The Perfect RIA

In today's recap, we'll highlight some of the challenges Matt and Micah shared with prospecting and setting realistic expectations. Consider the importance of taking risks, embracing rejection, and finding a proven strategy to attract clients. We'll also recap the insights from Philip Taylor, the founder of PTmoney.com and FinCon, who shares tips for financial advisors attending events to grow their businesses. And, we'll talk about Jamie's recommendations for overcoming fear and pursuing greatness, urging you to take action and draw up a plan to achieve your goals. Listen to this week's episodes: You Thought It Would Be Easy…[Episode 218] Your Money Tribe: Uniting Forces & Creating Content with Guest Philip Taylor Stop Being A Failure https://bit.ly/3QQpG3p

Jamie delves into the power of fear and how it holds us back from achieving greatness. She encourages reflection on moments of uncertainty and discomfort in their lives, emphasizing that fear of failure and lack of control often hinder progress. Have you asked yourself, "What if this works?" and taken steps to create a plan to overcome fears and pursue your dreams? And are you surrounding yourself with supportive people and like-minded professionals? Don't settle for mediocrity. https://bit.ly/3QxpO7z

Matt is joined by Philip Taylor, also known as PT, the founder of PTmoney.com and FinCon. They dive into the origins of FinCon as a community meetup for personal finance bloggers and how it evolved into a collaborative event focused on sharing ideas and fostering a sense of abundance among money experts. They discuss the inclusive speaker selection process, the diverse tracks offered at FinCon for financial advisors and coaches, and the importance of embracing a unique voice in content creation. Additionally, they highlight the significance of treating blogging as a dynamic and constantly evolving entity, emphasizing proactive content monitoring to stay relevant and connected with the audience. https://bit.ly/3qsif7p

Matt and Micah are diving into the world of prospecting and marketing, shedding light on the challenges that often lead to soul-crushing experiences. They stress the significance of setting realistic expectations, as many advisors underestimate the difficulty of these tasks, but embracing rejection and risk-taking is essential for effective prospecting. They'll share how they make sure to draw a clear line between marketing and advertising activities, highlighting the need for measurable ROI and client action and caution against falling into the trap of following flashy success stories without considering the hard work behind them. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/218

Have you considered the effectiveness of the one-page financial plan in demonstrating value to prospects, especially DIYers? By setting clear guidelines and delivering actionable advice, financial advisors can provide much-needed assistance to clients while ensuring they stay on track toward their goals. We'll also recap an inspiring journey to success with a focus on doing the work and being intentional in achieving one's financial ambitions. Also, have you considered charging for prospect appointments? By charging for their time, advisors can filter and prioritize prospects, ensuring a focus on those genuinely interested in their services. Listen in to this week's highlights and action items. This week's episodes: Everybody Is A DIYer Until They Meet A Really Good Advisor [Episode 217] Just Do The Work: Rinse and Repeat With Guest Amyr Rocha Lima Fricken DIY'ers https://bit.ly/3Qsn7Es

Jamie discusses the topic of DIYers (Do-It-Yourselfers) and the challenges they pose to financial professionals. She explains that after encountering individuals who sought to extract valuable information without any intention of becoming clients, referring to them as "brain suckers," they realized that their negative attitude towards these meetings was counterproductive. People approached them seeking information, which prompted a change in approach to charging for prospect appointments. No matter what, your primary focus should always be on delivering as much value as possible during these meetings. https://bit.ly/3Okps1p

Amyr Rocha Lima joins today's episode to discuss the importance of doing intentional work and overcoming self-limiting beliefs to achieve success. It's time that you "stop the noise" and not be influenced by negative external factors or opinions. Instead, Amyr encourages listeners to focus on doing the work and learning from those who have more experience. https://bit.ly/3OHX4HW

Matt and Micah focus on the concept of the One-Page Financial Plan and how financial advisors can demonstrate value, especially when meeting with DIY investors. They'll talk about the importance of setting expectations for delivering massive value during client meetings and how to avoid confusing value with the volume of information. Later, they'll discuss the significance of tailoring the financial plan to the client's goals and answering their questions effectively, as well as how a one-page financial plan can be concise yet comprehensive, driving action and fostering ongoing client relationships while offering guidance and a structured approach for young advisors. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/217

