Impact Communications, Inc.
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Unique Approach
    • Out and About
    • Charitable Giving
    • VIdeos
    • Recognition
    • Join Our Team
  • Advisors
    • Conference Downloads
    • Marketing & PR >
      • Media Placements
      • Examples of Impact Communications news releases
    • Branding and Websites >
      • Logo Gallery
      • Office Signage
      • Brochures and Campaigns
      • Websites >
        • Website Case Study
    • Advisor Coaching
    • How We Work
  • Institutions
    • Marketing Strategy
    • Public Relations >
      • Media Placements
      • Examples of Impact Communications news releases
    • Website Strategy >
      • Case Study: Website Makeover
    • Speaking Engagements >
      • Speaking Appearences
    • Video Production
    • Group Programs
  • Journalists
  • News
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
  • Blog
  • Contact

Best Practices Blog

Happy Holidays Note from Marie Swift + Animated Greeting from Impact Communications, December 2022

12/17/2022

 
One of the greatest joys of the season is spending time with family, friends, colleagues, and clients who share similar values -- including an appreciation for all the blessings that we enjoy at this most wonderful time of the year. In the spirit of giving this year, we have decided to share our plan for making charitable donations -- instead of sending holiday gifts to our business friends and clients.
​Better yet, if you click the graphic below to show your support,
​we'll donate another $10 to our existing charitable hunger donation plan.

Read More

Creating a Marketing Plan Using the P.E.S.O. Model

9/15/2022

 
In 2016, I wrote an article for NAPFA's Advisor magazine on how to create a marketing plan using the P.E.S.O. Model as a framework for success. We refer to this framework so often in our client work and speaking engagements that I thought I would unearth the PDF and repost it here since so many of you continue to ask for a foundational explainer on what the P.E.S.O. Model is and why it is so important for financial services professionals to embrace.

Read More

Women in Finance: Have you ever been pegged as an assistant or support person -- when you're not?

7/2/2022

 
In a recent post on LinkedIn, Sheryl Hickerson, founder of Females & Finance (who is also a good business friend of mine and a super sharp marketing pro), asked: As a Woman in Finance, how many of you have you ever been mistaken as the assistant versus the advisor at a conference? This got me thinking about my humble beginnings when I actually was an assistant to a highly-successful advisor. In case this helps anyone, I typed up a few thoughts and will post them here. In addition, at the very bottom of this post, I will link back to the LinkedIn conversation that Sheryl started in case anyone would like to comment on the topic.

Read More

Swift Chat with John Mackowiak and Dirk Pearson: Advyzon's Quantum Rebalancing Tool

4/11/2022

 
In this Swift Chat video conversation, Marie Swift of Impact Communications speaks with John Mackowiak, Chief Business Development Officer, and Dirk Pearson, Chief Product Officer at Advyzon, a comprehensive technology platform and portfolio management solution for financial advisors and investment managers that includes portfolio management, customizable performance reporting, trading and rebalancing, client web portals, client relationship management (CRM), client billing, and document storage. Advyzon helps advisors streamline their operations so they can focus on growing their business.

The trio discusses the growth of the company, Advyzon's new Quantum Rebalancing tool, and a few teasers of upcoming features Advyzon is working on.​

Read More

Happy Holidays Note from Marie Swift + Animated Greeting from Impact Communications, December 2021

12/22/2021

 
One of the greatest joys of the season is spending time with family, friends, colleagues, and clients who share similar values -- including an appreciation for all the blessings that we enjoy at this most wonderful time of the year.

Read More

4 Keys to Mastering Client Conversations

12/20/2021

 
Are you a good communicator? How do you know?  In this article, ​4 Keys to Mastering Client Conversations, Marie Swift of Impact Communications offers some ideas that bubbled up during her work on a new paper, Mastering the Conversation: A Guide to Excellent Client Communication, which Heather Kelly and the Advisory Solutions Team at Allianz made available in 2022. 

No name/email needed to access PDF: https://tinyurl.com/MTCGuide

Read More

Mastering the Conversation - Part One

11/13/2021

 
We can all think of people in our lives who are smart as the dickens but they seem to lack emotional intelligence. They don’t seem to understand that tone matters, that body language and facial expression matters, that words matter. It’s not always what they say but how they say it – and when – that seems a bit ham-handed.  

