You’ve worked hard to attain Chartered status, whether it’s for you as an individual or your firm. So, why wouldn’t you want to promote it as effectively as possible?
This is especially important as a 2016 CII survey of SME and high net worth business owners found that 77% were more likely to select a Chartered firm over a firm without the same status.
Read on for 15 ways that you can make the most of your Chartered status.
1. Use the correct logo
The Chartered logos have recently changed, so it’s important that you use the most recent version. There are also subtly different versions for a Chartered Financial Planner and a Chartered firm.
2. Add it to your website
If you are a Chartered firm, the logo should be shown on the homepage of your website, preferably in the header. If you are a Chartered adviser within a non-Chartered firm, then the logo should only be used on pages which are dedicated to the adviser who holds the designation.
3. Explain more about your Chartered status
It isn’t enough to simply display the logo. Your website should contain a page explaining what you had to do to obtain your Chartered status, why it’s important and how it benefits your clients. The page should then be linked to the logo.
4. Embed the CII’s video into your website
The CII produce a free video to help advisers promote their Chartered status. It’s simple enough to embed on your website; either on the page which explains your Chartered status, or the appropriate adviser pages.
5. Your ‘why choose us?’ page
Every adviser website should have a ‘why choose us?’ page. Your Chartered status should feature heavily on this page.
6. Your Unbiased & VouchedFor profiles
You should include your Chartered status on these directories as appropriate. If you are recently Chartered, remember to update your profiles as they are easy to forget.
7. Add to email footers
You send countless emails each day, so don’t overlook your email footer. Incorporate the logos into your email footer along with a link to the page on your website where you explain the benefits of your Chartered status.
8. Newsletters
If you produce newsletters it does no harm to include the appropriate Chartered logo, along with a link to the previously mentioned page on your website.
9. Stationery
Letterheads, compliment slips, business cards, brochures, and folders should all include the appropriate Chartered logo. If you produce a printed brochure, reserve a space to explain the benefits to your clients of your Chartered status.
10. Your office
If clients visit your office for meetings, consider adding the appropriate logo to your reception area and signage. Don’t forget to display your certificates proudly and create literature explaining why you are Chartered, and how it benefits your clients. People will read these while waiting in your reception area for meetings.
11. Press releases
If you are a newly Chartered adviser or firm it’s the sort of thing the local press may be interested in. You won’t know until you ask them. The CII has a library of sample press releases and client communications that can be used as a starting point to send out to your local press and to your clients.
12. LinkedIn2
Add your Chartered status to your LinkedIn job title; it’ll help you appear in the results when someone searches for a Chartered Financial Planner. Explain in your profile too what it means to be Chartered and how it benefits your clients.
13. Other social media profiles
Again, add the logo (ensuring it’s used within the CII’s brand guidelines) to your social media profiles. You never know what will make the difference to someone getting in touch, or not.
14. The CII Chartered database
The CII lists all Chartered firms in a directory; you can find it by clicking here. Too many firms fail to fully complete their profile, missing email addresses, telephone numbers and websites. Make sure you fully complete your profile.
15. Communicate internally
Your staff probably know that your firm, or advisers are Chartered. But do they know why, how it was achieved and, most importantly, how it benefits your clients? Train your staff on all these points and show them how to communicate these to the outside world.
We hope you found this useful
As we said, you’ve worked hard for your Chartered status, so why wouldn’t you want to promote it effectively?
You will no doubt have completed many of these already, but if you would like help on any you are struggling with, or you have other questions, we are here to help.
Get in touch by email at hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 815 7770.