Do you understand the importance of sales in addressing various challenges and achieving growth, and are you focused on delivering value and taking chances? Do you know what to look for when hiring a Virtual Assistant, what skills are important, and how to ensure you start and maintain a positive working relationship? Are you aware of the significance of crafting an impactful elevator pitch and why you want to create curiosity in conversations? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Conquer or Crumble: How's Your Prospecting Going? [Episode 216] Unleashing the Power of Virtual Assistants with Guest Karen Stewart No One Wants To Talk To You https://bit.ly/44SEceC

Jamie highlights the significance of practicing and perfecting our introductions and communication skills to where you go beyond job titles and convey what sets you apart from others in your field. Understanding your target audience and solving their problems is crucial for success. Jamie talks about how to create conversation points that help others filter themselves and to develop a unique selling proposition and why you need to deliver a clear and concise message that sparks curiosity while illustrating the benefits of your services. https://bit.ly/477PDkA

In this episode, Matt is joined by Karen Stewart from BELAY to talk about valuable insights on hiring and working with virtual assistants (VAs). Karen emphasizes the significance of finding the right fit based on skills and personality, building strong personal connections, and fostering open communication, as well as highlighting the importance of ownership, trust, and empowering VAs. She'll share the key elements of successful VA-client relationships, including expertise, passion for service, trust, effective communication, and mutual support. https://bit.ly/3O5FKeA

Matt and Micah discuss the power of effective sales and prospecting strategies. They'll highlight the importance of being intentional with time, taking risks, and delivering value, as well as talk about the discomfort of hearing 'no' but stress that it is a stepping stone to a rewarding 'yes'. The guys also unpack the concept of a 'perfect week', a roadmap to stay on track and continuously deliver value. Learn more about the significance of having a written prospect process and sticking to it in order to guide appointments. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/216

Are you aware of the importance of paying attention to small details in client communications, and how much they can impact the outcome of a meeting? Curious as to how someone takes their frustrations with traditional custodians and creates their own? What types of communication techniques do you use to simplify complex ideas and engage clients? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: It's Nothing, Right? No! The Little Things Are What Matter [Episode 215] Disrupting Giants With Guest Jason Wenk Say This https://bit.ly/46Xyxpm

Jamie discusses the importance of effective communication in conveying strategies, plans, and ideas to clients, teams, and even family members. She emphasizes the significance of using words that simplify complex topics that will have a lasting impact on clients. Jamie shares several go-to phrases that help create collaborative experiences, empower teams, and initiate meaningful conversations. By mastering these communication techniques, you can build strong client relationships and confidently navigate tough conversations. https://bit.ly/3pPRgTf

In this episode, Matt is joined by the CEO and Founder of Altruist, Jason Wenk, where they discuss the exciting opportunity Jason sees in launching his own custodian and taking on the industry's giants. Having built successful RIA firms in the past, Jason identifies the frustration that arises when dealing with custodians as an advisor, particularly when scaling up. He believes current solutions are retrofitted for consumers and not tailored for advisors, leading to increased costs and subpar user experiences. Jason also debunks the narrative that migrating custodians is complex, emphasizing a simplified, streamlined process. https://bit.ly/3OgMNST

In today's episode, Matt and Micah delve into the topic of client communications and the importance of focusing on the little things - because they DO matter. They'll discuss how small details can have a significant impact on the success of a client meeting and the need to create a positive experience for clients by paying attention to various factors, including how you greet clients and how you ask questions. Listen as they provide ways for advisors to stack the deck in their favor by ensuring that everything counts in a positive way. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/215

Team training is all about improving and resetting expectations, reminding you how and why you do things, so are you doing them consistently? Have you considered how to maximize your career enterprise value? And how on earth do you create a rockstar team that is on board with your big goals? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: How To Train Your Team [Episode 214] Unveiling True Costs: Navigating the Financial Advisor Landscape With Guest Louis Diamond My Team S*&!S https://bit.ly/3pCYQAA

