Distraction-Proof® Advisor Ideas

What’s more important, allocating money and time to getting credentials or spending that on marketing?
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Well, of course, they’re both super important. However, lately, I’ve seen several posts marginalizing credentials and recommending allocating funds and time towards marketing instead.

If you approach credentials with the right mindset, they’re incredibly valuable. I have heard from an advisor who sat the CFP® simply to get the designation, as he said, “just to jump through the hoop” to have something to put on his LinkedIn profile. That approach isn’t going to do you or your clients much good. The Certified Financial Planning® designation is definitely worthwhile, if you’re prepared to learn from it and use the content to help you grow your business.

I want to encourage you to get credentialed, relative to the types of clientele you’re working with, and actually learn the material. You’ll find it hugely helpful!

I’m taking the RICP® right now, the Retirement Income Certified Professional® designation, and I’m not even client-facing anymore. It’s so fascinating, though, learning the nuances about retirement income planning. For instance, several years ago, we never talked about reverse mortgages because, frankly, all of the options back then were pathetic. Now, however, many things about reverse mortgages have changed, and they can be a really helpful tool for retired people who might need extra cash flow.

If you take the RICP® course, you’ll learn more about cash-flow planning for retirement, setting a certain floor that your clients will need, the bucket strategy, and myriad other helpful ideas that will aid you in assisting your clientele even more effectively.

The RICP® course is offered through the American College. At Ash Brokerage, we provide help for advisors who want to enroll, and you can click on the link in this post if you want to access those details. In the course, you’ll learn from specialists like David Blanchett, Michael Kitces, Wade Pfau, and Curtis Cloke. (At Ash Brokerage, we’re now working with Curtis on our roadshows, and he is a wealth of information, as are the other course presenters.) Use their expertise and longevity in the industry so you can sit in front of your clients knowing and feeling that you’re fully equipped to handle whatever questions and challenges they have as they approach their retirement years.

So, to do this most effectively,

1. Connect with the American College. Look through what they offer, and, especially if you work with retirees or people approaching that stage, consider the RICP® course.


2. Click on the details from Ash Brokerage. We stand behind you, wanting to help you grow your professional knowledge you can be more confident as you grow your business.


3. Take action. Don’t put it off. Learn the details of these courses, understand what’s going to aid you the most, and then enroll. Take that step. Build out a timetable and get these credentials. You’re going to become a far more competent, confident advisor, able to fully help your most ideal clients.

I look forward to bringing you another Distraction-Proof Advisor Idea next week.