Research magazine – December 2006
Protecting More Than Pensions
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 that Congress recently created and ratified is a comprehensive reform package that covers both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans and introduces many other changes. These changes and enhancements are both important and relevant to the advisory industry, especially when it comes to encouraging employee participation and overseeing employer due-diligence. In this article, Marie Swift explores if this package can really increase employee financial literacy, solve employer fiduciary problems and provide an opportunity for advisors.
Research magazine – November 2006
Know Your Options
Today, ongoing investigations related to companies backdating their employer-awarded stock options have once again brought new media attention on this method of equity compensation. As a result, advisors should be prepared for a resurgence of questions. Are you ready to answer stock option questions from your current and potential clients?
Financial Advisor magazine – November 2006
Who Needs to Market?
“Who needs to market?” asks writer David J. Drucker in this article that explores the question. "Marketing is something everyone thinks is essential-everyone except advisors, that is. Not every advisor wants to market, nor do they need to market". Read what Marie Swift and a number of tenured advisors say – including Impact clients Ron Kelemen and Pat Hinds – in this informative article.
Financial Planning magazine – November 2006
Down-Home PR
In “Down-Home PR” Marie Swift says you don't need a big budget to compete with big institutions. Just use the right resources and play up your hometown advantage.
Research magazine – October 2006
Creating Income for Life
Marie Swift and John Barton, CFP® explore how to help advisors find ways for retirees to select methods for generating safe, predictable income for a protracted period of time not seen in previous generations. The evolving retirement distribution models can help to secure clients’ golden years.
Investment News – October 2006
Article
News release
Securities America and Impact Communications have teamed to introduce a new public relations and coaching program to help advisors improve upon their media relations and local marketing efforts. The PR Mastermind Program provides personalized service and hands-on assistance from industry marketing communications guru Marie Swift and her team. The program brings together 10 like-minded advisors who split a monthly retainer fee. The 10 advisors share custom content created especially for the group. Monthly strategy calls and media training are also a part of the program. Read the news release and/or the article in Investment News now.
Financial Planning magazine – October 2006
12 Media Don’ts
Marie Swift and Sandra Gary tell advisors the many ways not to work with the media. Swift’s list of how to “Do It Right” will show you how to actively promote good media relations.
Research magazine – September 2006
Get Moving on New Tax Act
A close look at the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, the purpose of which was to extend the favorable dividend capital gains rates and to provide relief for a growing number of middle-income families who pay the alternative minimum tax. Marie Swift and Ron Kelemen, CFP® suggest being proactive with your clients, reviewing the parts of the legislation that apply to them and then referring them to their tax professional.
Quill Awards – August 2006
2006 Quill Book Awards
News Release, 2006 Quill Book Awards
The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life
Lee Eisenberg’s book, The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life, has been named one of five finalists in the Best Business Book category for 2006 Quill book awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held in New York City on October 10th, then broadcasted on NBC on October 28th. Last year’s Business winner was Freakonomics. Lee Eisenberg has been an Impact Communications client since April 2006. Read the news release 2006 Quill Book Awards.
Research magazine – August 2006
Accidents Will Happen
Statistics show that one third of Americans between the ages of 35 and 65 experience a disability of some kind whether it’s a freak accident or an extended illness. The loss of income can be devastating. Marie Swift and Alan Gappinger encourage advisors to help their clients mitigate the financial pain that can come with a sudden disability by understanding the risks and options, and planning properly.
MorningstarAdvisor.com – August 2006
Niche Marketing Strategies Can Contribute to Your Success
In her article, Niche Marketing Strategies Can Contribute to Your Success, Marie Swift suggests several different niches and ways to target a particular profession, affinity group, or association. Niche marketing makes sense. Read the article to see if there are niches you’re overlooking.
Research magazine – July 2006
Beyond the B Word
Budget discipline is a tough sell, but soaring gasoline prices are starting to help convince many people. Now that personal debt is at an all time high, Marie Swift and Mary Lacey Gibson, CFP® uncover some of the ways that advisors can encourage their clients to budget.
Research magazine – June 2006
For the Long Term
The Deficit reduction Act has revised Medicaid’s “look-back period” and set up a nationwide long-term care insurance partnership program. Marie Swift and Holly Gillian Kindel, CLU, CFP® let advisors know how they can help their clients plan by communicating these changes.
MorningstarAdvisor.com – April 2006
Turning Ink into Gold
Every time you write, you have an opportunity to reinforce your positioning and your brand; that’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss. The challenge is in how to make your marketing copy work for you. Some basic guidelines are outlined in this article by Marie Swift.
Financial Planning magazine – February 2006
When Advertising Pays
Placing ads in print media isn't always a good idea. But if you must advertise, here’s how. Read about it in this article by Marie Swift.
Research magazine – February 2006
Raising Your Profile
Getting publicity for their clients isn’t the only thing publicity consultants do. In this article by David Drucker, PR professional Marie Swift talks about the many ways she and her team work with their advisor/clients. “A good PR professional is part matchmaker, part charm school teacher and part business advisor/coach,” Swift says.
Research magazine – January 2006
Buy or Lease
Marie Swift and co-writer Mary Gibson, CFP® analyze when clients should buy or lease a vehicle.