Are you struggling with assembling the perfect team? In today's episode, Jamie breaks down creating a team filled with rockstars, from where to place those hiring ads to how to handle existing teams if they're struggling to get on board with your goals. https://bit.ly/46KXeW0

Matt is joined by Louis Diamond, President of Diamond Consultants, a leading financial advisor recruiting firm. They delve into the often misunderstood world of financial advisor fees and the importance of understanding the true cost of your career decisions. From the spectrum of advisors' fee knowledge to uncovering hidden costs, Matt and Louis emphasize the need for advisors to grasp the value they receive from their current channel and how it aligns with the charges. They also discuss the significance of taking control of your career destiny and making well-timed moves to maximize your career enterprise value. https://bit.ly/43gUWuM

In this episode, Matt and Micah discuss the importance of team training which allows leaders to actively engage with their teams, identify areas of improvement, address hidden issues, and honor team concerns. They'll highlight the significance of creating an environment where team members want training, emphasizing autonomy, mastery, and purpose as key drivers and the logistics of team training. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/214

In today's episode, we explore the art of saying "no", setting intentions to prioritize what truly matters, and seven tips that are stopping you from achieving growth. Discover how advisors can deliver exceptional value to clients, and the power of finding your niche and targeting your ideal customer. Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Top 7 Things You Have To Stop Doing To Be Successful [Episode 213] Unlocking Advisor Success & Adding Six Figures With Guest Sten Morgan Niche Slapping Time https://bit.ly/44i1xqe

Jamie explores the question of whether it's better to be an expert in one subject or have knowledge in multiple subjects. Becoming an expert in one subject has many applications and can propel you forward so it's important that you find your niche and target your ideal customer avatar or profile. Jamie will also share a step-by-step exercise to narrow down your niche and understand your target audience's demographics, values, interests, and pain points. https://bit.ly/3JOTeKd

What do you need to pay the most attention to in order to grow, and have you considered the little things that you do that are stopping you from becoming successful? In today's episode, Matt and Micah tackle 7 things you need to stop doing in order for you to get to that next level. While some might be simple and others might be uncomfortable, they all require you to be intentional with your actions and activities. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/213

Are you so focused on 10Xing that you forget to do the work needed because you assume that truly will be easier than 2Xing? How are you leveraging technology to increase the value you're delivering to clients? Are you guilty of not following your own rules and boundaries, thinking that it's helping others? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Trying To 10X? Just Do The Work! [Episode 212] Leveraging Technology With Guest Ben Goss Charity Is Toxic? https://bit.ly/3JzXPzO

As an advisor, you want to help people. You're likely driven to want your clients to succeed and are drawn to the opportunity to help others. But at what expense? In today's episode, Jamie discusses why you need to set expectations and have clear rules that you follow so that you balance helping clients while still focusing on your growth and goals. Giving to others and helping them is important, but there is a point where that charity can be toxic and impact not only the value you're delivering to clients but your profitability and the client as well. https://bit.ly/3r6zZ8r

As humans, we aren't necessarily hard-wired to think about saving and investing in our future, which is why Financial Advisors play such a critical role. In today's episode, Matt is joined by Ben Goss, the CEO and Founder of Dynamic Planner in the UK. Ben shares how he began his business with the goal of where he felt he could make the biggest impact, and how by utilizing technology, not only does it provide more value to your clients, but it frees up more of your time as well. https://bit.ly/46kxwYh

2Xing is great, so naturally 10X sounds even better, right? But is it actually easier? In today's episode, Matt and Micah talk about how sometimes people forget about doing the work that must be done in order to 2X and move the needle in your business. There isn't a magic wand that will skyrocket your growth, so they'll go through steps you can take and the work you need to put in to get closer to 2X. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/212