Read More

Now is the time to focus on becoming a GREAT communicator

11/13/2021

 
In the study we conducted in 2020, Impact Communications found that when it comes to reassuring clients during turbulent times, “I care” communications are way more important than “I know” communications.  Of course, communicating effectively was not easy during the worst parts of 2020 and the dog years of 2021. 

So, how do you master even the toughest of conversations? This article will dive deeper into the topic. You will also find links to resources and ideas for becoming more resilient yourself as a "first responder" of sorts. 

Read More

Working with the Media: How to Endear Yourself to (or Alienate) a Journalist -- 4 Journalists and a PR Pro Tell All on Nov. 11, 2021

10/29/2021

 
​Being quoted by a respected journalist in a prestigious publication can differentiate you from other financial planners who may not make the grade as the outlet’s vetting process unfolds. When you are seen as a source in media articles, the perception is that you are a more credible expert than a competitor who is not regularly quoted. Plus, being seen on a high-ranking website can significantly improve SEO (search engine optimization) factors for your firm and make you more visible online.
How do you endear yourself to a journalist so that you are more apt to hear from them again in the future?

Read More

Travel Considerations as Delta Variant Realities Settle In

8/25/2021

 
Impact Communications founder and CEO, Marie Swift, shared with RIABiz reporter, Lisa Shidler, the personal considerations she uses for assessing whether she will or will not travel to conferences and business meetings this fall. Impact Communications does not have a company mandate for staff travel, as every team member is allowed to think through the options and make their own personal determinations. This is an interesting article with lots of nuance. Read the full article by Lisa Shidler in RIABiz.

Marie also provided comments to InvestmentNews reporter Jeff Benjamin. Read Jeff's article for helpful thoughts from Marie and other people interviewed.

Read on to see Marie's full comments as submitted to the publications.


Read More

Lessons Learned from a Recent Social Media Hailstorm

8/5/2021

 
When Financial Advisor magazine asked for my perspective regarding a recent social media hailstorm, I was happy to provide a few comments.

​As is normally the case whenever any of us submit comments, we should never expect everything to be included -- but we do need to provide enough context for the reporters to understand our position and, most importantly, to provide a few "quotable quotes" that are simply too good not to use. 

Read More

Digital Marketing for Financial Advisors with Claire Akin and Marie Swift

8/1/2021

 
In this Swift Chat video conversation, Marie Swift of Impact Communications, Inc. (Impact), speaks with Claire Akin of Indigo Marketing Agency (Indigo). While Impact and Indigo both offer content creation and social media / digital marketing solutions for independent financial advisors, the firms have different strengths and philosophies -- in fact, Impact and Indigo may even cross-refer depending on their initial assessment with the advisory firm. See if you can spot the differences in this fun and interesting conversation.

Read More

The State of Business Travel, Fall 2021 Outlook

7/27/2021

 
What's the state of business travel, you ask? This article from Associated Press writer David Koenig quotes Impact Communications' CEO Marie Swift. 

Read More

Impact Communications - CEO Message and Fall Outlook 2021

5/29/2021

 
​2020 was certainly a tough year, for so many people. No one was immune. Everyone had concerns. But here at Impact Communications, the firm I founded 28 years ago, we are grateful for the lessons learned, the problems solved, and the families we fed.  We are tighter as a team, stronger as individuals, and more grounded than ever before. At Impact Communications, one of our hallmark phrases is "dedicated, discerning, driven." That certainly was the case for Team Impact, only doubly so in 2020 right up til now, May 2021. 

Now that the vaccines are working and travel is more safe, we are excited about the prospect of seeing old friends and new at industry conferences this fall. Please look for us, say hello, and let's compare notes. 

So far we are slated to be at:​

Read More

TechGirl Financial has Doubled-Down on Communications throughout the Covid Crisis - Marie Swift and Victor Gaxiola Provide the How and the Why

7/15/2020

 
In this Swift Chat video conversation, Marie Swift of Impact Communications speaks with Victor Gaxiola, co-founder of TechGirl Financial. The topic: How communications have changed for financial advisors and their clients due to the coronavirus lock-downs and why TechGirl Financial decided to double-down on their communications.

