The Traitors is back on our screens for season three of a thrilling game of cat and murderous mice. But what can you learn from a reality TV show full of mind games and backstabbing?
How to stay in the game.
The traitors and faithfuls all share one goal: survival. With countless contestants trying to prove themselves based on their morals and reliability, financial services professionals may have more in common with them than first expected.
So, while you’re watching, pick up some valuable lessons in strategy that you can apply to your financial services practice.
1. Seek fresh perspectives
In the series, often the loudest or most confident in the room turns out to be a traitor or not a reliable source; take Armani, for example. It’s often those who take the time to listen to and observe others who have a clearer picture of the game.
It’s wise for the contestants, and you, to seek all perspectives before deciding on the best direction to take.
With client and employee feedback forms, you can understand what you’re doing right, and where to improve. Writing these into your strategy will give you room to reflect and grow.
2. Be yourself
This year, contestants like Charlotte and Leanne are adapting their personalities to appear more likeable or less threatening to the competition. If they get caught out, the game will be swiftly over for them.
When dealing with finances, transparency is key, and what better way is there to demonstrate your authenticity than by sharing your personality with your target audience?
We’ve all heard of the phrase “people buy from people”, and it’s true! As one of more than 28,000 financial advisers in the UK to choose from, it’s important to stand out beyond the services you can offer.
If you show who you are on your socials and your website, you’ll attract like-minded prospects who you’ll be able to build lasting relationships with. Besides, it’s much easier to be yourself than pretending to be someone you’re not.
3. Take risks
Sometimes, taking a risk pays off. For example, the three contestants who seemingly sacrificed themselves by getting off the train, in reality, took a risk worth taking. At the end of the 3rd episode, we saw a sneak peek of them returning to the game, so they’ve avoided being murdered and voted off the show for the first few days, possibly taking them further than they would’ve gone originally.
It may feel like a risk to stray from the crowd, but leveraging your passions and specialising your service by focusing on your niche can expand your opportunities.
By specialising, you can benefit from:
- Stronger client relationships
- Enhanced reputation as an expert
- Less competition
- Cost-effective marketing.
4. Build lasting relationships
When contestants offer their opinions and share information transparently, it allows others to connect with them. In season one we saw the traitors build strong relationships with each other, and it was looking like they would be the winning team. Wilf had played the game well and gone unsuspected, but his selfish strategy of sabotage led to his demise in the form of a slanderous speech from Kieran forcing the remaining faithfuls to reconsider whether Wilf was really one of them.
Understanding what others in and around your profession are doing could help bring a fresh perspective on how you can help your clients. Building lasting relationships with other advisers, planners, or professional connections could see you both win.
Building lasting relationships could reward you with right-fit client referrals and an enhanced reputation when you pass on prospects to others who are more suited to deal with their needs.
5. Have a strategy
Most players enter the game with a strategy, and those who do well are flexible with it to adapt to changes in the game-scape.
If you’d like help building a marketing strategy personalised to you – one that offers fresh perspectives, calculated risks, and adapts to market change – email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300.
Start your lasting relationship with Yardstick today. We’re proud to be named the best business marketing and promotion service to advisers at FT Adviser’s Financial Adviser Service Awards 2024.