Are you looking for an excuse for why you can't do the hard things? How much practice are you putting in, and are you seeking out those who are excelling? Do you fall off your routine or think that outside of surge, you don't have to be intentional about your time? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Stop Being Lazy [Episode 211] Improving Through Mentorship And Practice With Brady Bassford God Didn't Make Tables! https://bit.ly/3Np39ab

It's summer, and you're outside of surge. Did you forget about your goals and your routine and that you still need to be intentional? In today's episode, Jamie talks about the three tenets of The Perfect RIA and how to make sure you're hyper-focused so you can create and maintain your lifestyle practice. https://bit.ly/3NHfuYF

Advisors who are at the top of their game didn't get there by accident. It's through constant learning, improvement, and putting in the reps that you get to that next level. In today's episode, Matt is joined by Brady Bassford from the Mid-Atlantic Financial Group to share his journey as an advisor and director and how through mentorship and guidance, he quickly improved his skills and the value he was delivering to clients. https://bit.ly/3JksAbJ

Most advisors would never say that they're bored; instead, the most common reason they claim they're unable to change or improve is that they're too busy. In today's episode, Matt and Micah talk through why you're not too busy; you're just playing office. Listen in as they discuss areas where advisors get into trouble by choosing to do the easy things instead of the hard things and how taking the easy way won't help you get closer to the success you want. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/211

Are you setting up limiting beliefs in your practice with how many clients you can serve? Do you maintain a set of values that help guide your business decisions? Do you want to be a liked leader or a great leader? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Why Are 50 Clients Too Many? [Episode 210] Core Values With Guest Ross Welte Leaders You Shouldn't Follow https://bit.ly/3qM7T2c

Are you the type of leader who wants to be liked, and you'll do everything to make that a reality? What if, by doing that, you're destroying your organization? In today's episode, Jamie shares the worst type of leader and the consequences of creating an environment where your team has no accountability. https://bit.ly/46mMLzY

Striving for perfection is wonderful, but is it stopping you from moving forward in your business? In today's episode, Matt is joined by Ross Welte from 5 Stone Financial Group to talk about why choosing to take action helps you to keep improving. Ross will also share how he and his business partner use core values as a filter for every business decision that they make, including which clients they choose to work with. https://bit.ly/43IcS2E

If an advisor says that it's only possible to serve a certain number of clients, would you believe them? Instead, you should consider where that and any other limiting beliefs come from. On today's episode, Matt and Micah shut down the idea that advisors can only have a certain number of clients in order to provide more service than others. Listen in as they share what numbers you need to be looking at and why it comes down to what you're solving for and being intentional. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/210

How much and what are you doing to create and prepare for sharing content? Discussing tax strategies can be hugely beneficial for your clients, but are you simplifying explanations? How much weight do you give to the words that you're using? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Creating Valuable Content [Episode 209] Making Taxes Easy with Guest Steven Jarvis Words Matter https://bit.ly/3P31k5e

Do your clients need financial credentials to understand what you're saying because it's all industry jargon? And if you think that hitting a certain number of words per minute equals a great client meeting, you may want to adjust your goals. In today's episode, Jamie explains why what you say is so important, especially when responding to clients' questions about not outliving their income in retirement. https://bit.ly/3CdABeK

When explaining taxes to your clients, it should be as detailed and in-depth as possible to make sure they understand it as well as you, right? How about instead, you simplify something that is complex and, in turn, empower your clients to take action? In today's episode, Matt is joined by Steven Jarvis from Retirement Tax Services to discuss why you need to focus on certain areas of tax planning and why explaining tax strategies as simple as possible and being proactive leads to a better understanding and a higher level of trust. https://bit.ly/42tNagP

Creating content is easy, right? You hit record or start typing, and then it's magic! What typically happens is you forget your ABCs as soon as you hit that record button, or the words just don't flow when you need them to. In today's episode, Matt and Micah talk through how the process of creating content, like most things, requires being intentional and putting in the reps. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/209