Read More

Pushing through the Fog: Marketing that Works for Advisors Today

6/26/2020

 
Picture
Every single one of us has had to adjust our expectations of what is “normal” now. While some have used the term “new normal” to describe the work-from-home and shelter-in-place realities we are all experiencing, others continue to point out that things are changing quickly enough that now there is really just the “next normal” followed by the “next normal.” Sometimes it can feel like pushing through a patch of fog.
​
But while these have been challenging times for us individually and as a nation, not every advisor is struggling. In fact, some advisors are thriving. You’ll meet three such advisors during this important webinar: 

Pushing through the Fog: Marketing that Works for Advisors Today
Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm ET

Read More

Who's More Influential: Celebrities or Peers?

8/22/2019

 
​Earlier this week, Financial Planning magazine's editorial team asked me to weigh in on an important topic: Celebrity endorsements and whether or not they present a hazard for individual investors. I'm in this camp: Using celebrities as spokespersons for a wealth management brand is risky. Today's well-regarded celeb may be tomorrow's headline scandal or has-been persona. While some of my comments did make it into the article, I thought I'd take my own advice and do something we tell our clients to do: Share full press responses in the form of a blog post if not all of the comments are used (totally get it that there are space constraints and other competing interests happening for any journalist trying to craft a good story while writing on deadline).
Picture

Read More

Tips for Financial Advisors on Being Different, Standing Out: A Conversation with Claire Aiken and Marie Swift

7/26/2019

 
Picture
A few weeks ago, Claire Aiken of Indigo Marketing asked me to be her guest on her marketing podcast. I was delighted to accept. In this 20-minute conversation we discuss:

  • The biggest new marketing opportunities for advisors
  • How advisors can stand out with podcasts and videos
  • The steps to clarify your ideal niche
  • The easiest way to record high-quality videos for your website
  • How to communicate your specialty without alienating people
  • How to stand out from other financial advisors

Read More

Marie Swift of Impact Communications On:  Building a Strong Online Presence as an Independent Financial Advisor

5/11/2018

 
​Many people – including journalists and prospective clients – find new sources and service professionals by stumbling upon them, not searching for a business or person by name. Time and time again we hear stories of advisors who can directly attribute new client activity and business growth to their online efforts – and some have even received surprise television appearance invitations and media requests from journalists seeking qualified experts to help with their stories. The lesson: have a good website and LinkedIn profile, and then add other digital assets over time (for example: a YouTube channel, Facebook page, Google+ profile and/or Twitter stream). After reading this blog entry, be sure to use the Diagnostic Tool (newly updated for 2018) to see if there are gaps in your online presence.

Read More
    Picture
    Picture

    About
    This Blog

    Welcome to the “Best Practices in the Financial Services Industry” blog, where you will find ideas and tips from Marie Swift, a nationally-recognized marketing communications consultant who's worked with some of the top financial services and financial advisory firms in the nation over the course of her career. The "Swift Chat" series, which is available in both a video and a podcast format, is co-hosted by Impact Communications Vice President Jonny Swift, who selects his own guests and brings a Millennial perspective to the show. This blog spotlights financial services firms and allied institutions that the Swifts deem as adopting "Best Practices" in the industry. You will find numerous posts with tools and ideas aimed at helping independent financial advisors communicate better, scale, and grow.

    RSS Feed

    Kudos for Swift ChatS Podcast

    Picture
    Swift Chats makes the list: Fifteen Must-Listen Financial Podcasts | WealthManagement.com | November 2021
     
