It’s less than a month until Christmas, but things don’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, everyone we speak to seems to be busier than ever.

So, we thought it would be useful to remind you about a few things happening here at The Yardstick Agency, and elsewhere, that you might have missed. Everything on the list is designed to help you attract more of the right clients and improve your marketing. We hope it helps!

#1: We’ve launched an online shop

After months of blood, sweat and a few tears, we launched our online shop earlier this month giving you even easier access to great content.

In the shop you will find:

• Client guides (free to advisers and planners who take Yardstick Membership), animations and client e-zines
• Full access to all the content so you can read or watch each of them before you buy (we’re not hiding anything, we want you to be happy before you buy)
• A substantial discount for Yardstick clients.

Like all good retailers, we’ll be refreshing our “stock” regularly.

Head over to the Yardstick shop now and have a browse.

#2: The Investing Reviews awards are open for votes

There’s a good reason why we talk a lot about social proof; showing someone the value you add and demonstrating that you change people’s lives is always better than telling them.

Awards are a key part of your social proof mix. So, we want to make sure you know that there’s a new kid on the awards block.

The Investing Reviews awards have been launched with a commitment to transparency with no cost to enter, no sponsors and no “pay to play” trophies for the winners.

The categories are different to those we’re used to seeing. Out goes best Multi-Manager or High-Income fund (yawn!) and in comes best personal finance book, podcast and blogger.

It’s also nice to see a couple of Yardstick designed websites (for Berry & Oak and Smith & Wardle) nominated in the best website category.

Click here to review the personal finance nominees, and here to see those in the financial services category, and cast your vote.

#3: More help to ensure you generate even more recommendations

We’re on a mission to help financial advisers and planners get more recommendations from existing clients.

So, if you don’t have a clearly defined recommendation strategy or feel that you’re not maximising the opportunity, we have a webinar for you.

On the webinar you will learn:

• Why you should prioritise developing a recommendation strategy before considering any other lead generation strategies
• How to create the two key assets you need before developing your recommendation strategy
• More about each of the “dirty dozen”, plus practical steps to tackle each of them
• How to hold better recommendation conversations with your clients
• The key phrases that encourage clients to recommend you to others (and those that turn them off)
• The processes you need to build and the bad habits you need to break.

The webinar will take place on Tuesday 14 December. We’ll start at 10 am and finish at 12 noon.

It’s priced at £95 plus VAT, a small price to pay for the new clients it will help you generate!

#4: Professional Adviser Awards are now open for entries

Advisers and planners regularly ask us which awards they should enter. We believe there are only a handful and the Professional Adviser Awards are certainly on that list (drop me a line if you’d like to know the others).

The 2022 awards are now open for entries with a closing date of 28 January 2021. Click here to see the categories and read the entry criteria.

If you’re going to enter, visit our Adviser Awards Index before you do. You will find two checklists: the first to help you write a winning entry, and the second to capitalise on your success if you win.

#5: The deadline to qualify for the 2022 VouchedFor Top Rated guide is looming large

Continuing the social proof theme, the deadline to qualify for VouchedFor’s 2022 Top Rated guide is looming large.

You can qualify as an individual or a firm, but you need to have met the criteria by 31 December. So, to avoid a last-minute scramble for reviews, you need to act now.

Click here to learn more about how to qualify.

#6: Free webinar – what is financial coaching?

We believe that there’s a difference between a financial adviser and a financial planner. And, that the terms should be used appropriately.

But what’s financial coaching?

Some people are dismissive of coaching while others embrace it. But what does “coaching” actually mean? This question was raised in a recent Twitter debate and has led to the Initiative For Financial Wellbeing (IFW) putting on a free webinar to explain more.

It takes place on Friday 3 December at 10 am and is free to attend.

Click here to learn more and register for what promises to be a great event.

#7: We’ve joined forces with Phil Calvert

On 20 January we’ll be running an all-day marketing masterclass with Phil Calvert.

I’m excited to be sharing a stage with a marketing legend and passing on some of the practical hints and tips we’ve learnt over a combined 50 years helping advisers and planners.

On the day you will:

• Discover why every firm needs a marketing strategy and learn the five steps you need to take to create one
• Understand how to make the most of directory websites such as Unbiased and VouchedFor
• Learn how to create a killer website that gives potential clients what they’re looking for and converts more visitors into conversations
• Discover tactics that are proven to attract more referrals and recommendations, and why most firms fail to maximise the opportunity
• Find out how to use seminars and webinars to guarantee high-quality new client enquiries
• See how to drive more high-quality traffic to your website
• Learn easy and proven ways to collaborate with other advisers for the benefit of each other
• Discover the three types of social proof every adviser/planner needs and how to collect it
• Understand why client education is the secret marketing weapon that clients love.

Click here to learn more, see the ticket prices and reserve your space.

#8: Our latest e-zine is live and available for you to buy

The subject of children and money is often debated and will be a concern to many of your clients. So, to help you navigate the topic, we’ve produced an informative and engaging 38-page magazine.

It’s split into two parts:

• Creating a financial plan that’s fit for you and your family
• Passing on your financial knowledge and experience.

The first section looks at how to save for children and grandchildren, and the key financial planning implications of being a parent or grandparent. From gifting to the main ways to save for children, there’s loads of really useful information.

In the second section, readers will find a range of money tips they can share with children of all ages, and advice for preparing children to manage their money when they become financially independent.

When you order the e-zine, we’ll ensure it is branded with your logo, colours and contact details. We’ll even upload it to your website and/or add it to one of your regular newsletters if you’d like us to.

Click here to read the e-zine and order your copy now.

That’s all folks!

As we said, a lot is going on right now at The Yardstick Agency and in the wider profession. We hope this round-up helps you to make sense of things and start to arrange your priorities.

If you have any questions or queries, please reply to this email, drop us a line at hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300.