Are you connected with others who have the same mindset as you that can help you understand what's really happening in your practice? Are you open to delegating to team members so that you can increase your productivity? Are you open to criticism, and are you surrounding yourself with people who push you toward success? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Why Financial Undressing Matters [Episode 208] Team Building For Financial Advisors With Guest Christine Timms Taking Criticism https://bit.ly/3qj1onb

Are you a keyboard warrior or the one calling the shots from the cheap seats? Or are you constantly praising others or expecting the same in return? Criticizing from a place of judgment or for the sake of starting a fight leads you to the same place when you deliver nothing but praise…nowhere. In today's episode, Jamie explains that there's a right way and a wrong way to deliver criticism when the end goal is to focus on success. https://bit.ly/43mA1aG

Understanding your highest and best use so you can focus on the things you most enjoy are key to helping your growth. On today's episode, Matt is joined by former Financial Advisor Christine Timms, who is a consultant and creator of handbooks and templates to help other Financial Advisors better serve their clients. Christine shares how she grew and structured her team in a way that helped lead her to the success that she achieved and how other advisors can do the same. https://bit.ly/3IP662s

If your idea of a mastermind means sharing numbers in your head and cheering on another advisor who vaguely remembers their number of client meetings or guesses at their gross revenue, then you're doing a disservice to yourself and to others. On today's episode, Matt and Micah explain that to be impactful and help your growth; masterminds require openness, honesty, and vulnerability from everyone. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/208

Do you take everything into consideration when meeting with a prospect, from your handshake to how your office smells? Have you thought about the impact of writing a meaningful letter to those you care about? What does training look like for your team, and do you lead with the end result in mind? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Stacking The Odds In Your Favor [Episode 207] The Value Of Writing A Legacy Letter With Guest Blake Brewer You Didn't Hire Idiots https://bit.ly/3qfZu6G

Have you ever experienced an outcome from your team that didn't exactly match up to your expectations or the feeling that you're on your own episode of 'Nailed It', but for Financial Advisors? On today's episode, Jamie explains why training your team doesn't end after the first few months. She'll walk through how structured and consistent trainings can help with professional development, client communication, and credibility within your organization. https://bit.ly/3MVEY4k

If you had the chance, would you take the time to write a letter to those who you love? One that could help them throughout their lives or bring them peace during difficult moments? On today's episode, Matt is joined by Blake Brewer from Legacy Letter Challenge to share how a tragic experience turned into a moment that created his life passion to help 1 million moms, and dads write a letter to their children. https://bit.ly/433Yykl

Picture this: You have a new prospect meeting, they step into your office, you go to shake their hand and are met with yours, which feels as though it just came out of an ice bath. Do they now assume you are just a cold-hearted advisor or are you prepared for just about anything and address this with humor and confidence? On today's episode, Matt and Micah talk through how you communicate, as well as your goal in a prospect meeting can determine whether a prospect and client has a positive experience. You don't have to dread prospect meetings when you realize that they're an opportunity to help change someone's life. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/207

Are you making the most out of the opportunity when meeting with prospects by having a process in place? What type of forcing mechanisms to you have to keep you from playing office? When you're outside of surge, are you doing nothing, or are you still being intentional with your time while offering access to your team to help with client needs? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Just Cause Your Breath Stinks, Don't Change The Process [Episode 206] Unique Forcing Mechanisms with Guest Dave Zaegel How You Can Offer Unlimited Access https://bit.ly/3BDkmrd

When you bring on clients to your practice, you're looking to set up a lifetime relationship with them. So how do you set expectations on when they can reach out to you or when they have questions? On today's episode, Jamie shares how advisors can structure time during and outside of surge to answer client questions and how to ensure you have an effective communication policy in place that allows clients to always feel that they're taken care of. https://bit.ly/3ofNW2U

Playing office is a hard habit to break. We all do it, but have you taken the time to look at where you're wasting your time and the impact it's having on your practice? On today's episode, Matt is joined by Dave Zaegel from CWOs for Hire to share how running both a tax practice and financial planning firm forced him to be hyper-intentional with his time and how his tax background has added to the value he's able to provide his clients. https://bit.ly/3MtbTNt