    Tweets by @ImpactMarComPR
     

    Categories

    All
    4FP Digital Marketing
    ACE Academy
    ACP Alliance Of Comprehensive Planners
    AdvisorEngine
    Advisor Solutions
    Advyzon
    Alex Cavalieri
    Allan Slider
    Allianz
    Alternate Income Source
    Angel Gonzalez
    Anthony Mlachnik
    Appreciative LIstening
    Ariel Acuna
    Awards & Recognition
    Balance In Work/Life
    Bill Cates
    Blain Wease
    Bob Veres
    Brad Swineheart
    Brian Fricke
    Brian Willet
    Carl Richards
    CEG Worldwide
    Center For Financial Planning
    Charitable Donations
    Chip Simon
    Chris Lamoureux
    Chris Manker
    Claire Akin
    Client Advisory Boards
    Client Driven Practice
    Colin Swift
    Compliance
    Conversations That Matter
    Craig Iskowitz
    CWA Network
    Daniel Crosby
    Dan Wanous
    David Lyon
    Digital Transformation
    Ed Jacobson
    Elements App
    Eric Showalter
    Ezra Group
    FAR Sight Series
    FeeOnlyNetwork.com
    Fiduciary Standards
    Fiduciary Voices
    FinTech
    FPA Kansas City
    Francesca McLin
    Haleh Moddasser
    Hanah Bryant
    Heather Kelly
    Holiday Notes
    Holistiplan
    Hot & Happening @T3
    Howard Lutz
    Impact Communications
    Inc.
    Incedo
    Indigo Marketing
    IWI Membership
    Jack Bogle
    Jake Wagner
    Jeff Levine
    Jess Flynn
    Jim Lange
    Jody Jacobson
    Joel Bruckenstein
    Joe Lukacs
    John Bowen
    John Enright
    Jonathan Ainsley
    Jonny Swift
    Josh Cutler
    Kevin Lozer
    Lange Financial Group
    Magellan Network
    Marie Swift
    Mark Clure
    Marketing
    Marketing Fundamentals
    Mark Paulson
    Mark Pearson
    MarTech
    Martin Tarlie
    Marwa Zakharia
    Mastering The Conversation
    Matt Sonnen
    Matt Trujillo
    Media Relations
    Meir Statman
    Meredith Moore
    Michael Kitces
    Michael Palumbos
    Michael Scarborough
    Mike Flinn
    Mitch Martin
    NAPFA
    Nepsis
    NEXA Insights
    Nitn Seth
    Online Diagnostic Tool
    Online Gap Analysis
    Online Presence
    Oranj
    PESO Model
    Phil Walker
    PR Crisis
    Preston Cherry
    Provincial Development
    Ray Sclafani
    Reese Harper
    RIA Channel
    Rich Cancro
    Robert Sofia
    Robert Steinberg
    Roger Ibbotson
    Roger Pine
    Sam Brownell
    SEC Marketing Rule
    Seven Group
    Shannon Rosic
    Shannon Stone
    Snappy Kraken
    Snappy Kraken
    Sonya Lutter
    Stephen Wershing
    Steve Resch
    Stonebridge Wealth
    Stratus Wealth
    Survey
    Swift Chat
    T3 Conference
    T3 Tech Hub
    TD Ameritrade
    Tim Whiting
    Tim Wyman
    Tony D'Amico
    Travis Parry
    True Wealth Book
    Vanguard
    Veriday
    Victor Gaxiola
    Webinar
    White Glove
    Women In Finance

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017

Stay Connected
Listen to Swift Chats podcast
View ​Swift Chat video series
View SwiftCam Series
Picture
Picture
SEE ALL AWARDS
Phone: 913-649-5009
Info@ImpactCommunications.org
©2021 Impact Communications, Inc.
View Google Profile

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Unique Approach
    • Out and About
    • Charitable Giving
    • VIdeos
    • Recognition
    • Join Our Team
  • Advisors
    • Conference Downloads
    • Marketing & PR >
      • Media Placements
      • Examples of Impact Communications news releases
    • Branding and Websites >
      • Logo Gallery
      • Office Signage
      • Brochures and Campaigns
      • Websites >
        • Website Case Study
    • Advisor Coaching
    • How We Work
  • Institutions
    • Marketing Strategy
    • Public Relations >
      • Media Placements
      • Examples of Impact Communications news releases
    • Website Strategy >
      • Case Study: Website Makeover
    • Speaking Engagements >
      • Speaking Appearences
    • Video Production
    • Group Programs
  • Journalists
  • News
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
  • Blog
  • Contact