How To Acquire More Clients, Not Customers

Hosting a seminar is one of the building blocks in developing and sustaining a thriving financial services practice. I believe that too many advisors use the seminar to just write business. Don’t get me wrong, that is what we are trying to do, but that shouldn’t be the end-all. If that were the case, you would just be getting customers, and not clients. The successful advisor has a clientele, not a book of customers. Let me further explain...

Have you or your children ever owned a hamster? If you did, you probably purchased a little wheel for their cage. It was amusing to watch the hamster run its little legs off. The problem was, the hamster never made any progress. The wheel kept turning and the hamster kept running. This is how I see the advisor that is making “one-off” sales. He is destined to find new prospects, for he will not get additional business from customers. The client views the advisor as someone to be trusted, that will review their situation on a regular basis, and one that will keep them updated on new laws, regulations, opportunities and potential potholes. 

How do you develop the clientele as opposed to a customer base? Let’s examine:

1. BRAND YOURSELF: Position yourself in your community as the expert. You can accomplish this by speaking at service and senior organizations for free. You can partner up with a bookseller, a florist, a pharmacist and anyone else that can help provide an interesting venue. Nothing sold here! Just giving time and information.
2. NEWSLETTERS: Write or purchase a newsletter to keep your name in front of your target audience.
3. RADIO INFOMERCIALS: Sounds formidable? It’s not! 
4. PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM: When is the last time you wrote and filed a press release? This is publicly, not advertising. You can’t buy publicity.
5. HAVE CLIENT APPRECIATION GATHERINGS: Invite the next generation! One day, your client will pass and you'll eventually meet the kids. Why not now? Build your business with the next generation.
6. REFFERRED LEADS: This is basic, but these are still your best leads. Get a minimum of three per sale. 
7. DIRECT MAIL: Always utilize different forms of prospecting. This is an additional low cost means of ‘filling the gap’ with your seminar appointments. 
8. DATABASE SYSTEMS: Utilize a program to track, monitor, and remind you of your clients’ needs. Review daily.
9. BIRTHDAY & HOLIDAY CARDS: A no brainer!
10. A ‘HOW ARE YOU DOING?’ CALL: No specific reason… just a check in.
11. DO YOU HAVE A MARKETING PLAN? If not… develop it now! Don’t know how to write a marketing plan? Get someone to help. We provide marketing plan templates.
12. PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE: Know of multiple annuities, like Medicaid Planning, Long Term Care, and long term care alternatives.
13. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES: Collaborate with financial planners, attorneys, CPAs and P&C people. Do seminars with them. Low cost and a source of additional referrals!
14. HAVE SOMEONE TO TURN TO: Have someone with whom you can share victories and problems. Hook up with an Insurance Marketing Organization that has street time, marketing experience and enough time to work with you “1 on 1”
15. OR… You can just keep sending out invitations, clip the low hanging fruit and be like the hamster on the treadmill. Nothing is forever. Neither are seminars.

You deserve long lasting clients and long term success. You work hard for your family and deserve assistance. You should align yourself with people that share your passion and have the tools to help you succeed! We have solutions to all of your marketing needs. 

Give us a call and we will help you gain clientele who will reward you with more referrals and more business.

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Until next time… good selling!
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Raymond J. Ohlson
Founder & Retired CEO
Ohlson Group
​1-877-844-0900