Protecting More Than Pensions
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 that Congress recently created and ratified is a comprehensive reform package that covers both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans and introduces many other changes. These changes and enhancements are both important and relevant to the advisory industry, especially when it comes to encouraging employee participation and overseeing employer due-diligence. In this article, Marie Swift explores if this package can really increase employee financial literacy, solve employer fiduciary problems and provide an opportunity for advisors.
Research magazine – November 2006
Know Your Options
Today, ongoing investigations related to companies backdating their employer-awarded stock options have once again brought new media attention on this method of equity compensation. As a result, advisors should be prepared for a resurgence of questions. Are you ready to answer stock option questions from your current and potential clients?
Financial Advisor magazine – November 2006
Who Needs to Market?
“Who needs to market?” asks writer David J. Drucker in this article that explores the question. "Marketing is something everyone thinks is essential-everyone except advisors, that is. Not every advisor wants to market, nor do they need to market". Read what Marie Swift and a number of tenured advisors say – including Impact clients Ron Kelemen and Pat Hinds – in this informative article.
Financial Planning magazine – November 2006
Down-Home PR
In “Down-Home PR” Marie Swift says you don't need a big budget to compete with big institutions. Just use the right resources and play up your hometown advantage.
Research magazine – October 2006
Creating Income for Life
Marie Swift and John Barton, CFP® explore how to help advisors find ways for retirees to select methods for generating safe, predictable income for a protracted period of time not seen in previous generations. The evolving retirement distribution models can help to secure clients’ golden years.
Investment News – October 2006
Article
News release
Securities America and Impact Communications have teamed to introduce a new public relations and coaching program to help advisors improve upon their media relations and local marketing efforts. The PR Mastermind Program provides personalized service and hands-on assistance from industry marketing communications guru Marie Swift and her team. The program brings together 10 like-minded advisors who split a monthly retainer fee. The 10 advisors share custom content created especially for the group. Monthly strategy calls and media training are also a part of the program. Read the news release and/or the article in Investment News now.
Financial Planning magazine – October 2006
12 Media Don’ts
Marie Swift and Sandra Gary tell advisors the many ways not to work with the media. Swift’s list of how to “Do It Right” will show you how to actively promote good media relations.
Research magazine – September 2006
Get Moving on New Tax Act
A close look at the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, the purpose of which was to extend the favorable dividend capital gains rates and to provide relief for a growing number of middle-income families who pay the alternative minimum tax. Marie Swift and Ron Kelemen, CFP® suggest being proactive with your clients, reviewing the parts of the legislation that apply to them and then referring them to their tax professional.
Quill Awards – August 2006
2006 Quill Book Awards
News Release, 2006 Quill Book Awards
The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life
Lee Eisenberg’s book, The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life, has been named one of five finalists in the Best Business Book category for 2006 Quill book awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held in New York City on October 10th, then broadcasted on NBC on October 28th. Last year’s Business winner was Freakonomics. Lee Eisenberg has been an Impact Communications client since April 2006. Read the news release 2006 Quill Book Awards.
Research magazine – August 2006
Accidents Will Happen
Statistics show that one third of Americans between the ages of 35 and 65 experience a disability of some kind whether it’s a freak accident or an extended illness. The loss of income can be devastating. Marie Swift and Alan Gappinger encourage advisors to help their clients mitigate the financial pain that can come with a sudden disability by understanding the risks and options, and planning properly.
MorningstarAdvisor.com – August 2006
Niche Marketing Strategies Can Contribute to Your Success
In her article, Niche Marketing Strategies Can Contribute to Your Success, Marie Swift suggests several different niches and ways to target a particular profession, affinity group, or association. Niche marketing makes sense. Read the article to see if there are niches you’re overlooking.
Research magazine – July 2006
Beyond the B Word
Budget discipline is a tough sell, but soaring gasoline prices are starting to help convince many people. Now that personal debt is at an all time high, Marie Swift and Mary Lacey Gibson, CFP® uncover some of the ways that advisors can encourage their clients to budget.
Research magazine – June 2006
For the Long Term
The Deficit reduction Act has revised Medicaid’s “look-back period” and set up a nationwide long-term care insurance partnership program. Marie Swift and Holly Gillian Kindel, CLU, CFP® let advisors know how they can help their clients plan by communicating these changes.
MorningstarAdvisor.com – April 2006
Turning Ink into Gold
Every time you write, you have an opportunity to reinforce your positioning and your brand; that’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss. The challenge is in how to make your marketing copy work for you. Some basic guidelines are outlined in this article by Marie Swift.
Financial Planning magazine – February 2006
When Advertising Pays
Placing ads in print media isn't always a good idea. But if you must advertise, here’s how. Read about it in this article by Marie Swift.
Research magazine – February 2006
Raising Your Profile
Getting publicity for their clients isn’t the only thing publicity consultants do. In this article by David Drucker, PR professional Marie Swift talks about the many ways she and her team work with their advisor/clients. “A good PR professional is part matchmaker, part charm school teacher and part business advisor/coach,” Swift says.
Research magazine – January 2006
Buy or Lease
Marie Swift and co-writer Mary Gibson, CFP® analyze when clients should buy or lease a vehicle.
