can you introduce me to….?

I’ve worked in financial services the better part of twenty-five years now and never once in this time has referrals not been an active part of any conversation having to do with business development and growth. Referrals continue to be and will always be a way of doing business. So why aren’t more people asking…

Another LinkedIn feature bites the dust

When people say I’m a social media guru, expert, ninja, whatever, I have to laugh. I’m subject to the same rules and regulations – and frustrations – as anyone else in the #FinServ market. So last week when LinkedIn announced it was doing away with the Notes and Tags features, I simply sighed very loudly. Well,…

When someone dies, what happens to a social media account?

This year I had the unfortunate job of helping two families close out their child’s LinkedIn accounts due to unexpected deaths. This may have been the hardest thing I’ve had to do as a social media manager. Both of these people were my friends, both of these individuals were under the age of 40, and…

What is reputation perception?

Every morning when I open LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, I’m always amazed at what I see people “liking” or commenting on which shows up in my newsfeed as something I might be interested in. The only thing that truly interests me is how many people continue to participate in activities online which tarnish their reputation….

Holiday cards – what’s their ROI?

So this picture right here is the holiday card I received from our property and casualty agent for Thanksgiving. I guess I should give them props for using Hallmark, but they didn’t care to send their very best when they mailed me a card: …using an automated service …and I’ve still not heard from this…

Reminder – Use your LinkedIn Mobile App!

Back in March 2016, I reminded financial services professionals about downloading the improved LinkedIn mobile application. After several weeks of being on the road and spending hours with countless amounts of financial advisors, I find few have this application on their phone. This is your reminder – download the app! ========================================= I thought one of…

Are Push Notifications Pushing You Away?

Ding, ding, ding went the bell…but it’s more likely your smartphone. Judy Garland was talking about your heart in the Trolley Song, but today’s phones are clanging, dinging and zinging and nobody’s actually talking. So what’s all the noise about? Push notifications. Today I will share the pros and cons of push notifications as it relates to…

#FridayReads – The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Warning – only read this book if you think you’re strong enough for change. After you’re done reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown you will not be able to go back and be your old self. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! I picked up this book thinking it would be a light…

A gentle reminder for Registered Reps

I visit a lot of registered rep’s websites where I still see this important FINRA update missing. Yikes! As a gentle reminder from April 2016, I shared the below and I am resharing today for anyone who may have missed it so you can keep your website compliant. ===== Rules – they can really stink,…

Three things you can immediately do to improve your email marketing

Despite one hundred life coaches saying to never start your day with opening email, I go against the rules and I open my email first thing each and every day…and then I regret not listening to the life coach’s advice! The sucky emails I receive from people peddling wares, services, and whatever other widgets they…